Just a quick question + picture:

[hugo2703]

Dear members,

Let me first introduce myself as it is my first post.

I have started freediving (the training at least) not so long ago and I am thoroughly enjoying the sport. I have of course purchased the Manual of Freediving and I patiently go through the exercises. Its such a good book for newcomers!

I am an avid watch collector and it is through the history of dive watches that I have developed an interest in freediving. As you know, there is a close bond between divers and their instruments and freediving is helping me appreciate my dive watches.

Now for my question:

This summer, I will put to practise what I have been learning but I have one big concern relating to my ears. As a child I have had many ear infections and I have had my adenoids removed. Since then I have always been swimming (I am a semi competitive swimmer) with ear plugs but shower without them and I have never had an issue.

I am not planning on going very deep but I was wondering if any of you have any experience with such distressing matters?

I will of course go see a specialist but i'd like to know your thoughts on this as you all seem very experienced and learned!

For fun:
Here is a picture of my dive instrument. I will take it freediving with me.

Thank you for your help,

Kind regards,

Hugo

 

[cdavis]

You can't freedive, period with normal ear plugs. Docs proplugs allow for equalization but keep your ears dry. Many freedivers use them.

If a rolex is all you got, it'll do for freediving, but a freediving computer, F10 or similar, will be much more useful.

 

[hugo2703]

You can't freedive, period with normal ear plugs. Docs proplugs allow for equalization but keep your ears dry. Many freedivers use them.

Ok great. I'll check out these bad boy ear plugs. That is exactly what I need!
Thanks for your help!

If a rolex is all you got, it'll do for freediving, but a freediving computer, F10 or similar, will be much more useful.

Oh come on, you ain't showing the sub any love. I am not planning on conquering the abyss just yet. The sub will do just fine!


Hugo

 

[Kars]

With a watch like that I'm sure your buddy will do his best to rescue it

Seriously, a dive computer like the D4, F10, Aladin 2g, D3, F1 etc offers much more functionality. On the other hand, learning how to freedive goes best without gauges and gadgets who have beginners' minds focus on numbers, instead of on feeling, technique, rhythm, relaxation.

Welcome to Deeperblue!

Use the practical search function, there is so much interesting stuff to learn!

 

[nostres]

Hey,

It is nice watch, classic but...
if You sell it (I know You won't) You could get D4, F10 or any other comp., Docs pro plugs, nice wetsuit, nice monofin, nice noseclip, nice underwater camera, ticket to Hawaii just throwing ideas

 

[Simos]

Welcome - when you get the ear plugs, make sure you get the ones with the holes as Docs do both vented and unvented...

If you get a second watch like that, you can wear it on the other wrist and you won't need a weight belt

As I can tell you love watches, I'd advice you to leave it at home when you start freediving. You need to focus on relaxing your body, your body position and the sensations instead of worrying what the watch says.

Apart from setting alarms when going deep or planning to stay long and examining dive profiles after the dives, I have yet to find a proper reason to wear a watch while Freediving. It really doesn't help as it makes you focus on time and depth...
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[hugo2703]

Thank you all for your advice and recommendations!
I'll give the ear plugs a go and see what happens.

I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Hugo

 

[mystiach]

Just be sure you don't take your watch to Dean's Blue Hole, I hear it takes ritual sacrifice of dive gear.

Also - Rolex might have to invent the super-sub mariner if Herbert were to take it down on another NLT attempt. Or is there a built-in margin of error?

Happy diving!

 

[foxfish]

Hi Hugo, I have a few watches myself although I collect more Omega, I do have an old submariner too.
However the guys are very right - nice watch but you need to look at the more specialist freediving watches.

 

[hugo2703]

I don't think I need a dive computer just yet...I don't think i'll be going any deeper than 10-15m.
This year I'll take it easy to see how my ears react to pressure and water.

But thanks, i'll into those gadgets.

Omega-yum- SMP 300 (vintage) + Ploprof are my favourites!

 

[foxfish]

Have a look here http://forums.deeperblue.com/general-freediving/87093-freedivers-watch-not-computor.html

 

[shrek]

Arrh wear the watch freediving every one knows the bigger your watch is the better you are at diving :t

 

[hugo2703]

Arrh wear the watch freediving every one knows the bigger your watch is the better you are at diving :t

Dude, its not about the watch.

Its about the technique, the sensation, the connection!

My post was also about ear infection...The watch is just some eye candy for you guys as I have no diving pictures.

 

[Drogba]

The watch is really eye candy dude. And i was also thinking its about watch

 

[shrek]

sorry hugo i didn't think i needed to repeat what was already said about ear plugs ect
you have already got the feel for freediving from your last post

 

[Simos]

Hey Hugo - regarding ear plugs: if I am honest I am not too sure that they will help with ear infections... The ones that you use for swimming might help because they might stop water entering your ear but with the vented ones this is not the case... The whole point is that they let water through so that you can equalise... But maybe there's something I am missing eg with the water temperature etc
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[Simos]

Also since I am assuming you'll be wearing a hood, I am not too sure this will work with the ear plugs as they have a fairly small opening from the photos I've seen for water to go through and might be an issue if the hood blocks the hole? Not sure... Bear in mind that the hood already protects your ears from cold water etc if that's what you are worried about so you might not need earplugs... In fact some hoods can be so watertight that some people make a tiny hole on the hood to make sure that it doesn't trap air and that water can get through, which is more or less how the ear plugs wok. I am not expert, Just my thoughts...
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[hugo2703]

sorry hugo i didn't think i needed to repeat what was already said about ear plugs ect
you have already got the feel for freediving from your last post

Its chilled man, I'm just teasing you.
Its all good here. Anyway, we are all equal when confronted with the ocean!

 

[hugo2703]

Also since I am assuming you'll be wearing a hood, I am not too sure this will work with the ear plugs as they have a fairly small opening from the photos I've seen for water to go through and might be an issue if the hood blocks the hole? Not sure... Bear in mind that the hood already protects your ears from cold water etc if that's what you are worried about so you might not need earplugs... In fact some hoods can be so watertight that some people make a tiny hole on the hood to make sure that it doesn't trap air and that water can get through, which is more or less how the ear plugs wok. I am not expert, Just my thoughts...
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Thanks buddy!

I won't be wearing a suite when diving. I'll be in the Mediterranean and won't be going too deep. I also want to see what my poor ears have to see about freediving before I commit to the proper freediving kit.

 

[Simos]

Try not to be too worried about your ears - it's quite common to develop a small fear of ear infection if you've had a bad experience... A friend of mine was taken scuba diving without proper training, she couldn't equalise and as a result damaged her ears a bit. As a result she got an ear infection. Her ears healed fine and the infection cleared but to this very day, she doesn't want to get her ears underwater and is worried about water going in and getting an infection...

Just assume that the first times that you'll freedive you won't be able to equalise - it's really common... Don't push your ears in any way, any slight pain just come up to the surface. You don't want to push it and cause damage as that might cause an infection.

If you have trouble equalising head down, try descending feet first slowly on a rope and equalise. If you don't have a rope just descend at an angle... Remember to keep your body relaxed and your neck/head at a neutral position, you don't want to be bending or stretching your neck as it doesn't help with equalisation...
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