Needing advice on what/how to train first

[John Marr]

First of all a big hello!

I have been basically only snorkelling until last year, when i accompanied a friend, who was doing freediving.
After trying his fins and getting down there for the first time i got hooked!

I would like to train to get better but i have some basic questions of course:

First I'd like to say that I don't necessarily want to reach extreme depths.
For now it would be perfectly ok to stay at around 3 to 5 meters, but stay there as long and comfortable as i can and observe the surrounding marine life

My biggest problems so far are the equalisation, since i have a distinctive deviated septum, which sometimes makes equalisation even harder then normal.
The second problem is of course holding my breath (currently max 1 min underwater) longer.

My questions:

I don't quite understand the calculation of weights,
i.e: when i want to be "floating" in 3 m depth do i have to carry more or less weight then in 10 m?

I found a lot of information on breath training but
what can I do to constantly train my equalisation outside the water.



Thanks for all tips!

 

[naiad]

Hi John, welcome aboard!

If you are having problems with equalisation, the Frenzel method may be helpful. I find equalisation very difficult, and learning the Frenzel has been a breakthrough.
http://forums.deeperblue.net/equalisation/67651-can-i-teach-myself-frenzel.html

More on equalisation...
http://forums.deeperblue.net/equalisation/

You will need more weight for shallow diving than deep diving. This is because as you go deeper, the air in your lungs and in your suit compresses, so you lose buoyancy.

Hope you find the answers to your questions.

Lucia