Some Beginner Questions

[Buba]

Hi,
Ive been lurking on the forums for some time, but I havent really got some complete answers. Every year I go to the adriatic and freedive. Its not competative, but more recreational.

My first question is if you need to have a wetsuit for spearfishing and diving, and if weights are only required with a suit.

Secondly, Ive been looking for some new fins, and i found the cressi gara 3000 ld's. i cant try these fins out before purchasing, and almost every thread about sizing involves booties and different view. I dont plan on using booties and was wondering what size fin I should go for with a foot size of 11.5-12 US sizing.

Lastly, im trying to improve my breathe hold times. Right now I can hold for roughly 1:30, and Ive been looking for a way to improve. I saw the tables in the beginners thread, but I didnt really understand it. Im wondering if I could get some further explanation about it.

Thanks,
Buba

 

[growingupninja]

Many spearos who dive in warm waters without a wetsuit do wear some light weights, but for just playing, I would not personally bother with weights. If you live in CA, even if you have to drive 2-3 hours, it is worth it to find some place where you can try on long fins. Comfort and fit is really, really important, and the footpockets vary with the brand. Near LA (Hermosa Beach), Freedive and Spear is very reputable, keeps your size in stock, and the owner is extremely knowledgeable. There are others near San Diego but I don't know anything about them. Good luck. Lots of training threads on here for you to increase your breathhold, also plenty of instructors and classes around.

 

[Whopperhead]

The Weight question depends on your suit and how deep you plan on diving. If you are doind shallow diving (less than 30ft) then you may need a few lbs..... depending on your suit thickness. Also, if you are diving Salt or Fresh Water? I dive Freshwater in a 5mm suit. I usually spearfish in less than 30 ft of water and therefore wear about 16lbs of weight. If I am diving lines: 3mm suit= no weight, 5mm suit= 4lbs.

I have a pair of the Cressi 3000's. They are nice, but do run Thin. If you have a really WIDE foot. I would go with a OMER footpocket. I wear a size 11 and the Euro 44 size is perfect with my socks on and would be fine without socks also. If you are 11.5 I would suggest bumping up to a size 45.

The breathing thing is a tricky question to explain over a forum and actually kind of risky. My best suggestion is to take a class. The first day you will have a breath hold of 3mins. It's worth the money and can save your life.

 

[Buba]

Thanks for replying. I am leaving soon, and taking a class is near impossible. Ive read up a lot about the dangers of black outs, and how to be safe. I have some dive buddies over there, who are near my level. I figured out how to do the CO2 tables, and I am doing the following:
Rest:1:00 Hold: 1:00
R 2:30. H: 1:00
R 2:15. H: 1:00
R 2:00. H: the same throughout
R 1:45
R 1:30
R: 1:15
R: 1:00
R: 1:00

I find it a little easy. Should i increase my hold time? My maximum breath hold for now is 2:05. Im also gonna switch between O2 tables, so i will post it when i set it up

Im also diving in saltwater, and probably without a suit, as I realized that it is my firt time actually training to go deeper, so i probably do not need it.

 

[Azrael3000]

As pointed out in many threads here the rest times of beginner CO2 tables are far too high. And so are yours. When you rest for 2 minutes all you CO2 will be vented and the table is pointless. Generally if a C02 table isn't hard, it's not working. So at first reduce your rest times. If that is still easy then increase the holds.

 

[Buba]

Ok, ill try that, thanks for the reply.