Things I wish I'd been told when I first started out

[Ula]

I've recently figured out a few basics that I somehow missed along the way. What else have I missed?

-Buy a mask for you, for your face and for your style of diving. Never mind what looks cool, etc. Try it on, check it out for yourself on your face. Many masks that are stellar performers for other people have not worked at all for me. Ditto for snorkels.

-Use a wetsuit that keeps you warm. Period. This is way more important than brand, what thickness is recommended, rubber type, etc. Your diving performance will suffer if you get even a little bit cold.

-Weight yourself evenly all the way around your belt. Be neutral at 30' (9m). Having your weights evenly distributed makes it easier to keep the belt close against you and hydrodynamic, keeps you more balanced on decents, and easier for your buddy to roll you over at the surface in case of SWB (blackout).



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[sgnips]

looks like you didn't take a course, or at least a serious one...

i would add something about your fins, which should suit your morphological characteristics, being not too stiff nor too weak (many other issues here, let's keep it simple :head)

gloves and socks (if you need): same as the suit

what else? something about safety, i can imagine, but if you're looking for equipment tips, this is the core

and by the way:

[...] the belt [...] keeps you more balanced on decents, and easier for your buddy to roll you over at the surface in case of SWB (blackout).
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wish your buddy takes it off from you and takes him off too before reaching the surface in that case...

 

[Ula]

wish your buddy takes it off from you and takes him off too before reaching the surface in that case...

A course...would have been a good idea:head
I'm actually already signed up for one. Back when I started their weren't any courses offered. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it....

Hmm, you're right about the belt. Or if you have a really crappy partner who doesn't watch you dive and bumps into your unconcious body at the surface...

 

[demasoni]

Wow, well the list of should haves, could haves and would haves are long...

Top three things that pop into my mind:

1. Realize that freediving is an ongoing process, don't expect leaps and bounds in improvement overnight or within months.

2. Ask yourself: "Why do you freedive?" Starving - need to fish for food or cash? Doing it for the glory and to be "World Champion" and immortalize yourself with records? Some other reason? Maybe just for fun or the challenge? Asking yourself this and being true to yourself will help you ALOT.

3. Accept that change might/will happen to your freediving technique/attitude and be open to new ideas and methodologies. There isn't one "right" way.

OK, I'll get off my soapbox now.