What is your opinion on this?

[henjon]

Hi,

What do you guys think?

Do you think that people who freedive (mostly train) alone, are bad for the freediving community because of the bad PR and reputation it brings. By this i mean that most deaths are the result of people freediving alone, without buddies.

Or do you think that it is alright if the individual decides to train/dive alone, because it is their life and their risk. With no regards to the freediving community.

Just curious.

Brgds

Henrik

 

[SanderP]

Or do you think that it is alright if the individual decides to train/dive alone, because it is their life and their risk. With no regards to the freediving community.

I'd take that one...

Many freedivers dive alone and most spearfishers dive alone. And there's nothing to do about it. And I belive most of them are aware of the risks. That's the way it is... and will probably always be.

Besides that, it's not easy to find a safety diver who will always have time/wants to dive when you do. Quite a frustrating reason to give up diving, isn't it?

So I think it's okay as long as you're as careful as possible and don't go very deep. Many will probably disagree.

 

[DiverTodd]

I will admit to diving alone, as well, for exactly that reason; NOBODY to dive with (Ohio isn't exactly brimming over with freedivers). HOWEVER, when I do dive alone, I keep things VERY conservative, going nowhere NEAR my limits. Mainly, I'll use the time to work on things like form, equalization, etc. When I do want to push limits or go for a new PB depth, I'll only do it when my friend, who is a scuba instructor, can be there with me.

Todd

 

[henjon]

Ive been training alone aswell, (in public pools). But the only underwater training i have done so far is equalizing, where i go no where near my limit.. Ohh, and sometimes i enjoy just staying at the bottom of the pool, and looking up at the rays of light that breaks the surface of the pool.. but then again i do not go near my limits...

But then again, i have hear plenty of examples of experienced divers getting a BO after just 25 m of dynamic.. so you never know..

 

[naiad]

Controversial topic... but I'll take the bait. I think everyone is responsible for their own safety. I wouldn't like to be banned from freediving because someone else had an accident, and I don't want others to be banned if I have an accident. The freediving community should not be blamed for the actions of individuals. From my experience the freediving community has given me lots of valuable safety information, which has possibly saved my life and certainly made me aware of how to train safely and effectively.

However, I also think we should take responsibility for our effect on others. If I have a stupid accident because I don't care about my own safety, it will have an impact on my friends and family, those who try to rescue me and may risk their own lives to do so, and other freedivers who will have to put up with even more restrictions on training and concern from their relatives and friends about their 'dangerous sport'.

I try to be careful, and there are some things I would never do, such as long statics or dynamics alone, any new technique, or training with someone I don't trust. Those are just too dangerous. I have seen many sambas and blackouts, and I know just how easy it is to go over the limit.

I don't ever recommend anyone to train alone. It is a personal decision.

The rule should be 'never train alone', but as long as there are freedivers and water, someone somewhere will be training alone.

Lucia

 

[gman]

One of the reasons I quit diving years ago was a lack of buddies. It was too frustrating to gear up for several days mentally and then physically the morning of the dive only to drive to your buddies house and find out he had to a; mow the lawn b; roof the house or c; was too hung over.
I am amking contacts now through this board that that I think are more stable than the folks I used to dive with. I am also looking foreword to introducing my oldest son to this sport. That way I'll have a permanant buddy.