Freediving is becoming an increasingly popular water sport. However, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding freediving. In this article, we will debunk some of the most common freediving myths.
You Have to Be an Elite Athlete
One of the biggest freediving myths is that you need to be an elite athlete to do it. Many people think you must have incredible lung capacity or be able to hold your breath for several minutes. However, this is simply not true.
Freediving is open to people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities. You do not need to be an Olympic swimmer to enjoy freediving. With proper training and technique, anyone can learn to freedive safely. It is more about relaxation and controlling your body’s urge to breathe than physical fitness.
It’s Dangerous
Another common myth is that freediving is extremely dangerous. People hear stories of blackouts and drowning and assume the sport itself is high-risk. However, statistics show freediving has an excellent safety record compared to many other sports when done properly.
There are certainly risks to freediving that need to be taken seriously. However, with the right precautions, it is no more dangerous than scuba diving. Never freedive alone, take classes to learn proper technique, listen to your body, and freedive within your limits. With adequate training and safety, the risks can be well managed.
You Must Dive to Great Depths
Many freediving myths suggest you have to dive to great depths below 100 feet to really experience the sport. However, depth is not what freediving is about. Enjoying the serenity underwater and pushing your body’s limits sensibly are what make freediving so rewarding.
Most recreational freedivers stay within 30-65 feet depths. Going below 100 feet requires advanced training and special safety precautions. Freediving is meant to be relaxing, not stressful. Diving to extreme depths should be left to competitive athletes who train years to go below 400 feet. Enjoy the depths you can reach safely.
Equalizing Is Impossible
Another common myth is that equalizing your ears and sinus cavities as you descend is extremely difficult or impossible for some people. Equalizing is essential to avoid injuring your ears at depth. However, it is a skill anyone can learn with practice.
The technique involves pinching your nose closed while blowing gently to equalize the pressure in your ears. This becomes trickier the deeper you dive, but never impossible. Taking classes will teach you when and how to equalize properly. Going slow, equalizing frequently, and being patient are key to mastering it. Proper equalizing makes freediving more comfortable and safe.
You’ll Get Decompression Sickness
Some myths suggest you can get decompression sickness or “the bends” from freediving. However, this is essentially impossible when freediving due to the physics involved. Decompression sickness occurs when inert gases like nitrogen build up in the body from breathing compressed air at depth.
Since you hold your breath while freediving, these gases do not accumulate in the body. There is no risk of bubbles forming in the bloodstream upon surfacing like scuba diving. As long as you do not use compressed air, decompression sickness poses no threat in freediving.
Freediving is Only for the Ocean
A common misconception is that you can only go freediving in the ocean. In reality, there are many other places to enjoy the sport as well. Quarries, lakes, rivers, swimming pools and even water tanks can be used for freediving activities.
Freediving does not require saltwater, coral reefs or warm tropical temperatures. Any body of water with adequate depth, visibility and safety works well. Taking local freediving courses is the best way to find accessible spots in your area to try it.
You’ll Get Pulled Down by Strong Currents
Some first-timers worry strong currents or undertows will drag them down and not let them reach the surface. However, skilled freedivers know how to avoid and manage currents.
By scouting conditions beforehand, descending at an angle, and staying relaxed, currents can be dealt with safely. An experienced buddy on the surface watching you closely is also essential for current dives. Additionally, a quick inflatable surface buoy and line let you pull yourself up in a strong current if needed. With proper preparation, currents add fun thrill rather than serious risk.
It’s Easy to Black Out from Lack of Oxygen
A major myth is that blacking out, or losing consciousness underwater, is common and hard to prevent in freediving. In reality, blackouts can easily be avoided by following basic safety measures.
Never freedive alone, hyperventilate, or compete with others on breath holds. Stay within your limits and ascend gently at the first urge to breathe. Listen to your body rather than seeking depth records. Finally, use the “buddy system” and have your partner monitor you closely on each dive. With common sense, blackouts are rare events among recreational freedivers.
You Can Only Hold Your Breath for One Minute
Many newcomers believe the human limit for holding your breath underwater is about one minute. In truth, with training, the average person can hold their breath for 2-4 minutes, and elite freedivers for over 10 minutes!
Using techniques like lung packing and meditation, short breath holds can be extended much longer. Training your body through CO2 tolerance and equipment like nose clips and monofins will also help increase bottom times. Don’t limit yourself to one minute. See how far you can gradually push your body’s limits with practice.
You Must Use Complicated Gear
Some think freediving requires lots of fancy equipment like weighted sleds, lanyards and specialized wetsuits. While these exist for competitive training, recreational freediving is very simple gear-wise.
Often a basic wetsuit, mask, and fins are all you need. Many seasoned freedivers prefer minimal gear to maintain comfort and freedom of movement. Don’t let a lack of complicated equipment deter you. Focus more on mastering technique with a qualified instructor. The fancier gear can come later as needed.
Freediving opens up peaceful underwater worlds and pushes human limits in incredible ways. By debunking these common myths, understand that freediving is approachable, relatively safe and worth trying for almost anyone. Take an introductory course and see the fascinating sport of freediving for yourself.
Freediving has many misconceptions that scare away newcomers to the sport. However, as covered here, most freediving myths either exaggerate or misunderstand the risks involved. With proper training, safety precautions and sensible limits, freediving is an amazing experience accessible to people of all ages and abilities. By knowing the facts around these common freediving myths, anyone can give it a try and open up a whole new underwater world. Just be sure to get educated, stay within your limits, and enjoy the serenity below the surface that freediving offers.
