What is summer associated with? For most people, this sultry time is inseparable from the sea, swimming in lakes, diving, etc. However, there are people for whom water is a natural element. They are engaged in swimming not only in season but all year round. And not just swimming, but diving to certain depths under special conditions. Freedivers it!
A little background
Diving was popular even among the ancient Greeks and Romans. However, freediving as such arose only in the middle of the 20th century, after scuba invented. The eccentric Italian R. Boucher proved the ability of a man without equipment to conquer the deep sea. He arguably dived into the Gulf of Naples to the depths where divers were working at that time, and won this bet. And after we measured the depth of the dive, everyone was horrified - it was 30 meters. It was considered unbelievable and inexplicable.
Freedivers and freediving
Freedivers are extreme athletes who dive into the water without special uniforms on holding their breath.
Freediving is one of the extreme sports based on immersion in water while holding your breath and performing various tasks under such conditions. Depending on the type of such tasks, there are several disciplines of freediving. They will be discussed a bit below. The best freedivers of the world constantly get together and compete - not only for the sake of victory, but also in order to push the boundaries of the human body's capabilities.
Constant weight diving in fins
Reaching the maximum possible depth and lifting to the surface with the same amount of cargo. In this discipline, the Russian record holder in the female community is Russian Natalya Molchanova. The depth of immersion was 111 meters. The record was recorded on December 20, 2005. A year later, a record was set among men. The lucky one was the Austrian Herbert Nietzsc, who dived to a depth of 80 meters.
Constant weight diving without fins
Reaching the maximum possible depth and lifting to the surface with the same weight characteristics of the cargo. The record holder in women's society is Natalia Molchanova. The depth of immersion was 55 meters. The record was recorded on November 7, 2005. In the same year, a similar achievement was made by a man. He was a Czech citizen Martin Stepanek, who dived 80 meters in depth.
Variable Weight Diving
When diving into the water, a slad is used, which, upon reaching the maximum depth, is left by the athlete in the pool. The mass of such an auxiliary agent is not more than 30 kg. Among the female half of the population, the Englishwoman Tanya Streeter became a record holder, who dived 122 meters. This event occurred on July 19, 2003. In male society, Carlos Costa from Venezuela distinguished himself. Its immersion depth was 140 meters. The record was recorded on May 9, 2006.
Variable weight diving, no limits
Diving to the maximum possible depth with a slade, which eventually remains in the water. Ascent is permitted to use assistive devices. Weight characteristics are not regulated. In this discipline, the previously mentioned freedivers are record holders - Tanya Streeter and Austrian Herbert Nietzsc set a world record. The depth of immersion was 160 and 183 meters, respectively. Both records were registered in August 2006.
Free immersion
The athlete dives to the maximum possible depth, while using his hands to pull on the cable. In this discipline, the Russian champion Natalya Molchanova again became the champion in female society. The depth of the record dive was 131 meters. The achievement was recorded June 3, 2006. And in the same year a record was set among men. The leader was the Czech Martin Stepanek, who dived to a depth of 106 meters.
Dynamic apnea without the use of flippers
Freedivers dive not only in depth, but also in length. This is something like long jumps on water. In this case, you need to jump as far as possible, and with one breath. The record holder in women's society is Natalia Molchanova. The depth of immersion was 131 meters. The record was recorded on December 20, 2005.
A year later, a man made a similar record. They became a German citizen, Martin Tom Sitas, who dived 183 meters in depth.
Static Apnea
Hold the breath while lying down. In this case, the face should be tilted down and touch the surface of the water. In this discipline, the previously mentioned freedivers are record holders. This is Natalia Molchanova from Russia and Austrian Herbert Nietzsc. The breath holding time was 7 minutes 30 seconds and 9 minutes 4 seconds, respectively. Both records were recorded in 2006.
Russian records in apnea
Russian sports "raised" a family of apnea champions. The best freedivers of Russia are Natalya Molchanova and her son Alexei Molchanov. Natalia has reached impressive heights in this sport - she is a multiple champion in various freediving disciplines.
You can’t say about her heir, who was recorded so far in only one list of “the best of the best.” He set a record for constant weight diving with flippers. The depth was 126 meters.
What awaits beginners, or how to become a freediver?
The main thing that a beginner diver should do is to get a set of No. 1. It includes fins, half mask, breathing tube.
When all the necessary equipment is available, you can start training.
Important! Before you devote yourself to freediving, you must consult a doctor for advice. The sport in question is categorically contraindicated in people with certain severe chronic diseases. But far from all diseases, this applies, and in most cases freediving classes are possible, the only limitation is the type of activity performed.
Each lesson begins with a check of equipment. The mask should cover your eyes and nose and be completely sealed. This equipment needs to be fixed so that when inhaling with the nose, the mask sticks to the face and does not allow air masses to pass through. But do not overdo it with a belt tension, since subsequently it can cause pain.
The first thing you have to face is pain in the ears caused by deformation of the eardrum.
Recommendation No. 1. Special swallowing movements neutralize ear pain: hold the organ of smell with your hand and make a false exhalation through the nose. As a result of such manipulation, the Eustachian tubes open slightly and a rush of air mass from the lungs will balance the external water pressure.
The second nuance is pressing the mask to the face as you move in depth.
Recommendation No. 2. The mask does not cling to your face if you balance its internal pressure. Make it simple: just exhale through your nose.
A key role in the development of a “quality” athlete is played by the freediver’s breathing. But before you learn breathing technology, you should first understand why this is so important. The growth rate of hydrostatic pressure is 1 atmosphere in increments of 10 meters, that is, every 10 meters it increases by 1 atmosphere. At the same time, deep-sea diving leads to a significant reduction in air in the lungs, and this is when the partial pressure of oxygen increases. That is why there is an increased risk of loss of consciousness by a freediver or the onset of the so-called blackout, and this explains the need to breathe correctly.
To see the underwater world and immerse yourself in it is a reality accessible to everyone! You just need to become a freediver.