What is freediving?

Freediving is one of the best ways to experience the wonders of underwater nature. Instead of connecting to an oxygen tank, freediving is the act of holding your breath and diving. You will not have the external air supply or the weight that comes with it, giving you a great sense of freedom.

Freediving has many benefits compared to scuba diving as you will be able to explore the underwater ecosystem with less noise and without the hassle of a lot of gear, which will save you pennies and pounds. With freediving, you will be able to enjoy the underwater world as much as the marine life does without scaring it away on approach. 

In short, freediving is the easiest and most natural way to explore underwater depths.

Freediving equipment: everything you need

So you want to start a freediving trip to ...... Although you don't need as much equipment as scuba diving, you still have to have some essentials before diving to the surface.

This is a complete summary of all the freediving gear you need to ensure you are safe and comfortable underwater.

Freediving Mask

While you can use a scuba or snorkel mask for freediving, you may want to purchase a mask designed specifically for this sport.

Freediving masks differ in that they are low-profile or small in size. Most scuba masks are closer to your face, but this is an additional important quality of freediving masks. 

With a smaller internal volume, there is significantly less air in the mask, so it requires much less breathing when balancing than when using a full-size mask. Rather than wasting valuable oxygen to remove large volumes of air, freediving masks have much less space and therefore are more likely to reduce mask squeeze when the time is right. 

You also need to make sure your mask is comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time. Usually, silicon is a safe choice because the material will fit softly on your face while creating a waterproof seal. 

It is best to buy a mask with tempered glass, which will not break due to intense pressure or impact. This is vital to protect yourself while freediving! 

Freediving snorkel

In addition to a mask, you will need a freediving snorkel, mainly to improve your pre-diving experience. 

Most freedivers will stay on the surface for a while before trying to determine the exact spot they want to explore. When you have a vent tube, you can keep your face in the water while floating and not miss any movement like you do when you need to surface every few seconds (or minutes).

Freediving ventilators are a slightly special piece of equipment because they are much more flexible than traditional rigid ventilators. They also have a smaller bite, are more comfortable, and have an open top, as a vent or dry top increases drag in the water (the last thing a freediver wants). 

Freediving flippers

When it comes time to get in the water, freedivers will definitely want a trusty pair of flippers in their arsenal of gear.

Freediving flippers differ from traditional snorkels or diving flippers in that they tend to be longer and paddle-shaped, allowing you to glide through the water with ease. While they may take some time to get used to, freediving flippers are a must-have because they will propel you through the water at a fast pace toward your goal without wasting air or energy.

Many freediving flippers even have interchangeable blades, allowing you to change materials and styles to best suit your activity. You may find that carbon fiber blades are best for long distances and energy efficiency, while fiberglass or polymer blades are better suited for rocky terrain. 

After gaining some freediving experience, you will easily see why being able to change fins is such a great benefit. 

However, as a beginner, you should be comfortable with a pair of long, sturdy plastic flippers before spending a fortune on a pair of quality flippers. Since these types of flippers are less rigid, they are easier to get used to as novice freedivers and may be more comfortable in the water. 

Freediving Suits

It's easy to overlook wetsuits, especially if you're used to swimming in the ocean, but when it comes to freediving, this is one piece of equipment you don't want to skimp on.

Wetsuits are certainly not cheap, but the best ones are worth every penny. Not only will they keep you warm and comfortable in the water, but they will also protect you from the harmful elements you may encounter, whether it's jagged rocks, spiny sea creatures, or just strong sunlight.

However, when it comes to freediving, you have to remember that since the wetsuit provides buoyancy, you have to counteract it with weight. The thicker the wetsuit, the more buoyancy you will have. 

You will find freediving suits in various thicknesses, from 0.5 mm to 5/3 mm, which is pretty standard for mild conditions.