What are /r/freediving's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

I use Freediving trainer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brucemax.freediveapneatimer) and I like it. I don't know how it is with built-in sensors (I doubt that phone's sensor works well enough to detect while training, but I may be wrong :)) but it works well with an oximeter. You can also build your own tables and I love that.

I really like this new app, NTX Apnea. No display of time in the app so you purely focus on the sensations. The best is it's free and has a variety of exercises from easy to hard.

No traditional O2 or CO2 tables are included in this app, lazy tables, apnea walks, guided breathe ups, crwzy tables are some of them.

NTX Apnea

You've found some good spots. Find a zero-swell day and go out snorkeling. Lovers' is going to have better snorkeling close to shore than Breakwater.

Van Damme is good too, but the visibility is normally worse than it will be in Monterey, and there's less stuff to see.

If there is a single book, it's probably the Manual of Freediving, but don't let reading be a substitute for actual instruction.

Reach out to the Monterey Bay Tritons if you're thinking about spearfishing. There's also a Facebook page called something like "Monterey Freedivers" that's pretty active and has a few local instructors.

Funny, the software is exactly as their previous one (Salvimar One)

https://www.amazon.fr/SALVIMAR-Freediving-Montre-Plong%C3%A9e-Adulte/dp/B01N6UKRYZ

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The software was nice !

(The watch box itself was crappy, buttons were very hard and not so watertight!)

so that's a good news :)

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On the software side, nothing to regrets,

Timers were a bit too simplist for training but still nice.

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I absolutely love the display !

I too am Asian and struggle with this. Gang gang.

I'm looking at this mask, one of the reviews said that it may be better fitted for Asian noses:

https://www.amazon.com/OMGear-Frameless-Snorkeling-Freediving-Spearfishing/dp/B07FRVVNYG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I'll probably be purchasing today and I'll have it more than likely at the end of the week.

I use this app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.naterop.freedive

Keep it simple is my method. Every few weeks I'll do a max static and see where I'm at and update the app.

You don't need an O2 link. Or at all. Just feel your body's reaction and behavior. That's what you're trying to control. The finger O2 sensors aren't accurate anyway on breath holds. A regular fitness tracker can track HR. But these are pieces of information that just doesn't apply. If you are calm and relaxed your specific HR doesn't matter. We're all different. The data could be helpful but in reality it's all in your head. You don't need data... You need relaxation while holding! The only data that matters is how long you can comfortably hold.

You can train as much as you have the capacity for both mentally and physically. I've done two a days ( the tables I do are under 30 minutes still ).

You'll know you've done too much if you don't have the stamina to stay present while training. If you doze off or lose focus call it off for a day or three!

There's so many schools of thought on which series of tables is the best. It's still such a new science. I do the CO2 tolerance mostly and then mix in an O2 deprivation table (presets in the app). Looking for a challenge? Try it holding on exhale :)

I started doing freediving last year, and the most I could hold my breath underwater without any training was 45 seconds. This year with some minimal training with this app I could dive for 1:20 minutes. I am hoping for next year to be able to dive for 2 min.

I can't find a specific name, my local dive shop has a few (different color/size), some example of names: - Blue Reef Mesh Bug Bag with D-Ring on scuba.com - example from amazon - please consider a local dive shop before buying from amazon :)

https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Hydro-Spearfishing-Freediving-Medium/dp/B0054MXWQ8/ref=sr_1_6?crid=L1290YX93KAQ&keywords=ear+plugs+scuba&qid=1663771630&sprefix=ear+plugs+scub%2Caps%2C257&sr=8-6 you're welcome

I suffered from ear infections a lot when I was a kid and they lessened in severity as an adult, but I still get pain pretty quickly that will develop into an infection if I do a lot of diving forget about the folksy anecdotal remedies when it came to me nothing worked tried it all.

My first big jackpot was docs pro plugs they allowed me to equalize and cut down on the time it would take for my ears to start hurting from 1 to 2 days to a week on vacation every day head in water after some time if I kept going the swimmer ear pain would become full blown fever infection probably if I didn't take breaks.

They didn't stop it completely because of how they work they do let a small amount of water into the ear so you can equalize. But my second find was actually just two years ago they're called JBL spearguns hydro seals, they claim they have industry first design or something (I didn't buy it, but I tried them anyway if they sucked I would just stick with the docs pro plugs).

No b/s I dive with these as much as I want 30 to 40 feet for hours or around 10 to 15 ish meters never even begin to get swimmer's ear after 3 weeks. I can equalize the same as I did without them, and I can forget I even have them on sometimes because I got the right fit (how I lost the first pair). This product actually does what it says it does I bought the second one instantly after losing the first pair and I still got the pro plugs as back up.

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https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Hydro-Seal-Aqua-Plugs/dp/B00EZVDGUQ

Like these: https://www.amazon.it/Subgear/dp/B00F88Q70G/ref=asc_df_B00F88Q70G/?tag=googshopit-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=279832678078&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10393056577999221985&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&...

FYI: Recently we added Garmin devices support for measurement HR in our app on Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brucemax.freediveapneatimer . But we also going include it in iOS version

I don’t personally own it, but I’ve had this bag in my cart for a while.

Skog Å Kust BackSåk Waterproof Floating Backpack with Exterior Zippered Pocket | 25L & 35L Sizes https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07Q8JX55G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_WA2RRS3GE9V5BJVSX2HS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Yeah, the article is obviously incorrect regarding dive time. According to wikipedia, her PB for static is 7:31.

In this session, she was getting in the water for over 6-8 minutes (not sure how long was actual breatholding time), after 6 minutes it was pretty comfortable and there was no need to warm more. Source

I bought this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MQLGDCB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SJ440B575WR26GY8SGTX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

So I just got some cheap spray bottles from the dollar store, the day of my dive I add a few table spoons of the power to the bottle, then add lukewarm water until it reaches a thick consistency. Thin it down until it will spray out. Then I put a little soap in, shake very well. Keeps fine for several days if it’s cool out, have kept it in the fridge/cooler for over a week with no issues. Has worked great for my sensitive skin, suit slides right on if you use enough!

Of course: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897BHTJG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Full disclosure: I tried the suit in the pool the other day and water just poured in making it really difficult to swim. I ended up returning it and getting a custom Polosub. My proportions are odd (long legs, short torso, and a Latina figure - basically a peanut on a stick) so buying a tailored one worked best for me.

The Polosub was almost the same price as the Waihana. Actually it was cheaper, but the shipping was about $100.00.

It deflates and I carry it in my dive bag along with the rest of my gear. It's pretty heavy duty, I'd say it weighs ~10lb. It's not the smallest buoy and more meant for line diving as a group. I have another torpedo float more for when I'm doing shore dives. That one packs really small and is really light weight which I use for travel.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085ZFDMMX

Got this one - it has it's own standalone app (vihealth) and also supported by some trainer apps. However, as already commented, the finger oxy readings are lagging and I wouldn't recommend to look at it during a training. What makes sense, is to record in background and analyze after.

When used for dynamic dry (walking) apnea, it could occasionally get some gaps for a second or a few. I think it has something to do with the way such devices are working, I've tried several of them, and all were prone to skip a bit when walking.

OMGear Diving Mask

Hello fellow Asian person. I just used this mask yesterday and my God...it is amazing. I've spent over $100 on a Sherwood mask and a Mares Viper, both of which failed me. Either the seal or nose pocket was too large.

This one was amazing, I loved it. It did condense a lot and so I'm going to try and burn off the layer of plastic on the glasses this week. Also the sticker they put on the lense to state its utility is very sticky and will leave a glue residue. I removed it with COLD water, dish soap, and a paper napkin. Supposedly the hot water will kill the material surrounding it. Happy diving!

I have usually never had ear infections, but recently I have been dealing with about 7 in the past few months because I keep diving before they heal. So far what’s worked for me, other than prescription drops, is 50% vinegar/50% alcohol.

I even put it in this so I can always have a big jug on the boat. https://www.amazon.com/Valchoose-Plastic-Bottle-Medical-Squeeze/dp/B07MYT12HG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=wash+bottle&qid=1598454580&sr=8-3

Hey, I am the developer of the Freedive app (Android, iOS) and I am currently working on a rewrite of the entire app. I might include an apnea walk feature in the next version, but I am currently not exactly sure what exactly it should do in order to be useful. Do you have any recommendations?

Not sure if these are sold international - quite popular here in States for fishermen.

https://www.amazon.com/Polyform-73917132-PARENT-A-Series-Buoy/dp/B00GJDN73E

They come in various sizes - make sense?

So the Blaine thing - yeah they hyperventilate. He also breathed pure 02 for his record attempt. For me it is a gimmick - but that is just my opinion.

Dangers of build up of C02 - yeah it can't be good for you I suppose. It raises your blood pH and such - I'm not a medical pro or anything. Maybe check out the deeperblue forums for more info: https://forums.deeperblue.com/threads/long-term-effect-of-repetitive-apnea.16190/

Tips for training safely: read and learn a lot. There is so much good information out there online, this subreddit, the deeperblue forums, books written by pro freedivers like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Manual-Freediving-Underwater-Single-Breath/dp/1928649270 (it's a bit old now but still has a lot of sane info). Then when you are ready to apply your knowledge have someone with you.

Greatest book concerning free-diving.

https://www.amazon.com/Manual-Freediving-Underwater-single-breath/dp/1928649491/

Also, you must never hyper-ventilate, as it increases your probability of fainting. Hyper-ventilation refers to taking sharp and quick breaths prior to going under.

That is an awesome photo!

I think Sony a6000 is the way to go for me from Olympus. After a new underwater setup and been Olympus micro four thirds for 2 years now.

Holy jesus, that is cheap housing https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Underwater-Housing-Waterproof-16-50mm/dp/B00NWBLFP8

Shame the camera costs about £500 but all in, thats about what I payed for my Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus housing (£650)

There isn't much online sadly, I was going to start a site based on tutorials and learning but just not had the time.

I can recommend this book highly though http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glass-Water-Freediving-Underwater-Photography/dp/1909455105/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448466737&sr=8-1&keywords=freediving+photography written and photographed by Mark Harris and Laura Storm of the UK who are both adept freedivers and photographers.

Glad you like it, give it a shot and you never know what will happen! If you ever have any other questions, send me a PM and i'll see what I can do.

I use a couple different bags depending on what I'm doing.

If I'm diving in Thailand I use an over the shoulder bag I bought down there. It's great for riding motor bikes, and is nice and light. I put it in this with some of the bigger things on the plane.

But because that's quite a lot of gear on one shoulder, when I'm doing training in town here I have the Beuchat Mundial Backpack to split the weight over both shoulders while walking to the subway station, pool, and then home.

Of course: to quote the amazon title: "Pyle Waterproof Underwater Snorkeling & Diving Multi-Function Water Sport Wrist Watch with Dive Mode, Chronograph, Stopwatch, Water Temperature, Dive Depth & Duration"

It's quite the mouthful. Link below:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0067WLT6Y

For starters I recommend the Apnea Trainer app for home use.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.megazlo.apnea

Then creep some of the freediving forums when you google for them. A lot of these forums have great discussions on equalization.

When I did my freediving training Course, I was given a book called "Manual of Freediving" by Umberto Pellizari. It's got a very colourful Italian style to the writing that seems cheesy to me but it goes through all of the basics you need to know or train to be a good and safe freediver.