Unlike the gear-heavy pursuit of scuba diving, free diving offers an underwater experience without too much cumbersome equipment. At its most simple, you need nothing more than a swimming costume and the ability to hold your breath. Nonetheless, serious free divers usually dive with several key pieces of equipment. Some free diving gear is designed to maximize your efficiency underwater, and you also should take some safety gear every time you dive.
Wetsuits
Wetsuits, or "skins" as they're often known, keep a diver's body warm during long spells in the ocean. Even if you're diving in a tropical location, a suit will help you avoid cuts from coral or when you climb back onto the boat. Wetsuits with short sleeves and legs are called "shorties." Full-length suits are used in colder waters. Most wetsuits for free diving are made from neoprene rubber. The thickness of a wetsuit determines its ability to insulate. Free divers might use thinner wetsuits than scuba divers to help with movement underwater.
Fins
Free diving fins, or flippers, tend to be much more flexible and longer than classic scuba fins. Free divers usually use fins that are around 35 to 43 inches long, according to the British Freediving Association. One style of fin, the monofin, is joined at the feet, which mimics the long, powerful tail of a dolphin or whale. Divers propel themselves through the water by kicking their legs together at the same time. The best free diving fins offer maximum forward propulsion from the smallest possible kicking motion. This means more time spent underwater as less oxygen is burned swimming.
Face Mask
Face masks commonly used for scuba diving aren't suitable for free diving, according to an article in "The Times," because they are too bulky and provide too much volume for easy clearing. Instead, free divers tend to use specialized masks with smaller air pockets. As with scuba masks, the lens is shatterproof to allow for the pressure of deep dives. The mask should stay secure to your face if you inhale through your nose, even if the strap isn't fastened.
Weight Belt and Other Items
Because both humans and wetsuits are buoyant, free divers usually wear a weight belt to help them get submerged faster. A dive watch can help you check how deep you go. Experienced free divers know how long it might take to reach the surface and ensure they have enough breath to do so. Underwater gloves both keep the hands warm and offer extra protection when touching underwater objects. For safety reasons, free divers should use a surface line float to show boaters where they are diving, according to the Simply Snorkel website.
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