Freediving is considered the most extreme sport that one can take part in and master. In order to do this, the participant has to be very disciplined and should possess some amount of physical strength. Moreover, because there is very little or no physical support provided by other players, a number of safety protocols need to be observed. A number of Freediving equipment that one would require while participating in a dive are as follows.
This equipment helps a diver to glide smoothly and easily through the water. The equipment consists of a mask, fins, and a water tank. A harness helps the diver to maintain buoyancy. The tank is used as a float for supporting the various systems while floating. It also provides protection to the equipment against strong underwater currents.
In case of a crisis, a float or a buoyancy force vessel is released to pull you out of the water. A seat and a leash are added to it so that the operator can drag you out of the water. The water tank holds sufficient water to support the buoyancy force. It has a safety override device to prevent the loss of control.
While diving, a mask acts as the eyes and mouthpiece. It prevents the water from entering the mouth and damaging it. A mask has a pressure regulating valve at its base. In case of low pressure in the tank, an additional inflatable inflate is required to compensate. It is recommended that a minimum of ten liters of water be maintained in the water tank while conducting free diving.
Another essential component of Freediving equipment is the buoyancy force generation unit. It helps to provide the much required buoyancy force to a diver. This buoyancy force is developed through a fan system. A diver can breathe with difficulty if he/she lacks the buoyancy force. This system provides the additional force needed to enable free divers to breathe easily.
One other essential part of Freediving Equipment is the Special Goggles or no-see-um strap. These special colored lenses are used to see underwater. It is important to use these goggles for their proper installation for safety purposes. The lenses should be of the correct size and color.
The freediving regulator is another essential component. This device allows a diver to adjust the rate of breathing at different water depths. It also helps in controlling the amount of air to be consumed by a body when freediving. The regulator is made of a flexible tube that is fixed to the handle or ring on the side. The two parts are connected by a metal or rubber seal.
Some other pieces of used equipment include a Pressure Transmitter, a Buoyancy Purge, an Air Compressor, and Gauge. All these pieces are used for underwater breathing. The Pressure Transmitter is used to send signals to the monitor when a change in pressure is noticed. The Buoyancy Purge serves as a backup for the buoyancy pump. The Air Compressor is used to inflate tires and other objects that might be used underwater.
For beginners, a good diving suit is very essential. This can either be bought from shops or can also be rented from the local shops. These suits usually come in two different varieties. There is the one that completely covers the body and another type is the one that has a bottom part that extends to the ankles.
Another vital piece of clothing that is needed by a beginner diver is the regulator. There are both open and closed types of regulators. The open type of regulator makes air exchange faster while the closed type slows down the exchange rate. The mask is usually used for underwater breathing. However, there are some advanced models that also incorporate nasal gear to provide better visibility underwater.
Freediving equipment also comes with different options depending upon the depth of the water. A few examples of equipment that can be used for both deep water diving and shallow water diving are the cylinder filled with air, the dive mask, regulator, pressure gauge, weights, and buoyancy aids. These are just a few examples but they serve the purpose of helping divers safely explore the depths of the water. Most of these equipment are classified according to what kind of decompression methods they employ.
One important factor to bear in mind while buying diving equipment is its weight. This should neither be too light nor too heavy for the wearer. Light weighted equipment tends to give free and easy movements while heavy ones can pose danger to divers in case of sudden decompression. It is always safe to go for a lighter one even if it costs slightly more than a heavy one as long as it is assured of safe usage.
