Understanding the Critical Importance of Freediving Courses and Safety Training

Freediving courses save lives. A few years ago, I was freediving on the reef in Jemeluk Bay, East Bali. Upon surfacing from one dive, my hands shook a little. Several days later, I experienced a similar sensation and realized I was on the verge of a blackout due to anemia. This teaches us the importance of understanding our bodies and potential risks when diving.

What is Anemia? A Hidden Risk for Freedivers

Anemia is a condition characterized by fewer red blood cells, leading to less oxygen stored in the blood. In my case, anemia reduced my hypoxic limit, nearly causing a blackout during a routine dive. This incident highlights the importance of never freediving alone and the crucial role of understanding medical conditions.

Tragic Consequences: A Reminder of Freediving Risks

In the same bay, a skilled freediver who hadn’t taken formal training tragically lost his life. Despite his expertise, he was unaware of the effects of dehydration from prior illness, exemplifying the risks of solo diving without proper training and awareness of one's physical condition.

Essential Guidelines for Safe Freediving

Here's what we teach all our students to ensure safety while freediving:

• Never freedive alone.

• Always follow a one up/one down protocol with visual reference.

• Avoid diving when feeling unwell.

• Never hyperventilate and understand what it entails.

• Limit dives to 50% of your maximum depth.

• Surface at the first urge to breathe.

• Check local conditions, such as currents and tides.

• Never take air from a scuba diver.

• Wait at least 12 hours after scuba diving before freediving.

A New Beginning: Turning Tragedy into Passion

After her loss, the fiancé of the deceased freediver educated herself on the safety of the sport through formal courses. She became a passionate advocate for freediving education and safety, turning personal tragedy into a new love for the sea.

These experiences underline the vital importance of freediving courses and following strict safety protocols to prevent accidents and foster a safe diving environment.