SSI-L1-Freediving

Introduction:

Have you ever met a freediver? If you have, you may have noticed that they're a proud bunch. In a lot of cases - even more so than many scuba divers. Like me - did you ever wonder why? As the owner of Dive Flag App I was approached by a high number of freedivers - asking me to include more freediving content on; Dive Flag App, Dive Flag App's Facebook Page and on Dive Flag App's website. I was not comfortable in doing so without knowing exactly what I was promoting or talking about. Thus, I began my journey to learn about freediving.

Freediving can be defined as 'a form of underwater diving that relies on a diver's ability to hold his or her breath until resurfacing'. This differs from scuba diving where the diver makes use of a self contained underwater breathing apparatus to continually breath whilst submerged. Freediving techniques are used in a multitude of sports including, but not limited to; breath-hold spear fishing, freedive photography, recreational breath-hold diving, mermaid shows, and to some degree, snorkeling.

Unlike scuba diving anyone can attempt to freedive - regardless of age. However, not everyone can manage to successfully freedive right away. Freediving is about practice, rhythm and being in tune with your body's physical processes.

Fortunate for me I have access to one of Australia's leading and most accomplished freedive instructors - Amber Bourke of the Snorkel Safari group. Amber recently competed in Serbia at AIDA and returned with a bronze medal and three new Australian records. Amber is a freediving instructor for Scuba Schools International (SSI). Over two days I will be taught both Basic & Level 1 freediving courses. Hopefully I will find out what the craze is all about.

About SSI's Free Diving:

As I previously mentioned freediving is about practice and progression. SSI have broken free diving down into the following four main levels. Each level progresses you through a series of new skills and increased limits.

Freediving (Basic)

Freediving Basic is your chance to get wet and experience what freediving is all about. Signing up for a Freediving Basic course is a great way to decide whether getting a freediving certification is right for you.



Freediving (Level 1)

Learn proper breathing techniques, familiarize yourself with diaphragm breathing and take a deep breath like you never have before. In the SSI level 1 Freediving course you acquire the proper skills and knowledge to participate in Freediving to depths of 60 ft. (20 meters).


Freediving (Level 2)

You will learn new advanced equalization techniques and apnea training methods to carry you past 60 ft. (20 meters) and develop the skills necessary to freedive to depths up to 90 ft. (30 meters.)



Freediving (Level 3)

The apex of the SSI Freediving Program, Level 3, will take you to depths of 120 ft. (40 meters.) Freediving well below the residual volume of the lungs, this is the specialist deep diving course.

My Free Dive Experience:

The course's manual is entitled 'Freediving Level 1 & 2' by SSI. The manual outlines gear selection tips, the physiology of diving, beginner freediving skills and what you can expect to encounter in your freediving environment.

Day 1

We met at Snorkel Safari Brisbane - on the first day. After receiving a quick introduction which outlined the course structure and requirements Amber asked some general questions which highlighted ultimately why each of us were interested in learning to freedive.

Other group member responses included:

1. "I have never tried scuba diving. I am interested in trying freediving first."
2. "We have a holiday coming up where we will have the opportunity to free dive with whale sharks. Which we believe allows us to get closer than scuba diving." 
3. "I am a scuba diver branching out to see what freediving is about."

In the above video Amber introduces Dive Flag App members to the Level 1 pool training (basic) skill set. We commenced by performing a series of stretches which prepared us for the day's session. This included shoulder, back, lats and leg stretches.

Once we completed the stretching routine we practiced some breathing techniques. The breathing techniques focused on reducing our heart rates, also, clearing our minds and allowing us to feel the physiological responses our body goes through when holding our breath. The aim of freediving is of course to conserve oxygen by moving through the water with as little effort as possible.

Holding your breath underwater may sound difficult and unnatural but the human body has several adaptations which enable the your body to endure depth and lack of oxygen far beyond what one would assume is possible. These adaptations are covered by the term: mammalian diving reflex.

These adaptations include:

• Reflex bradycardia: Drop in heart rate.
• Vasoconstriction: Blood is directed away from the limbs and into the torso.
• Splenic contraction: The releasing of red blood cells carrying oxygen into the circulatory system.
• Blood shift: Blood plasma fills up blood vessels in the lung, which reduces residual volume. 

Once in the pool we combined our new breathing techniques with the before mentioned affects of the mammalian dive reflex. I was able to hold my breath for just over 2 minutes on my first 'static hold'. This surprised me. 

Then we practiced our breath holds whilst swimming underwater. 

After everyone completed their 30 meter minimum requirement in underwater kicking distance, on a single breath, we were required to achieve the same distance by using only our arms. 

After these drills, Amber demonstrated how the monofin freediving style differs from that with two fins. 

The most important rule in freediving is to never dive alone. This is for safety. Our final skill for the day was to perform important Rescue Response Revive drills. These drills will allow us to rescue our freediving buddies should something bad ever happen. After which we were required to complete a 200 meter swim with no fins.

After completing all our basic pool training - we returned to Snorkel Safari Brisbane to sit a quick exam. The exam tested us on the theory in the training manual. After completing the exam we were briefed on the structure of day two which is outlined below. 

Day 2

After day one we were all excited to test our new skills at Cook Island, Australia. Amber outlines the day's activities and structure in the video below.

Once we arrived at Cook Island we set up two Neptune Freediving Buoys. These buoys were linked to the back of an anchored boat - at a spot with a maximum depth of 12 meters. The first buoy was used solely as the resting buoy. This allowed us to conserve our energy and maintain a low heart rate between dives. When it was our turn to freedive we swam to the second buoy and performed a head first dive / duck dive with a spotter (dive instructor) the whole way.

The first requirement was a duck dive to a maximum depth of 5 meters. Once we had all successfully reached 5 meters we advanced to a 10 meter target. Below is a video of Amber spotting a freediving student during their 10 meter descent.

On two rest breaks we had a pod of dolphins swim nearby. It was incredibly fortunate for us that on our first day of freediving we were able to do so with dolphins. They didn't stay around us for very long but it was still a great experience to see them underwater. 

Once we all reached the 10 meter target depth we performed the same drill with only our arms and then as a safety drill (recovering a buddy from the bottom). Below is a photo of the Neptune Freediving Buoy equipment used on day two of the course:

Available for purchase from: Dive Import Australia

Dive Flag App's Overall Review:

The Level 1 SSI freediving course was a lot of fun. As we all know - the quality of your learning experience can be influenced greatly by your instructor. SSI make use of the best possible trainers which adhere to their strict international standards. Amber was vibrant, helpful and contagiously happy. The course was quick but comprehensive. After completing the course I feel prepared enough to practice freediving with my buddies.

The book was helpful, easy to read and most importantly was compiled by industry experts. A lot of dive related books waffle on and are very repetitive. This book got straight to the point and as such felt like a breeze to read. 

Smaller class numbers always allow for a more personalized learning experience. As such SSI limit their freediving class numbers to four students per instructor. This ensures that everyone is given enough opportunity to try and retry skills without feeling pressured to rush through them. This is very important when trying freediving.

Like with scuba diving I would highly recommend that SSI make use of a DVD which demonstrates the freediving techniques employed at each level. This DVD would be for in-class demonstration and enable for both a step-by-step audio talk through and an in-time visual demonstrations. I believe this is a powerful learning tool.

Furthermore, I would highly recommend showing some professional freediving videos in-class which highlight the more extreme possibilities of freediving. I believe this would motivate and excite more students to continue through each levels. These videos and perhaps photos would entice more people to strive harder to reach the limits and further their training.

Below are some reasons why you should try free diving:

1. Animals come in closer to you when you are not breathing out loud bubbles, 
2. You learn important breathing and relaxation techniques which not only improve your scuba diving but which can also be used in your normal day-to-day environment,
3. Freediving expands the number of activities you can participate in on your next dive trip / holiday, and
4. Having completed the course you are more proficient in assisting someone who is over come by loss of motor control or blackouts underwater. 

Furthermore, freediving can be as relaxed or competitive as you would like to make it. If you're only interest in shallow breath-hold snorkeling or setting a new world record - the choice is yours. Challenge yourself or have a friendly competition with friends - either way - its exciting and fun!

I highly recommend SSI freediving courses - to everyone. I will be contacting Snorkel Safari Brisbane soon to book in my level two training session.

Over score: 10/10

If you would like more information regarding this experience, please feel free to contact me ( info@diveflagapp.com ). I would be more than happy to answer your questions. 

For more SSI freediver information please visit the SSI website. 

Frank Vorster

Dive Flag App

Owner

info@diveflagapp.com 

+61 420 222 139

Snorkel Safari Brisbane (Flinders Reef)

Location: Flinders Reef, Moreton Island, Australia. 

Australia is known for having some of the most incredible reefs in the world. Brisbane's one true coral reef, Flinders Reef, is Brisbane's little gem and one of the most impressive reefs along the eastern coast of Australia. It is located just off Moreton Island and is part of the fully protected marine sanctuary known as Moreton Bay Marine Park.

This expansive reef comprises of 112 coral species, including; staghorn, brain, plate, sponges and sea whips and boasts more coral diversity than any individual island in the Great Barrier Reef. This diving hot spot is home to 175 species of marine fish, turtles, wobbegongs, nudibranchs, clams, guitar sharks, white tip reef sharks, octopus, blue spotted eagle rays and the occasional manta ray. The crew advised us that this reef owes its high level of biodiversity to the warm and cold currents that meet here, enabling a high number of species to thrive within these limits.

Water temperatures vary throughout the year ranging between 18 to 27 degrees Celsius. We recommend asking for an estimated water temperature at the time of booking to ensure you are adequately geared. If you often get cold during your dive we highly recommend the use of Sharkskin products available through the Snorkel Safari group. A review on this product is coming soon. 

Snorkel Safari Brisbane 

Snorkel Safari is an Australian based franchise group with 13 stores. These stores are among the most professional dive operators in the country and also offer snorkeling, free diving, spearfishing and in some cases whale watching. Snorkel Safari stores collaborate, with a shared aim of providing a consistently high product and service to their customers.

Snorkel Safari Brisbane changed its company name and product offering just over two years ago. This change brought on a switch from offering PADI to SSI certifications. Snorkel Safari have a collaboration with many key dive product suppliers, setting them apart in many respects from other dive operators.

Snorkel Safari Brisbane is prominently located just off the motor way in Milton, Brisbane City. Their open water courses are operated at Cook Island on the Gold Coast and their advanced courses are offered on the Big Cat which is a weekend live-aboard.

Snorkel Safari Brisbane are also proud to offer free diving lessons taught by Australia's female champion, 23 year old Amber Bourke. Amber is an SSI level 2 free diving instructor who has broken two national records by swimming 155 meters without fins and 181 meters with fins on a single breath. If you want to be instructed by the best possible free diving instructors, then contact Snorkel Safari Brisbane.

Our dive experience with Snorkel Safari Brisbane is outlined below.

The Vessel

The Nemo is Snorkel Safari Brisbane's dive vessel. With a maximum speed of 20 knots it takes only 1.5 hours to get from the mainland to Flinders Reef. The vessel has space for 17 passengers but is capped at 14 to ensure there is ample space on board and smaller dive groups. The vessel has two step down/up ladders at the back making entry and exit from the water simple and safe. With ample space on board for dive tanks the company may soon be offering three dives per trip, which means you can see more of the reef and make most of the opportunity. 

Meals

Snorkel Safari Brisbane ensure that there are plenty of sandwiches, snacks and drinks. This is part of their aim to ensure passengers are as comfortable as possible. They are able to cater for any dietary requirements so be sure to notify the staff when you make your booking.

Dive Breakdowns 

Snorkel Safari Brisbane's staff are both friendly and welcoming. I found they were just as eager to learn about your skills, abilities and experiences as you are to learn of theirs. Once we geared up and loaded our equipment onto the vessel, we were on our way. It was not long before we were accompanied by the first group of breaching humpback whales, on our journey out to the reef.

On the day we completed two dives, the first was at Mary's Lair and the second at Mooring A. It is not compulsory to dive with a dive guide but for obvious reasons it is always recommended to do so when diving new site. 

Both dive sites are very enjoyable with ample light penetration and clear water with approximately 20 meters visibility. Coral at this reef extends for as far as one can see in every direction. With very little variation in depth, it is easy to control your buoyancy allowing you to glide slightly above the coral. These conditions provide for an enjoyable and relaxing dive.

Dive #1 - Mary's Lair

Dive Details:

Maximum Depth: 13.0 (m) / 43 (ft)

Water Temperature: 21 degrees Celsius
Downtime: 45 minutes

Mary's Lair was a lot of fun to dive. A side from the excellent visibility on the day we experienced a mild current. The 13 meter maximum depth at this dive site allowed for a significant level of light penetration which helped to emphasize the vibrant colors of the coral and marine life. This immediately makes you feel happy and  relaxed during the dive.

Once we traveled a short distance along one side of the reef we came to an opening of an easy and pleasant swim-through. Should you be nervous about trying wreck or cave diving this swim-through would provide for a good introduction as plenty of light comes through from the top keeping the space both bright and appear open.

Once we emerged from the swim-through on the other side we were over a massive bed of coral where we encountered our first turtle. Beautiful corals and clams covered the sea bed. 

A particularly enjoyable experience at Flinders Reef are the many bat fish which follow you closely. They are especially friendly during your safety stop coming within a meter from the group. 

Dive #2 - Mouring A (Turtle Cleaning Station)

Dive Details:

Maximum Depth: 10.2 (m) / 43 (ft)

Water Temperature: 21 degrees Celsius

Downtime: 44 minutes

After our first dive the Nemo was relocated to the sheltered side of Flinders Reef. On this side the most popular dive site is Mooring A. Very close to Mooring A is a turtle cleaning station where it is common to see green sea and hawkesbill turtles being cleaned. As we arrived we could not only see the bottom, at a depth of 10 meters, but we could also make out the color of each fish at this depth.

The fantastic thing about diving at a cleaning station is that the marine life tend to hover and prolong their stay allowing you to observe them better. The turtles appeared to be relaxed in our presence, coming close and circling around.

 

After spending about fifteen minutes watching the turtles at the cleaning station we continued to explore more of the vibrant reef. We encountered many types of nudibranchs including a spanish dancer, and endless coral formations inhabited by many types of reef fish. 

As we surfaced from our second dive we were lucky enough to have a pod of four whales breaching approximately 75 meters from the boat. A fantastic way to cap off the perfectly sunny and calm conditions.

Overall Rating:

Snorkel Safari Brisbane is a very professional dive operation with its key focus on the social aspect of diving. This is in-line with Dive Flag App's philosophy that people of all types, ages and nationalities are brought together with a shared interest of diving to form strong and significant life-long friendships.

The staff at Snorkel Safari are quick to make you feel welcome and a part of their community. This is further emphasized by the dive ball they hold annually. Their balls are aimed to bring divers from all over Queensland together under one roof to share stories, tips and ideas. I was lucky enough to attend their 80s themed dive ball this year and had a fantastic time. I look forward to working closely with Snorkel Safari Brisbane to ensure the attendance from this point on continues to grow each year.

Strategically based in Brisbane City, Snorkel Safari offer dive excursions from HMAS Brisbane in Maroochydore down to Cook Island on the Gold Coast as well as dive trips internationally. This ensures that their customers experience a diverse range of dive conditions and prevents them from becoming complacent.

The owners and dive guides at Snorkel Safari Brisbane are passionate about Flinders Reef and this comes across in the energy they exude when talking about it. They're quick to emphasize how unique the reef is and how its Brisbane's best kept secret. What is best about this, is everything they said on the day was exactly what we experienced, lending further belief to the credibility of this dive operation.

The owners of Snorkel Safari Brisbane also run another business called Respond Right Training Group. This business teaches professionals workplace approved CPR and first aid. The company takes safety seriously are do not take any unnecessary risks.

Dive Flag App proudly support Snorkel Safari Brisbane and look forward to diving with them again some time soon. If you're interested in diving the reef, popping in to say g'day or part-take in one of their many courses then contact them today! Otherwise for more information check their website out now.

Dive Flag App Rating 10 / 10

Thanks guys!

Frank Vorster

Dive Flag App
Owner
info@diveflagapp.com