Responsible Freediver Code
Last updated October 28, 2024
Freediving (breath-hold diving) encompasses any activity where participants hold their breath, whether on dry land or underwater. It may involve equipment like masks, fins, snorkels, or specialized freediving gear, such as monofins.
Freediving is an adventure sport that requires specific training and equipment to explore underwater environments without life-support systems. While the inherent risks of freediving cannot be entirely eliminated, they can be reduced with the right knowledge, skills, equipment, and experience. Each diver is responsible for managing these risks with sound judgment, common sense, and awareness.
As a Responsible Freediver, I pledge to:
1. Dive Competently: Stay within my training, certification, experience, and comfort zones at all times.
2. Maintain Health: Ensure I am physically and mentally fit for freediving. I will refrain from diving if I experience any signs of hypoxia, equalization issues, or discomfort.
3. Use a Dive Plan: Plan my dives carefully and follow the dive plan or briefing.
4. Be a Responsible Buddy: Stay with my dive partner throughout the dive, following the "one up, one down" principle, and agree on a separation plan.
5. Check Equipment: Check my gear before every dive, ensuring it is properly set up and functions correctly. I will establish proper weighting and practice quick-release techniques for weights and lanyards.
6. Maintain Awareness: Monitor my depth and avoid pushing my equalization limits. When diving deep, I will use a marked dive line and stay vigilant about my partner’s status.
7. Keep Skills Sharp: Recognize that freediving skills can degrade over time. If I haven’t dived in over six months, I will reassess my abilities with my partner or an instructor.
8. Respect the Environment: Be mindful of the conditions, including currents, visibility, and marine life. I will follow local regulations and participate in orientation dives in unfamiliar locations.
9. Prepare for Emergencies: Ensure both my equipment and my partner’s gear are functional and know how to handle emergencies, including the use of hand signals.
10. Take Responsibility: Acknowledge that I am responsible for my safety in all freediving activities. I understand that non-compliance with these principles increases risk and that incidents can occur even when following guidelines. I will consider personal insurance for diving-related incidents.
Freediving is an adventure sport that requires specific training and equipment to explore underwater environments without life-support systems. While the inherent risks of freediving cannot be entirely eliminated, they can be reduced with the right knowledge, skills, equipment, and experience. Each diver is responsible for managing these risks with sound judgment, common sense, and awareness.
As a Responsible Freediver, I pledge to:
1. Dive Competently: Stay within my training, certification, experience, and comfort zones at all times.
2. Maintain Health: Ensure I am physically and mentally fit for freediving. I will refrain from diving if I experience any signs of hypoxia, equalization issues, or discomfort.
3. Use a Dive Plan: Plan my dives carefully and follow the dive plan or briefing.
4. Be a Responsible Buddy: Stay with my dive partner throughout the dive, following the "one up, one down" principle, and agree on a separation plan.
5. Check Equipment: Check my gear before every dive, ensuring it is properly set up and functions correctly. I will establish proper weighting and practice quick-release techniques for weights and lanyards.
6. Maintain Awareness: Monitor my depth and avoid pushing my equalization limits. When diving deep, I will use a marked dive line and stay vigilant about my partner’s status.
7. Keep Skills Sharp: Recognize that freediving skills can degrade over time. If I haven’t dived in over six months, I will reassess my abilities with my partner or an instructor.
8. Respect the Environment: Be mindful of the conditions, including currents, visibility, and marine life. I will follow local regulations and participate in orientation dives in unfamiliar locations.
9. Prepare for Emergencies: Ensure both my equipment and my partner’s gear are functional and know how to handle emergencies, including the use of hand signals.
10. Take Responsibility: Acknowledge that I am responsible for my safety in all freediving activities. I understand that non-compliance with these principles increases risk and that incidents can occur even when following guidelines. I will consider personal insurance for diving-related incidents.