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How Deep Can A Human Dive Without Scuba Gear?
As you grow in confidence swimming under the water with scuba gear you may become curious as to how deep you could dive without it. This activity is known as freediving. Find out how deep a human can dive without scuba gear here…
The Freediving Experience
What is freediving? The definition of freediving is diving underwater without the use of breathing apparatus – particularly in deep water. It’s extreme and can be very dangerous. A free diver will take one very deep breath and dive hundreds of feet under the water without any scuba gear. It takes training, practice, and discipline.
Deep diving is defined as a dive that exceeds 60 feet (18.28 meters). That means that most people can dive up to a maximum of 60 feet safely. For most swimmers, a depth of 20 feet (6.09 meters) is the most they will free dive. Experienced divers can safely dive to a depth of 40 feet (12.19 meters) when exploring underwater reefs.
When free diving the body goes through several changes to help with acclimatization. The heartbeat slows by up to 25% – and experienced divers can reduce their heart rate to more than 50%.
To cope with the pressure the body allows vital organs to keep functioning properly by moving blood to the most important parts. This is known as peripheral vasoconstriction.
The lungs compensate for the excess pressure by expanding as necessary to allow for changes in the body. Want to try freediving yourself, while you are in Tulum or Playa del Carmen, we recommend going for a discovery freedive in a cenote. Some of the best freedivers in the world, do in fact practice in the cenotes of Riviera Maya.
Frequently Asked Questions about Freediving Answered
What is the deepest free dive ever?
William Trubridge – a 30-year-old New Zealander is the first man to dive 396 feet metres (121 metres) without any assistance. The dive was a Constant Weight Apnea Without Fins – meaning the diver isn’t allowed to drop weights, and no swimming aids are allowed. A guideline is followed but can’t be touched. The dive lasted four minutes and 10 seconds.
How long can a human go without air?
Everyone and every situation is different – but we can go for three minutes without oxygen. After five to ten minutes of not breathing, you’re likely to develop serious brain damage that may be irreversible. However, free divers with regular training can go for much longer periods of time as they learn to minimise their metabolic functions and preserve oxygen.
What is the deepest dive without oxygen?
The maximum depth reached by anyone in a single breath is 702 feet (213.9 metres) and this record was set in 2007 by Herbert Nitsch. He also holds the record for the deepest dive without oxygen – reaching a depth of 831 feet (253.2 metres) but he sustained a brain injury as he was ascending.
How long can an average person hold their breath?
Most people without any training can hold their breath for about 30 seconds without gasping for air. But free divers who swim without the aids of snorkels or scuba gear can actually hold their breath for more than 10 minutes.
What is the world’s record for the longest time someone has held their breath underwater?
The current men’s world record holder is Stephane Mifsud of France with a time of 11 minutes and 35 seconds. The women’s world record is held by Natalia Molchanova of Russia with a static breath hold of just over nine minutes.
How is freediving different from scuba diving?
The main difference between scuba diving and freediving is that when scuba diving, the diver is using a tank of air (often oxygen) to breathe underwater. Freediving, on the other hand, is done without any breathing apparatus—the diver holds their breath and must be very skilled to prevent themselves from going too deep or experiencing any type of danger. So if you go scuba diving in Tulum, you will have a full set of dive gear to use, but if you go freediving in cenotes, this would be only with a mask, weights, fins, and a wetsuit.
Try Freediving & Learn with the Top Local Cenote Freedivers
Go freediving in cenotes with Koox Diving and you’ll be taught all the breathing techniques you need to know. With practice, you’ll be able to safely dive to explore greater depths without the use of scuba gear.
Transportation from our dive shops in Tulum or Playa del Carmen
Cenotes entrance fees
Refreshing drinks and lunch
Photos and video
For all freediving fans – Watch a Freediving movie shot on breath hold
On another note, we have something interesting to share. One of the greatest underwater projects, we have been really happy to take part in, is finally live. In 2018 we had the honour to collaborate on this amazing project called: Child of the Cenote – a 5 min short freediving movie by André Musgrove.
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