Freedive.co.za
The key key differences between scuba and freediving are shown below. The comparison shows that each has significant advantages.
Scuba DivingDo not have to hold your breath Easier to take photographs of stills Cannot surface rapidly Limited bottom time depending on depth Decompressions are required on deeper dives Cumbersome equipment Relatively high cost Noisy – bubbles spook cautious fish Shallow water blackout cannot occur (unless air runs out prior to reaching the surface) Do not have to be as fit as for freediving – less fitness acquired than in freediving May not spearfish on scuba |
FreedivingMust hold your breath Less time to get photographs of stills Can surface at the rate your wish to* Limited bottom time, but many visits to the bottom may be made No decompressions required Streamline, light equipment Relatively low cost Stealthy, you can readily attract cautious fish and other sea creatures Shallow water blackout can occur Must be fairly fit and freediving tends to increase your fitness May spearfish with a permit
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* This means that before you decide to dive an area you can do a spot dive in about two minutes to check the viz, even if it is 30 m deep, before you all descend and find there is only two meters of viz and the water is ice cold without single fish in sight.