News
Trust In Freediving – A Freediver’s Lifeline
It’s a good sign when you’re diving so much your hair never has a chance to dry. It’s been a while since I last wrote anything but that’s also a good sign that I’ve been in the water a lot. I figured I’d take a break and do a little catching up before the end of the year. With that said, I’ve spent 90% of my in-water time freediving and the rest on scuba, including completing a Rescue Diver course (which I highly recommend!).
A few months ago I was irritated at my lack of progress in freediving and chalked it up to the fact that I couldn’t push limits because I wasn’t diving enough and I wasn’t diving enough because I didn’t have a dive buddy there to keep watch so I could push limits… So, finally I was lucky enough to find someone who turned out to be as passionate about freediving as I am. Long story short, we’ve logged a lot of dives.
What I’ve learned along the way is that discussing safety is paramount to building a foundation of trust in knowing that you both are on the same page and that you both know what to look for in signs of danger. Yes, same rules in scuba, but with freediving it’s on a very intense level where turning your back for one moment can mean you won’t even know where to look for a body. We’ve learned to never be more than arms reach apart and how to tell just by a change in body movement when the other is going to dive – always one up, one down. I’ve found that I’m more excited to see my dive buddy succeed and reach personal bests than I am to reach them myself (maybe I’d equate this to spearfishers catching bigger fish). I know that I’m happiest when I can encourage someone to push their limits just a little, in the safest way possible, and see the smile of accomplishment on their face when they reach their goal. I’ve also found trust of a sort that I was previously unfamiliar with. It’s the sort of trust that comes with knowing that the person at the surface is familiar with how long my breath hold should be and has my back if anything should go wrong at any point. Trust is our lifeline.
We started off with the intention to do pool work where one of my goals was to push past my 40-meter mental block and reach 50-meters Dynamic. But the lure of the ocean kept us away from the pool for some time and it wasn’t until recently that we finally made our way back. I did a nice long, relaxed breathe up and began my attempt at a 50-meter swim. As I approached the point of slight discomfort, I began to adjust my form and make decisions about how to use my energy more efficiently. When I got to the second phase of discomfort something different kicked in and I listened to the voice in my head telling me that my dive buddy was right there if anything were to go wrong. The mantra formed…he’s right there…he’s right there…keep going. And I did. I made it to 50-meters and felt fine and yep, he was right there. It was in that moment that I realized 50-meters wasn’t all about me or how I progressed but more about us. When I do 75-meters and beyond, it will be in part because we formed the necessary trust to take each other to the next step. Knowing that kind of trust is priceless.
In the amount of time that we’ve been diving together, quite a few spearfishers have lost their lives while hunting and of those, most were not diving with a buddy. I’ve read gut wrenching accounts from their friends and family, crying my own tears for the loss to our small community. I’ve followed subsequent discussions on how important it is to dive with a buddy, yet time after time, people still dive alone or don’t practice safe buddy procedures. To me, this is as sad as it is disturbing. The funny thing is that I get it. Diving on one breath is addictive and if no one is there to feed your addiction with you, you’re still going to get your fix and if you have to put food on the table, you do what you have to do.
I’m not writing to boast that I have a dive partner and I certainly do not write this to scorn those who don’t. I write this because if I didn’t take the time to appreciate the important relationship dive buddies have, then I would be doing a disservice to the person at the surface who I trust with my life. And in sharing, not only do I hope that my dive buddy understands how much appreciation I have for him, but that in reading this, others might see the tremendous benefits of diving with a buddy and really working to be in sync with that person.
When we’re in the ocean diving down the line and are hitting new personal bests, we know that when we turn around and make the difficult journey back to the surface, the person waiting there will do whatever it takes to ensure we make it back, alive or not…we’ll make it back. And that’s just it. Alive or not, there is someone there. And though our triumphs are personal and we take a moment to revel in them, there is still nothing greater to me than seeing my dive buddy through his journey to reaching goals. That is what takes my breath away and makes me smile.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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