Maybe more of a question than a comment:
Lets say you are coming up after a dive where you over stayed you limit and deploy these inflatable devices to help you reach the surface. Won't this extremely fast ascent rather cause the blackout than help preventing it? And by ascending too fast, isn't there other dangers coming into play?

From what I understand a blackout is cause by the rapid change in pressure inside the lungs and the gasses trying to get in balance. Now with a rapid ascent the partial pressures of the gasses have less time to balance out and you will blackout.

In other words: these devices must only be used(according to me) if you are already blacked out, but then you are not able to activate it. So what is the use.

Best is to stay in your limits and have someone to watch you.

Well said PJ

Hi guys,

I second Tom … Greg is sharing excellent info on the forum with us all and it deserves it’s own topic, call it Freediving Physiology or what ever we feel comfortable with and then we can ask and share apnea physiological knowledge, experiences and opinions.

Thnx for the great responses Greg.

PJ

The Natal south coast was just as dirty. didn't even get in

Hi all
I'm going down to Palm Beach at the begining of April for a short holiday. Would like to get into the water.

Just a few questions:
1.What is the regulation on the MPA at Mpenjati? I know beach fishing is allowed.
2.What fish can one expect during this time?
3.Where is some nice shore dive spots?
4.How is the currents in this area?

Any help would be appreciated.

You can talk to Hein Ras. Know that he likes to use his Kayak for Spearfishing

Zoobie

Here is a guide.

Hi all

We planned a trip down to Sodwana from Pretoria for this weekend, but unfortunately on of the guys withdrawn and now we sit with a opening on the boat. Planning is to drive down on Thursday night (10-11-2011) and come back on Monday.

Please let me know if someone is interested to join.
Can contact me on 084 six932 zero 69

Hi chaps,

With all due respects, I think we are starting to miss the bus here … here’s my 2cent worth.

I’m in the opinion if you purchase a wetsuit from FREEDIVERS, ROB ALLEN, RABITEC or LIZZARD, you age going to get good value for money. I’m also in the opinion these manufactures are not going to purchase lower grade neoprene to make a few bucks extra. These boys are well aware of their market and its demands. They get the best compromise between quality and price so they can manufacture and sell their wetsuits to us at an ave between R 2 000.00 - R 2 500.00 per suit. I’m sure they can purchase higher std of neoprene, no doubt about it, however the downside to this is price increase … they will no longer be able to sell their suits at their current prices. Compare these two prices just more than a year ago … Local manufactured suit (most expensive) R2 500.00 … Cressi R3 500.00 … I sh***t you not, the local suit was better made!!!!! WHY SHOULD I PAY R1 000.00 EXTRA for an article that serves the same purpose with no “support” and in two or three year down the line I have to purchase a new suit because my old suit is so moeg it falls apart when I don it … where is the logic in that!!!!

Chicle (internal open cell) wetsuits are great, however they are not as hard wearing as the nylon wetsuit. I’ve still got a chicle Lizzard wetsuit which Sergio made up for me well over 3 years ago … I still use it till today, the elasticity is almost non existing and the 3.5mm thick neoprene in now about 1.5m??? Yet I still go train at Miracle Waters in the dead of winter with it, surface temp on ave 16 deg and it gets bloody colder the deeper you dive. The coldest temp I’ve recorded on my electronic device was 13 deg??? Must check. When I get into that water, I FREEZE and after 5 minutes it’s all over because I’m numb. That little clapped out chicle suit I have is still out performing NEW 5mm double nylon wetsuits which guys are using. One draw back from the chicle … HIGH MAITAINACE !!! If you don’t look after that suit, it’ll tear at the seams or can easily be damaged if you brush against anything that is abrasive. Spearfishing is a very dynamic sport which a lot of physical contact is made, be it rocks and coral, climbing in and out of boats or subduing a fish … I would rather chose an open cell wetsuit with nylon exterior from any of the latter manufacture I’ve mentioned and if you are going out on a boat, get your self a good quality windbreaker and a flask with whiskey, brandy or rum to take a few swigs on the return trip.

It’s been a great and informative thread so far, thanx guys…

Hi David,
If I was you, I'd got directly to Shane's shop and let the man assist you. He was located in the area behind the stadium...

9 Jaco Jackson Drive
Kings Park
Durban
freedivers@iafrica.com
031 303 3442

Hey Chris,
Think I’ll need to ready the whole thread … I must admit I missed a few here and there.

Sorry about my misinterpretation “99% of the gear is good”…
Fortunately or unfortunately in Gauteng, freediving / spearfishing shops are very few and far in-between. Orca and Dive Factory in Jhb and recently Freedivers in Centurion. This being said, we in Gauteng are exposed to good hardware, I believe none of these shops sell sub std equipment. Then we have a few selected scuba shops that have a very small section dedicated to freediving / spearfishing, in turn these boys sell Cressi and Mares equipment which is also good hardware and may carry a small range of Rabitech spearguns… good spearguns. So when I mention 99% of the equipment, I’m was actually referring to reputable brand names So once again, sorry about the miss interpretation gents.