Freediving Safety Tips

Freediving has a bit of a reputation for being extreme. Images of elite athletes diving hundreds of metres on a single breath often dominate the narrative. But the reality is very different, especially at recreational depths of 0–30m where most divers spend their time. In this range, freediving is not only accessible, it’s also one of the safest sports you can do when approached with the right training and mindset.

Like any activity in the ocean, freediving carries risks – but the right habits, awareness, and education make those risks not only manageable, but easy to avoid altogether.

At Deep Sensations Freediving, we’ve seen first-hand how learning proper safety transforms the way people dive. Whether you’re a snorkeller, spearfisher, or looking to explore freediving more seriously, these principles will keep you safer and more confident in the water.

Always Remove Your Snorkel

One of the simplest yet most overlooked safety rules is to never dive down with your snorkel in.

In the event of a shallow water blackout, leaving a snorkel in your mouth funnels water straight into your lungs, dramatically increasing the risk of drowning. Beyond that, a snorkel in place makes it harder to equalise, creates bubbles and noise (a problem for spearfishers), and can cause coughing when you surface.

It takes no effort to spit out your snorkel before a dive – and it’s one of the easiest safety wins.

Respect Surface Intervals

Not giving yourself enough recovery time between dives is one of the quickest ways to get into trouble. A solid baseline is to take three times your dive time on the surface before going again. For example, if you dive for 1 minute, rest for 3 minutes.

Intermediate and advanced divers sometimes use the formula P x T = SI (pressure in bar multiplied by dive time) for a more precise surface interval. However you calculate it, remember that recovery is as important as the dive itself. Freediving rewards patience, not rushing.

Stop Hyperventilating

It’s tempting to take big, fast breaths before diving, but hyperventilating is one of the most dangerous habits in freediving. Over-breathing reduces the amount of CO₂ in your system, which delays the urge to breathe without actually increasing your oxygen levels.

Worse still, hyperventilating makes oxygen bind more tightly to haemoglobin, which prevents oxygen from being delivered to your brain. The result? A much higher risk of blacking out unexpectedly.

The safest way to prepare is slow, relaxed tidal breathing. It keeps your body balanced and sets you up for a calm dive.

Leave Your Ego on the Surface

Ego is one of the biggest risk factors for freediving injuries. Chasing numbers, rushing to hit new depths, or pushing past your comfort zone can lead to mistakes.

The best divers progress slowly. They repeat depths, repeat times, and only move forward once it feels easy. Freediving isn’t about proving anything – it’s about awareness, patience, and enjoyment.

Equalise Early and Often

Ear barotrauma is one of the most common freediving injuries, and nearly always preventable. Equalise before you even leave the surface, and then equalise every metre – or as often as you need – on the way down.

Never force it. If you miss an equalisation, stop your dive and turn. Forcing an EQ is how you end up with pain and long-term damage.

Equalisation is a skill that improves with practice. In our courses, we break it down step by step so you can dive deeper, safer, and more comfortably.

Know When to Turn

Your best dives happen when you’re relaxed. If something doesn’t feel right – equalisation, discomfort, nerves – turn early. Listening to your body and knowing when to call a dive is a sign of a good freediver, not a weak one.

Never Dive Alone

This is the golden rule: under no circumstances should you dive without a buddy.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a 10m diver or a 100m diver – blackouts and accidents can still happen in shallow water. A proper buddy system is the only way to stay safe.

The safest approach is one up, one down. While one diver is on a breath-hold, the other shadows them from the surface, ready to act if needed. Turning up at a site and spreading out 50+ metres apart is a disaster waiting to happen. If something goes wrong, you won’t even know until it’s too late.

Just as importantly, dive with someone competent – a buddy who understands how to recognise and manage a shallow water blackout.

Training Makes All the Difference

Whether you’re a casual snorkeller, a spearfisher, or new to freediving, the best way to stay safe is through proper training. A freediving course doesn’t just teach you how to prevent accidents, it also gives you the skills to manage them if they do happen.

You’ll learn how to buddy effectively, rescue someone from a blackout, equalise properly, and progress at a pace that keeps you safe. Just as importantly, you’ll leave with the confidence that you and your mates know what to do in any situation.

Freediving Is Safer Than You Think

When it’s done properly, freediving really is one of the safest sports you can do. By following these simple steps – and making sure you’re trained and diving with trained buddies – the risks are minimal, and accidents are usually easy to manage.

At Deep Sensations Freediving, safety is the foundation of everything we teach. Our beginner and advanced courses give you the tools, awareness, and confidence to enjoy the ocean safely – and to make freediving one of the most rewarding parts of your life.

Ready to dive safer and further? Check out our upcoming courses and start your journey today.

Beginner Freediver Course

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