Going for a new personal best

[freedivernd]

DanL,
What you describe using a weight to get down and then returning without it is called Variable Ballast in the freediving circles and there are records/competition in VB. I've used a weighted line before and it's fun to go down with no exertion because when you get to the bottom you still have a very good supply of oxygen left. It's a good way to get used to the pressure and other issues as you go to deeper depths. The nusiance for me is having to pull the weight back up everytime. Even just a 9lb weight does pretty good at taking me to the bottom quickly. It's fun.

The dive I did is called Constant Ballast - what I take with me down I bring back to the surface. Other forms are Free Immersion - pulling down and back up on a line, No Limits - riding a sled down and using a balloon to return, Un-assisted - no fins.

What was really cool was the divers with full face masks and radio communication - although I didn't see the diver at -30' I heard him when he spoke so I knew he was very close (within several feet he told me later). If it hadn't surprised me so I'm sure I could have understood what he was saying, kinda sounded like an old time radio speaker. I don't know if Gary at tri-state rents out the radio masks (not sure what they're called) but that would be great to be able to communicate while scuba diving. I've never looked into that type of equipment before - spendy I would imagine.

Fred