OneBreath Magazine Edition 2 Summer 2016

Training

Gear

Travel

Safety

Fishing

St ingray Injuries

PU

E N! E R F A TIO C I L B

3 Hot Training Tips Page 5

p. 11

FREEDI V E & SPEA RFI SH BETTER Be Steal th y + Streaml i ned Lear n f r om t he Exper t s

Tsukiji- Japan's Lifeblood - Lionfish Recipe - Puerto Rico Travel Summer 2016

From The Publisher

Here we are with the second edition of OneBreath Magazine. The first edition was received with such positive energy and support that we are even more excited as we bring this edition to print. It has been a truly great experience to connect with so many who share our love of the ocean. We met literally thousands of people that are supportive of this effort to provide more information about diving and spearfishing. We continue on with our mission to support fun and safe diving in the pages that follow. We hope you enjoy the training tips, get inspired to travel, and try out the recipes too. Thanks for reading, and do connect with us. We'd love to hear your ideas.

Cheers, Sam & Kim Perry

Summer 2016 Feat ure St ories

5

Keep Training Fresh- Training Feature 3 East Ways to Advance Skills,

by Ashley Futral Chapman

8

Japan's Lif ebl ood

On eBr eat h M agazin e.com #On eBr eat h M ag

The Tsukiji Market Experience

by Anthony Dooley

11

St ingray Injuries

by Ryan Gates

14

Rincon Puert o Rico-Travel Primer

by Anthony & Marcy Dooley

16

Freediving Cert if icat ion- Why You Should Get Trained by Sam Perry

17

How To Achieve St eal t h

by John Wilson Ph.D.

27

Lif e in Fins- A Travel Diary- Ian Almasi

29

St reaml ining f or Spearf ishing

by Sam Blount

33

in f o@On eBr eat h M agazin e.com

Spear t o Fork Feat ure: Lionf ish Sausage Recipe

Special thank you to Austin Powell of Mississippi, Anthony Dooley of Puerto Rico , and Sam Blount of North Carolina for each providing multiple dive photographs for the magazine and website.

The contents of this magazine represent the views of the individual authors. The publishers of OneBreath Magazine or contributors assume no responsiblity for use of this information. Freediving is an inherently dangerous sport and can result in inury or death. Divers must use their own judgement when freediving and training for freediving. Importantly NEVER DIVE ALONE. Always dive with other divers that understand the dangers of freediving and are prepared to respond to emergencies as they arise.

by Capt. Andy Clark About the Cover: Diver Mark

34

Spear t o Fork Feat ure: Kevin's Hawaiin Poke

by Capt. Andy Clark

35

Ocean Art - Artist Profile: Ryan Sobel

Winnaburger. Off Frying Pan Tower, Coastal North Carolina. Photo by Sam Blount- Frontline Freediving

Ashley Chapman is a Three time wold record holder, and professional PFI Freediving Instructor. She is a regular contributor for training and technique at OneBreath Magazine.

Keep You r Di ve Trai n i n g Fresh 3 Easy Ways to Advance Your Skills

By Ashley Futral Chapman

Competition season has been busy

diving are like your worst house

this year, but if you are not

guest. They?re pretty hard to get

following it I understand. Not all

rid of without loosing your

readers are interested in

composure.

competitive freediving. Chances

Listed here in the most digestible

are, most of you are spearos,

manner possible are the top three

videographers and all manner of

ways to stay fresh mentally

recreational diver. That doesn?t

through the long and arduous

mean you can?t take a few training

training season ahead. Hopefully

tips from the competitors who are

you?ll read this and close the

working extra hard right now, the

magazine with a new outlook on

guys who are out there day in and

how to dismiss your ?house guest?

day out perfecting the technique

with a smile on your face.

for the rest of us to adopt.

The last issue of One Breath contained training tips for everyone. My personal four favorite exercises included. But as

of regression:

the season progresses these

It is too easy to get hooked on

workouts are not enough. In fact,

numbers. The feeling of bettering

the biggest problem a lot of

an old personal best depth is

athletes face as they really start to

mentally extinguishing yet

max out their potential is the

irrevocably intoxicating (or why

mental barriers associated with the

would we do it?). So, battle the

highly physical and even more

mental beast with the art of

mental freediving training.

regression. This is a little trick I

Charging a new depth takes a lot of

learned from Mandy-Rae Krack of

mental prep as fear and anxiety

PFI while training for my first world

tend to creep into the psyche

record. She advised me to drop

unannounced and uninvited.

back in depth once in a while for an

Poised to rifle through your

easier dive.

refrigerator, dirty the dishes and leave a trail of breadcrumbs behind on the couch. In short, the anxieties associated with depth

5

Mast er t he art

Continued...

TRAI N SM ART Relax and remember that you actually enjoy freediving and give yourself a chance to work on technique. She was right! Every third day at least we drop the depth back five meters or more so I can enjoy an easy dive, focus on technique as opposed to depth and ascend successfully. You?ll gain confidence when dives you thought were hard now become easier and easier. Enjoy!

Visual ize, Grasshopper: There is no better way to trick your brain into thinking you?ve already successfully completed a dive than by thinking about it. Visualizing the dive requires you to initiate all senses. Imagine the feel of the water rushing down your snorkel, the smell of the outboard engine exhaust that you?ve been huffing the entire way to the dive site (which you should not be doing by the way, bad for the brain and your breathold), the sound of the waves smacking the side of your wetsuit 6

OneBreath travel writer Ian Almasi in competition, Deja Blue 2016, Grand Cayman. Photo by Joakim Hjelm Photography

hood, the taste of the salt water you

entering the water. By doing this,

have to purge out of your snorkel,

your brain registers that you?ve

you get the idea. Activating all

completed the dive. Your target dive

senses walk yourself, eyes closed,

will be much easier now that you?ve

through a dive in real time. Real

already made a plan. You know how

time means you don?t abbreviate

many kicks, when to sink, when to

details of the dive because you?re

take the mouthful and have worked

bored with the exercise (we?ll talk

on correcting whatever the current

another time about your ability to

technique issue is. I have to remind

quiet your mind for extended

myself at least two times of my dive

periods of time). You must visualize

plan before each dive. Visualization

every step of the dive, even mistakes

also teaches you how to zone out on

you commonly make. However,

command. Putting yourself in the

visualize yourself correcting those

ideal mindset for depth diving.

mistakes. Tuck the head, spit the snorkel and ?dive? to the target depth in your mind before ever

Training sessions are

with young kids might understand and the rest of you in any kind of relationship might have also gathered, there are times to reprimand and times to

not creat ed

coddle. Which brings the point

equal l y:

days happen. This is often when

I was reminded by one of my training partners just yesterday to calm down. Having had two lesser successful training days in a row I was disappointed in my performances and wanted to slump down into a depressive funk. How ungrateful, right there in the middle of beautiful blue waters, with my beautiful family and friends diving outside some

around full circle. Bad training you make the biggest gains because you learn how to coddle yourself. Stick your thumb in your mouth, have a good cry then get back out there and try again.

Every other diver out there has bad training days, promise! We impress each other with our strengths but bond over our weaknesses. Be kind to yourself, gather strength from your dive buddies and wipe your nose.

of the most beautiful coral reef

Enjoy this training season. Start

in the world. I?m sure God was

by regressing, visualizing and

thinking, ?Seriously? What else

sucking your thumb...or coddling

do you want?? But that?s how

yourself instead of smacking

our pathetic little human natures

yourself around on bad training

are sometimes. Turning us back

days. You are not a terrible diver

into slightly more geriatric

and you?re absolutely made for

versions of my two year old. In

this. Even you do not have the

my case, the temper tantrum

authority to take that away from

might have been slightly more

yourself. Never dive alone,

sophisticated than Ani?s but the

watch each others?backs and ask

subject was not. I was not

lots of questions.

getting my way and the world had to know it! As those of you 7

Ian Almasi at Deja Blue 2016 in the Static Apnea competition. Photo by Joakim Hjelm Photography

Japan's Lif ebl ood Seafood is the lifeblood of Japan, and Tsukiji market is at its heart.

Text and Phot os by Ant hony Dool ey

Wal king t he st reet s of Tokyo bef ore sunrise is somet hing out of Frank Mil l er's Sin Cit y. St eam pours f rom subt erranean grat es as various shades of grey, bl ack and red of t he pre-dawn cit y make f or a col or pal l et my west ern eye is not sure how t o absorb. It is 3:30 in t he morning and t he sidewal k sushi cart s are packed. Workers zip by on propane powered cart s del ivering seaf ood t o buyers f rom around t he worl d, seaf ood t hat just arrived t o port f rom ships pl ucking l if e f rom every nook and cranny of our oceans. This is t he Tsukiji market , and it is ALIVE.

9

Even one spoiled urchin could hurt the reputation of the vendor and essentially shut them down; there is simply too much competition to allow for mistakes.

men in a mechanical rhythm. The group of buyers takes turns casually raising their hands until silence falls and the group disperses.

At the rear of the wholesale market we are led through a small metal door and I duck through into a huge, cold warehouse. Here, giant bluefin tuna will be cut with precision by the tail, its frozen meat carefully massaged by mongers, its color and firmness graded and its entire life worth given a dollar value. I stood in awe, looking over these giant beauties of the deep and thought about where they came from and how they ended up on this cold cement floor in the depths of Tokyo.

I stood there amongst the selling of the giants of the deep, carefully observing every last detail of this room, until suddenly the bright flash of the Australian's camera goes off and he is immediately reprimanded and kicked out.

It is serious business here in the

A stumpy, old Japanese man with oversized bifocals is standing on a wooden crate in the middle of the auction floor, slapping a rolled up newspaper and barking out to a group of well-dressed

Tsukiji market and tourists are a constant nuisance according to our tour guide.

Flash photography, open toed shoes, touching any product or even sneezing in the wrong direction will get you promptly escorted from the facilities.

As the tour ended we made our way toward the market gates, past the endless tables of sea creatures of the wholesale

market, past the 20 foot high mounds of used styrofoam boxes being bulldozed into scraps, past the Namiyoke Inari Shrine where traders pray for more and more seafood to pass through these doors each day to fatten their wallets, past the sushi carts where workers enjoy their 6am dinner of fatty tuna and nori after spending the last working hours bartering over the same fish, and finally out the gates into the still dark Tokyo morning.

My eyes absorb the color pallet of the city with a bit more understanding. If humans continue to deplete ocean resources at the rate we are going, places like the Tsukiji market, bluefin tuna auctions, sushi breakfasts and the employment of over a million people, will become as extinct as the creatures on the tables behind me.

"Here, giant bluefin tuna will be cut with precision by the tail, its frozen meat carefully massaged by mongers, its color and firmness graded and its entire life worth given a dollar value."

Fi r s t - Ai d

St i ngr ay I nj ur i es Text by Ryan Gates, A California Based Contributor

Large

Watermen throughout the world deal with stingrays every

buried stingray it will defend itself by whipping them

day, because they live in almost every tropical and

with it?s barbed tail.

subtropical part of the ocean. There are even freshwater

While stingrays are not aggressive they are also not

stingrays! They usually like to bury themselves with sand

harmless. Best-case scenario if stung by a stingray you

or mud in shallow water, but there are also a few species

will only suffer excruciating pain and a small puncture

of pelagic rays.

wound. Worst-case scenario, you die. My personal hero,

In areas with cooler water such as California stingrays

and one of the greatest animal lovers, adventurers,

prefer the coast in warmer months, and move to deep

explorers, and watermen ever to live, Steve Irwin, died of

water in the winter. In reality stingrays can be found

punctures to the heart and lungs by a large stingray while

anywhere at any time. Stingrays usually eat shellfish,

filming off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

worms, small fish, various small invertebrates, and unsuspecting tourists. Just kidding, people are not on the menu? so why is everyone so afraid of stingrays?

Stingrays very rarely bite people, because they don?t want to hurt us, and they don?t see us as food, however when a bather is wading through shallow water and steps on a 11

Continued...

PREVENTION: The best thing you can do to treat a sting is to prevent it from ever even happening. If you can, avoid wading in shallow sandy areas, especially when the water is warm.

Like other fish, stingrays are also especially active around dusk and dawn. When you do find yourself moving through an area that is likely populated with stingrays avoid stepping on them by doing ?The Stingray Shuffle?!

That means dragging your feet through the sand, which stirs up the sand scaring rays away, and also lifts them up from underneath rather than stepping down on one.

Remember, you may be familiar with this graceful dance, but many tourists are not. Do a good deed and make their experience in your home town more pleasant by warning someone if you see them walking through a stingray infested area. Tell them that there are stingrays there and that they should relocate, and/ or do ?The Stingray Shuffle."

Stingray Barb Photo by David McRee, BeachHunter.net

THE INJURY: If you are stung the barb will likely penetrate the top of your foot, leaving you with either a puncture wound, or sometimes a nasty laceration. The barbs are serrated, so they will not make a clean wound by any means.

Sometimes the barb will break off and remain embedded in you (not good). Stingray barbs contain venom that will inflict an incredible amount of pain, and in some cases trigger a deadly allergic reaction. It is also common for the wound to become infected afterwards. Injuries can be fatal if the victim does not receive emergency medical treatment, and: 12

The barb penetrates a large artery and there is excessive blood loss.

The victim suffers from a severe anaphylactic reaction.

The wound becomes badly infected.

Place: Isla Canales, Panama, Diver :Brian Coen

Photo by Anthony Dooley

TREATMENT: If someone is stung by a stingray, they will need medical attention. In some cases you may just treat someone yourself, but often they will need professional emergency medical care. When in doubt seek help.

Priorit ize -

Your safety is number one! Hurting yourself will only add to the problem. If possible use the appropriate body substance isolation. i.e. gloves, and a mask and protective eyewear if necessary.

Call for help. If you think that the injury may be serious, get lifeguards, have a bystander help, or call 911.

Primary Assessment (t reat l if e t hreat s) -

-

Know your ABC?s? Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. Ensure that the patient has a clear airway, and is receiving adequate ventilation. Take a moment to note if they are struggling to breathe. Naturally their breathing rate will increase because of the pain, but if they are struggling to get the air they need, there is a big problem, and they need to go to the hospital immediately. If they have an EpiPen prescribed to them, and appear to be having an anaphylactic reaction (difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face) administer it.

Control bleeding. Excessive blood loss is the most dangerous effect of a sting. Apply direct pressure on the wound ideally using sterile gauze pads, but any cloth will do. Do your best to keep the wound clean, and allow the blood to clot.

Secondary Assessment (manage minor injuries) Manage the pain. Aside from shock due to blood loss stingray victims can endure psychogenic shock due to the pain, so for that reason as well as simple comfort it is very important to manage the pain. DO NOT PEE ON THE WOUND!!! I don?t know why but after I was stung by a stingray everyone and their mother wanted to pee on my foot. They were all wrong. Urinating on an open wound is a great way to cause infection, not ease the pain. The correct treatment is soaking the wound in a hot water bath. Fill a bucket with water as hot as you can tolerate (Do not exceed 105°F) and soak the wound until it feels okay; it will probably take a few hours to get there, but the pain and sensitivity may last a day or two. The sooner you get your foot cooking the more effective it will be.

Go to the doctor. Part of the barb could still be in the victim, and that must be removed by a doctor? not you, not the lifeguard no matter how experienced they are, only a doctor should remove the barb if it or part of it is still in.

You also need to ensure that your tetanus shot is up to date, and going to the doctor after you soak your foot is the best way to prevent or recognize an infection.

Stingrays are passive but powerful creatures that have a tendency to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

While we should neither fear them nor hate them, they deserve our respect. Avoid being stung, but if you or one of your buddies are, know what to do. One of the best safety measures you can take is a basic First Aid and CPR class. I guarantee you will never regret expanding your medical knowledge, and any further training you receive will only help you in life. Good luck out there, and dive safe!

13

FREEDIVING RINCON PUERTO RICO The west coast is incredibl e. From t he bl ue hol e at Shacks Beach & sunken piers at Crashboat s t o t he sunken B-29 Bomber of f t he airport runway, Aguadil l a has pl ent y of amazing spot s f or every l evel of f reediver t o enjoy. In Rincรณn, cont act Carson at Taino Divers t o get out t o Desecheo Isl and, l ocat ed 12 mil es of f t he coast , where you can f reedive huge nat ural arcs, sunken U-Boat s and t he l ocal f avorit e Candyl and. The pl ace is l oaded wit h marine l if e incl uding sharks, mant arays and humpback whal es. Anot her pl ace t hat shoul d be on your l ist if it 's not al ready is Mona Isl and. Locat ed 60 mil es of f t he coast it has become known as "The Gal apagos of t he At l ant ic." Taino Divers www.t ainodivers.com SEASON Best = Oct ober-May during t he dry season when t he wat er is cryst al cl ear. Runof f f rom t he mount ains during t he rainy season mont hs makes t he wat er grit t y.

GETTING AROUND- Rent ing a car is recommended t o get out t o Rincon and t ends t o come in handy when you?d l ike t o expl ore ot her diving spot s or some of t he isl and?s wat erf al l s and caves.

TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS: RINCON, PUERTO RICO

EAT, STAY + RELAX - You?ll find a

SPEARFISHING PUERTO RICO Puerto Rico offers a variety of species and locations on its four coasts. On the north coast (San Juan region) Roberto Reyes is the man to go with. He has been hunting Puerto Rico and the rest of the world religiously for 25+ years & holds many records. Just outside of San Juan are a few government placed fads where you can hunt mahi, wahoo, tuna and a variety of other pelagic species.

During the dry season, the west coast is a bluewater hunter's dream. Big wahoo, mahi, kingfish and even springtime yellowfin tuna can be found in the deep waters just one mile off the coast.

Anthony Dooley and Peter Correale offer bluewater trips during the peak months of January through March, leaving out of Rincón.

great mix of easy eats and beachfront sunset locations. Enjoy fresh sushi and sashimi at Pool Bar, try lionfish empanadillas at La Cambija which pairs nicely with their watermelon mojitos, and catch sunset with a coconut full of rum at Villa Cofresi. If you were lucky in the water, stop by Los Pescaderos and have them grill up your daily catch.

The best way to stay in Rincon is simple ? rent an apartment or house (weekly rates) Opt out of major Roberto Reyes holidays= better deals. Check AirBnb and VRBO for a heap of spots www.freediverspuertorico.com to choose from. Our favorites: Tres Rincon Spearfishing (Anthony and Pete) contact: dooley@theunchartedstudio.com Amigos: Right on the beach at the popular surfing spot, Dogman's. www.vrbo.com/ 331242 Fisheye SURFING- The west coast boasts some of View: Best view in town on a the greatest surf on the island. With private, beautiful hilltop with dozens of popular breaks in Rincon and infinity pool. the neighboring town of Aguadilla, you www.rinconview.com Uncharted can be sure to score your share of point Downtown: Spacious and affordable & beach breaks. Best time for waves is three bedroom apartment in the December - March, so you can ditch your heart of Rincon Plaza.

5mm wetsuit for some warm Caribbean www.theunchartedstudio.com water. Lessons: Rincon Surf School www.rinconsurfschool.com

TRAVEL TO + FROM- Less t han 4 hours via direct f l ight f rom New York Cit y and Fl orida. No passport required. The t own of Rincon on Puert o Rico's west coast is a remot e get away opt ion f or vacat ioners & advent urers al ike. Beach bars on t he sand, pl ent y of surf and it s cryst al cl ear wat ers are some of t he Isl and?s best f or f ishing and f reediving. Direct f l ight s are avail abl e f rom t he east US int o Aguadil l a (BQN) Airport , 16 mil es t o Rincon. San Juan?s Luis Muñoz Marín Int ernat ional Airport (SJU) has dail y f l ight s on major airl ines, 100 mil es, around 3 hours by car. Connect ing service f rom San Juan is al so avail abl e t o nearby Mayaguez (MAZ).

DIVING CONDITIONS- The best t ime of year t o enjoy t he wat ers of Puert o Rico is Oct ober-May during t he dry season when t he wat er is cryst al cl ear. Runof f f rom t he mount ains during t he rainy season mont hs makes t he wat er grit t y.

WORDS & PHOTOs BY: ANTHONY + MARCY DOOLEY

Th er e ar e 3 r eason s you sh ou ld get cer t if ied. 1- It cou ld save you r lif e, 2It cou ld save you r f r ien d's lif e, 3You 'll dive bet t er t h an ever bef or e.

I've experienced first hand the difference between diving before I got certified and after I went through a freediving education program. There are some things you can learn on your own, and at first freediving might seem like one of those things, but in reality it's not. In this case, what you don't know may very well take your life or the life of someone you love.

Now that I'm on the other side of the coin, I don't hesitate to tell friends and strangers alike, "take a class."

I'll admit, I'm very leery of diving with non-trained divers. I can't be certain they know what to do if I blackout, or that they will use safe diving practices in the water. Your dive partner is your lifeline, shouldn't they be trained to be the safest they can be? How can you comfortably dive to 60 feet hunting fish knowing the guy on the surface can barely get to 30 feet, thrashes about in the water, and struggles to do that safely?

Cer t if icat ion Cou r ses Several organizations offer certification coures. So what is class like? First of all it's challenging and fun.

Each program is different, but you'll get both classroom and water time with instructors that will give you safety technique, and practical diving how-to. In the classroom you'll learn about the 16

Why You Should Get Trained

Freedive Certification

by Sam Perry, Publisher

causes of accidents and how to reduce the likelihood of blackouts, the most common cause of death in freedivers. in the water you'll learn techniques to advance your diving. You'll get practical knowledge of how to help another diver in trouble. You will also learn how to train so that you can dive more safely and more effectively. There is a science to every aspect of freediving and you should make time to learn it.

While there is no guarantee of safety and survival with an inherently dangerous sport like freediving, getting trained will change you. It will equip you with knowledge and skills. You will be surprised how much you didn't know after you've been through the program. You'll dive better, have more fun, and know how to stay safer. Costs vary, but isn't your life worth a few hundred dollars? And when want to take a trip and the dive boat requires certification, you'll be all set.

M ak e Dive Fr ien ds Not only will you learn and practice in a course, but you will make great diving connections along the way. It's a very welcoming community that's ready to have fun, but go about it smartly.

I truly hope you'll care enough for you and your dive buddies to take a class. Make a fun weekend out of it. If you're on the fence about taking a freediving course, drop me an email. I'm happy to chat with you about my experiences. sam@onebreathmagazine.com

Stealth How to Achieve Stealth Knowledge and Helpful Hints for Training Text By: John Wilson, Ph.D. Photo : Sam Blount

17

OneBreathMagazine.com

?The SCUBA diver dives to see what?s down there, the freediver dives to see what?s in there.?

Jacque Mayol, the father of freediving.

Every good spearfishing article will tell you to be stealthy when hunting, but no one tells you how to do it.

What follows are the fundamentals of ?HOW? to cultivate stealth.

Every aspect of freediving whether for spearfishing or just for the experience of communing with the ocean requires the ability to focus.

A good freediver is focused ?within? no matter the stage of the dive, or the purpose.

Moving t o t he area where t he dive begins ? f inning on t he surf ace.

Unless you?re attempting to attract yellowtail, or some species of tuna, and you fin as fast as a boat propeller, splashing the surface even slightly is going to frighten any fish within a considerable area, as well as decrease fin efficiency. Bottom fish will dig in deeper, free swimmers will hide in their holes or crevices or just leave the area. Kelp fish will scurry to deeper water. In short the challenge of finding the fish, and getting a good shot is made considerably more difficult.

Learn to move on the surface by finning efficiently and by keeping your fin kick completely beneath the surface. As soon as you break the surface the ?splash noise? will occur and you telegraph your position, and probable intention to the fish in the area.

Off California and Mexico you can tell how good you are by watching the behavior of Calico Bass in the area. If they?re looking at you and giving you a wide berth, you have work to do on your surface dive. As for the other fish you won?t see them because they have left the area.

Continued page 20

19

Making t he Surf ace Dive ? t he Jack Knif e Surf ace Dive.

The Jack-Knife (breaking the surface) The spearfisherman?s version of this dive is slightly different than that of the freediver who isn?t spearfishing.

If not spearfishing one can raise both fins together, while the spearfisherman only raises one fin, then brings the other fin into the picture as the first fin tip becomes submerged.

The procedure is to lie flat on the surface bend smoot hl y and quiet l y at the waist, keep your butt and legs at the surface, ?as you sink? smoot hl y and quiet l y bring one leg to the vertical helping you sink vertically. When ?the fin t ip? is below the surface, ?then-and-only-then? bring your feet together and begin your fin kick cycle.

If you watch a seal leave the surface after he puts his head down all you see is his back ?rolling? into the dive at the surface. No splash of any kind.

This is the look and feel you want to master to become a good spearfisherman. It?s so efficient you even want to use it in blue water hunting where stealth isn?t quite as important, because it conserves energy.

No matter how good you believe 20

your surface finning to be when you arrive at your dive point, stop and lay on the surface for a few minutes without moving. This allows the fish in the area to settle and accept your presence.

If I?m in an area where they?re a lot of fish, especially Calico bass I may lay there for several minutes. In fact if I?m hunting a skittish fish I may lay at my dive point for as much as 30-minutes before beginning my dive. The advantages are that my eyes have ample time to adjust to the low light; I have time to observe other fish in the area and what seems to be making them respond.

It also gives me time to use my diaphramatic breath training to slow my heart rate.

Bubbles One might think, ?It?s the ocean, how could fish be sensitive to bubbles?? Well they are, in fact they?re extremely sensitive to the sound of bubbles. So much so that my spearfishing suits all have holes in the top of the hood, and the bottom of the booties. When entering the water I do a series of ?clearing? dives to let the bubbles leave my suit. I enter the water and prior to loading my speargun, if that is what I am using, I will sit vertically and let the air flow out of my suit through my hood; then I stand on my

head for awhile and let the air flow from my suit interior out of my booties. Keeping my finning below the surface is another contributor to stealth because the booties will pick up air if surface splashing and then produce bubbles at depth. This phenomenon will give away your presence, most assuredly when you don?t want it.

The Snorkel In keeping with the concept of bubbles creating disturbing noise to the fish, as spearfishermen, we spit our snorkel out when we begin the Jack-Knife part of our dive.

Taking the last diaphragmatic breath the snorkel gets spit out so it fills immediately and doesn?t leave a trail of bubbles on the descent.

The other reason for spitting the snorkel out is that it helps the mammalian dive reflex kick in sooner. The mammalian dive reflex is the mammal reflex, including human, that is responsible for slowing the heart rate, increasing oxygen utilization, preparing the body for the blood-shift (where our blood leaves our extremities and concentrates in our core) and a number of other reflexes we have in common with marine mammals.

All of my snorkels also have an

will it cause you to spend precious

additional modification. I have cut

energy and oxygen while kicking,

them approximately in half. This

but it is noisy and will tire you more

reduces the air drag when breathing

quickly. The excess noise and

at the surface, reduces drag on the

movement will definitely broadcast

dive because there isn?t as much

your presence to the fish in the area.

rubber/ plastic to drag in the water,

Something you wish to avoid.

and lastly it?s easier and quieter to

The reasons above are some of the

clear.

several reasons we use ?long-blade?

Of course always remember to

fins in spearfishing and freediving.

begin your equalization

The plastic, fiberglass or carbon

?immediately?, don?t wait for the

composition of the blades also

pressure to build. I?ve also found

contributes to energy conservation

Mucinex Sinus helpful in facilitating

and stealth. Fewer kick-cycles also

the equalization process. It lasts 12

mean less movement resulting in

hours, I take it about an hour before

improved stealth.

beginning my diving.

Lastly, don?t look down when you?re

Antihistamines increase blood

descending you can damage your

pressure and heart rate something

trachea. Focus straight in front of

we want to avoid as freedivers.

They also seem to only last about

you, and if you feel you must look

important to keep your fin kick at a

down, or up, make it a quick glance

comfortable pace. A comfortable

at most. Looking down will also

pace means slow usually, smooth

distract you from fish ?around? you.

and efficient, avoiding muscle strain.

Many hunters spiral on the ascent or

Efficiency is dictated by making sure

descent allowing good visual

If I?m diving under 100ft my

the water is flowing smoothly off

coverage of the area. If you notice

equalization method of choice is the

both surfaces of the fin taking full

fish swimming away from you as you

Frenzel method, or a method close

advantage of the fin design. Simply

traverse from the surface to your

to it I?ve developed. I clear about

put, no pigeon toeing (toes-in), or

desired hunting depth, take note it

every 2 or 3 feet on the dive.

pronaming (toes-out) of the fin

probably means you?re moving too

Finning t o a Desired Dept h or

position is allowed. If the fins are

fast.

Bot t om

touching or clicking as you fin

Coninued.....

two hours in the water. Besides lasting 12 hours Mucinex does not raise blood pressure or heart rate, it merely liquefies the mucous.

21

Photo by Anthony Dooley

When finning it is critically

(pigeon toeing), or sliding from side-to-side, (pronaming), not only

Level ing Of f at a Desired Dept h

ADD weight, to be neutral at a

Weighting for Neutral Depth.

?deeper? depth you SUBTRACT EXAMPLE

weight. Third, note the difference in A very important skill is weighting for a desired depth. This of course is all part of planning your dive or spearfishing excursion. Knowing the fish you?re going to hunt and what depth that particular fish likes is all part of freedive spearfishing. If you?re too heavy you will blow

beginning weight increment for men vs. women at the same level of fitness. Women need an extra 5 to 7lbs, while men only need an

If you weigh 160 lbs x .05 (5%) = 8lbs for a male

additional 3-5lbs. This is because

Add 3 to 5lbs =11lbs for a male (3lbs).

women have an extra layer of fat

Add 5 to 7lbs, instead of 3 to 5lbs if you?re female, and proceed as follows.

over that of men and fat is extremely buoyant.

through your fish?s cruising depth then spend your time and energy

Coming to rest on the bottom

finning vertically trying to maintain

If you?re going to weight yourself to

your desired depth. Not enough

be neutral on the bottom, don?t.

weight on your belt and you?re

Weight yourself to be neutral about

struggling to get or stay down,

five or ten feet above the bottom. As

finning like crazy, and frightening every fish in the area. The same thing happens with fins too short for the type of diving you?re doing. It?s important to know how to weight

Neut ral Weight Calculat ion: com put ing st ar t ing weight to be neut ral at 30f t wit h a 5m m open cell wet suit :

a spearfisherman you don?t want to crash into the bottom, you want to gently float down to the bottom in the glide phase of the dive quiet l y

So f or m ale: 11lbs should make you (if your male) neutrally buoyant at 30ft (give or take a foot or two).

If you switch to a 3m m open cell wetsuit (from a 5mm suit), you should take 4lbs of weight off your belt to be neutral at 30ft. I recommend adjusting by 2 pounds for every millimeter of wetsuit.

Therefore, if you switch to a 7m m wetsuit add 4lbs to your weight belt to be neutral at 30ft.

If you wish to be neutral at 15f t inst ead of 30f t add 3lbs to your 30ft calculation.* If you wish to be neutral at 45f t inst ead of 30f t subt ract 3lbs from your 30ft calculation.*

yourself for the desired depth so

dist urbing not hing. In order to affect

below I provide a formula with

this you need to be neutral a few feet

examples. Neutral depth is that

(I like to use 10-15ft) above the

depth at which you don?t sink, or

bottom. This gives you a few

Leaving t he Desired Dept h or

float when you reach that depth.

seconds to put your body in shooting

Bot t om

Some important considerations are

position before settling on the

these: First , the formula above will

bottom. I usually use prone position,

provide the ?starting weight?. Some

many divers prefer upright sitting

fine-tuning is often required due to

with their knees and fins under them.

small adjustments for body shape.

(Preferred position for polespear

Second, note the weighting is

hunters.)

counter-intuitive. That is to be neutral at a ?shal l ower? depth you 22

A mistake I?ve seen many beginning spearfishermen make is in leaving the bottom or neutral depth from a dive. They will move too fast.

Continued...

St eal t h Cont inued

continue your ascent with a minimum

quietly and recover from your dive.

Sometimes even jerking themselves

or even no finning. By looking forward

Make sure of course you recover

off the bottom or righting themselves

you should be able to anticipate the

?completely? so you can maximize

and kicking from neutral depth almost

surface and when about two to three

your comfortable bottom time on the

as if in a panic. This habit virtually

feet from the surface replace your

next dive.

eliminates them from returning to their

snorkel (see below) and prepare to

Clearing and Replacing the Snorkel

shooting spot with their fish or prey

clear it using your method of choice.

Loud blows at the surface can spook

If you have a hand free it?s easy to

still there. They frighten the fish away

certain fish so it?s best to clear it

replace your snorkel a few feet from

on their departure and like, the click

gently.

the surface. I?ve developed a little

from a metal speargun, the fish don?t return for a few minutes. Sometimes

Once you?re close to the surface,

they don?t return for an hour or more if

slowly, ever so slowly, roll forward and

at all.

let your body prone out at the surface.

The trick is don?t wait until you?re

Unless you have a fish in tow no

?desperate? for air to begin your

movement is required. Lie there

technique of using my shoulder to push it back in my mouth. I?ve found this comes in handy if I have a fish in tow and I am dealing with it and my gun or polespear. Whatever method you choose, just remember never break

ascent. Perform the entire dive

the surface like a submarine on

?under control?, slowly and

emergency blow and splash around

deliberate focused on not

getting your snorkel in your mouth.

disturbing the bottom or

Unless of course you?re done for the

frightening the fish. Besides if

day because nothing will be down

you wait until you?re desperate

there when you return. Remember to

for air you may be setting

watch the seals. I use two different

yourself up for shallow water

methods of clearing my snorkel. One

blackout.

involves a gentle ?blow-spit? to get the

Approaching t he Surf ace.

water out. Focus on the blow/ spit just enough ?blow? to clear the snorkel. A

Once you?ve decided its time to surface, glance upward to become aware of any kelp or other obstructions that may have floated and come to rest above you, then looking forward begin your ascent. A steady, unhurried ascent is the best. Once you?re above the neutral depth you should be able to take full advantage of your positive buoyancy to 23

?whale? blow is not required. The second method involves filling my snorkel with air and then snapping my head forward when I come to the surface. This method requires some practice but is the method of choice because it is virtually silent on the surface and allows you to begin breathing immediately.

Surf ace Recovery When reaching the surface and clearing your snorkel, take a couple of quick deep breaths, then hold your

oxygen you use per unit of time. This

you?re being actively bounced around

translates to more recovery time to

on the surface, and forcing an

make sure those tissues get totally

inadequate recovery due to this factor

recharged.

will produce the same noisy sense of urgency referred to in # 3 above.

breath for 2 or 3 seconds allowing the oxygen to equalize in your system.

Experience calmness and focus from

Your mental state. If you?re stressed

After doing this breathe normally.

the last dive. As you gain experience

your respiration will be automatically

If you?ve been doing your Square Table

you will find you refocus and retrieve

higher. If it?s too high you need to

Diaphramatic Breathing Exercises you

your calm state more quickly. The

really focus on calming yourself, or

should have a good hold on how long

more you dive the more comfortable

perhaps you need to call it a day. A

you need to rest on the surface

you become and the faster the focus

hunt er/ diver who isn?t cal m is a noisy

recovering for the next dive.

returns. Focus is necessary to center

diver.

Perhaps one of the biggest

on moving slowly.

Repeat ing t he Dive

safety and stealth mistakes

"Sl ow movement

Make sure you?re enjoying yourself.

spearfishermen and beginning freedivers make, besides hyperventilation, is cutting themselves

destroy enjoyment quickly. When you

movement ."

stop having fun, the five items listed

short on the surface recovery.

I?ve heard several rules over the years

How hard you were working on the last

direction quickly. Remember

from for every 1 minute on the bottom

dive. The harder you work the more

freediving is underwater meditation;

you do 2 minutes on the surface, but

oxygen depletion occurs in the

freedive spearfishing is underwater

the fact is hard and fast rules like this

muscles. If you make your next dive

meditation with a meal attached.

don?t work.

prior to full recovery your tissues will

If you cut your recovery short besides

require increasingly longer times to

being dangerous it invariably

recover healthy oxygen levels in your

generates noise on the next dive.

muscles. The risk factor becomes

Always think, ?Rushing generates noise?. Your recovery time on the surface should include several factors to include: 1) time on bottom/ depth; 2) experience, calmness and focus from the last dive; 3) how hard you were working on the last dive; 4) how calm is your recovery surface; 5) your mental state.

Time on bottom/ depth ? the deeper the dive generally the more tissue 24

resul t s in quiet

Pushing yourself for the next dive will

cumulative in this state. That is ?the more you cut yourself short on the recovery, the more recovery time you need and if you continue cutting it short it doesn?t take long before you?ve entered the ?danger zone? which leads to a sense of urgency which becomes directly proportional to noise.

How calm is your recovery on the surface. If you?re on a rough surface, or a windy one, your recovery will, and should take longer. You can?t focus if

above begin to turn in the wrong

Import ance of Being Comf ort abl e at

get your catch in a few minutes, even

Dept h

Import ance of St amina During t he Hunt

As you gain experience you will gain

Stamina in spearfishing seems to be

comfort at depth. This also assumes of

mostly attached to the frequency of

course you maintain a regular course of

hunting and the hunter?s ability to stay

training. If you know you?ve pushed your

calm and focused. The more you go,

depth limit then you have set yourself up

within limits, the longer you will be able

for immediate mental stress. Add depth

to stay and enjoy your time in the water.

slowly, a meter at a time in your training.

Usually only about 2-4 hours is necessary

Remember everyone has mental and

for a successful and rewarding hunt, but

physical limits, and while its fun to

I?ve been, and still do occasionally, require

explore these, don?t be reckless because

up to 6-8 hours in the water and I have

you?re convinced the deeper you dive the

been in the water up to 12 hours. Of

larger the fish. This is absolutely not the

course this could be because I?m getting

case. Most of the fish I?ve speared in the

old and just don?t move as fast as I used

60+ years of spearfishing have been

to.

Unless you?re just underwater foraging for

between the surface and 50ft of depth.

The point is it would be a mistake to think you?re going to just jump in the water and 25

though this does occasionally happen. lobster, oysters, mussels, scallops or the like, plan on spending at least an hour or three in water for the hunt. Remember slow equals quiet and quiet leads to success. I live on my sailboat, surrounded by oysters, mussels, scallops and several types of perch and halibut. I roll into the water from my boat and it still takes me around an hour to get the choice items I like; and I cultivate my own oyster and mussel beds and feed half dozen pet lobster and octopus under my boat.

Continued page 26

St eal t h Cont inued

doesn?t hurt to read everything you can

fish behavior to spearfishing. He has

Remember, you?re in the sport to have

and while U-tube might be good

spearfished around the world in a wide

fun and enjoy yourself. Leave the ego

entertainment it is a lousy education

variety of environments. He is also the

in the car. You should leave your hunt

tool. Seeing someone do something

author of the book An In-depth Guideline

happy, satisfied and peaceful; not

and understanding what is going on in

to Breath Hold Spearfishing ? 7 Volumes,

stressed. This should be your single

their head while doing it are two

which covers everything from basic

most important goal. Most of all

greatly separated phenomenon. In

spearfishing for specific fish to spearfish

remember the catch per unit effort in

order to become a master

hunting strategy and how it shifts when

freedive spearfishing is among the

spearfisherman it is necessary to

using a polespear to large blue water

lowest methods of fishing. This is not

master the mental side of the sport

speargun. The book can be purchased

true for the ?enjoyment per unit effort?

first.

from Mitch?s Surf Shop LaJolla by calling

however. The enjoyment factor is

About the Author- in brief

the store and ordering it over the phone

directly proportional to the attitude factor. Right attitude equals high enjoyment. Sometimes there is just no one home; be determined to enjoy yourself anyway; just learn everything you can each time you go. Finally, it

ONLY. It is not available online.

John Wilson began spearfishing at age 8 in 1953. His father, an Underwater

Contact information:

Demolition Team member started him

John Wilson, Ph.D. 619-994-2621

hunting in LaJolla California. One of

Mitch?s Surf Shop, LaJolla, CA ?

John?s degrees is a Ph.D. in marine

858-459-5933

ecology. He applies his knowledge of

26 Location: Saint Pete, FL Diver Charlie Slattery from Good Time Charlie Charters

Photo by Austin Powell

A Travel Diary

Li f e

photo: Anthony Dooley Photo by Joakin Hjelm Photography

in

Fi ns

By Ian Almasi,

into it. A solid stint in Chile and being willing to harass the

Ian is a 23 year old PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and an aspiring beginner freediver taking off around the world to follow his passions to better himself. He's venturing around Latin America to learn Spanish to help him teach SCUBA and to find freediving buddies.

Solo Apnea freediving team led me coincidentally to turn a page in my life. Oh what am I talking about!! It?s a whole new chapter! My enthusiasm to freedive was born of my thirst to spearfish. But that has evolved slightly. Like anything, change is inevitable. How you choose to react to

There is nothing wrong with renewing your enthusiasm for

it is entirely on you. We change slightly day by day, with a

something you love to do... be it cooking, reading, a heavy

few defining moments sprinkled in there when we can

workout, or even knitting? At some point a new look at

never expect them.

things could bring your interests into a new light, therefore

Even as I write this, it?s a big change from scratching out random

bringing your approach to something ordinary and normal

stories and events into the Office Depot specials I call my

for you. In my case my interests include just about anything

journals. I think embracing the unknown is what can really lead

that allows me to submerged.. Safely of course.

to you becoming a person you wondered would ever exist.

I never thought I would build an enthusiasm for the competitive side of freediving. But I just kind of landed

27

Progress is progress. However the pace can be a little frustrating at times. Continued Page 30

28

OneBreat hMagazine.com

Streamlining For

Sp earf ishin g Becoming an efficient freediver has a lot to do with how we use our body to move through the water. Water is 800 times denser than air so it would make sense that we would do everything within our power to make ourselves glide easily through the water column. This is something I preach to my students during a class to help their diving.

If you have ever had the chance to go spearfishing with me you may have noticed I usually have one or both arms over my head.

This isn?t only when traveling vertically through the water column but any time I am swimming. I like to stream line my body when fighting currents or moving spots to keep my heart rate as low as possible. Again it just makes sense.

Contined on page 35 Text and Photos by Sam Blount, PFI freediving instructor and owner of Frontline Freediving.

He coaches in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jaco, Costa Rica and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

29

Lif e in Fins Cont inued But one of my

My mom told me recently that when you

Seeing the future and knowing you can

favorite quotes that always keeps me

are doing the right thing for yourself

make a difference separates something

rolling goes a little something like this?

you?re halfway between excited and a

ineffable from just an idea. I?ve been

?If you shoot for the

dreaming a lot lately.

moon and miss, you

However it seems

will still end up

things are falling into

somewhere in the

place slowly. I?m

stars.? One of my

headed off to compete

favorite motivational

again soon. Training

speakers was the

for freediving is

person I heard that

probably the most

from. A prolific man by

miserable thing on the

the name of Les

planet. But to those

Brown. A fountain of

that are hooked. There

inspiration if you ask

is an indescribable joy

me.? You must be

that?s born from a

patient and engage in

sport that challenges

consistent action.? was

your instincts and

another one that shook

forces you to learn

me to break new

more about yourself.

When I came up from

bounds for myself personally. I?ve never

scared type of nervous. As I write this i?m

been particularly talented or gifted in

preparing day by day for what I don?t

my Dynamic With Fins dive for the

anything. But if

know will happen, just knowing I?m

competition in Chile?I didn?t feel like I

going in the right direction. Whatever

did something all that amazing, or reach

makes you feel like that, should be made

my potential for that matter. But there

a priority in your life. Along the way to

was a sense of meaning behind a strange

chasing waterfalls is usually where you

coincidence that changed my life

find something you love to. We wouldn?t

forever. Meeting a Chilean a Chilean

believe the Earth was round until

freedive instructor by the name of

someone sailed around it. But the man

Daniel Arias Cordova. I would not be the

that did got in a whole heap of trouble

diver I am without his guidance. A solid

for trying to convince everyone it was.

week of training, in the right

Having a vision won?t always attract the

circumstances and with good

most positive attention. But I am most

supervision of course, can teach you a

certainly guessing the Wright Brothers

lot about yourself mentally and blast

were terrified running towards the end

your technique to a whole new level.

of a cliff on what is now monumental,

Continued...

you don?t quit, and continue to learn and progress upon your mistakes. You?ll end up somewhere worthwhile. Be it the moon or the stars. Your biggest obstacle truly is yourself. I was so nervous about buying a one ticket to Chile to try and expand my Spanish and travel as a SCUBA instructor. But you need to be willing to bet on yourself. And I?m sure glad I did! I made good friends, did 2 freedving competitions (holy moly never thought that would happen!), and taught my first dive class. Among other things..

But some stories don?t belong on paper..

but horribly outdated.

31

But remember?never train alone or with people that put your life in danger through bad practices in regards to safety. I remember when I started to do my divemaster in Mexico. My course director barraged us with story after story of malpractice in the SCUBA world that will make your head turn. I felt some of the things that happen out there should be horror stories but they are common practice.

The same rings true with freediving. Safety procedures must be in place for good reason. Fortunately, my mentors and instructors through the years of my subaquatic life have held people to a higher standard.

Which I do as well for my SCUBA students. ?A good diver is always learning? One of my favorite quotes. Don?t let smooth sailing bring complacency in your diving. After a few months fishing for cod this past summer around Kodiak, AK. The saying?Smooth seas make poor sailors, has a new meaning for me now. I remember the boat rocking around on crossings thinking that this is the same ocean where I took my first breath underwater, learned how to swim, and got introduced to my favorite sport.

Guess what that is?..

Reflecting on the warm sun of the tropics while cozied up in my Grunden?s raingear really kept me going. It?s a catch 22 when I?m having some of the most memorable times of my life. No matter what. I am daydreaming. Never hurt to dream, Just remember to to stay alert my friends.

Things can change in an instant. I think to think life is just a series of reactions to circumstances we create.

I hope you enjoyed another read.

Ian Almasi

Inspiring Recipes for Freedivers Lion f ish Sau sage Captain Andy Lowe is an expert on Lionfish hunting. He's thoroughly versed in science and technique for managing the dangerous invasion. He not only spears them under water, he spears them with a fork at the dinner table as well. Andy's Lionfish Sausage article kicks off our series "Spear to Fork" where we will feature inspiring ways to enjoy the fish you spear.

In gr edien t s 2 lbs lionfish fillets (make certain no bones remain) chopped into small pieces 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter chopped into small pieces ½ cup coconut milk 2 tablespoons lemon juice 3 tablespoons lemongrass paste 3 tablespoons cilantro paste Salt and pepper

Li onf i sh are an i nv asi v e and h i gh l y destructi v e predator w i th poi sonous spi nes. Wi th caref ul cl eani ng th e f i sh mak es a great meal . Read more about th e speci es i n th e Spri ng 2016 edi ti on of OneBreath M agazi ne on our w eb si te.

Small sausage casing In st r u ct ion s Mix all ingredients except casings in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Using a funnel or small sausage tube, fill the casing with the lionfish mixture. May be grilled, pan fried, sautĂŠed or poached.

33

Kevin's Haw aiian Tu n a or Blu ef ish Pok e On just about any day you will find Kevin McCabe in the salt water, either immersed in the ocean or fishing from the sandy seashore. Kevin's a dream chasing, adventuring waterman who's resided in Cape Hatteras, a thin barrier island of North Carolina, since before it was a popular destination. He's traveled around the world soaking up waves and bountiful feasts . Kevin is a talented year round fisherman who shares his travel and local recipes in a cookbook. 25 Secrets Revealed: A Culinary Tour. Call (252) 995-4788 to buy a copy.

In gr edien t s 1 lb of super fresh tuna or bluefish fillets with no red line, skin, or bones 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce plus one shake 1 tablespoon of sesame oil 1 small sweet white onion 1 level teaspoon of good quality sea salt Pinch of red pepper flakes Pinch of light brown sugar

In st r u ct ion s Cut the fish into 1/2 inch chunks. Slice the onion into 1/4 inch diagonal slices. Mix all the ingredients together, except for the salt, into a chilled glass bowl and refrigerate 2 hours. Take out and sprinkle with the sea salt, one shake of soy, and stir well before serving. Sometimes I dress it up by added a sprinkle of sesame seeds and serve it next to seaweed salad. (P.S. Kim & Sam added rice and avocado on the side when they tested out the recipe.)

34

Ocean Art - Art ist Prof il e Unlike many ocean artists, Ryan Sobel did not start his career by the sea. Once the beauty of the ocean existed only in books and video to him. Ryan created ocean art even though he was a Midwestern United States youth.

Soon he was focused on the subject. He has turned his artistic talent toward inspiring, educating, and preserving the treasure he loves. Ryan?s artwork and passion are now used for a variety of ocean causes including saving sharks.

Ryan now lives in Florida where he sees the importance of the ocean?s wellbeing more than ever.

His work continues to expand, ?I?ve started to use my work to assist extraordinary conservationists and environmental organizations, reaching from the landlocked mountains of Colorado, to the sandy shores of The Bahamas. I hope to continue this work and do all that I can to spread the message of marine conservation through the power of art.?

To learn more about Ryan's work and to see his art visit Sobeldesigns.com

34

Custom Painted Freedive fins by Ryan

St r eam lin in g Con t in u ed We want to make out bodies as small and smooth as possible. If you notice in the picture here the diver has one hand over her head holding the tip of the speargun. This allows the speargun to lay right down the arm and against her body. It is exactly the same position we use for efficient freediving. Her arm is back by her ear and her head is in a neutral position. The water is breaking along her arm instead of over her head and shoulders. This not only makes her movement through the water column easier it helps her to dive vertically. She isn?t being led by the speargun one way or another like if it was held extended by the handle. Her other arm is used to equalize her ears and the elbow is tucked in nicely against he body creating as little drag as possible.

This is something I recommend every spearo try, especially the guys and gals diving a bit deeper. Students and spearing buddies of mine are always surprised how much less energy they use when they try this. As spearfishermen we want to have the most bottom time possible while still staying safely within outrlimits. This is a great and simple way to increase your bottom time and become a better freediver.

Cheers, Sam Blount 35

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