Some advise!

[wingman001]

Hi guys,

Just some questions? I have had 7 successful dives but seem to struggle with the following. Is this stuff we just take for granted or is there something I can do.

 

1.       Snorkel tucked into mask, or clip on side.

When I put my snorkel through the back of my mask it leaks on the side it comes down. I have been clipping it on just to avoid this. The problem with this is when I dive down the snorkel becomes uncomfortable and moves.

 

2.       Mask Leaking and pressure.

My mask tends to leak a little from the nose area, this is my second mask with the same problem, and it’s not extreme but becomes annoying. I do shave so it’s not that. The other problem is that eventually my nose and forehead becomes painful with the pressure of the mask.

 

3.       Hart Burn,

After about 40 minutes I start getting severe heart burn! Is this pretty normal of abnormal!

 

4.       Out of breath carbon

I find that after a while I really start to battle with breathing, at home in my pool I am able to go down for long periods of time however when I am working diving I find that I battle almost like I am not getting enough oxygen and inhaling more carbon.

 

5.       Size of fish.

Any means of estimating the size of a fish? I see allot of fish but am not always sure of their size!

 

[scaley character]

no.3 heartburn is most likely from the type of food you eat before the dive. no pies or braai vleis,etc your stoumach produces extra acid to break it down and when you dive down the acid will with gravity cause heartburn.

 

[landshark]

Howzit Wingman,

I'll give my 2c

1. Snorkel tucked into mask, or clip on side.

This is a personal thing. I like to clip my snorkel because it feels more comfortable that way and it's also easier for me to remove my snorkel from my mouth before going down.

A drawback of having your snorkel clipped is if you dive into caves or overhangs and for some reason your snorkel snagged, you are bound to lose both your snorkel AND your mask.

2. Mask Leaking and pressure.

Sounds like you are not wearing a mask that suits your face. This is really the most important thing to get right so I recommend you go to a dive store and spend some time trying on a lot of different masks.

Also, it doesn't mean that if it's the latest, most expensive low volume mask that it is the best for you.

And lastly, apparently the Omer Alien is a good one to try if you are having trouble finding a mask that suits you.

3. Hart Burn.

Sorry can't help you there... but what scaley says makes sense.

What I can add is that meat and other high protein foods require your body to work harder to digest the food and this uses up valuable O2. You will notice that competitive freedivers will avoid these foods at all costs and if at all, only have very light breakfast before a compo. And besides, there is nothing worse than having a 2 day old 7-11 pie repeating on you while you are trying to line up the perfect shot.

4. Out of breath carbon

Diving in a pool is and hunting fish in the sea are worlds apart.

Currents, waves, climbing over kelp, worring about johnnies, getting exited when you spot a fish etc. all contribute to using up O2. Try and learn how to relax and get you mind into a super calm state before you even enter the water. Once in the water really focus on relaxing moving with the ocean.

Also do yourself a favour and get Umberto Pelizzari's book "Manual of Freediving: Underwater on a Single Breath". It's kind-of the bible of freediving and has an excellent chapter in it focusing on relaxation.


5. Size of fish.

Judging the size of will come with time. If you think a fish is too small then it usually is. You can also sick one of those fish sizing stickers that most tackle shops have on the barrel of your gun. This will give you some indication of the size of a fish that you are looking at.

 

[Eckart]

you are putting your snorkel too close to the mask...your snorkel should go over your ear towards the back of your head and not the top of your head (as you lay on the water this will also cause alot of water to go in because it;s almost horizontal)....
you need to try on many masks to see which one suits your face... I dive with a beard and don;t have any issues....and if it presses on your forehead then the mask doesn't suit you at all (I've had that and it's super painfull!).
When are you coming to CT? You should come pop in here to try on some masks otherwise I could bring some up to George?

 

[wingman001]

That would be supper, you been saying your wanna come up this side for ages, hehehe.

Hey if I get enough okes can we do one of your spearfishing corses? Im sure I can organize a good venue?

 

[Bushbuck]

Eckart wrote:

you are putting your snorkel too close to the mask...your snorkel should go over your ear towards the back of your head and not the top of your head (as you lay on the water this will also cause alot of water to go in because it;s almost horizontal)....
you need to try on many masks to see which one suits your face... I dive with a beard and don;t have any issues....and if it presses on your forehead then the mask doesn't suit you at all (I've had that and it's super painfull!).
When are you coming to CT? You should come pop in here to try on some masks otherwise I could bring some up to George?

Hi Eckart, the mask i got the other day from you is awesome, doesnt leak of fog up and nice soft rubber. Im with the guy above, you dont need to spend a fortune on a mask. My mate just got one for close to a grand and he is having problems with it. the guy advised that its the best on the market but doesnt seem to fit his face.

 

[Eckart]

Glad to hear that the mask is working for you... it's so important to make the best decision and not be sold on the latest and greatest... by all means if you want a fancy mask or any gear, make sure it fits properly...if you get the "best" footpockets and you know it's the right size for you but you haven't tried them on you might not realize that they might be too wide, narrow, high, soft, hard for your foot... same applies to masks and all other gear...
so come get some good gear and great advice

 

[mad mike]

With size: A lot of fish species change slightly as they get older and bigger like the blacktail and zebra. the older/bigger ones have a completely different "face", they get a more protruding jaw (it looks like that), but researching your catch before will reveal the specifics and also allow you to learn more about your quarry and where to look etc..