u/Neat-State1807

Had my first pool competition and it was a really nice experience.

Most people were very friendly and relaxed, and it was a great opportunity to learn from athletes who have been practicing freediving for years and to observe how they prepare themselves before performing.

Blackouts were not pleasant to witness, even in a safe environment, but I understand they are part of a sport where people push themselves to their limits.

I noticed a distinction between an underwater blackout and a surface blackout. In the first case, the athlete was forbidden from competing the following day, while in the case of a surface blackout, the athlete was only disqualified from that specific discipline.

Technically and medically, what are the differences between the different types of blackout, and what is the reasoning behind those rules?

From a medical perspective, a blackout is still a blackout. The only additional concern I can think of with an underwater blackout would be water aspiration into the lungs, although that could also depend on the safety response and how quickly the athlete was recovered, rather than solely on the athlete’s condition itself.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a budget diving computer and came across some of the Salvimar models: Salvimar Freedive, Salvimar Deeper Freediving and Salvimar One Plus. The price difference between them is relatively small, so I'm trying to understand which one makes the most sense.

Do any of you have experience with these watches?

I’d mainly use it for spearfishing, occasional depth diving (up to around 20 meters) and as a waterproof watch for STA training.

I’m looking for something reliable, easy to use, and good value for money rather than advanced high-end features.

Could you share your opinions, pros and cons of these models, or suggest other good budget alternatives?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been practicing pool freediving for about two years. Last season I reached personal bests of 5:00 STA and 85 m DYF (bi-fins). As a beginner, I felt quite motivated and was progressing steadily.

However, this season I’m facing a strong mental block. Whenever I attempt a max effort, I already go in with negative thoughts, mainly that I won’t reach my previous level. This affects me a lot during the apnea.

As soon as I feel the first real discomfort, I tend to stop early, even though I know I still have capacity left. I often come up feeling “fresh”, which makes it even more frustrating. That frustration then carries into the next attempt, and the cycle repeats.

I’m trying to understand how to deal with this mental breakdown and regain control during the dive.

Have any of you experienced something similar?
What strategies or mental techniques helped you overcome it?

Hi everyone,

I’m a pool freediver and I’m starting to take my first steps into spearfishing. I’m based in the north of Portugal, where I usually dive in depths around 6-8 meters, and visibility is often below 5 meters.

Most of the time I expect to fish using aspetto (waiting) or hole hunting, so I’m looking for a versatile speargun that can handle both situations reasonably well.

I’m aiming for a good balance between quality, room to progress, and price. I came across the Sigalsub Nemesis Pro 76 cm (aluminum, without reel) for around €170, which seems like a solid option.

Would you consider this a good choice for a beginner? What other models or brands would you recommend in a similar range?