Beginners FAQ

Foundation of Freediving Safety: Direct Supervision

​1. NEVER dive alone: "[a]n unconscious freediver cannot save [themselves], whereas a properly trained buddy can do it readily."

2. One up, one down: when one buddy is diving, the other is observing from the surface. You must be within arms reach when your buddy is surfacing, ready to assist if needed. 

3. Hand & verbal signal of "I'm okay": must complete both hand & verbal signal, observe your buddy for at least 30 seconds after surfacing. 

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These foundational rules are quoted from Freediving Instructor International's (FII) Level 1 Student Manual, written by Founder, Martin Stepanek. To learn more, visit www.freedivinginstructor.com. 

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The below information is a mixture of FII's Level 1 Student Manual & Aunties' personal experiences and recommendations. "Part of the beauty of freediving is the minimal equipment requirement. A pair of fins, snorkel, weight belt, mask, and wetsuit - this is a complete set of equipment. [...] You'll do just fine with the scuba or snorkeling gear you have now [...]That said, there's no denying that gear designed specifically for freediving makes a difference - you'll go deeper, longer, and more enjoyable dives" (Stepanek 31).

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What kind of gear do I need?

• Mask: A well fitted mask is essential to a good experience. A leaky mask is pesky and may lead to anxiety for beginners. A well fitted mask should seal all the way around, nose bridge not touching the mask, upper lip position is not too low/high. ​Ordering some on Amazon to test which one fits well or going into a dive shop to get fitted are great options to start. Masks prices can range from $15-$120, pick one that is best fitting for you. Low volume masks are recommended for freediving because as we descent we need to equalize the mask by pushing air into it through our nose. Low volume masks allow us to use less air from our lungs to equalize into our mask. This prevents mask squeeze (Google images at your own risk). 

• Snorkel: A simple J snorkel will suffice, add a snorkel keeper to attach it to the back of your mask or simply tuck it behind your mask. Attaching it to back (as opposed to the side like scuba divers do) will allow your snorkel to extend at a higher angle from the water surface, thus reducing the amount of splashing into your snorkel. If your budget allows, consider a snorkel with a purge valve, a clip for your mask, and a cover on the tip to reduce splashing. ​​Snorkels range from $15-$60. Simple J snorkels are recommended for line diving because it reduces drag. 

• Open Cell Wetsuit: Freedivers specifically use open cell wetsuits because it provides superior comfort, flexibility, and warmth. Open cell suits allow much less water to enter and touch your skin, which helps keep you warm & comfortable for an extended amount of time. Our recommendation for summer & year round in Southern California is a 5mm, and 7mm if you run cold for our winters. Most 5mm open cell suits have hoods & chest loading pads by default, thus eliminating additional purchases if you'd like to start spearfishing. It also prevents sun damage, protects your skin against our rocky reefs, and keeps your hair out of the way. Open cell suits range from $300 to $600 (custom suits). Brands Aunties use: Waihana, Cressi, Polosub, SpearPro, and Evolve Apnea. Polosub customs are around $50 more than off the rack prices. This is one piece of gear the Aunties will not skimp on. 

• Long fins: These beautiful long fins you see online range from $80 to $700. They come in different materials: plastic, fiberglass, and carbon. Leaderfins are well priced and perform well; they start at $120. The performance difference from plastics to fiberglass & carbon is drastic. Consider purchasing once and done for this item. Reputable brands include but are not limited to: Riffe, Cressi, Evolve Apnea, Molchanovs, Alchemy, Cetma Composites, and etc. Picking a stiffness can be confusing and overwhelming for beginners. Stiffness of fins is determined by weight and height, most Aunties go with soft. You can visit each brand's website to help you determine which stiffness suits you best. Try on different foot pockets at a dive shop near you. If you find a fin design that you like, you can purchase the fins without foot pockets and have them glued on at a dive shop near you for a nominal labor fee. This allows you to customize your fin set up. Footpockets should fit snug over your booties. 

• Booties & Gloves: Helps you stay warm, prevents cuts & scrapes on your hands against our reefs. They come in various thicknesses, 3mm or 5mm would suffice. Always try on your foot pockets with your booties to ensure proper fit.

• Weight belt & weights: Always consult a certified instructor before adding weights to your setup and take a certification course. Many freediving & spearfishing related accidents are related to being overweighted (Lance Lee Davis 2025). Formal freediving education is essential to the safety of yourself & your buddies. Belts come in different materials: fabric, rubber, and silicone. Silicone is superior due to its ability to withstand heat, salt water corrosion, and flexibility. Buy once, hurt once, cry once! Silicone belts range from $50 to $90. Evolve Apnea & Bright Bouy Diving have some really cute colors, and they use recycled lead for their weights. Determining how much weights you need is taught at all introductory certification courses. Weight belts are worn with right handed release, this is standard practice. Do not cut your belt, do not tuck your belt. If you must tuck your belt, make sure it is easily removable and not tied in a knot. 

• Dive knife: non-negotiable safety tool. You must carry one in case you're entangled in kelp or fishing line. Serrated edge knives are efficient when cutting dyneema (strong fishing line). This tool is also used in spearfishing to gut, brain, and bleed fish. Carry your knife on your belt, position it on your side so it does not poke you when duck diving. Alternatively you may carry it on the inside of your calf or forearm. 

• Mask defogger: Three options: 1. Spit, may not work for everyone due to the lack of enzymes. 2. Mix baby shampoo & water, cheapest option, choose tear free formula. 3. Purchase mask defogger, our favorite is Stream2Sea, $10 per bottle. ​​

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Why not surf suits? I can find them for way cheaper. 

• Surf suits are fine if you're budget conscious and do not intend to freedive or line dive for an extended time (more than 1 hour). This also depends on your body's ability to regulate temperature. 

• You are required to have an open cell wetsuit for your certification course. Wallet hurting once, crying only once. Check Facebook Marketplace for great deals, always soak & rinse in Odoban prior to using it.

• Surf suits are not as buoyant. In emergency settings, being correctly weighted or being very buoyant when your weight belt is released is the safest. 

• Staying warm & being comfortable are keys to lowering your heart rate. If you are cold, your body will use more energy to try and keep you warm. Lowered heart rate + comfort = ability to dive for longer and have longer bottom times (holding your breath under water). You'll learn more about the physiology of freediving in a course. 

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How do I put on an open cell wetsuit?:​

• Mix unscented conditioner 50/50 with warm water, pour into wetsuit pants, shake it around to make sure it is fully lubricated. ​Use the remainder lubricant from your pants and pour them into the top. 

• For sensitive skin: there are wetsuit powders you can purchase around $20/bottle.

• Aunties tips & tricks: mix conditioner & hot water in a hot thermos for winter. When you slide into the wetsuit you'll be warm. Try it, it's life changing! 

• Consider using a swim cap to slide into the suit easier and prevent hair damage.

• A 5mm open cell wetsuit is easier to put on than a 5/4 surf suit. 

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Now, how do I take it off?! Looks impossible:

• Make sure your hood is on your head.​

• Pull the back tail over your head. Keep pulling, LOL. 

• Use your knees to leverage the suit to take both of your arms out. 

• It gets easier with practice, promise. 

• Open cell wetsuits are more fragile than surf suits. Do not pull using your nails, gel/builder gel/acrylic nails are less likely to damage the inside of your suit. 

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Can I pee in my wetsuit?​

• As your mammalian dive reflex is triggered, you will want/need to pee. For some of us that have been diving for years, sometimes putting on a wetsuit will trigger the urge to go. ​Flushing your suit by diving down and loosening the neck will help get rid of urine in your suit, but it's easier to just rinse it with Odoban after every dive. 

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How do I take care of my gear?

• Salt water corrosion is very real. Always rinse your gear after each use, as soon as possible. ​

• Wetsuit deodorizer from Odoban helps kill bacteria. 

• Rinse the inside of your snorkel well. Diluted white vinegar is a good option. 

• Always hang dry your wetsuits. Dry them from the inside first, then turn them inside out to fully dry. Some aunties that dry their wetsuits indoors prefer a small fan. 

• Always store your gear out of the sun. Extended sun exposure can lead to warping of your fins and deterioration of your wetsuit that's made of rubber. 

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What are some nice to haves?

• Cooler filled with hot water for shower & electric water pump. Do not waste your money on a BeachBox/RinseKit. Estimated cost for this set up is $30 to $60 for a cooler and $45 for a pump. Let's compare it to BeachBox & RinseKit. BeachBox is over $120 and you have to manually pump water, that get's old real quick. RinseKit is electric but much smaller capacity at over $200. This gear category is one the Aunties definitely skimp on. 

• Hair towel.

• Changing poncho: Surf-fur and DryRobes are popular amongst the Aunties. Doubles as boat coat, change in privacy, and extremely warm. 

• D Ring on your weight belt: attach your camera to prevent loss.

• Fin keepers: reduces strain on your ankles with heavier fins.

• Method to lock your car keys: window lock, tailgate lock, license plate frame lock. 

• Toiletry bag: salt water is very dehydrating to our skin. Post dive leave-in hair conditioner & face creams work wonders. 

• SPF 50+ physical sunblock around the face to prevent mask tan. 

• Favorite snacks & tea! High protein snacks help with muscle recovery. Hot tea warms your body up after a cold dive and hydrates you. 

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Source Cited:

Stepanek, Martin. Level 1 Freediver Student Manual. Freediving Instructors International, 2014.