A instrument designed to estimate the optimum quantity of weight required for a freediver to attain impartial buoyancy at a selected depth is essential for a secure and fulfilling dive. This estimation considers components such because the diver’s physique composition, wetsuit thickness, and deliberate dive depth. As an example, a diver with greater physique fats would require much less weight in comparison with a leaner diver, and a thicker wetsuit necessitates extra weight attributable to its elevated buoyancy. The output gives a place to begin, permitting divers to fine-tune their weighting by in-water testing.
Correct weighting in freediving contributes considerably to security and efficiency. Carrying extreme weight will increase the danger of barotrauma throughout descent, whereas inadequate weight can result in difficulties reaching the specified depth and untimely surfacing. Traditionally, freedivers relied on expertise and rudimentary calculations, however devoted instruments have advanced to supply extra exact and personalised estimations, enhancing security protocols and streamlining the dive preparation course of.
The next sections will discover the components influencing weight calculations, various kinds of instruments accessible, sensible suggestions for his or her utilization, and the significance of in-water changes.
1. Buoyancy
Buoyancy, the upward pressure exerted by a fluid that opposes an object’s weight, is a elementary idea in freediving and central to correct weight calculation. Understanding buoyancy and its influencing components is essential for secure and environment friendly freediving practices. A freediving weight calculator helps divers estimate the extra weight required to counteract their inherent buoyancy and obtain impartial buoyancy at a selected depth.
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Physique Composition
Physique composition, particularly the ratio of fats to muscle, considerably influences a diver’s buoyancy. Fats is much less dense than water and inherently buoyant, whereas muscle is denser and fewer buoyant. A diver with the next physique fats share will naturally float extra readily and require much less extra weight. A weight calculator considers physique composition to supply a extra personalised weight advice.
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Wetsuit Thickness
Wetsuits, significantly thicker ones used for thermal safety, introduce vital optimistic buoyancy because of the trapped air throughout the neoprene. This added buoyancy should be offset by extra weight. Calculators sometimes incorporate wetsuit thickness as a key parameter to regulate weight suggestions accordingly. A 5mm wetsuit would require significantly extra weight compensation in comparison with a 3mm swimsuit.
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Depth
Buoyancy modifications with depth. As a diver descends, the growing water strain compresses the air areas throughout the wetsuit and lungs, decreasing buoyancy. This necessitates extra weight to attain impartial buoyancy at better depths. Freediving weight calculators issue within the goal dive depth to account for these pressure-related buoyancy modifications.
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Freshwater vs. Saltwater
Saltwater is denser than freshwater, offering better buoyant pressure. This implies divers require extra weight in saltwater to attain the identical degree of buoyancy as in freshwater. A freediving weight calculator usually contains an choice to specify the diving surroundings (freshwater or saltwater) for extra correct estimations.
Precisely assessing and compensating for these buoyancy-related components by a freediving weight calculator permits divers to attain impartial buoyancy at their goal depth. That is important for minimizing vitality expenditure throughout descent and ascent, optimizing air consumption, and making certain a secure and managed dive.
2. Depth
Depth considerably influences the quantity of weight required for freediving and is a vital parameter in a freediving weight calculator. As depth will increase, strain will increase, compressing the air areas in a diver’s wetsuit and lungs, thereby decreasing buoyancy. This necessitates changes in weighting to take care of impartial buoyancy at totally different depths and guarantee a secure and managed dive.
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Strain and Buoyancy
Water strain will increase with depth, compressing the air areas throughout the wetsuit and lungs. This compression reduces the diver’s general buoyancy, making them sink extra simply. The connection between strain and buoyancy necessitates extra weight because the goal depth will increase. As an example, a diver planning to descend to 10 meters would require much less weight in comparison with a diver focusing on 30 meters, because of the better compression and decreased buoyancy on the deeper depth.
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Wetsuit Compression
Wetsuits present thermal safety and buoyancy because of the trapped air throughout the neoprene. At better depths, this trapped air compresses, decreasing the wetsuit’s buoyant impact. This compression is a essential think about calculating the mandatory weight for deeper dives. A 5mm wetsuit will expertise vital buoyancy discount at 30 meters in comparison with its buoyancy on the floor, requiring extra weight to compensate for this variation.
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Lung Compression
Lung quantity decreases with depth attributable to strain. This discount in lung quantity impacts buoyancy, albeit to a lesser extent than wetsuit compression. Freediving weight calculators contemplate goal depth to account for modifications in lung quantity and their impression on general buoyancy. Whereas much less impactful than wetsuit compression, lung compression nonetheless contributes to the general buoyancy modifications skilled with growing depth, necessitating changes in weighting methods.
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Residual Quantity
Residual quantity, the quantity of air remaining within the lungs after a full exhalation, can also be compressed at depth. Though its impression on buoyancy modifications is comparatively small, it’s nonetheless an element thought of in exact weight calculations. A barely bigger residual quantity may require a minor weight adjustment, particularly for deeper dives the place the consequences of strain are extra pronounced. This highlights the significance of contemplating all components, even these with seemingly minor contributions, when aiming for correct weight calculations.
Understanding the connection between depth, strain, and buoyancy is key for secure and efficient freediving. A freediving weight calculator integrates these components, offering divers with a dependable start line for figuring out the optimum weight wanted to attain impartial buoyancy at their supposed depth. Nevertheless, particular person components and tools variations necessitate in-water changes and fine-tuning for optimum efficiency and security.
3. Wetsuit thickness
Wetsuit thickness performs a essential position in figuring out the suitable weight for freediving, immediately influencing the outcomes offered by a freediving weight calculator. Neoprene, the fabric utilized in wetsuits, is inherently buoyant because of the tiny nitrogen bubbles trapped inside its construction. A thicker wetsuit accommodates extra neoprene and consequently extra trapped nitrogen, leading to elevated buoyancy. This added buoyancy should be compensated for by utilizing extra weight to attain impartial buoyancy, a state the place the diver neither floats nor sinks on the desired depth.
Take into account two divers of comparable physique composition: one carrying a 3mm wetsuit and the opposite a 7mm wetsuit. The diver within the 7mm wetsuit will expertise considerably better buoyancy and due to this fact require significantly extra weight. A freediving weight calculator incorporates wetsuit thickness as a key enter parameter, adjusting the really helpful weight primarily based on the added buoyancy. As an example, switching from a 3mm to a 5mm wetsuit may necessitate including a number of kilograms of weight to take care of impartial buoyancy. Neglecting to account for wetsuit thickness in weight calculations can result in inadequate weighting, making it difficult to descend or preserve depth, or conversely, extreme weighting, growing the danger of speedy descents and barotrauma.
Correct enter of wetsuit thickness right into a freediving weight calculator is important for secure and environment friendly freediving. This ensures the calculated weight suggestions align with the diver’s precise buoyancy traits, contributing to a managed and comfy descent and ascent. Whereas calculators present useful estimations, sensible in-water testing and fine-tuning are all the time crucial for optimum weighting and security. Divers ought to experiment incrementally, adjusting weight in small increments till attaining the specified impartial buoyancy at their goal depth. This sensible validation is essential, as particular person buoyancy can fluctuate even with seemingly an identical physique composition and wetsuit specs.
4. Physique Composition
Physique composition, particularly the proportion of fats tissue to lean tissue (muscle and bone), considerably influences buoyancy and performs a vital position in figuring out applicable weighting for freediving. Fats tissue, being much less dense than water, will increase buoyancy, whereas lean tissue, denser than water, reduces it. This precept immediately impacts the calculations carried out by a freediving weight calculator. A diver with the next physique fats share will naturally be extra buoyant and require much less extra weight in comparison with a leaner diver with the identical top and weight. For instance, two people weighing 70kg, one with 15% physique fats and the opposite with 25% physique fats, could have totally different weight necessities. The leaner particular person will want extra weight to attain the identical degree of impartial buoyancy as the person with greater physique fats. Due to this fact, correct physique composition knowledge is important for producing dependable weight estimations.
Many freediving weight calculators embrace fields for physique fats share or supply choices primarily based on basic physique sorts (e.g., lean, common, massive). This data permits the calculator to regulate the burden advice accordingly, accounting for the person’s inherent buoyancy. Failing to account for physique composition can result in inaccurate weight estimations. Overweighting may end up in difficulties equalizing strain throughout descent, growing the danger of barotrauma, whereas underweighting could make it difficult to achieve the specified depth, resulting in elevated exertion and air consumption. Understanding the affect of physique composition allows divers to tailor their weighting methods extra successfully, optimize their efficiency, and improve their security within the water. Utilizing instruments like skinfold calipers or bioelectrical impedance evaluation can present estimates of physique fats share, enhancing the accuracy of weight calculations.
Incorporating physique composition knowledge into freediving weight calculators enhances the precision of weight estimations, selling safer and extra environment friendly dives. Nevertheless, it is vital to acknowledge that physique composition is only one of a number of components influencing buoyancy. Wetsuit thickness, depth, and the kind of water (freshwater or saltwater) additionally play vital roles. Whereas a freediving weight calculator gives a useful start line, in-water testing and fine-tuning stay essential for optimizing particular person weighting and making certain secure diving practices. It’s all the time advisable to err on the aspect of barely much less weight initially and make changes primarily based on in-water expertise.
5. Freshwater/Saltwater
Water density immediately impacts buoyancy, a essential issue thought of by freediving weight calculators. Saltwater, with its greater dissolved mineral content material, is denser than freshwater. This density distinction ends in better buoyant pressure in saltwater, that means objects float extra readily. Consequently, freedivers require extra weight in saltwater to attain the identical degree of impartial buoyancy in comparison with freshwater. A freediving weight calculator incorporates this density distinction, usually together with an choice to specify the diving surroundings (freshwater or saltwater). This enables the calculator to regulate the really helpful weight, making certain correct buoyancy compensation. For instance, a freediver may want 6kg of weight to attain impartial buoyancy at 10 meters in saltwater however solely 4kg in freshwater. Failing to account for this distinction can result in vital buoyancy errors. Diving in saltwater with a weight calculated for freshwater may end in extreme optimistic buoyancy, making descent difficult. Conversely, utilizing a saltwater weight in freshwater may result in over-weighting, growing the danger of speedy descents and difficulties equalizing strain.
This distinction has sensible implications for freedivers transitioning between freshwater and saltwater environments. Divers accustomed to freediving in freshwater quarries or lakes might want to enhance their weight when diving within the ocean. Equally, divers primarily diving in saltwater ought to cut back their weight when freediving in freshwater. The magnitude of this weight adjustment is dependent upon components resembling physique composition, wetsuit thickness, and deliberate dive depth. Freediving weight calculators supply useful steering in making these changes, making certain divers preserve optimum buoyancy and security in various aquatic environments. Neglecting to account for this essential distinction can jeopardize a divers security and efficiency.
Understanding the connection between water density, buoyancy, and weight is essential for secure and environment friendly freediving. Freediving weight calculators account for this relationship by incorporating the selection of freshwater or saltwater as a key enter. This ensures the burden suggestions align with the precise diving surroundings, contributing to a managed and secure dive profile. Nevertheless, whereas a calculator gives a useful start line, in-water testing and fine-tuning are all the time crucial to attain optimum buoyancy. Particular person components, together with lung capability and tools variations, can nonetheless affect buoyancy and necessitate personalised changes.
6. Lung Quantity
Lung quantity, representing the whole capability of air held throughout the lungs, influences buoyancy and consequently impacts weight calculations in freediving. Bigger lung volumes enhance buoyancy, requiring slight changes in weight choice. Whereas not as vital an element as physique composition or wetsuit thickness, lung quantity’s impression turns into extra pronounced in deeper dives, the place the strain compresses the air throughout the lungs, decreasing their buoyant contribution. A freediving weight calculator considers whole lung capability, though its impression on general weight calculation could be much less vital in comparison with different components. As an example, a diver with considerably bigger lung capability than common may must marginally lower their weight in comparison with a diver with common lung capability, all different components being equal. This distinction, nevertheless, is normally minor and may solely require a fractional adjustment of weight, usually lower than a kilogram. This subtlety highlights the significance of exact calculations, as even minor discrepancies can affect buoyancy and general dive efficiency.
The sensible significance of accounting for lung quantity is usually extra related for extremely skilled freedivers aiming for exact buoyancy management at various depths. Take into account a aggressive freediver trying a deep dive; slight variations in buoyancy attributable to lung quantity can considerably impression their descent price and general efficiency. They may modify their calculated weight by a small quantity to optimize buoyancy, primarily based on their particular lung capability and goal depth. This fine-tuning emphasizes the intricate interaction of things influencing buoyancy and the significance of contemplating even seemingly minor variables for attaining optimum efficiency in aggressive freediving situations.
In abstract, whereas lung quantity does affect buoyancy and weight calculations in freediving, its impact is usually refined in comparison with components like physique composition and wetsuit thickness. Nevertheless, for knowledgeable or aggressive freedivers, understanding and accounting for lung quantity variations can contribute to enhanced buoyancy management and efficiency optimization, particularly in deeper dives. Exact weight calculation by specialised instruments stays essential, with sensible in-water testing being the last word validation for attaining perfect buoyancy. This sensible validation permits for individualized fine-tuning primarily based on private expertise and particular tools, in the end enhancing security and efficiency.
7. Gear Weight
Gear weight, encompassing the mixed mass of all gear worn or carried by a freediver, is a vital issue thought of by freediving weight calculators. Precisely accounting for tools weight is important for figuring out the correct quantity of extra weight wanted to attain impartial buoyancy. Underestimating tools weight can result in extreme optimistic buoyancy, hindering descent, whereas overestimating may end up in unfavorable buoyancy, growing the danger of uncontrolled sinking and difficulties equalizing.
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Weight Belt and Weights
The load belt and dive weights are the first instruments for attaining impartial buoyancy. Their mixed weight constitutes a good portion of the whole tools weight. Weight belts distribute the burden evenly across the diver’s waist, stopping discomfort and selling streamlined motion within the water. The quantity of weight carried is dependent upon particular person components resembling physique composition, wetsuit thickness, and deliberate dive depth. A strong weight belt with a quick-release mechanism is essential for security, enabling speedy weight shedding in emergencies.
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Wetsuit
Wetsuits contribute to each buoyancy and general tools weight. Thicker wetsuits, designed for colder water, present better buoyancy and due to this fact necessitate extra weight. Their very own weight additionally contributes to the whole tools load. A 7mm wetsuit will weigh significantly greater than a 3mm wetsuit, impacting the whole tools weight and necessitating changes to the quantity of lead carried on the burden belt.
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Fins, Masks, and Snorkel
Fins, masks, and snorkels, though individually light-weight, contribute to the general tools weight and are thought of in exact calculations. Whereas their mixed weight might sound negligible, consideration to element in accounting for all gear ensures correct buoyancy management, significantly for aggressive freedivers or these aiming for very particular depths. Variations in fin supplies and designs can even affect weight, albeit barely.
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Dive Pc/Watch and different Equipment
Dive computer systems, watches, and different equipment, although usually small, add to the general weight. Their impression could be minimal however together with them ensures complete weight calculations. Dive computer systems are important instruments for monitoring depth and dive time, offering essential security data. Whereas individually light-weight, their weight, mixed with different small equipment, contributes to the whole tools weight that should be accounted for in correct buoyancy calculations.
Exactly inputting tools weight right into a freediving weight calculator is important for producing correct buoyancy suggestions. Whereas the calculator gives a theoretical start line, in-water testing and fine-tuning are essential attributable to particular person variations in physique composition, tools selections, and diving situations. Methodical changes by small weight increments throughout check dives assist decide the optimum weight configuration for attaining impartial buoyancy on the goal depth, making certain secure and environment friendly freediving practices.
8. Security Margin
A security margin in freediving weight calculations refers back to the follow of deliberately including a small quantity of additional weight past what’s theoretically wanted for impartial buoyancy on the goal depth. This margin acts as a safeguard in opposition to unexpected circumstances and contributes to a extra managed and safe descent. Its a vital consideration built-in throughout the logic of a freediving weight calculator, albeit not all the time explicitly offered as a separate enter. Correctly incorporating this margin enhances diver security by addressing potential variables not readily accounted for in customary calculations.
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Residual Buoyancy Compensation
Even with exact calculations, attaining good impartial buoyancy will be difficult attributable to minor variations in tools, physique composition, and environmental situations. The protection margin compensates for this residual buoyancy, making certain the diver maintains a slight unfavorable buoyancy at depth, selling a managed descent moderately than an uncontrolled buoyant ascent. A slight unfavorable buoyancy eliminates the necessity for fixed finning to take care of depth, conserving vitality and oxygen.
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Unexpected Gear Adjustments
Gear can unexpectedly change buoyancy traits throughout a dive. As an example, a small tear in a wetsuit can introduce extra water, decreasing buoyancy. The protection margin gives a buffer in opposition to such surprising modifications, stopping a sudden shift from impartial to optimistic buoyancy, which may hinder the diver’s capacity to achieve the goal depth or provoke ascent safely. This proactive method mitigates the dangers related to surprising tools malfunctions.
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Physiological Variations
Physiological components like lung compression and modifications in blood quantity throughout a dive can affect buoyancy. The protection margin accounts for these dynamic modifications, particularly throughout deeper dives, making certain the diver maintains a slight unfavorable buoyancy even with these physiological variations. That is significantly essential in deeper dives, the place strain modifications are extra pronounced.
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Conservative Method for Novices
For novice freedivers, a barely bigger security margin presents added safety throughout their preliminary dives. It permits them to comfortably descend and concentrate on different essential features of freediving, resembling equalization and rest, with out the added problem of struggling to take care of depth attributable to marginal optimistic buoyancy. As divers achieve expertise, they will regularly cut back this margin whereas regularly prioritizing security.
Integrating a security margin into weight calculations by a freediving weight calculator, whereas not all the time explicitly said, contributes considerably to dive security and management. It permits for the inherent uncertainties in predicting real-world situations and physiological responses. Whereas the magnitude of the protection margin can fluctuate primarily based on expertise degree and dive specifics, prioritizing this side underscores a dedication to secure and accountable freediving practices. It permits divers to confidently handle unexpected variations, fostering a safe and fulfilling diving expertise. This cautious method emphasizes that calculated weight is a place to begin, and sensible changes primarily based on in-water expertise are essential for optimizing buoyancy and making certain security throughout each dive.
Continuously Requested Questions
This part addresses frequent inquiries relating to the use and interpretation of freediving weight calculators.
Query 1: How does a freediving weight calculator contribute to security?
Correct weight estimation is essential for stopping extreme unfavorable buoyancy, which may result in speedy descents and barotrauma. Calculators present a baseline for secure weighting, minimizing such dangers.
Query 2: Can one rely solely on a calculator for figuring out exact weight necessities?
Calculators supply estimations primarily based on offered knowledge. In-water testing and fine-tuning are important for personalised changes, contemplating particular person variations and tools specifics.
Query 3: How does wetsuit thickness affect weight calculations?
Thicker wetsuits enhance buoyancy, requiring extra weight. Calculators incorporate wetsuit thickness to supply adjusted weight suggestions. Neglecting this issue can result in inaccurate weight estimations.
Query 4: What’s the significance of physique composition in figuring out applicable weight?
Increased physique fats percentages enhance buoyancy. Calculators contemplate physique composition to supply personalised estimations, as leaner people sometimes require extra weight.
Query 5: How do freshwater and saltwater environments have an effect on weight calculations?
Saltwater is denser than freshwater, growing buoyancy. Divers require extra weight in saltwater. Calculators usually embrace choices to specify the diving surroundings for correct estimations.
Query 6: What’s the function of a security margin in weight calculations?
A security margin, sometimes a small quantity of added weight, compensates for unexpected variables and ensures a slight unfavorable buoyancy, enhancing management and security throughout descent.
Correct weight choice is essential for secure and environment friendly freediving. Whereas calculators present useful steering, they’re instruments that ought to be used along with sensible data, in-water expertise, and a dedication to security protocols.
For additional data, seek the advice of licensed freediving instructors and check with respected freediving sources.
Sensible Ideas for Using Weighting Instruments
Efficient utilization of weighting instruments ensures secure and environment friendly freediving practices. The following tips present steering for correct weight dedication and optimum buoyancy management.
Tip 1: Correct Information Enter: Exact measurements of physique weight, physique fats share, wetsuit thickness, and deliberate dive depth are important for dependable calculations. Inaccurate inputs can result in vital errors in weight estimations. Utilizing a dependable technique for figuring out physique fats share, resembling skinfold calipers or bioelectrical impedance evaluation, enhances the accuracy of the calculations.
Tip 2: Wetsuit Issues: Wetsuit compression at depth considerably impacts buoyancy. A brand new wetsuit will likely be extra buoyant than an older, compressed one. Account for wetsuit age and compression traits when inputting knowledge, erring on the aspect of barely much less weight with a brand new wetsuit, as its buoyancy will lower with depth and repeated use.
Tip 3: Freshwater vs. Saltwater: All the time specify the diving surroundings (freshwater or saltwater) when utilizing a calculator. The density distinction between these environments considerably influences buoyancy and necessitates totally different weight configurations. Neglecting this distinction can result in probably harmful buoyancy errors.
Tip 4: Incremental Changes: After preliminary calculations, carry out in-water checks to fine-tune weight changes. Begin with barely much less weight than calculated and incrementally enhance till impartial buoyancy is achieved on the goal depth. This iterative method minimizes the dangers related to over-weighting.
Tip 5: Depth-Particular Weighting: Weighting wants change with depth. Carry out separate calculations and in-water checks for various goal depths, as buoyancy modifications with growing strain. A weight appropriate for a 10-meter dive will doubtless be inadequate for a 30-meter dive.
Tip 6: Dive Planning and Buoyancy Checks: Combine buoyancy checks into dive planning. Commonly assess weighting wants primarily based on present tools, bodily situation, and dive surroundings. Constant analysis and adjustment are essential for sustaining optimum buoyancy management and making certain secure freediving practices.
Tip 7: Gear Familiarity: Be aware of the burden and buoyancy traits of all tools. Perceive how totally different fin sorts, wetsuits, and equipment affect general buoyancy. This data permits for extra knowledgeable weight changes and higher prediction of in-water habits.
By adhering to those sensible suggestions, divers can successfully make the most of weighting instruments, optimizing their weighting methods for enhanced security, effectivity, and delight in freediving.
The following tips present sensible steering for leveraging weighting instruments and underscore the significance of mixing calculated estimations with real-world validation by in-water testing. The following conclusion will synthesize the important thing takeaways and emphasize the overarching significance of accountable weight administration in freediving.
Conclusion
Correct weight dedication is paramount for secure and environment friendly freediving. A freediving weight calculator serves as a vital instrument, offering preliminary estimations primarily based on particular person components resembling physique composition, wetsuit traits, and deliberate dive depth. Understanding the interaction of those components, together with the impression of water density and tools weight, is important for accountable weight administration. Whereas calculators supply useful steering, they need to be complemented by rigorous in-water testing and iterative changes. Sensible expertise and personalised fine-tuning are indispensable for attaining optimum buoyancy management and maximizing security.
Secure freediving practices necessitate an intensive understanding of buoyancy rules and meticulous weight administration. Steady studying, adherence to established security protocols, and session with skilled instructors are essential for mitigating dangers and fostering a tradition of accountable freediving. Exact weight calculation shouldn’t be merely a procedural step however a cornerstone of secure and fulfilling freediving experiences. Prioritizing accuracy in weight dedication contributes considerably to particular person security and the general development of secure freediving practices throughout the group.
