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I was a competitive freediver and have lost friends in this sport. Freediving is one of the most dangerous yet most rewarding sports out there. It connects us

I was a competitive freediver and have lost friends in this sport. Freediving is one of the most dangerous yet most rewarding sports out there. It connects us to something deep with carry inside ourselves as we all evolved from water. Being able to reach 100m (or even 200m in no-limits competition) on a single breath of air, and be able to withstand crushing pressures is an extraordinary feat for a human body and is akin to dolphins. (I personally competed in pools and reached "only" 30m depth in the open sea albeit with just a mask on). This tragic event happened in 2015. In 2002 same faith happened to Audrey Mestre, which was captured (with controversy) in her husband Francisco "Pipin" Ferreras's book The Dive: https://www.amazon.com/Dive-Story-Love-Obsession/dp/B000GG4GD0 https://www.amazon.com/Dive-Story-Love-Obsession/dp/B000GG4G... It is a story of great love and Audrey following her husbdand's footsteps (a world champion freediver) into the world of freediving only to become a world class freediver herself until this tragic event took place. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125625&page=1 https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125625&page=1 https://www.deeperblue.com/the-last-attempt/ https://www.deeperblue.com/the-last-attempt/ For those new to freediving, I warmly recommend watching Luc Besson's masterpiece "The Big Blue": https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095250/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095250/ For beginner freedivers I recommend reading "Manual of Freediving" by Umberto Pelizzari: https://www.amazon.it/Manual-Freediving-Underwater-Single-Breath/dp/1928649483 https://www.amazon.it/Manual-Freediving-Underwater-Single-Br...

alexjplant 5y ago
"The Big Blue" is a timeless masterpiece and one of my favorite films of all time. The ethereal photography and soundtrack create an otherworldly vibe without veering too far into Lynchian surrealism. Luc Besson is probably better-known for his later action films ("The Professional", "The Fifth Element", etc) but "The Big Blue" is his magnum opus IMHO.
CoastalCoder 5y ago
> It connects us to something deep with carry inside ourselves as we all evolved from water. Could you elaborate on this? I'm not seeing the logical connection.
- freediver 5y ago
  To give an example of this connection from a standpoint of science, it is well documented that simply emerging your face in the water triggers something called a "mammalian diving reflex". What this reflex does is basically automatically slow down your heart rate as soon as your face is submerged, as the body prepares to conserve oxygen for the expected dive. Very useful! Now, it is no surprise that aquatic mammals like seals and dolphins have this, but it very curious that humans have it too! More on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_reflex https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_reflex https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_swimming https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_swimming
- steve_adams_86 5y ago
  I think one of the most exciting ways to make the connection is to experience free diving. It's somewhat surreal as you connect all the dots - your body is excellent in water, far beyond what could be described as coincidental. Without much practice, you learn to do things with muscles you didn't know you had, regulate air pressure, calm your nerves, etc. You get to connect with a part of your biology that is often totally overseen in regular life. And the experience is quite beautiful. It's really like visiting another world, to me. It's almost elating to describe. Being in the sea, quiet, relaxed, taking it all in - there's nothing I crave more, really. If it's snowing and the water is 4°C, I'll still hop in. It's invariably worth the time.
- db48x 5y ago
  It’s a nonsense statement; it has no logic or meaning.
  - nefitty 5y ago
    The concepts of genetic memory and epigenetics are of actual research interest. I don't think you needed to respond so rudely when the parent commenter was sharing sincere thoughts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_memory_(psychology) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_memory_(psychology)

alexjplant 5y ago

"The Big Blue" is a timeless masterpiece and one of my favorite films of all time. The ethereal photography and soundtrack create an otherworldly vibe without veering too far into Lynchian surrealism. Luc Besson is probably better-known for his later action films ("The Professional", "The Fifth Element", etc) but "The Big Blue" is his magnum opus IMHO.

CoastalCoder 5y ago

> It connects us to something deep with carry inside ourselves as we all evolved from water. Could you elaborate on this? I'm not seeing the logical connection.

freediver 5y ago
To give an example of this connection from a standpoint of science, it is well documented that simply emerging your face in the water triggers something called a "mammalian diving reflex". What this reflex does is basically automatically slow down your heart rate as soon as your face is submerged, as the body prepares to conserve oxygen for the expected dive. Very useful! Now, it is no surprise that aquatic mammals like seals and dolphins have this, but it very curious that humans have it too! More on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_reflex https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_reflex https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_swimming https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_swimming
steve_adams_86 5y ago
I think one of the most exciting ways to make the connection is to experience free diving. It's somewhat surreal as you connect all the dots - your body is excellent in water, far beyond what could be described as coincidental. Without much practice, you learn to do things with muscles you didn't know you had, regulate air pressure, calm your nerves, etc. You get to connect with a part of your biology that is often totally overseen in regular life. And the experience is quite beautiful. It's really like visiting another world, to me. It's almost elating to describe. Being in the sea, quiet, relaxed, taking it all in - there's nothing I crave more, really. If it's snowing and the water is 4°C, I'll still hop in. It's invariably worth the time.
db48x 5y ago
It’s a nonsense statement; it has no logic or meaning.
- nefitty 5y ago
  The concepts of genetic memory and epigenetics are of actual research interest. I don't think you needed to respond so rudely when the parent commenter was sharing sincere thoughts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_memory_(psychology) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_memory_(psychology)