Freediving

Freediving, free-diving, free diving, or breath-hold diving is a mode of underwater diving that relies on breath-holding (apnea) until resurfacing rather than the use of breathing apparatus such as scuba gear. Historically and colloquially, the term skin diving has been used interchangeably with freediving. However, in modern and recreational context, skin diving generally refers to recreational breath-hold diving at shallow depths to observe marine life, whereas freediving is recognized as a distinct discipline focusing on maximizing underwater breath hold duration, depths, or distance. Competitive freediving has a range of apnea disciplines; in which competitors attempt to attain great depths, times, or distances on a single breath. Freediving is practiced for a wide variety of recreational, occupational, and sporting purposes. Activities include traditional fishing techniques, spearfishing, underwater photography, synchronised swimming, underwater football, underwater rugby, underwater hockey, underwater target shooting and mermaiding. In addition to the limits imposed by breath-holding, immersion in water and exposure to high ambient pressure also have physiological effects that further restricts the depths and duration achievable in freediving.