Book: "Manual Of Freediving: Underwater On A Single Breath (Freediving)"

[2A1GPS]

A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY FREEDIVER !

Do not hesitate, if you think your knowledge about your sport is good, this will become your reference book, if you are beguinning in freediving (or in reading...) the manual will be your training partner !!

There is also a french edition called: "Apnée : De l'initiation à la performance"

[portinfer]

My copy has arrived !
Looks very good - need to actually read it as I think that osmosis by having it near the pillow might be of limited use...

Ed

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by portinfer

...Looks very good - need to actually read it as I think that osmosis by having it near the pillow might be of limited use...

Read? Wot no pics? Seriously though...is it a little "dry" (I have a pile of technical books to read through & could really do with something a little lighter at the moment).

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by Mr. X

I see Amazon in the UK has this book:

"Manual Of Freediving: Underwater On A Single Breath (Freediving)"
by Umberto Pelizzari, Stefano Tovaglieri

Anybody out there know if this book if any good? Does it have any practical relevance to spearfishing? Over the years I have learnt many things from books but I was planning to learn spearfishing hands-on ... to get away from books (that said, this forum has been an incredible living resource).

[USA link (more reviews): "Manual Of Freediving: Underwater On A Single Breath (Freediving)"]

Well, you convinced me. I finally ordered the book - as part of a bigger order of work related stuff. Will probably be using the "Portinfer omosis book absorbtion technique" until the end of the month though.

It looks like DeeperBlue.net are also selling the book now (and Amazon just upped their price to more than DeeperBlue) -- it must be the defacto standard reference for freediving and apnea for spearfishing (along with Bluewater Hunting & Freediving by Terry Maas ). Are there any other similar books worth looking at? Anybody read this one: "Freedive!" by David Sipperly & Terry Maas ? (There is also a Terry Maas freediving DVD).

The 40m spearing video recently published on another thread has helped my breath holding technique most so far though...inspiring. Just hold your breath as the guy descends...see if you can outlast him (2 mins)!

[Mr. X]

My copy arrived yesterday. Wow -- it is comprehensive. Everything from the history to the biology of it (the old O-level biology cardiovascular & eyeball diagrams are included!). No colour pictures -- which is a shame as freediving is a very visually appealing sport but lots of diagrams and black & white pictures.

It has way more information than I ever expected to want or need -- my interest being spearfishing rather than competitive freediving. However, they seem to have covered everything you are likely to want to know about freediving (although you will, for example, find more detailed & current info. on equipment on these forums). I guess I would have prefered something more concise but this is not really aimed at me. So far, the quality of the translation is unusually high -- it seems well executed and several doctors were involved in its production. I really like the Italian "flavour" of it -- a real novelty.

Chapter 6, 7 & 9 were a pleasant surprise -- they even cover my favourite topic (tides!). Finning technique, rescue (but not CPR - prob. wise). Duck dive/spearo dive. Good stuff.

For spearfishing, maybe the various DVDs are the way to go (& the previously mentioned books)? Although I love my little Len Jones Spearfishing booklet ( must get it back -- out on loan at the moment).

[johnny]

Go Spearfishing !!!

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by johnny

Go Spearfishing !!!

Good idea! Just waiting for some favourable conditions. I have a day off this week but, so far, it looks like the weather will not be cooperating . Could really do with some fresh fish too.

[aesop]

I've heard Freedive!" by David Sipperly & Terry Maas is very good and very informative. It's on ebay right now for $9.99, a good buy.

[Mr. X]

Update: I enjoyed browsing through this book but ended up selling my copy (apparently it is hard to get down-under). I enjoyed the history part but, as I tend to spear alone, I have decided not to train for apnea as I believe it helps overcome some of our inbuilt safety mechanisms - which is fine if you dive in competition or a large group, and to a lesser extent with a lone buddy -- not such a good idea for a lone spearo. Instead I will let my breath hold develop naturally through spearing (it does improve noticeably through each season & regress in the off season). I also keep to quite modest depths -- usually only 12-20 feet (less than 7-10m).

[Bill McIntyre]

I bought that book and found it almost worthless for a spearfisherman. I gave it to a friend.

It may be useful for pure freedivers, but since this is the beginning huter forum, I'm assuming the question is about spearfishing applicability. It had training plans leading up to Freedive competitions. I don't peak for competitions, and don't compete in the first place. I just spearfish all the time.

And if I want to read useless antiquated information on Beaufort Sea States, I'll go to Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling by Chapman.

I think Blue Water Hunting and Freediving by Terry Maas is far more useful.