Understanding water pressure and its effect on the body of a freediver

Water pressure is one of the biggest challenges in diving and understanding it protects you and helps you achieve better performance.

How does pressure change with depth

Every 10 meters of diving, the pressure increases by an additional atmospheric pressure. At a depth of 10 meters, the pressure is twice the pressure at the surface.

The effect of pressure on body cavities

Ears and Sinuses
The ears and sinuses are affected by increased pressure and the pressure must be constantly equalized during landing to avoid pain and injury.

Lungs in freediving
The lungs compress with depth and can reach a quarter of their normal size at a depth of 40 meters, which is a normal phenomenon in freediving.

How to deal with pressure

• Regulate the pressure on your ears every two to three meters
• Do not continue down if you feel ear pain
• Relax during landing and avoid tension that makes leveling more difficult

Climbing pressure

When ascending, the air in the lungs expands automatically, and the free diver does not need to do anything unlike a diver using an air cylinder.

---

Proper handling of pressure transforms you from a fearful diver to a reassured diver at any depth.