THE COMPETITION OF APNEA

There are 2 different forms of performance in AIDA Apnea competitions at present. Both are performed holding your breath. This requires practice and control of the mind. They are Static and Constant weight disciplines. Other disciplines of apnea are Dynamic, Variable weight and No Limits. Static

Are you familiar with Jacques and Enzo diving with the machine in the movie "The Big Blue"? Japanese people may have seen this and learnt about apnea. That movie was a fictionalized (not truly factual) account of the life of Jacque Mayol, the first man to reach 100 metres holding his breath. That performance was in the No Limits discipline, and is not recognized by AIDA (Association International of Apnea Disciplines) as it is extremely dangerous. There is a diver in America - a Cuban named Pipin Ferarras - who performs this discipline for world records and scientific study.

We will explain all the Apnea performances.

Constant
Static apnea
It is a performance to see how long the diver can stop breathing face down in a pool. In competition, a diver nominates how long they think they could hold their breath. They achieve a point for every 6 seconds they accomplish, provided they do not go into unconsciousness. If they do, they are disqualified. Divers have achieved 6-7 minutes at this discipline, but in competition, 4-6 minutes is more common. . It must never be tried alone. Death will result!!!
Dynamic Apnea
Dynamic apnea is where a diver swims horizontally along a pool with fins, to see how far they can swim. Two points are awarded for every metre the diver swims holding their breath in a 25 or 50 metre pool. This form of apnea diving is not yet a part of the World Cup, but may be included in the future, as it was performed in competition in the Red Sea Dive-off in July 1999. It provides an exciting performance for spectators, compared to other disciplines.
Constant Weight
Constant is the most natural diving style with a mask and fins, and is the form used by spearfishers around the world to catch fish. A diver must swim down and back to the surface with the same weight with no assistance. No touching the rope is allowed. A point is awarded for every metre that the diver descends safely and returns. Weights can be chosen by the divers, but cannot be discarded during the dive.
Variable Weight
The diver uses a sled or weights to descend for the dive, but must swim freely back to the surface under their own power using only fins - just as for Constant weight. This discipline is not in competitions as it is more dangerous than Constant Weight.
No Limits.
The diver using a weighted sled descends very rapidly - under the control of a brake - and surfaces using either a lift bag filled with air, or a small bottle of air enclosed into the back of the wetsuit for assistance. Depths of 130+ metres have been achieved, but the dangers are extreme and it is not recommended for anyone except the experts of the sport of apnea diving.
Variable
Sled
Sled