No limits free dive to 209.6m (687ft)!

Posted Sep 22nd 2005 2:20PM by Bill Reals
Filed under: Media, Stories, Beginners, Experts, Red Sea

freediver Belgian free diver Patrick Musimu dove to 209.6m in the Red Sea, that’s 687ft people!

No Limits is the most extreme category of Free Diving, it’s also the deepest. In competitions, Free Divers will ride a sled to the target depth and then are assisted back to the surface via a lifting bag device, which is the only way they can achieve such depths. As a comparison, in Constant Ballast, the Free Diver is unassisted in descending and ascending and therefore the depths are much shallower.

687 feet is crazy deep, the support divers, which are typically scuba divers on rebreathers at these depths, are at risk themselves and not much can be done if you pass out at 400 feet while free diving. Also, free divers run the risk of getting bent at this depth, which actually happened to Patrick on one of his work up dives.

The rub? The dive may not be recognized by the Association for the International Development of Apnea (AIDA), because AIDA judges were not present. Doh! However, it was captured by a French TV crew which recorded everything, so maybe they will recognize it after the fact.

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. slight typo ;) AIDA judges WEREN'T present

btw I found it through german Tauchen magazine report (September issue)
http://www.tauchen.de/

another useful link (also in german though)
http://www.taucher.net/

Posted at 2:48PM on Sep 22nd 2005 by Jernej

2. "The dive may not be recognized by the Association for the International Development of Apnea (AIDA), because AIDA judges were present"
you mean they werent present?

Posted at 3:22PM on Sep 22nd 2005 by Adam Jacob Muller

3. I bet the camera crew's documentation suffices.

Posted at 3:43PM on Sep 22nd 2005 by Willy

4. The wording was a little confusing and this is pretty blatantly explained on the AIDA website.
A decent amount of paperwork has to be filed before hand...
"This announcement and files have to be send to attempt@aida-international.org at least six weeks before the attempt. Any delay or missing file will automatically result in a later date of the attempt."
So time will tell what happens hopefully they can bend the rules. My guess he will attempt it again with the AIDA present.

Posted at 4:03PM on Sep 22nd 2005 by Mike Carroll

5. Mea culpa. Sorry for the typo folks.

My worst screw up on record was when I spelled "Pubic Accounting" instead of "Public Accounting" and then proceeded to give a presentation to 200 people....with hard copy hand outs.

I never heard the end of it.

Posted at 4:38PM on Sep 22nd 2005 by Bill Reals

6. Actually, it was a Belgian television crew that recorded everything and you can find all the deatils on http://www.patrickmusimu.com

Posted at 6:33PM on Sep 22nd 2005 by Hans Sterkendries

7. I think that you are missing the point. I have been following Patrick Musimu's website since he announced this tremendous dive. He has always clearily stipulated that he would NOT call for any federations, so no judges to ratify his dive! Reason why they were none! Have a look at his Q&A on his website. I gotta hand it to him. What a determination, planning the deepest dive ever and fight for his belief, while knowing that he'll be submitted to critics. Not many would have the guts. I think the press doesn't understand his point of view,who would? Why not play the game and be part of a system? reason why they keep saying that the dive was not ratified and the judges were not there. According to me, even if they asked him, he would refuse any ratification.
Respect.

Posted at 7:31AM on Sep 26th 2005 by Edwin

Florida governor and potential McCain running mate engaged Ring bearer pillows Romantic wedding dress by Alan Hannah	What happens when you get a sunburn Fishy, fishy calorie burn FitSpirit: A mind for marathons
Stylish summer reads Tip of the Day: It's the ROC! Aveeno sunblock for your face- it's a good idea	What's affinage and who's the affineur? Where do your favorite chefs like to eat? Champagne aimed at patriotic Americans
Super Vintage Weekend at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal Meche Pet Charms We Are Together, Charity of the Day	Move to Canada to survive climate change, says report But wait - Montana forest deal is not all good Pork raised naturally could be more dangerous than conventional

No limits free dive to 209.6m (687ft)!

Reader Comments

RESOURCES

RSS NEWSFEEDS

Recent Comments

Weblogs, Inc. Network