How Deep Can A Human Dive Without Scuba Gear? | Koox Diving (2024)

As you grow in confidence swimming under the water with scuba gear you may become curious as to how deep you could dive without it. This activity is known as freediving. Find out how deep a human can dive without scuba gear here…

The Freediving Experience

What is freediving? The definition of freediving is diving underwater without the use of breathing apparatus – particularly in deep water. It’s extreme and can be very dangerous. A free diver will take one very deep breath and dive hundreds of feet under the water without any scuba gear. It takes training, practice, and discipline.

Deep diving is defined as a dive that exceeds 60 feet (18.28 meters). That means that most people can dive up to a maximum of 60 feet safely. For most swimmers, a depth of 20 feet (6.09 meters) is the most they will free dive. Experienced divers can safely dive to a depth of 40 feet (12.19 meters) when exploring underwater reefs.

When free diving the body goes through several changes to help with acclimatization. The heartbeat slows by up to 25% – and experienced divers can reduce their heart rate to more than 50%.

To cope with the pressure the body allows vital organs to keep functioning properly by moving blood to the most important parts. This is known as peripheral vasoconstriction.

The lungs compensate for the excess pressure by expanding as necessary to allow for changes in the body. Want to try freediving yourself, while you are in Tulum or Playa del Carmen, we recommend going for a discovery freedive in a cenote. Some of the best freedivers in the world, do in fact practice in the cenotes of Riviera Maya.

Check Freediving Adventures

Equipment we recommend

Masks, use a low volume mask.

Fins, long fins you can choose from different materials (plastic, carbon fiber)

Snorkels, rubber and that you can fold them

Wetsuit, open cell are the best for freediving 3mm and 5 mm

Weight belt, rubber belt is the best.

Frequently Asked Questions about Freediving Records Answered

How long can a human go without air?

Everyone and every situation is different – but we can go for three minutes without oxygen. After 5 to 10 minutes of not breathing, you’re likely to develop serious brain damage that may be irreversible. However, free divers with regular training can go for much longer periods of time as they learn to minimize their metabolic functions and preserve oxygen.

What is the deepest dive without oxygen?

The maximum depth reached by anyone in a single breath is 702 feet (213.9 metres) and this record was set in 2007 by Herbert Nitsch. He also holds the record for the Deepest no-limit freedive– reaching a depth of 831 feet (253.2 metres) but he sustained a brain injury as he was ascending. Herbert is a multiple-time World Champion and the present record holder for freediving known as “the Deepest Man on Earth.”

How long can an average person hold their breath?

Most people without any training can hold their breath for about 30 seconds without gasping for air. But free divers who swim without the aid of snorkels or scuba gear can hold their breath for more than 10 minutes.

What is the world’s record for the longest time someone has held their breath underwater?

The world record for the longest breathhold is held by the Croatian breath-hold diver Budimir Šobat. On March 27, 2021, he achieved an impressive time of 24 minutes and 37 seconds.

The women’s longest breath hold world record is held by Karoline Meyer (Brazil) who managed to hold her breath for 18 min 32.59 sec. on July 10, 2009. Karoline is a professional freediver who trained for 4 months to try and break the record. Prior to the attempt she inhaled oxygen for 24 minutes.

The world record for a non-oxygen-assisted breath hold or static apnea is 11:35 minutes by Stéphane Mifsud on June 8, 2009.

What is the longest distance someone has swum underwater?
Stig Severinsen of Denmark set the record for the longest distance swam underwater with one breath (open water) on November 26, 2020, in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. He covered an impressive distance of 202 meters (662 ft 8.7 in).

What is the deepest dive without the assistance of fins or weights?

William Trubridge – a 30-year-old New Zealander is the first man to dive 396 feet meters (121 meters) without any assistance. The dive was a Constant Weight Apnea Without Fins (CWTNF) dive – meaning the diver isn’t allowed to drop weights, and no swimming aids are allowed. A guideline is followed but can’t be touched. The dive lasted 4 minutes and 10 seconds.

How is freediving different from scuba diving?

The main difference between scuba diving and freediving is that when scuba diving, the diver is using a tank of air (often oxygen) to breathe underwater. Freediving, on the other hand, is done without any breathing apparatus—the diver holds their breath and must be very skilled to prevent themselves from going too deep or experiencing any type of danger. So if you go scuba diving in Tulum, you will have a full set of dive gear to use, but if you go freediving in cenotes, this would be only with a mask, weights, fins, and a wetsuit.

Try Freediving & Learn with the Top Local Cenote Freedivers

Go freediving in cenotes with Koox Diving and you’ll be taught all the breathing techniques you need to know. With practice, you’ll be able to safely dive to explore greater depths without the use of scuba gear.

Prices for SSI Freediving Courses in Cenotes

Prices include:

• International SSI certification
• Complete freediving gear set
• Digital learning materials
• Transportation from our dive shops in Tulum or Playa del Carmen
• Cenotes entrance fees
• Refreshing drinks and lunch
• Photos and video

For all freediving fans – Watch a Freediving movie shot on breath hold

On another note, we have something interesting to share. One of the greatest underwater projects, we have been really happy to take part in, is finally live. In 2018 we had the honour to collaborate on this amazing project called: Child of the Cenote – a 5 min short freediving movie by André Musgrove.

Freediving equipment we recommend

Dive Masks	Brand and Model Name	Pros	Cons	Link
	1. Cressi F1 Frameless Mask	Comfortable Great field of view Affordable	May not fit all face shapes	Buy Now
	2. Scubapro Synergy Trufit Twin Mask	Trufit tech for comfort Good field of view	May be pricey for some budgets	Buy Now
	3. Aqua Lung Single Lens Dive Mask	Wide field of view Comfortable Easy adjust straps	Might not fit smaller faces comfortably	Buy Now

Snorkels	Brand and Model Name	Pros	Cons	Link
	1. Cressi Supernova Dry Snorkel	Dry top design Flexible tube Good price point	Might not be as durable as some other models	Buy Now
	2. TUSA Hyperdry Elite II Dry Snorkel	Dry top High flow purge Comfortable mouthpiece	More expensive than other options	Buy Now
	3. Scubapro Spectra Dry Snorkel	Comfortable mouthpiece Dry top Efficient purge valve	Slightly higher price point	Buy Now

Weight Belts	Brand and Model Name	Pros	Cons	Link
	1. Cressi Nylon Weight Belt	Strong nylon material, stainless steel buckle, affordable	Weights can sometimes slide around	Buy Now
	2. SEAC Rubber Weight Belt	High-quality rubber, comfortable, keeps weights secure	Slightly higher price point	Buy Now
	3. Riffe Rubber Weight Belt	Easy to adjust, secure lock, durable	Higher price compared to nylon belts	Buy Now

Dive Weights	Brand and Model Name	Pros	Cons	Link
	1. Cressi Nylon Weight Belt	Multiple weight options Scuba dive weights can be used on your weight belt for diving OR placed inside the pocket/pouch of a BCD vest	None	Buy Now

Dive Fins	Brand and Model Name	Pros	Cons	Link
	1. Scubapro Seawing Nova	Exceptional comfort and power Durable construction Innovative design	Higher price range	Buy Now
	2. Cressi Pro Light Open Heel Dive Fin	Affordable, Lightweight Comfortable Great performance	Not as powerful as some more expensive models	Buy Now
	3. Atomic Aquatics Split Fin	Excellent propulsion Speed Reduced fatigue	More expensive May not suit beginners	Buy Now