Freediving safety pictograms
After a series of tragic and easily avoidable freediving accidents that happened in 2011, together with my friend Pierre Lambreth graphic designer we decided to do something about prevention of freediving accidents.
These accidents that killed total beginners as well as high-level freedivers showed that no one is safe when it comes to the risks of shallow water blackout.
A simple loss of consciousness takes dramatic proportions in open water or even in a shallow pool if the victim is alone or without the direct supervision of an other freediver trained to provide assistance and first aid.
To have a trained freediving buddy will save your live.
Today in 2023 I wanted to put some more light on the initiative as it might have even more impact thanks to the space social media took in people’s lives.
What triggered the idea to do so was the loss of a teenage freediver exactly one year ago, the circumstances showed that these basic rules were not followed although this happened during an offshore session with a professional operator.
The goal of this initiative is not to teach freediving or first aid but to identify the risk and responsibilize the freedivers to look for proper education and the operators to propose appropriate guidance and services to the freedivers.
It’s a big responsibility for freediving organizations and freediving instructors to educate the freediving community. That’s why we wanted to help them with these signs/logos that like a dive flag delivers a simple visual message to every freediver.
We encourage you to use them in courses, teaching material etc. Download them here at the bottom of the page, there is a folder containing different fils formats and resolutions, use them, share them, print them!
The message needs to be spread at all level: to the people interested in freediving, to the freedivers and spearfishers who don’t have a certification , to freediving instructors and also scuba diving instructors.
No one would scuba dive without taking a course before. A lot of people think that because freediving doesn’t require a lot of technical equipment it is safe to practice without getting certified.
Bad practices due to lack of knowledge are often encountered in touristic areas where profit comes before safety.
These simple signs/logos are inducing a reflection and make people think about the consequences of their actions.
They are free and open source. The more they will be used and seen, the more they will save lives.
Fred Buyle, freediver, AIDA, Apnea Academy, CMAS & SSI freediving instructor, CMAS and Padi scuba diving instructor.
Pierre Lambreth, freediver & graphic designer.
Support the cause and commit to a responsible freediving practice and never ever freedive alone!