A new record is archived

We all know the headline - New Freediving Worldrecord.
Longer, farer, deeper depending on the discipline, but the performance of the athlete is only on side, on the other side a lot of regulations are to follow to have the performance homologated.

On of the major parts is the surfacing at the end of the dive, the so called exit.
In the beginning of freediving records it was more important to reach a certain new mark, especially during deep diving, then to be in top condition back at the surface. Several records of this stoneage of freediving where done with an exit where the diver was unconscious.

Today the system is under the surveillance of AIDA International, the major freediving association, much more developed and strict. Any sign of not being in perfect condition at the exit will guide to a disqualification. There are two different cases which can happen before, during or even up to 30 seconds or more after the exit. One is the blackout (BO), when the athlete becomes unconscious, which is easy to see for everybody. The other one is the loss of motor control (LOMC or LMC), many times easy to see because the body does some kind of shaking, but many times having very small signs, not visible for the normal spectator but very clear to see for the experienced judges.

In general there are two possibilities to make a world record. During a freediving competition or an announced attempt.

If it is a competition the standard requirements for world records must be fulfilled. Normally done at all bigger events and during small events when a selected international judges group is present. During a competition it is much more difficult to break a world record. The use only of standard equipment is allowed and a fix timetable is running. Warm up and starting times are fixed.
During a singular world record attempt the rules are different. The athlete is allowed to use special equipment like underwater contact lenses and has his own timetable and chooses when the dive starts.

Before a singular WR attempt can be done, the attempt must be announced at least six weeks before. AIDA International then selects two judges, which will be present. At least one week before the attempt a so called prerequisite dive, which comes already very close to the targeted performance must be send in. When everything is in correct order the judges will travel to the place of the attempt and do there the final preparations.

Static can be done nearly everywhere, in a sports-pool, in natural environment or even in a blow-up pool in the garden, only he complete body must be in the water.

For dynamic the pool minima's are 25 meters length.

Depth disciplines are connected with much more preparation. The cable must be carefully measured. First wetted, then stretched and at least measured under tension corresponding to the ground weight. In variable the max. weight of 35 kg of the sledge, must be checked with everything built together in the water. At the attempt the official depth gauges will be fixed under the bottom plate before the cable is lowered. Another depth gauge on the sledge and one on the athlete. There have also to be cameras at the surface, the bottom and on the sledge, if it is a sledge discipline. A minimum standard of mini Digital Video is required and the video pictures have to cover the whole attempt starting four minutes before the attempt and ending three minutes after.

For all attempts and competitions it is mandatory to have physicians including medical equipment present plus an emergency plan including all important phone numbers. For each world record a doping test must be done.

The judges do not only control that all rules are respected and the dive has been done in a correct way, they also will fill out a detailed report about the attempt and will give a first opinion about the validation of the dive. The videos and the report will send in to AIDA International where the final decision about the homologation will be done. This final decision is send out via email to the so called AIDA List where all the official news are published and only then the record is official.

If you are interested to check out the complete record recognition procedures go to http://www.aida-international.org/Pdf/documents/records_recognition.pdf

If you want to know the current world records go to the concerning section on this site.

Measuring the rope under tension corresponding to the ground weight

The knot is sealed and marked

Judge sealing one of the official cameras

Sealed camera and underwater housings

Depth gauges under the final plate

Final plate with tags and depth gauges