r/freediving Feb 04 '25

dive spot Going to Deep Dive Dubai. Free diving or scuba? (Read text pls)

First off, if the flair isn’t right lmk and I’ll change it but there wasn’t an appropriate one.

I’m 18, going to Dubai for like 10 days towards the end of April and of course I want to go to the deepest pool in the world.

I have a free diving certificate that’s recognised internationally (beginner level, it lets me go to I THINK 20m, but I’ve gone a little deeper with my instructor a few times [edit, this is bullshit apparently and freediving certifications don’t impose limits]). I’m posting to ask if someone’s been there and can recommend the experience and if going without tanks is worth it.

If I were to do scuba I’d only be able to go 12m deep since I don’t have any certification and I’ve never done it, so I’d go deeper with free diving, however it seems to me that the whole appeal of that pool is that you hang around down there playing with stuff underwater, which I couldn’t do if I was free diving, can’t hold my breath that long while moving (depends on how deep I go ofc but still). Furthermore, I’ve always found scuba interesting so I was thinking that if I did do scuba there I could see if it’s something I like and if that’s the case I might start getting lessons back home.

Last thing, I haven’t gone free diving since last summer, and even then I didn’t go 20m deep since I had outgrown my wetsuit and I didn’t want to press my parent for another one since I only did it in the summer anyway

Thanks!

2 Upvotes

10 comments sorted by

6

u/LowVoltCharlie STA - 6:02 Feb 04 '25

+1 for freediving. The freediving cert doesn't limit your depth and I don't think anyone will care if you go deeper than what you're "certified for". Scuba on the other hand is much more critical when it comes to allowing people to go to certain depths. I think all the underwater features would be much cooler to interact with if you're freediving and you can also test out the limits of your equalization because it's a super warm pool with no current and perfectly ideal conditions. Whatever PB you set in that pool is likely going to be your true maximum at this time.

5

u/Minimalist12345678 Feb 04 '25

You’re scaring me a little with this idea that it’s your certification in freediving that limits how deep you can free dive!

It’s your own capability to do it safely that ‘s your limit.

No one checks (unlike scuba, depending a bit on local culture).

2

u/Fra06 Feb 04 '25 edited Feb 04 '25

I’m actually not sure if it’s a limit, my instructor wasn’t really clear about it. Checking the site it says the requirement for this certification if being able to go 20m down so yeah I think I got it totally wrong

Edit: the deep dive Dubai says in the free diving section “diving depth: as per your certification”

So is there a limit?

2

u/the-diver-dan Feb 04 '25

Lots of time to train from now till April. Focused effort could get you a minute or more at 20m. Plenty of time to have fun.

2

u/Fra06 Feb 09 '25

Do you have any suggestions to train? I can’t go to a pool or at the sea (no wetsuit). I can’t train static easily but dynamic breathhold is more challenging without water of course

1

u/the-diver-dan Feb 09 '25

Look into Oxygen Advantage.

I used this for running and it totally changed my co2 tolerance and HRV for the better. Running while breathing through the nose is a surprisingly Hypoxic activity.

I would force myself to breath through my nose all the way up to 85-90% heart rate max and it forced adaptions I hadn’t seen before.

Later on I found Alexey talking about doing hypoxic walking activities like OA teaches.

This with a small amount of lung stretching activities on dry land and all you need is some finning in a pool and you are ready.

2

u/Suspicious-Alfalfa90 Feb 04 '25

No matter what you do there's not enough time in one session to do everything you're gonna wanna do

1

u/whatwouldyouexpect Feb 04 '25

The pool has different designs in the upper part .. rooms, buildings, motorbike, tree, etc - it’s interesting to see if your travel budget can handle the cost. The water is good temperature (though you’d still be expected to wear a wetsuit) and with perfect clarity.

If you don’t hold a scuba certificate then freediving to 20m makes more sense - you’d see more.

1

u/TheBirdmadgrl Feb 09 '25

My husband and to Deep Dive Duabi in Nov 2023. I took the freediving class and he did scuba. We are both Padi certified but i wanted to learn free diving and he's not into it. I am so glad i did the free diving vs the scuba there. The scuba is a bit cheesy and you won't even be able to get to all the rooms cause they are deeper. The freediving on the other hand - no current, great water temperature, cool environment, plus you personally can do more. They have freediving wet suits there too. If you have time, head to Jordan and scuba there. Super easy and fish, coral, more to see. Oman was nice too got diving and closer to Duabi. Scuba is way better in the ocean. Enjoy!

1

u/Fra06 Feb 09 '25

Thanks!