Manual of Freediving: Underwater on a Single Breath (Paperback)

~ Umberto Pelizzari (Author), Stefano Tovaglieri (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The most comprehensive text ever written on the sport of apnea – also known as breath-hold or freediving. -- Pierce Hoover, Sport Diver Magazine, 2004

Product Description

Is the first comprehensive manual that teaches how to hold the breath, stay underwater longer, and descend deeper into the blue. The book includes a history of freediving, and detailed drawings of underwater exercises, finning techniques and selected Yoga postures to enhance lung capacity. This book is highly recommended to Skin-divers, Scuba-Divers and Surfers. It teaches how to hold the breath longer under water.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 362 pages
• Publisher: Idelson Gnocchi Pub; Rev Upd edition (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1928649270
• ISBN-13: 978-1928649274
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,517 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Freediving Buddy, December 17, 2004

By	Andrey Stepantsov (coasts of the Red and Mediterranean Seas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book will work instead of a freediving instructor, even if we are afraid to say so. Not only does the manual cover everything that a freediver must know about physiology, physics, techniques and safety, but it also contains a practical training guide given by the one of the best, for those, who want to experience the athletic side of the sport.
I went beyond -40 m. in constant weight, 100 m. in dynamics and 5:30 in static, before I met my first freediving teacher. I was exacting student, but my teacher was the great one, he gave me the knowledge structured and detailed in the very same manner how you'll find in the book.
Analyzing the chapter about training I found that my techniques are very similar to those described in the book, though I spent years looking for some of them! For a beginner I would recommend to read the book instead of inventing things that are already there. This great book helps me to reorder and complete the structure in my mind.
I would recommend the book to all the people who love freediving or want to know what freediving is.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Freediving, August 2, 2005

By	Terry C. Humes "TC" (Deerfield Beach) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The intent of this book is to help you become a better freediver. It contains excellent teaching to help improve your freediving skills. There is practical advice to help you relax and learn to be in tune with your body. This book will help you to reach new levels of performance, dive deeper, stay longer, with more comfort and ease.

However, you will have to sift trough some pseudo-scientific explanations and descriptions before you get to more practical helps. There are plenty of references to evolutionary development. Some people still accept the science of Stanley Miller's experiments in 1953 or Ernst Haeckels creative fictional drawings as fact. The writers of this book accept many of these types of theories as fact. If you can overlook these references and get to the more practical sections you will find helpful materials.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very usefull, it's like a personnal coach!, April 14, 2005

By	David (Canada) - See all my reviews

I've been practicing Freediving a lot over the last 3 years. This book covers it all, from history to physiology. It is well explained, and almost every aspects of the sport is covered. I especialy felt in love with the yearly training program at the end of the book. It's bee 2 months now and I realy did improve my statics and dynamics. The book was writen by a profesionnal freediver, and a profesionnal sport educator, so you'll learn all you need to practice and improve yourself.

The only reason why I don't give it a 5, it's because it's even too complete... there are sometimes way too many details, so it gets long and heavy to read. Anyhow, the first and perfect freediving bible for anyone.