Innovative freediving equipment

That's the question we asked ourselves when we saw that the solutions on the market were far from being comfortable and able to meet all the needs of a freediver. Can we move more easily and with fewer constraints in the liquid element?

Any freedivers wishing to improve their skills will come to realise just how significant an impact the right equipment can have on their performance and progress.

After several researches, prototypes and tests, we finally arrived to find a solution that meets all our requirements:

• Materials > suitable and resistant to sea water and swimming pools
• Safety > must be able to be removed very quickly
• Adjustable > all sizes or types
• Performance > improved glide
• Modular > disposition de poids au choix pour un ajustement précis
• Comfortable > pleasant to wear without weighing on the neck
• Ecologic > more environmentally friendly materials or processes
• Aesthetic > neat and modern design
• Mobility > verticality, horizontality, costal or dorsal
• Use > can be used in all freediving disciplines

Our solution stands out for its hydrodynamic design, its versatility of use for various freediving practices and its effectiveness. Its comfort surpasses current solutions, particularly neck weights, which may be contraindicated for people suffering from cervical pathologies.

Reinventing ballast weight

Is it possible?

Photo : John Kowitz

Redefining elements

To evolve properly and stay underwater for longer, you need to expend as little energy as possible to save oxygen, and to do that you need to be correctly weighted.

A person's center of balance is their center of mass located at the pelvis. On the other hand, a diver's center of buoyancy is their lungs.
The more we inflate them, the more we float, the more we empty them, the more we tend to sink.

So if we want to control our buoyancy underwater, the ballast must be as close as possible to this area, to avoid unbalancing our position.

Two physical principles are at work:

• Archimedes' principle
Any object immersed in a liquid, receives a push from the bottom to the top equal to the volume of the fluid displaced by the object. This thrust is proportional to the volume of the diver and not to his weight.

• Water resistance
An object moving (propulsion force) in a liquid experiences more or less resistance depending on the intensity of its speed, its shape, its support surface and the fluid in which it interacts.

The keys for very good ballast weight

Key 1 - To be in neutral buancy

• Positive buancy
If you are not weighted enough, you will be like a cork, always pushed towards the surface. Which will require a lot of effort to stay submerged.
Remember that the more effort you make, the more oxygen you consume.

• Neutral buancy
This is the ideal space to be as balanced as possible. Being well balanced between two waters allows you to make less effort to maintain a good position and to no longer subject to thrust.

• Negative buancy
Being in negative buoyancy means that you will probe towards the bottom. To compensate for this effect, you will have to have vigorous upward finning to avoid probing too quickly.
Note: in deep water, this is the desired effect for the free fall effect so as to no longer have to make an effort. On the other hand, not at all in dynamics. If you often have to push the bottom, it is because you are too weighted.

This is probably the factor that will influence the most your movements as well as your performances. A diver's buoyancy is defined by 3 spaces:

Key 2 - as close as possible to the lungs

• Weight belt
As the weight is placed too far below the lungs, it raises the front of the body and offers too large an area of resistance to water.

• Neck weight
More effective than the weight belt in dynamics. On the other hand, if the weight is too high, you can dive more forward, and offer a resistance to water that is not optimal.

• Weight system of Apnea sub
Placed at lung level for perfect balance. The weight is better distributed, so you feel your weight less.

If you are not weighted as close as possible to the lungs, this will unbalance your balance and therefore have an impact on your progress. The flatter you are in the water, the less resistance you offer.

Key 3 - reduce underwater resistance

A new generation of ballast weight

G O D E E P

D Y N A M I C

S P E A R F I S H I N G

E X P L O R A T I O N

Suitable for all freediving practices

The ballast designed by Apnea sub can be used in all freediving disciplines and in all positions.

You can evolve as you wish. Whether you are horizontal or vertical, head up or down, whether you swim on your back or on your side, or whether you want to roll. Everything is possible!

Photo : Eric Flogny

Its system will allow you great modularity, allowing you to arrange your weight as you wish. Its system will allow you great modularity, allowing you to arrange your weight as you wish. So that you are a perfect buoyancy, neutral and optimize your glide whatever the discipline or the configuration of your equipment.

Exclusive modularity

Optimal glide

You can change your layout in a few seconds to readapt them to new conditions (different thickness wetsuit, with or without fins, sea water or swimming pool,...
You can always adapt your ballast according to your needs.

The principle is simple:
- Figure 1: if your trim causes you to move forward, you can concentrate more weight towards the back.
- Figure 2: If you're already balanced, all that's left to do is distribute the weights, either concentrated in the centre, at the extremities or spread over the whole device.
- Figure 3: If you're nose-diving too much, you'll need to put more weight towards the rear.

Great capacity

Our device will be available in 2 versions:

• VERSION 1, stainless steel weights which are less harmful to the natural environment > 72% less lead.
Capacity min. : 1,5 kg
Capacity max. : 7 kg

• VERSION 2, with all-lead weights. Denser for loads requiring more weight.
Capacity min. : 1,5 kg
Capacity max. : 9 kg

Fast modification

You only need one hand and one action to release all the ballast. Whether you do it yourself or with your safety buddy.

Instant load shedding

• The load is no longer supported by the neck

• Head movements are no longer restricted

• The weight is better distributed and is therefore less felt

• Improves your posture in the water

Top comfort !

The disadvantage of neck weights

Although some of them extend over the back, most of the weight always rests and presses on the neck.
Which doesn't make it the most comfortable place to put it. Not to mention that head and arm movements are also somewhat reduced.

The cervical, a sensitive area

The neck area can be sensitive and delicate for several people. What's more, we don't know enough about the impact its use can have on the body over time.

The neck contains many tissue, vascular, bony, cartilaginous and visceral structures. They are the exit point for many nerves innervating the muscles of the neck, shoulders, upper limbs and head.
All of these elements must be mobile so as not to prevent movement and maintain functional integrity.

Many muscles, such as the trapezius, can quickly cause painful tension. The sub-occipitals are also heavily involved in neck pain, which can intensify over time and cause headaches.

The use of neck weights may be contraindicated for people suffering from cervical pathologies. The advice of a doctor is recommended.

This lack of comfort influences the relaxation of the muscles in this area and therefore your relaxation which is an integral part of good practice.

The more relaxed we are, the less oxygen the body consumes.

Completely relax

Uncompromising comfort

To overcome all of these previously mentioned drawbacks, Apnea sub has developed a new process that can drastically relieve cervical.

Comparison of the effectiveness of different types of ballast in the main disciplines

Modular weight system

Its unique weight system lets you place your weights wherever you want to fine-tune your trim and neutrality.

2 weight alternatives

Lead, heavier but more malleable and less ecological, with a maximum capacity of 9 kg OR stainless steel, slightly lighter, non-deformable and non-toxic for the environment which goes up to 7 kg.

Uncompromising safety

Ultra-fast load shedding system to ensure your safety in all circumstances.

Careful comfort

Particular care has been taken to ensure that there is no load on the neck and that the weight is less felt and better distributed in and out of the water.

Unique design

Its modern lines will give you an original style that suits all body shapes.

Amazing glide

Its hydrodynamics will give you incredible glide and allow you to progress in your practice.

The special features of our ballast have been designed to improve your position in the water, your glide and your comfort.

Its strengths

FAQ

Why don't we see any pictures of the product?

We are currently working out the final technical details with our suppliers. Some of these aspects may have impacts on the product. That is why we unfortunately cannot show it to you yet. As soon as this is the case, we will not fail to let you know. Don't worry it should be very soon.

What is the minimum and maximum weight that the ballast supports?

The Apnea sub ballast is modular, so you can arrange your weights as you wish. For a weight that can vary between 1.5 and 7 kilos for the stainless steel version, and 9 kilos for the lead version.

What stage has the product reached?

Currently, we have just submitted our latest functional prototype to our suppliers so that they can come back to us with proposals in order to establish the pre-series this winter, which is the stage before industrialization and will allow us to have a more precise view of the schedules.

What are its advantages compared to existing ballast weight?

It is more effective than a weight belt because it ideally optimizes your balance point and your neutrality. Compared to a neck weight, it is just as efficient, if not more so, and it is much more comfortable without weighing on the cervical vertebrae.
It can be used in all conditions, whether in a swimming pool or in a natural environment. Horizontally or vertically. You can even move around on your side or on your back.
In addition, its unique modular system will allow you to make fine and specific adjustments according to your height or size.

In conclusion, it is a marvel that will bring you comfort and performance.

When will the product be in sale?

With the finalization of our pre-series, we will know better our costs, our charges and our manufacturing deadlines. However, we estimate that marketing should occur between the 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2025.

Who is the product aimed at?

But much more, because it can be used during sports or jogging sessions by weighting you while maintaining a correct posture, to work on your resistance.

How to be part of the panel informed in exclusive preview?

To not miss any of our news and the release of the product exclusively before the press. The best way is to leave us your contact details via our contact form, so that we can inform you know when the product is unveiled and goes on sale.

What is the legitimacy of Apnea sub?

Apnea sub is a registered trademark and a company registered in the Trade Register, with a capital of €63,500.

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