Constant Weight Apnea

Constant Weight Apnea

Constant Weight Apnea (CWA) is a discipline of freediving where the diver descends and ascends using their own muscle power, without changing the weight they carry. This discipline is recognized by the international freediving organization AIDA International and is one of the most popular competitive freediving events.

Overview

In Constant Weight Apnea, the diver must descend and ascend using fins or without fins, but they cannot drop any weights during the dive. The diver must return to the surface with the same amount of weight they started with. This discipline tests the diver's ability to manage their buoyancy, energy, and breath-hold capacity.

Equipment

The equipment used in Constant Weight Apnea can vary slightly depending on whether the diver chooses to use fins or not. The two main categories are:

• Constant Weight with Fins (CWT): Divers use a monofin or bi-fins to propel themselves through the water. A wetsuit is typically worn to provide thermal protection and buoyancy control.

• Constant Weight without Fins (CNF): Divers rely solely on their arm and leg movements to descend and ascend. This category is considered more challenging due to the lack of propulsion aids.

Rules

The rules for Constant Weight Apnea are governed by AIDA International and include the following:

• The diver must descend and ascend using their own power without changing their weight.
• The dive line is used for guidance only and cannot be pulled on for assistance.
• The diver must perform a surface protocol upon returning to the surface, which includes removing their facial equipment and giving an "OK" sign to the judges.

Physiology

Constant Weight Apnea requires significant physiological adaptation. Divers must develop:

• Lung Capacity: To hold their breath for extended periods, divers train to increase their lung capacity and efficiency.
• Equalization Techniques: As divers descend, they must equalize the pressure in their ears and sinuses to avoid barotrauma.
• Buoyancy Control: Proper weight distribution and buoyancy control are crucial for efficient energy use during the dive.

Training

Training for Constant Weight Apnea involves a combination of:

• Breath-hold Training: To increase the duration of breath-hold and improve CO2 tolerance.
• Strength and Conditioning: To enhance muscle endurance and efficiency, especially for CNF divers.
• Technique Drills: To improve finning technique and streamline body position.

Records

As of the latest updates, the world records for Constant Weight Apnea are:

• Constant Weight with Fins (CWT): Held by Alexey Molchanov at 130 meters.
• Constant Weight without Fins (CNF): Held by William Trubridge at 102 meters.

See Also

• Freediving
• AIDA International
• Dynamic Apnea

References

• AIDA International. "AIDA Freediving Rules and Regulations."
• Molchanov, Alexey. "Techniques for Deep Freediving."
• Trubridge, William. "The Art of Constant Weight Apnea."