No-limits apnea

{{short description| Freediving discipline in which the diver descends and ascends using their method of choice }}

{{short description| Freediving discipline in which the diver descends and ascends using their method of choice }}

'''No-limit apnea''' is a discipline of competitive [[freediving]], also known as competitive apnea, in which the freediver descends and ascends with the method of his or her choice.<ref name=RRR8947>{{cite journal |author=McKie, N |title=Freediving in cyberspace. |journal=Journal of the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society. |year=2004 |volume=34 |pages=101–3 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/8947 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131005155859/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/8947 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |access-date=2013-10-05}}</ref> Often, a heavy metal bar or "sled" grasped by the diver descends fixed to a line, reaching great depths. The most common ascension assistance is via inflatable lifting bags or vests with inflatable compartments, which allow for rapid surfacing. The dives may be performed head-first or feet-first.

'''No-limit apnea''' is a discipline of competitive [[freediving]], also known as competitive apnea, in which the freediver descends and ascends with the method of their choice.<ref name=RRR8947>{{cite journal |author=McKie, N |title=Freediving in cyberspace. |journal=Journal of the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society. |year=2004 |volume=34 |pages=101–3 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/8947 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131005155859/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/8947 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |access-date=2013-10-05}}</ref> Often, a heavy metal bar or "sled" grasped by the diver descends fixed to a line, reaching great depths. The most common ascension assistance is via inflatable lifting bags or vests with inflatable compartments, which allow for rapid surfacing. The dives may be performed head-first or feet-first.

This form of diving is considered extremely dangerous by diving professionals.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/a-limit-on-no-limits-freediving-1.827009|title=A limit on 'No-Limits' freediving|date=2021-06-21|website=gulfnews.com|access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref> No-limit apnea has claimed the lives of several divers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/19/news/a-freedivers-death-tragic-plunge-to-the-limits.html|title=A free-diver's death : Tragic plunge to the limits|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|date=2002-10-19|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-08-18|last2=Tribune|first2=International Herald|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/french-free-diver-loic-leferme-dies-in-training-accident/story-s3ehhntj4bcuccrutyzcul.html |title=French free-diver Loic Leferme dies in training accident|website=www.hindustantimes.com|date=12 April 2007|access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref> In 2025 the discipline is not recognized by either [[AIDA International|AIDA]] or [[Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques|CMAS]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AIDA {{!}} Competitive |url=https://www.aidainternational.org/competitive |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.aidainternational.org}}</ref>

This form of diving is considered extremely dangerous by diving professionals.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/a-limit-on-no-limits-freediving-1.827009|title=A limit on 'No-Limits' freediving|date=2021-06-21|website=gulfnews.com|access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref> No-limit apnea has claimed the lives of several divers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/19/news/a-freedivers-death-tragic-plunge-to-the-limits.html|title=A free-diver's death : Tragic plunge to the limits|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|date=2002-10-19|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-08-18|last2=Tribune|first2=International Herald|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/french-free-diver-loic-leferme-dies-in-training-accident/story-s3ehhntj4bcuccrutyzcul.html |title=French free-diver Loic Leferme dies in training accident|website=www.hindustantimes.com|date=12 April 2007|access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref> In 2025 the discipline is not recognized by either [[AIDA International|AIDA]] or [[Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques|CMAS]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AIDA {{!}} Competitive |url=https://www.aidainternational.org/competitive |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.aidainternational.org}}</ref>