The Free Diving Community Suffers a Loss

September 12th, 2008    Posted in free diving

Competitive Free Diving is one of the most dangerous diving sports out there. This sport involves diving depths without a breathing apparatus. It is also called ‘apnea’. Apnea is the medical term referring to the cessation of breathing. Competitive Free Diving enthusiasts enjoy this extreme sport because of the adrenaline rush that it gives them. It is also a very dangerous diving sport that can easily claim the life of its participants. And as of Wednesday – September 10, the sport did just that.

Forty three year old Apnea diving enthusiast Frank Baldacchino lost his life while doing a practice dive in Malta – he was alone. It was found that Baldacchino suffered from heart failure while on a dive. His family reported him missing on Tuesday and his remains were found on Wednesday. Friends and family report that Baldacchino’s free diving record was 5 minutes.

Baldacchino’s death has sent shockwaves throughout the Competitive free diving community. Health officials are again warning people about the dangers of free diving. Free divers are advised to never go on test dives alone. It is advised that divers bring someone along at all times – someone who knows how to swim and basic life support. Officials say that Baldacchino’s case may have been avoided if he had someone with him.