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I’ve been practising spearfishing from a very young age and, now almost thirty years old, I have always held huge doubts and experienced shortcomings in relation to equalization; I ignored it for a very long time. During the first few years I used to equalize by swallowing only, too late and in fits and starts, which only allowed me to achieve minimal depths, a maximum of 8-10 metres, with strong pain to my ears, which in turn meant that, for a very long time, I only used to fish sporadically and with results limited to the first few meters.
In 2018 I tried to dedicate more attention to my passion, and so I started learning and using the Valsalva Maneuver. A new world suddenly opened in front of my eyes! Thanks to my newly found technique I managed to descend to 10-12 metres without feeling like I was exploding, but I still couldn’t go further. Over 10-12 metres the Maneuver lost its effectiveness and, if that wasn’t enough, after every fishing dive, I used to find blood in my mucus due to strain and wrong execution. In September 2018 I started practising more frequently and reaching more significant depths with some help from a very experienced guide (instructor and great athlete), but I was still experiencing the same issues linked to my use of the Valsalva technique. After every trip I found myself exhausted from too great a physical effort and the constant bunged up feeling in my ears. It was at that point that I started researching, first of all online, and subsequently by consulting with many instructors and otolaryngologists, one of whom created even more doubts for me by telling me I was executing an ‘’excellent Frenzel Maneuver”. At the same time, the specialist in question unwittingly did something which will turn out to be a breakthrough: he gave me a free sample of Otovent. I started using it and searching on YouTube for best practices to do with ‘’otovent + equalization + freediving’’…and there was Mana!
This peculiar character was able to inflate, deflate, stop and restart, talk, and create T and K stops and God only knows what else with that balloon. I was fascinated. I tried two hundred times in front of my laptop, with very poor results. That’s when I realized it was time to consult with the real deal, and I discovered Moving Limits. I started on my path with Moving Limits in October 2018 by enrolling in the free trial called ‘’Test your Skills’’, and that’s how I met Giovanni Bianco, great instructor and wonderful person. Giovanni realised in a second that my ‘’excellent Frenzel manuever” was nothing other than a simple Valsalva, and directed me to the course called ‘’Start – Basic Equalization’’. After just three one to one lessons with Giovanni, thanks to his great skill and my determination, I learnt how to equalize with Frenzel.
To be honest, that’s when I became obsessed with equalization, and I still am. After having read the Start material in its entirety, and after having ‘’murdered’’ several balloons, my life in water had been changed. I was finally able to perform a surface dive and reach 20 metres, in full safety, enjoying the descent. I ‘’moved’’ lots of water and, together with the course, this turned out to be the best cure. I had learnt to walk, but now I wanted to run...
After having mastered my Frenzel Maneuver, I decided the time had come to have free hands, and I therefore contacted Giovanni again in December. He suggested I enrolled in the ‘’Fly – the Handsfree Maneuver” course – do-it-yourself form. I devoured it in the space of four days! It was still January, and my obsession with equalization continued and increased until February, when I was finally able to get into the water and start spearfishing again. The first few trips, because of scarce visibility and cold temperatures, turned out to be terrible. I didn’t get the chance to relax and concentrate on my new Maneuver. At the end of February, with an increased water temperature, I asked for a few more tips from Giovanni and gave myself to Handsfree. Over the space of two or three spearfishing trips I realised I could finally fly!
My numbers are not record-worthy, but being able to reach them ‘’flying’’ is priceless to me.
These new results once again changed my relationship with the sea, and the way I view it. The silence and harmony Handsfree allows are the true essence of freediving. I am so happy I consulted the doctor who complimented me for my Frenzel Maneuver, because, without him, I would have never found Moving Limits.The best advice I can give to anyone who’s experiencing issues with equalization is to consult with the specialists, and Giovanni and Moving Limits are just that!
Enjoy the sea!
Antonio M.
Trentenne, pescatore subacqueo appassionato.
Se potesse eliminerebbe gennaio e febbraio dal calendario, mesi in cui anche in Sardegna, dove vive, l'acqua è un po' freddina per praticare la sua passione.