From Valsalva to Handsfree in 6 months (by way of Frenzel)

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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!