In 2007 the iPhone changed the world of mobile phones but truly introducing a computer in your pocket. Now the device appears as a must have for divers even in the remotest of locations.
One of the key ingredients that made the iPhone so popular was the introduction of Apps, little programs that could run on the phone made by developers with a wide range of interests.
In recent times a small number of Apps have appeared related to the world of Freediving. Below we present some of the Apps available.
iHoldBreath – Freediving Trainer by Kamil Bujniewicz ($2.99)
The first of the Apps is iHoldBreath by Kamil Bujniewicz. This is a training App that helps Freedivers improve their breathold using a number of tables such as CO2 and O2 training.
The App sports the following features:
- CO2 tables
- O2 tables
- MIXED tables
- Custom tables
- SOUND FEEDBACK
- CONTEST MODE (voice) with AIDA rules counting
- VIBRATIONS feedback
- STOPWATCH to measure your apnea times with easy, big stop button and optional warmup time
- LOGBOOK to track your performance with optional note
- GRAPH VIEW for logbook to see your performance in more interesting way
- PLAYLIST selection used for both training and stopwatch – use your own music during trainings
The App does look very slick, loads quickly and covers all the bases when it comes to breathold training. The ability to have a logbook, store personal bests and add playlists of music are nice touches.
iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iholdbreath-freediving-trainer/id372651119?mt=8
IN-SEAtv – HD Freediving and Spearfishing App by Wizzard Media ($1.99)
The IN-SEAtv App allows users to access episodes from the popular IN-SEA.tv video podcast series created by Ryan McInnis that features Freediving, Spearfishing and other coastal action sports.
Features of the App include:
- Streaming access to play episode from anywhere
- Always updated with the latest episodes- and an archived back catalog
- Download the episodes and play them when offline
- Playback resume (when interrupted by a call or other distraction)
- Favorites (mark the episodes you want to return back to over and over)
- Quick access to all the contact methods for the show
Unlike the other Apps in this list, this App definitely needs a fast data connection whilst downloading the episodes. Once downloaded the App lets you view the videos without having to re-download them which makes it easier to watch on the go.
iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/in-seatv-hd-freediving-spearfishing/id352028979?mt=8
Breath Hold by 7Zillion ($2.99)
Breath Hold is a simple, clean looking App that helps Freedivers train for CO2 tolerance or O2 deprivation using tables. Whilst not as feature reach or fancy as other applications in this list it keeps it simple and does it well.
iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/breath-hold/id291637445?mt=8
Apnea for free divers by Netanel Software ($3.99)
Another of the CO2 and O2 training Apps available. Apnea for freedivers is designed to work with both iPhone and iPad and has various logging options as well as supporting customized workouts.
Here are all the features available:
- The application contains exact instruction how to use and improve your diving time
- Apnea’s breath test will automatically generate CO2, and O2 intervals to start your workout
- support customize workouts
- unlimited workouts Log
- option to copy log results to Email
- All possible workout alerts (Man/Woman speech , relaxing sound , vibration)
- log Management (delete all/single workout)
- Application supports both iPad and iPhone
This is a good little App but is also the most expensive of the group reviewed here.
iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apnea-for-free-divers/id356234283?mt=8
iApnea by powerLABS (FREE)
Again another training App that has CO2, O2 and logging capabilities. Basic functionality is the same, however the main difference for this App is that it is Free, the only one in the group that is.
iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iapnea/id421752777?mt=8
What do you think? Which is your favourite? Are there other Apps you use regularly for Freediving? Tell us about it in the comments section below!