Welcome to DiveWise!

To the enthusiast, freediving is the seductive allure of an underwater world where one can test the limits of physical endurance on a single breath of air and achieve seemingly impossible goals. For the spearfisher, it is a hunt like no other, as prey is stalked while denying the body the air it craves. And for the snorkeler, content to enjoy the beauty of the sea, it is a relaxing escape from the mundane – and for all – a glimpse into the secrets of the deep and a sense of oneness with a beauty rarely known.

The extreme sport of freediving has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years. Unfortunately, due to a lack of awareness of the dangers involved and how to avoid them, the rising popularity of freediving has been accompanied by a rising reported fatality rate due to freediver blackout. Many have expressed concern over this growing problem, yet the annual death toll from freediver blackout indicates freedivers continue to ignore the risks, or do not fully comprehend them, and fail to implement safety measures when diving, resulting in the untimely deaths of both novices and well trained, experienced, and physically fit men and women.

DiveWise, founded by Julie Richardson, is the first non-profit freedive education initiative in the United States. In April 2008, Julie nearly lost her two oldest sons to freediver blackout as one tried to rescue the other during a 90 ft freedive. Following the boys’ full recovery, Julie determined to create an outreach program to teach freedivers how to enjoy this sport safely, and to instill a healthy appreciation for the risks involved to the participants.

To strengthen her impact on the diving community, Julie has teamed up with research physiologist Dr. Neal Pollock with DAN/Duke University, freedive pioneer and author Dr. Terry Maas, founder of Performance Freediving and professional freediving trainer, Kirk Krack, CMAS freedive instructor and Judge for AIDA International Dimitris Kollias, and National Spearfishing Champion and host of Outdoor Channel’s Speargun Hunter, Sheri Daye.

The content of this site is guided by this team of advisors and other experts, who are also working with Julie to develop an education program designed to bridge the gap between those freedivers who have the resources to invest in a professional freedive class and those who don’t.

While the information available in this program is no substitute for hands-on professional training, the diver who habitually practices freedive safety protocols can greatly reduce his/her risk of death by freediver blackout.

We invite you to explore this site; there is a wealth of information available here designed to enhance your freedive experience. Safe diving!