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FARALLON USA / DIVETECH, Ltd.
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Free Diving Record
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Thursday, April 29, 1999 in Grand Cayman, Kirk Krack won a new free diving record in a new specialty category of free (breath-hold) diving by descending to 250f/76m with the aid of a motorized diver propulsion vehicle (DPV) manufactured by Farallon USA. Kirk made the descent and ascent by riding a Mark 7 DPV, wearing Sporasub Radical fins, a 3/4mm Xcel wet suit, Samurai low volumn mask, 2 Apneist computers, a Spare Air and 4 pounds/1.8 kilos of weight. The record setting event was the first record time that a DPV has been used in a free diving record category.
The dive took place on Thursday at 4:00pm off of Divetech’s boat Ten Ata on the North Wall of Grand Cayman. The total underwater time was 2 minutes 6 seconds, with 0:59 to make the descent and 1:07 on the ascent. A weighted line in the water was a reference only, with Kirk riding the DPV beside the line up and down to the new Specialty DPV Assisted Record depth of 250f/76m. Actual depths recorded were 257f/78m on both Apneist computers and 264f/80m (fresh water) (Uwatec on scuba diver).
The record event was the sixth event held in Grand Cayman, due to the ideal diving conditions with visibility at 100f/30m, easy to reach depths off the walls, warm water conditions (82F/28C), ESE winds at 12 knots, mild current and the availability of the training and support to safely conduct these records. Tanya Streeter (World record holder) and Brett LeMaster (US Men’s record holder) were 2 other free diving champions in attendance.
Divetech provided Kirk’s competition training over the past 2 years in addition to the support and safety divers. Support free divers were positioned at the surface (Dan Hodgins) and scuba divers were positioned at 60f/18m Jason Swaby, 100f/30m Heidi Denz and James Sutton, 170f/52m Marc Danziger and 250f/76m Nancy Romanica. Support divers provided safety support for Kirk, in the event of any equpiment or physiological problems that may have been encountered. The dive went as planned with no problems encountered. Gases used by the support divers were Nitrox 32% (0 to 130f/40m), Air (131f/41m to 170f/52m) and Heliair and Trimix mixes of 15/24, 15/30 and 15/40 for divers below 170f/52m.
Video crew to record the event according to IAFD and CMAS standards, included at the surface D.J. Roller (Liquid Pictures, Atlanta) and Ron Everdij, 100f/30m Guido Brasso and 250f/76m Nicolas Buckley. Photographers documenting the event were Courtney Platt at the surface and Johnny Christensen at 250f/76m.
The event was run under guidelines published by CMAS and the International Association of Free Divers (IAFD). Brett LeMaster, an IAFD Instructor, acted as Commissioner and Tom Deardorff of Farallon USA as an independent witness.
Kirk Krack is a Canadian residing in Grand Cayman. Born December 4, 1968 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Kirk has been free diving in the Caribbean for the past 3 years, and competition training over the past 2 years. Kirk, employed by Divetech, is a Sr. Scuba Instructor for both recreational and technical diving, as well as a Senior Instructor Trainer for IAFD, including co-authorship of the IAFD student and Instructor training materials. When asked where he plans to go next, Kirk’s reply was "I've worked with many free diving professionals as a coach and trainer, as well as teaching recreational free diving programs. My goals are to continue in this line, and bring the sport of free diving to the forefront. I want to be a part of the team that promotes free diving to the public as a fun, recreational activity, but with high standards of education, guidelines and standards that makes it a safe sport as well. Diving on DPV’s is a blast! This is just one of the specialties that we can offer for diversity and fun in free diving. I’d also like to thank my sponsors, Divetech (Cayman), Farralon USA, and New Image Health Club as well as all of my support team for their support in making this happen."
For more information on how you can become a technical diver, contact:
Dive Tech in Grand Cayman
Box 31435 SMB Grand Cayman, BWI,
Ph# 345-949-1700
Email: divetech@candw.ky
http://www.divetech.com
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