Freediver reaches 85 metres but misses German lake record

BR reported that freediver Minja Marinković narrowly missed a new German depth record in a lake after reaching 85 metres in Lake Starnberg.

The 29 year old completed the planned descent at the Allmannshausen steep wall on a single breath. But he lost consciousness at a depth of about three metres while returning to the surface from the dive, which lasted just over three minutes. The record therefore did not count.

Marinković was brought safely to the surface by a safety diver, briefly given mouth to nose resuscitation and then supplied with oxygen. He regained consciousness immediately and later said he was feeling well. Failure, he said, was part of the sport, adding that he would try again.

Three safety divers and a doctor accompanied the attempt. Officials from Aida International, the freediving association, could not confirm the record because the rules require the diver to reach the surface under his own power and remain conscious.

The dive took place in darkness and water at a temperature of four degrees Celsius. Germany’s previous record in the discipline was 80 metres, set in 2011. Greater depths have already been reached in the sea.

Loss of consciousness caused by oxygen deprivation is the main danger in freediving. Competitions are held under tightly controlled conditions using sonar, a counterweight system and several safety divers.