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What happens to the body when you go deep? This infographic explains some of the physiological changes that the body goes through on a dive. But one thing it can't explain – and that's the feeling. Says Will Trubridge: “I love freediving because it's an opportunity to escape from gravity, sound, light (if you go deep) and even the sensation of time passing. A deep freedive can be like a dream, in that all the rules of reality seem changed.” Dive in below to discover more about the sport, the physiology and the different disciplines... infographic created by: zooom.at/Adi Sumic The Dive Reflex It is often said that humans are perfectly adapted for diving underwater thanks to the 'mammalian or dive reflex' – something we share with other aquatic mammals such as whales and dolphins. The main feature of this is the way the heart rate automatically slows once the face is submerged in water to reduce oxygen consumption. The dive reflex kicks in again after approximately 25 m: the heart rate slows by as much as 50% and vasoconstriction takes place. This is where warm blood retreats from the body's extremities to protect core organs. At this depth most divers can stop swimming. “Here I have lost enough buoyancy from lung shrinkage under pressure that I can stop swimming and freefall for the rest of the descent,” says Will. Freediving Disciplines: There are three main depth disciplines in competition freediving: Constant Weight No Fins (CNF): The freediver descends and ascends without any assistance (only using arms and legs without fins).Constant Weight with Fins (CWT): The freediver descends and ascends using fins/monofin and the use of arms.Free Immersion (FIM): The freediver dives without the use of fins/monofin, but pulls a rope during descent and ascent.Says Trubridge: “CNF and CWT are the two most popular disciplines. CWT gives the deepest performances, while CNF is seen as the purest expression of human aquatic potential. FIM is more of a relaxed discipline, but there are definitely some very serious practitioners there as well!”

The all-round dive computer comes out in two new editions The Suunto D4i is now available in two new colors to guide divers on their underwater adventures. With four dive modes – including freediving – Suunto RGBM algorithm, and the option of wireless integration, the Suunto D4i is the dive computer of choice for all divers looking for a lightweight, reliable and stylish dive computer. With the pink edition, it gets a splash of color. It's the perfect fit, whether blending in with a coral reef or your style out of the water. The gray Suunto D4i makes for a modern and streetwise alternative to black. The Suunto D4i is already available in black, white, blue and lime. It features a soft silicone strap, ensuring maximum comfort as well as a superb fit and is designed to suit the needs of all divers – for every diving occasion. The Suunto D4i Novo Pink and Gray will become available in January.

Suunto is rolling out its latest dive planner, Suunto DM5. The Suunto DM5 (Windows/Mac compatible) allows you to download your dive logs for advanced analysis and create dive plans. DM5 offers a quick and easy way to plan your profile and gases. You can also plan a series of dives. Transfer planned gases and settings to your compatible dive computer with a single click.    For the upcoming Suunto EON Steel, the fully customizable dive computer with a bright color screen, DM5 provides display customization and firmware updates. DM5 supports the following Suunto dive computers: D4, D6, D9, D4i, D4i Novo, D6i, D9tx, DX, Zoop, Vyper, Vytec, Vytec DS, Cobra, Vyper2, Vyper Air, Cobra2, Cobra3, HelO2, EON Steel. Once installed, DM5 automatically recognizes your Suunto dive computer. For further information about DM5, please click here. Instructions for new users and current DM4 users:Download Suunto DM5 for free here:FOR WINDOWSFOR MAC Current DM4 users will automatically receive a notification to update to DM5.

The Suunto EON Steel was created with the feedback of active divers from all over the world. Among them was our own ambassador Jill Heinerth. In case you don't know Jill, she's a renowned underwater explorer and 2013 recipient of the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for exploration from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. She's dived inside caves, underneath icebergs and in some deep waters all over the world – the ideal person to put the Suunto EON Steel through its paces. Here's what she had to say about Suunto's new launch: We're guessing you gave it a good testing! I first took the EON Steel to Christmas Island on a unique cave and deep ocean exploration project sponsored by National Geographic. The device was in its earliest form, but I could already understand the potential of the product. I wasn't really supposed to show it to anyone, so I had to quietly hide it in my pocket until we could snap a few photos! I finally had the chance to dive a fully functional device in France when other Suunto Global Distributors got to see it for the first time. The boat was buzzing with excitement form everyone that used it. And you also used in the Arctic right? Later, I took a unit to Newfoundland and on the Sedna Epic Expedition to the Arctic this summer. It was on these trips that I had the full opportunity to appreciate its full potential and functionality. I realize now that I have taken it from the warmest to the coldest conditions on the planet in the last year. I'm never very kind to my gear but it doesn't need to be handled with kid gloves. It is well built and simply works! Jill Heinerth tested the Suunto EON Steel in both warm and cold climates. ©Jill Heinerth What was the feedback you gave Suunto?What I saw in the Suunto EON was far beyond a typical diving computer. The EON is capable of taking a diver from their first dives, through technical and eventually CCR diving. The beauty is that the diver can customize their display and won't be mired in unnecessary features that they are not ready to use. As they progress, they can move to new modes of diving and use additional features. Furthermore, I envision the EON as more of a platform than a singular device that will need to be replaced. How do you like the product?I love the quality build and easy readability of the EON. I also love being able to plug it in for recharge or downloading.How is it different to previous dive computers you've used. The EON feels fully modern and fresh – more like my iPhone than a tired old diving computer display that looks like a relic of Windows 98. The EON interface is simple and intuitive and although it came with excellent instructions, there was no need to refer to them. The three button operation was obvious and features were easily found and activated. The audible alerts are also intuitive with unique, well designed sounds that make sense. The alarms alone can guide the diver to correct their behavior. Anything else? I was using the EON with a cave survey class recently and should add that the compass feature on the computer is extremely easy to access, very accurate and quick to respond. This feature can be used easily without losing other critical display information. Jill Heinerth is a Suunto ambassador. Discover more about her exploits and photography here. All images ©Jill Heinerth

The location for the Suunto Vertical Blue could not be more conducive to diving deep. Dean's Blue Hole is a natural wonder and is the deepest known blue hole in the world. Situated off Long Island in the Bahamas, it opens up approximately 10 m beneath the surface before plunging to 202 m. “It has a reputation for being the greatest freediving location on the planet,” says multiple record holder and Vertical Blue organiser Will Trubridge. “Its deep, warm and calm waters which are literally a step off the beach, provide the best environment for freedivers to attempt to break national or world records, or just to exceed their own personal bests. Spectators on the beach. Photo ©zooom.at/Samo Vidic “Spectators can watch the whole event from the warm Caribbean water, while feasting on local seafood salad that is prepared on the beach,” he adds. “It is an event like no other, not just in freediving, but in all sport.”One of the area's attractions is also its remoteness. Long Island, Bahamas is not as developed as many Caribbean destinations – just getting there is an adventure. Hotels and bars are laid back and you're unlikely to bump into lots of other tourists. In fact, during the nine days of Suunto Vertical Blue, probably every hotel guest will be a fellow freediver, which adds to the familiar atmosphere that makes the event so special. Dean's Blue Hole, the view from 15m. Photo: zooom.at/Agustin Munoz

The next generation dive computer is here, offering full customization and amazing color screen. What's next for dive computers? That question has come a little closer to being answered today as market leader Suunto unveils the Suunto EON Steel, the first fully customizable dive computer. It's so intuitive it takes ease of use to a new level. Full customizationWith Suunto CustomDisplay™, you can tailor your EON Steel so that it shows exactly what you want. You can choose from a traditional text-based interface or a graphical view, and customize up to five different displays with Suunto DM5 software, the program that transfers your logbook data to your computer for detailed analysis.  Unrivalled clarityThe EON Steel also offers divers unrivalled clarity thanks to its new, innovative wide-angle BrightSee™ screen. The brightness, high color contrast and easy handling mean the display can be read in all conditions, whether you're diving in shallow and light waters, or deep and dark ones. Comments Mika Holappa, Dive Business Unit Director at Suunto: “We are delighted to launch the Suunto EON Steel, which is the result of our desire to produce the best possible diving computer for active divers. Its customization possibilities and ease of use make it ideally suited to every diving occasion.” Diving with you for years to comeThe Suunto EON Steel will grow with you as your diving and skills evolve, thanks to the way you can customize it to your needs. With user updatable software, including a free fixed point CCR upgrade in 2015, it will dive with you for many years to come, whatever diving you're into. It comes with the choice of a strap or bungee attachment so it can be physically customized as well. The Suunto EON Steel uses the highly advanced Suunto Fused™ RGBM algorithm to maximize your dive time. When used together with the new Suunto Tank POD, you can get tank pressures from multiple PODs with just a glance at the wrist. The EON Steel is rated to 150 m and offers a dive time of 20-40 hours after one charge – meaning it's ideal for those week-long liveaboard trips. Finland-based Suunto has developed many diving innovations in the last 50 years – including the first diving compass and early dive computers. Creating reliable products that are tested and designed for the harshest of elements has been a part of its heritage for almost 80 years. The Suunto EON Steel builds on that tradition. The bezel is made from brushed stainless steel while the housing uses reinforced composite. The Xensation™ glass display is also built to withstand every diving situation. Inside and out the Suunto EON Steel is made with the most advanced components, making it extremely durable and accurate. It's another reason why the Suunto EON Steel makes the perfect partner for your diving adventures. The Suunto EON Steel will be available in spring 2015, at the recommended price of €999. The Suunto Tank POD is available at €299.