Nerve-racking footage captures a woman freediving through a very tight cave network, with the tunnel only just wide enough for her body to fit through.
In the 42-second-long clip, Tiffany Marie Owen, 30, from St. Petersburg, Florida, can be seen taking a breath before calmly plunging to the depths below in Ginnie Springs.
With a GoPro in one hand, she uses her other hand to slowly guide her through the underwater obstacle course until she slips through the tunnel and pops up the other side to the surface. The total time underwater spans 30 seconds.
Other videos posted to her social media accounts show her pulling similar stunts, with thousands of viewers expressing a mix of horror and amazement.
In the 42-second-long clip, Tiffany Marie Owen , 30, from St. Petersburg, Florida, can be seen taking a breath before calmly plunging to the depths
With a GoPro in one hand, she uses her other hand to slowly guide her through the underwater obstacle course until she slips through the tunnel and pops up the other side to the surface
One commenter wrote ‘this causes so much anxiety for me but awesome you could do that,’ while another exclaimed ‘this is amazing! I would be super scared!’
Freediving is a form of underwater diving that relies on breath-holding until resurfacing, rather than having any breathing equipment.
There are extreme and sometimes deadly consequences to freediving, if not carried out correctly, because of the breathing limits and the pressure associated with such low depths in the water.
For all of her stunts, Tiffany has safety divers who accompany her.
If she is trying to navigate an underwater tunnel, there are generally two above the hole and one who dives with her below.
While the idea of being in a confined space underwater might cause some people to panic, Tiffany says she finds ‘comfort’ in that kind of environment.
She explains: ‘It’s more about relaxing the mind, slowing your heart rate, and being in a meditative state before diving.
‘Our mammalian dive reflex plays a major role in our multi-system physiological response to being in water, just like manatees, otters and dolphins.
‘Humans were meant to dive… Freediving is an amazing sport that has helped me build mental fortitude, relaxation is everything in this sport.’
The Floridian got into freediving a year ago and she went on to get certified.
She says professional training is imperative as the sport can be fatal if not performed correctly.
She hopes that her videos will help educate the public about freediving as a sport but also highlight the dangers involved.
The Floridian got into freediving a year ago and she went on to get certified
She says professional training is imperative as the sport can be fatal if not performed correctly
The mom-of-one says: ‘This sport can be deadly, which is why I feel people need to know how to do it as safely as possible’
The diver says it is essential to find a dive buddy you can ‘trust with your life,’ that ‘if you were to loose consciousness, your dive buddy is capable of a rescue’
For those who are thinking about taking up freediving, Tiffany highlights the importance of getting qualified
The mom-of-one, who can now hold her breath for up to three-and-a-half minutes, says: ‘This sport can be deadly, which is why I feel people need to know how to do it as safely as possible.
‘I encourage anyone who is interested in freediving to go and get certified.’
Although freediving has given Tiffany a world of benefits, it has also made her realize the extent of water pollution.
Touching on the subject of environmental problems, she said: ‘The population in Florida has exploded.
‘Florida is facing severe challenges due to the continuing development and destruction of our land.
‘The animal population is declining, Florida coral reefs are dying, red tide is getting worse with every passing year.
‘The health of Florida springs are also declining due to the use of fertilizers, and due to human impacts the submerged aquatic vegetation is dying and being replaced by algae.
‘I find trash everywhere I go, even in the caves.’
For those who are thinking about taking up freediving, bartender Tiffany highlights the importance of getting qualified.
She also says it is essential to find a dive buddy you can ‘trust with your life,’ that ‘if you were to loose consciousness, your dive buddy is capable of a rescue.’
While it is dangerous, Tiffany says ‘so is driving a car, but both can be done safely.’
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