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Freediving Safety Lanyards and Best Practices

  • depthjunkies
  • Aug 5
  • 14 min read

Updated: Aug 7

Short Summary

The below explores the critical role of lanyards in freediving safety, covering their components, correct usage, and common risks. It highlights the lack of standardisation in manufacturing, the dangers of snap shackles and ankle attachments, and emphasizes the need for proper training and consistent lanyard use on all line dives. The report also includes a series of simulated deep black out diver retrieval trials, comparing wrist, waist, ankle, and wrist lanyards attached to weight belt. The results show that wrist lanyards offer the safest and most efficient retrieval, while ankle and belt placements pose significant safety risks. It concludes with best practices and a call to raise global safety standards through better education, gear design, and community responsibility.


How it all started?

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When we talk freediving safety, everyone jumps straight to buddying and recovery breathing. But there’s one little piece of gear that often gets left out of the conversation — and it might just be the most important: the lanyard.

I went down a rabbit hole researching lanyards for my AIDA Instructor Cross Over and then a little deeper for a presentation at the famous Dahab Freedivers, and I came out genuinely surprised by how much I learnt about Lanyards and their usage. I now look at them in a whole different light and I am super excited to share these findings with you today.

I spoke with a lot of very experienced people along the way, and I have a lot of them to thank at the end of this post.


Why are lanyards important?

Let’s be real — lanyards don’t exactly get the spotlight in freediving conversations. They’re not as sexy as monofins or as debated as equalization techniques. But if you ask anyone who's seen a blackout at depth, they'll tell you: a lanyard isn’t just a piece of gear — it’s your lifeline.

In the worst-case scenario — say, a deep-underwater blackout — your lanyard is what allows your safety/buddy to locate and retrieve you quickly. Take the 2018 case of Ramón Carreño Paz — a freediver who experienced a deep underwater blackout. Thanks to his lanyard, he was able to be pulled up by the counter ballast quickly and efficiently. Incidents like this highlight just how essential lanyards can be. In situations like these, cutting corners on safety equipment isn’t just risky — it’s potentially fatal.

But lanyards aren't just for emergencies. They’re also incredibly useful in everyday scenarios like strong currents or poor visibility. When I started diving back in Scotland, on a good day we had 6m visibility. Without the lanyard it would be very easy to loose the line, particularly for a beginner, as I was.



What makes a good lanyard?

These days, most freedivers buy lanyards from recognizable brands — and that’s a solid start. But here’s the thing: there are no official manufacturing standards or universal testing protocols for lanyards. Yep, none. Despite being a critical piece of safety gear, there’s no agreed-upon checklist to ensure a lanyard will hold up under pressure, especially in emergency situations.

That’s a bit unsettling when you think about it.

So, when choosing your lanyard, don’t just go for what looks cool. Go for a quality piece of gear that could one day save your life.

If we have a poor quality lanyard or we don't use it correctly we can end up in potentially life threatening scenario such as Michal Risian did at the 2011 World Championships:




What should you look for in a lanyard?

Here’s what to check when you're choosing or assessing a lanyard:

🔹 Carabiner: Look for aluminum, stainless steel, or carbon composite — strong, corrosion-resistant materials that can handle serious wear.

🔹 Cable: Marine-grade stainless steel. It should have a protective coating to prevent kinks, and at least one swivel point (ideally two — one at the carabiner, one at the strap) to reduce the chance of entanglement.

🔹 Strap (Wrist, Ankle, or Waist): Comfort matters — but so does security. The strap should be wide enough to stay in place without cutting into your skin and, made from durable materials that won’t degrade quickly in saltwater. Look for high-quality Velcro that maintains its grip even when wet or sandy. There should be a quick-release tab so you can detach quickly in case of entanglement or emergency. 


The snap shackle debate

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Now, here’s where things get spicy.

Snap shackles have long been a point of debate in the freediving world. While there aren’t any officially documented failures, plenty of veteran divers (with over a decade in the water) report accidental releases. That’s not something you want to risk at any depth. I myself have seen snap shackle lanyards accidentally release twice now and so I cannot recommend them.

The growing consensus? Snap shackles just aren’t reliable enough for freediving. In fact, AIDA is currently reviewing a new rule to ban snap shackles in competition altogether.


How to use a lanyard correctly

It’s important to introduce lanyards early in a freediver’s journey. The sooner a diver gets used to wearing one, the better. But it’s not enough to simply clip in and go. All divers should be properly trained in how to wear the lanyard correctly and, crucially, how to operate the quick-release mechanism calmly and confidently./.0

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Why? Because in the rare event a lanyard gets caught on something underwater, panic can be dangerous. Knowing how to release yourself quickly — without hesitation — is a basic but essential skill that every diver should practice.


What do the standards say?

According to the AIDA 2 Manual (2021), a lanyard should be used if:

  • You’re diving deeper than 20 meters

  • Visibility is less than 10 meters, or

  • You’re diving out of sight of your buddy

These are solid minimum safety standards, but here in Dahab, the local freediving community has largely agreed on something even simpler: lanyards should be worn on every single line dive — regardless of depth or conditions. It’s a clear, easy-to-follow rule that I believe could be adopted globally with minimal friction.

The reasoning is simple: the risks don’t only appear past 20 meters. Unexpected issues can happen even at shallow depths. So, while AIDA rules set the baseline, our shared understanding here is to go beyond that — and treat the lanyard as a non-negotiable part of our safety routine.


Wrist, Waist, or Ankle? Why it matters?

In freediving, the choice of lanyard attachment point often comes down to comfort or habit. Some prefer the wrist, others the ankle, and some disciplines like CNF (Constant Weight No Fins) even use specialized waist lanyards, designed similarly to wrist models but worn at the belt line.

But comfort isn’t the only factor. Safety and ease of retrieval matter just as much — especially in emergency situations.


Simulated retrieval trials:

To explore this further, I ran a series of diver retrieval simulations, testing different lanyard attachment points. We tested 8 different scenarios:

  1. Wrist Lanyard: With Fins

  2. Ankle Lanyard: With Fins

  3. Ankle Lanyard: Without Fins

  4. Wrist Lanyard: Without Fins

  5. Waist Lanyard: Tight fitting on waist, Without Fins

  6. Waist Lanyard: Looser fitting on waist, Without Fins

  7. Waist Lanyard: Looser fitting on waist, With Fins

  8. Wrist Lanyard Attached to the Weight belt, With Fins.


I selected these configurations based on the common practices I’ve observed here in Lighthouse in Dahab, where divers regularly experiment with different setups depending on discipline and comfort.

All retrieval trials were conducted at a maximum depth of 18 meters. This depth was intentionally chosen to minimize the risk of squeeze-related injuries for the “victim” diver being pulled up, while still allowing for realistic testing conditions.

  • After every simulated retrieval, the surface safety diver (pulling the rope) gave feedback on how easy or difficult the process was.

  • Every dive was filmed, and I combined surface safety feedback with observations from the “victim” diver about comfort, entanglement risk, and perceived safety.

  • A second safety diver was present throughout all trials to ensure full safety.

By using both firsthand feedback and video analysis, I was able to assess how each lanyard configuration affected the efficiency of retrieval and the experience of the diver being retrieved.


Key findings from the simulations


The Video below shows the simulations starting from the worst way to wear the lanyard up to the best:


Scenario 1
Scenario 1

The best and safest way to wear the lanyard is on the wrist. In scenario 1 the diver comes up in a very streamlined position which makes it much easier for the rescuer. Additionally the airway is protected.



Based on the test results, the least effective and least safe way to wear a lanyard was when it

was attached to the weight belt (Scenario 8).

In this configuration, the diver entered a “parachute position” during retrieval — being dragged pelvis-first with the head tilted back. This posture significantly reduced the efficiency of the rescue, making it harder for the surface safety diver to pull the diver up smoothly.

Scenario 8
Scenario 8

The issue was compounded by the flexibility of the weight belt, which caused it to bounce and shift with each pull, creating further drag and instability. Plus, since weight belts are designed with quick-release systems, there’s an added risk of the diver losing the belt and their connection to the line during an emergency. This is one of the worst outcome, to lose the diver we are trying to retrieve.

Another issue with these “parachute” like positions was the open airway. The airway is not protected in these situations so there is a much greater chance of water entering the lungs.


Another problematic scenario involved overly tight waist lanyards. Some Waist Lanyards

Scenario 5
Scenario 5

(for example: FreeXperience) are designed to slide upward toward the diver’s center of mass during a retrieval. When secured too tightly around the hips, this movement is restricted, resulting in the same inefficient parachute position and an extended airway — increasing the risk during rescue.

At the moment, more testing is needed on waist lanyards to determine how they can be optimized for both diver safety and retrieval efficiency. As when we did retrieval scenario 6 &7 with a slightly looser attachment (but not too loose as to slip over the hips) we found the rescue was actually quite efficient.



In parallel, AIDA is currently considering a ban on waist

Scenario 6
Scenario 6

lanyards in competition, in favour of chest-mounted lanyards — although to date, there are no widely available chest lanyards on the market. This highlights just how much work still needs to be done in both design and regulation to meet the evolving safety needs of our sport.



You can see the Full Results of these test scenarios at the end of this post.


 


Best practices and common mistakes

Throughout the course of this research, several best practices have emerged around lanyard safety and correct usage:

  • Inspect your lanyard before every dive for signs of rust, deformities or weakened components.

  • Secure your lanyard — on every dive, for both you and your buddy. No exceptions.

  • Correct wrist placement: Wear the lanyard on the narrowest part of your wrist, fitted snugly — tight enough to stay put, but not so tight it restricts movement or circulation.

  • Ensure the Velcro is fully closed and properly overlapped for a secure fit.

  • Avoid wearing your lanyard and dive computer on the same wrist. If the computer gets dislodged during the dive, it may loosen the lanyard and compromise its hold. Also good practice as this is the AIDA competition rules, so its good to get used to if you are going to compete.

  • Avoid ankle placement: Based on retrieval testing, lanyards worn on the ankle — especially with fins — are highly inefficient and difficult to retrieve.

  • For fin disciplines, wrist attachment is the safest and most efficient configuration.

  • Brands and influencers must also take responsibility for the images and advice they share.

  • Avoid lanyard with snap shackle. Often marketed as a quick-release option, experience has shown that snap shackles are prone to accidental failure, and their use is currently under review by AIDA.

  • Store your lanyard right. Keep it straight. Avoid tightly wrapping to avoid breakages in the cable.

  • Free Immersion technique — avoid pulling up the bottom weight: Doing so can cause the line to form an S-shape above your lanyard, which in some cases leads the line to pass through the carabiner twice, effectively detaching your lanyard from the rope — a serious safety risk.

  • Train for emergency scenarios such as entanglement, lanyard failure, or needing to operate a quick release under stress.

  • Know when to retire your lanyard: With regular weekly use, a lanyard may need to be replaced every two years or even sooner. Friction, salt, and sun degrade materials over time.

It’s not just the lanyard: Think bigger

Even the best lanyard is only as effective as the equipment around it — and the team using it. This research reinforced the idea that high-quality lanyards must be part of a broader system of safe diving practices, including proper buoy setup, clear safety protocols, and well-trained buddy teams. We also need to be aware of our surroundings. We have to balance our relaxation while maintaining some alertness so that we can keep ourselves safe.

An example of when a lanyard failed and the diver didn’t notice:

In 2011, during the World Championships in Kalamata, Michal Risian began his dive — unaware that his lanyard had detached at the start of the descent. What followed was the kind of scenario every freediver dreads. The video footage is both chilling and unforgettable. Michal was incredibly lucky that day, and it's a powerful reminder of just how crucial lanyard checks and safety protocols really are. If you haven’t seen the video yet, it’s absolutely worth watching — not for shock value, but for the lessons it holds for all of us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_OoyM4MwAA

 

What’s next for lanyards?

Looking ahead, we can hope for standardized manufacturing processes and testing protocols, much like those used in high-risk sports such as rock climbing. These changes could make freediving fundamentally safer for everyone.

AIDA is currently evaluating the future of lanyard use in competitions, with proposed changes including:

  • A potential ban on snap shackles

  • A potential ban on waist-mounted lanyards

  • The introduction of chest lanyards (though none of the big brands have produced any as yet)

Based on the findings of this report, I would also recommend that freedivers reconsider the use of ankle lanyards in all settings, due to their poor retrieval efficiency, the risk of flooding the airways and possible head injuries around the bottom weight. That said, not all waist lanyards performed poorly. In

, a properly fitted waist lanyard allowed for a retrieval nearly as smooth as the wrist version. This suggests that more comprehensive research is needed before implementing a blanket ban on waist lanyards. There may still be safe, discipline-specific ways to wear them — particularly in CNF.


Raising the standard — Together

In the meantime, we as freedivers have the power to raise the safety standard ourselves. As instructors, we can model best practices and help students form solid safety habits early on. Through consistent example and open conversations, we can create a ripple effect of lanyard safety throughout the global freediving community.

Let’s keep pushing for progress — together.


Thank you

Thank you for your attention. I hope that you have enjoyed this post and I would love to hear your comments and what you think.  I would like to thank a number of people who helped me on this journey:


•       JACK BLOM

•       DAHAB FREEDIVERS

•       TITO ZAPPALA

•       DAVID WATSON

•       KIMMO LAHTINEN

•       FACUNDO YÁÑEZ

•       JOSEPH J SCHWIETERS

•       ALINE HOBI

•       KATE LAPAEVA

•       FREEXPERIENCE

•       BRIAN CROSSLAND

•       CATHERINE CROSSLAND

•       SAVVAS SAVVA

•       KHALED ELGAMMAL

•       PAVEL TOMM

•       TEREZA MENZLOVA

•       DENYS RYLOV

•       CARLOS DIEZEL


 

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed and let me know what you think in the comments.

What have you found during different scenarios? What else could we do better? What have I missed?

Let me know! I would love for this to be a open discussion, where we can all learn together.

Samy


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Sources and extra reading :


 

Results from the Retrieval Scenarios:

Scenario 1 – CWTB, Wrist Lanyard

Ascent Time: 20 seconds

Diver Position: Streamlined, head up and Airway Closed

Difficulty: Very Easy – 1

Suggested Lanyard Attachment: This method is preferred.

 

Safety Diver Comments: Very Easy and Smooth.

Position of Diver when the lanyard was caught by stopper: Head Up.

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Scenario 2 – FIM (With Fins), Ankle Lanyard

Ascent Time: 31 seconds

Diver Position: Diver upside down, Airway Extended, head very close to bottom weight

Difficulty: Hard - 4

Suggested Lanyard Attachment: Wrist Lanyard.

 

Safety Diver Comments: Significantly harder than the first. He felt like he was spending more Energy and going noticeably slower. An additional observation was that when the lanyard was worn on the ankle a 2meter gap between the stopper and the bottom weight is not enough to exclude the risk of the diver hitting their head on the bottom weight. The “victim” stated they felt a lot of Drag in this dive.

Position of Diver when the lanyard was caught by stopper: Head Down.

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Scenario 3 – FIM, Ankle Lanyard

Ascent Time: 30 seconds

Diver Position: Diver upside down, Airway Extended, head very close to bottom weight

Difficulty: Hard - 3

Suggested Lanyard Attachment: Wrist Lanyard.

 

Safety Diver Comments: Harder than the first but easier than when the diver had fins on. Again the head is very near the bottom weight.

Position of Diver when the lanyard was caught by stopper: Head Down.Notes:

If ankle attachment is allowed, a minimum of 4 metres should be maintained between the bottom weight and the stopper. This recommendation is based on the 1.2 m maximum lanyard length permitted in competitions, combined with average body height and allowance for bouncing of the bottom weight due to waves and the pulling up the rope.

 

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Scenario 4 – FIM, Wrist Lanyard

Ascent Time: 25 seconds

Diver Position: Streamlined, head up and Airway Closed

Difficulty: Very Easy - 1

Suggested Lanyard Attachment: Correct Method.

 

Safety Diver Comments: Noticeably easier than when the lanyard is on the Ankle.

Position of Diver when the lanyard was caught by stopper: Head Down switched to head up as pulled up by stopper. Took Slightly longer to rotate the body.

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Scenario 5 – CNF/FIM, Waist Lanyard on Tight fitting on waist

Ascent Time: 29 seconds

Diver Position: Arched Back, head back and Airway Extended

Difficulty: Hard – 4

Suggested Lanyard Attachment: Wrist Lanyard or Slightly looser Waist Lanyard.

 

Safety Diver Comments: Safety diver stated this was the hardest retrieval so far and he had to pull very hard to retrieve the diver.

Position of Diver when the lanyard was caught by stopper: Head up then slowly changed to the arched back parachute pose.

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Scenario 6 – CNF/FIM, Waist Lanyard on Slightly Looser on waist

Ascent Time: 25 seconds

Diver Position: More streamlined as the lanyard slipped further up the body. Arched Back, head up and Airway Closed

Difficulty: Easy – 2

Suggested Lanyard Attachment: Correct Method.

 

Safety Diver Comments: Safety diver stated this was must easier than the last rescue

Position of Diver when the lanyard was caught by stopper: Head up, lanyard slipped up from the waist to the ribs to hold a more streamlined position.

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Scenario 7 – CWTB, Waist Lanyard on Slightly Looser on waist

Ascent Time: 27 seconds

Diver Position: At the bottom diver was upside down creating large resistance with the fins. However, once Diver was rotated to head up the rescue was easy but it took a moment to rotate. I think this scenario could use more testing.

Initially: head up and Airway Extended then switched to Streamlined, head up and Airway Closed

Difficulty: Hard beginning then Easy – 3

Suggested Lanyard Attachment: CWTB – Wrist Lanyard.

 

Safety Diver Comments: Safety diver stated this was much harder when the diver was at the bottom and upside down.

Position of Diver when the lanyard was caught by stopper: Head down until rotated to head up then lanyard slipped up from the waist to the ribs to hold a more streamlined position.

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Scenario 8 – CWTB, Wrist Lanyard attached to the weight belt

Ascent Time: 32 seconds

Diver Position: Arched Back, head back and Airway Extended

Difficulty: Very hard - 5

Suggested Lanyard Attachment: Wrist Lanyard

 

Safety Diver Comments: Safety diver stated this was the hardest one of the tests.

Position of Diver when the lanyard was caught by stopper: Head up. You can see the belt springing with each pull so the safety diver is having to fight against the flexibility of the belt as well as pulling the diver up in a parachute position.

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1 Comment

Barry Coleman
Aug 13

Great review

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