Freediving vs Scuba Diving: What Works, What Doesn’t (Cold Water)

In the Pacific Northwest, many divers practice both freediving and scuba diving. Whether you’re exploring local shore dives, training year-round, or getting into spearfishing, a common question comes up again and again:

“Can I use my freediving gear for scuba diving?” OR “What equipment actually works for both?”

In cold-water environments like Vancouver and the broader PNW, the answer matters more than it does in warm water. Some gear overlaps well, some only works with compromises, and some should never be mixed.

This guide breaks down freediving vs scuba diving gear, focusing specifically on what works, what doesn’t, and what makes sense for cold-water diving.

Freediving vs Scuba Diving: Why Gear Is So Different

At their core, freediving and scuba diving are built around very different priorities.

• Freediving emphasizes breath-hold efficiency, streamlining, and minimal equipment

• Scuba diving prioritizes life support, redundancy, buoyancy control, and long bottom times

Because the goals are different, most equipment is purpose-built, even when it looks similar.

In cold water, those differences become even more important.

Gear That Works for Both Freediving and Scuba Diving (Even in Cold Water)

Some items transfer well between disciplines, even in PNW conditions.

1. Masks (With Fit Considerations)

What works well:

• Low-volume masks
• Frameless or compact designs
• Excellent seal and fit

Freediving masks are popular among cold-water scuba divers because:

• They equalize easily
• They reduce jaw fatigue
• They work well in low visibility

What to watch for:

• Extremely low-volume masks can feel uncomfortable on long scuba dives
• Comfort matters more on 45–60 minute dives than on short breath-holds

✅ Most freediving masks work very well for cold-water scuba, as long as fit and comfort are right.

2. Cutting Tools & Safety Accessories

Items that transfer perfectly:

• Line cutters
• Small knives
• Whistles and surface signaling devices

These accessories are discipline-agnostic and highly recommended for both freediving and scuba in the PNW.

✅ Excellent crossover gear.

Gear That Does NOT Work Between Freediving and Scuba Diving

This is where most problems—and unnecessary purchases—happen.

1. Fins (The #1 Cold-Water Mistake)

Freediving fins:

• Long blades
• Optimized for slow, powerful kicks
• Designed for vertical movement

Scuba fins:

• Shorter and stiffer
• Designed for maneuvering, frog kicks, and precision
• Better for drysuits and heavy exposure protection

Checkout our Youtube video about the Types of Scuba diving fins!

In cold water, using freediving fins for scuba:

• Increases leg fatigue
• Reduces control in current and surge
• Makes buoyancy and trim harder
• Is impractical with drysuits and thick boots

❌ Freediving fins are not suitable for cold-water scuba diving.

2. Weighting Systems

Freediving weighting:

• Designed to keep you positive at the surface
• Optimized for a specific depth

Scuba weighting:

• Balances tanks, BCDs, drysuits, and exposure changes
• Must remain neutral throughout the dive

Mixing freediving weight systems with scuba is unsafe.

❌ Never use freediving weight setups for scuba diving.

3. Buoyancy Systems

Freedivers do not use:

• BCDs
• Wings
• Redundant buoyancy

Scuba divers must control buoyancy at all times, especially in cold water where exposure suits change buoyancy significantly.

❌ No crossover. Scuba requires dedicated buoyancy equipment.

Gear That Kind of Works (With Compromises)

1. Wetsuits

Freediving wetsuits:

• Open-cell interiors
• Designed for warmth and flexibility
• Compress significantly at depth

In cold-water scuba:

• Open-cell suits are fragile
• Buoyancy changes dramatically with depth
• Repetitive dives become uncomfortable

Some freediving wetsuits work for:

• Warm-water scuba
• Very short dives

But they are not ideal for PNW scuba diving.

⚠️ Works in limited cases, not recommended for cold-water scuba.

2. Snorkels

Freediving snorkels:

• J shaped - simple, flexible, no purge valves

These are fine for:

• Surface swimming
• Shore entries

But they are removed underwater during scuba dives.

⚠️ You don't need one when scuba diving. 

Cold-Water Reality: Why Dedicated Gear Matters in the PNW

Cold water changes everything:

• Thicker exposure protection 
• Increased task loading
• Reduced dexterity
• Smaller safety margins

Gear that feels “close enough” in warm water can become frustrating—or unsafe—in cold water.

That’s why many PNW divers eventually choose:

• Dedicated scuba fins
• Proper cold-water regulators
• Drysuits or cold-water wetsuits - we have a youtube video about drysuits! 
• Separate freediving and scuba setups

Training Matters More Than Gear

One of the biggest advantages of training in the PNW is learning:

• Proper weighting for different disciplines
• How exposure protection affects buoyancy
• When crossover gear makes sense—and when it doesn’t

Divers who train locally make far fewer gear mistakes and get more value out of their equipment.

Final Thoughts: Freediving vs Scuba in Cold Water

Some gear overlaps well between freediving and scuba diving—but cold water magnifies the differences.

If you dive in the Pacific Northwest:

• Masks and accessories often transfer well
• Fins, weighting, and buoyancy systems do not
• Exposure protection should be discipline-specific

Understanding what works—and what doesn’t—helps you:

• Spend money more wisely
• Dive more comfortably
• Stay safer in cold-water conditions

If you’re unsure whether a piece of gear will work for both freediving and scuba, getting professional advice or an in-store fitting can save you time, money, and frustration.