What is a lanyard?

The lanyard connects the freediver to the descent/ascent line. It prevents the diver from getting "lost," for example, being carried away by a current. In the event of a deep blackout, the unconscious freediver can be recovered by pulling the dive line.

Competition rules regarding lanyards

The AIDA competition rules specify (simplified):

• A carabiner without screws or locking mechanisms, with an opening (minimum 16 mm) large enough to easily attach to the line. The maximum internal size of the carabiner must prevent it from sliding past the lanyard stopper on the “Candy Cane.”
• A non-elastic connection with a length between 30 cm (minimum) and 120 cm (stretched), made of a material designed not to form knots, such as a cord or a plastic-coated cord.
• A wrist or ankle strap that cannot be removed inadvertently, or a belt (other than the weight belt) that cannot be removed inadvertently if the lanyard is worn at the waist. The belt securing the lanyard must be positioned above the weight belt. If used, the belt cannot be made of stretchable material (e.g., rubber weight belt).
• The lanyard must have a quick-release mechanism. A Velcro strap is considered such. In the absence of Velcro, a quick-release snapper must be placed on the side that connects the lanyard to the athlete.

When to wear a lanyard during training?

The general rule is that a lanyard must be worn when:

• the freediver is no longer visible from the surface
• at depths greater than 20 m

Particularly the first rule means that when diving in local waters, a lanyard must always be worn. A lanyard is like a seatbelt in a car: once you're used to it, it feels uncomfortable to dive without one.