In 2017, there were 162 deaths from recreational scuba diving, with 70 occurring in North America. Even though freediving deaths were likely underreported, they nevertheless accounted for approximately a third of all recreational diving fatalities. The most common cause of death was panic due to the realization that oxygen supply is running out. Compared with recreational scuba diving, freediving is significantly more dangerous. The main reason for this increased risk is the lack of visual contact with the bottom or other divers during free dives. If you run out of air while underwater, you will need to reach the surface as soon as possible to resume breathing. This can be difficult if you are unable to see what's below you. There have been reports of people who died while freediving despite having a full tank of air, which leads us to believe that some deaths may have been accidental. However, most experts agree that most freediving deaths are due to ignorance of the sport's risks rather than an inherent danger of the activity itself. The major concern when freediving is depleted-air-related accidents. During a normal scuba dive, if you run out of air before reaching the surface you will automatically get a warning by the sensation of shortness of breath and darkness coming over your eyes. This allows you time to react and ensure a safe exit from the water.