Freediver

Learn to freedive down to a maximum depth of 20m/66 feet!

This program teaches fundamental freediving techniques for comfortable enjoyment in the aquatic world to depths of 20m/66ft. You will also practice Static Apnea to help develop your breath-holding abilities and in-water comfort.

Your PFI Freediver course will cover fundamental topics such as:

• Essential safety procedures for breath-holding at Freediver Level
• Proper breathing techniques for freediving and snorkeling
• Confined water skill development
• Open water skill development
• Equalization for depth diving
• Equipment for freediving and snorkeling
• The fundamental physics and physiology of freediving

Is this course for you?

• You’re interested in learning the fundamental techniques of freediving
• You’re new to freediving
• You typically dive in the shallows
• You want to hold your breath longer
• You want to dive deeper

Format/Duration

The PFI Freediver course includes, at a minimum:

• Classroom sessions online via Zoom
• Confined Water sessions at the Plunge, in Mission Beach
• Open Water sessions at La Jolla Shores Beach

Each day water day will include mindful yoga and pranayama (breathwork) to prepare the mind and body for freediving. Scroll to the end for a more detailed breakdown of each day.

Skills

Some of the skills a student will be able to perform at the end of the PFI Freediver course are:

  • Safety skills as a buddy

  • Perform a 1:30 static breathhold in the pool with opportunity to increase to maximum capacity

  • Dive with proper technique to 10 meters constant weight and free immersion with proper recovery breathing

Prerequisites

  • Swimming or snorkeling experience

  • Good health and fitness

  • 10 years of age with guardian permission

Course Components

Classroom

  • Complete the manual or eLearning Program.

  • Attend all classroom teaching sessions

  • Stretching and equalizing workshops

  • CO2 and O2 workshops

Watermanship and Stamina

  • Swim test

  • Survival float

  • Snorkel

Confined Water

  • Minimum of four consecutive static breath-holds without any hypoxic symptoms minimum 1:30

  • Recovery breathing and coaching

  • Three dynamic performances

  • Complete a minimum 25m dynamic apnea

  • Manage LMC, blackout on surface and underwater

Open Water

  • Recovery breathing and coaching

  • Six target constant ballast dives reaching minimum 10m/33 feet

  • Four free immersion dives to a minimum depth of 10m/33 feet

  • Emergency rescue and problem management (rescue scenarios)

  • Managing an LMC and blackout on surface and underwater blackout

  • Full mask flood and ascent from depth

Equipment Used:

  • Mask, snorkel, fins

  • Appropriate exposure protection (wetsuit)

  • Weights and weight belt

  • Timing device or freedive computer

Schedule: 8-1PM for 3 days.

  • Day 1: Online Classroom via zoom

  • Day 2: Confined water: The Plunge in Mission Beach

    • Relaxation training and practice

    • Safety

    • Equalization Training for the Ears (Advanced Frenzel Technique)

    • Static breath holds up to 4:00

    • Technique

  • Day 3: Open Water: La Jolla Shores Beach

    • Dry warm up yoga and pranayama (stretching and breathing exercises)

    • Depth diving up to 20m/66ft

    • Safety for depth

    • Applied Technique

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