FREEDIVING
Freediving uses advanced breathing techniques and diving skills to
increase depth and time underwater. Through training, freedivers learn conserve oxygen while breathholding while practicing different freediving disciplines, such as static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion and constant weight freedives.
The PADI Freediver course contains three phases – knowledge development, a confined water sessions and open water sessions.
The PADI Freediver course is comprised of three distinct educational activities.
Those activities include:
Knowledge Development
During knowledge development you learn about how your body reacts to breathholding and how water pressure affects you as you dive down.
You also learn about freediving equipment, important safety rules and buddy procedures.
Confined Water Dives
In confined water, such as a swimming pool, you learn breathing techniques, then practice breathholds while floating (static apnea) and while swimming (dynamic apnea).
You also practice basic rescue techniques and learn your role as a buddy.
Open Water Dives
During at least two open water sessions, you practice diving down while breathholding, either by pulling yourself along a line (free immersion) or duck diving head first while following a line (constant weight).
You learn to gradually increase your depths by relaxing and enjoying each dive. Rescue practice is another key part of the open water sessions.
How long does it take to get certified?
The PADI Freediver course is flexible and performance based, there will be at least three water sessions that will likely be scheduled on separate days. So, your training may take 2-3 days or longer. The recommended course duration is 15 hours.
Knowledge development is handled through independent study with the PADI Freediver eLearning – TouchTM – an interactive tablet app that also works on an online browser.
You pace yourself as you work through each topic, then complete an overall Knowledge Review, then an Exam.
During confined and open water sessions, your PADI Freediver Instructor will focus on helping you become a confident and comfortable freediver, not on how long it takes.
You earn your certification based on demonstrating you know what you need to know and can do what you need to do. This means that you progress at your own pace – faster or slower depending upon the time you need – to become a competent freediver.
PADI Freediver Certification Levels:
PADI Freediver
Course
Develops the knowledge and skills for basic static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion and constant weight freedives to depths between 10-16 metres/30-55 feet.
PADI Advanced Freediver Course
Expands knowledge and skills, and with further development in static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion and constant weight freedives to depths between 20-24 metres/65-80 feet.
PADI Master Freediver Course
Continues knowledge and skill development with further development in static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion and constant weight freedives to depths between 32-40 metres/105-130 feet.
(When completing open water training is not feasible or desirable, students complete just the knowledge and confined water skill portion of the PADI Freediver course to earn the PADI Basic Freediver rating.)
Course Requirements:
- At least 12 years old for the PADI Basic Freediver certification.
- At least 15 years old for the PADI Freediver course.
- Medical Statement/History Form
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Demonstrate basic water skills.
(200-metre/yard swim or 300-metre/yard swim using a mask, fins and snorkel without stopping.)
For upcoming course dates, click the button below or contact Lancaster Scuba Center at (717) 397-2822 or Info@lancasterscuba.com