AIDA 1+2

About this course

The most popular way to get into freediving.

Over two days, you will learn in theory, confined water, and open water at a pace that feels comfortable. The AIDA 2 depth requirement is 12m. Training may continue to a maximum of 20m when appropriate, but reaching 20m is not required.

Freediving means diving on a single breath, without tanks. Day one is mostly theory and confined water — a pool or sheltered, calm-water site. Day two moves to open water, where you dive along a line with me beside you. Certification is awarded only after all applicable theory, confined-water, open-water, safety, rescue, and performance requirements are successfully completed.

Freediving is about relaxation and trust, so we move at your pace and take the time to make sure every concept clicks. Most students are surprised by how quickly things come together once they're comfortable in the water.

In the pool and confined-water sessions you will practise static and dynamic apnea alongside the core open-water skills: equalization (balancing the pressure in your ears as you descend), duck diving, vertical swimming, body positioning, turns, and buoyancy control. Theory covers the breathing cycle, basic physiology, equalization, technique, safety, equipment, and the freediving disciplines. You will build the core skills needed to freedive safely with a trained buddy.

Once you've earned your AIDA 2 certificate you can progress to the AIDA 3 Advanced course.

What's included in this course

• Knowledge development through practical theory lessons
• Pool session: static apnea
• Pool session: dynamic freediving
• Open-water training at your pace — 12m certification requirement and 20m / 65 ft maximum course depth
• Equalization techniques & rescue skills
• Breathing & freediving techniques

Types of freediving in this course

• Static apnea: holding your breath while floating face down and staying still, in a pool or other confined water. Your face stays submerged. We build the hold up gradually and always with supervision — it is never a competition and you are never asked to force it.
• Dynamic apnea: swimming a distance underwater, horizontally, on one breath, with or without fins. The focus is relaxed, efficient technique rather than distance.
• Constant weight: descending and ascending in open water under your own power, using fins (or none), carrying the same weight the whole dive and without pulling on the line. This is the standard recreational depth discipline.
• Free immersion: descending and ascending by pulling hand-over-hand along a vertical rope, without fins. It is slow and controlled, which makes it the easiest way to learn equalization and body positioning.

Before you book

• Price: $425 per person.
• Daily schedule: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM, both days.
• Class size: maximum 6 students.
• Equipment provided: fins, mask, snorkel and a weight belt.
• Wetsuit: not provided and highly recommended. You can rent one from any scuba shop in Waikiki — arrange it before the morning of your course, not on the day.
• If you do not finish every requirement: booking a course does not guarantee certification. If something is still outstanding at the end, I will tell you exactly what remains and what to practise, and you have one year to complete it. If certification is your goal we stay in touch and keep working on it.

What equipment you need

Fins, mask, snorkel, and a weight belt are provided. Wetsuits are highly recommended; if you don't have one, you can rent from any scuba shop in Waikiki. If you need to rent a wetsuit, arrange it before the morning of your course.

For each day of the course, I recommend having:

• Wetsuit
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Yoga mat or towel
• Change of clothes
• Notepad
• Slippers

Prerequisites

• Be 18 years of age or older (16 or 17 years old with parent or guardian consent)
• Can swim at least 200m non-stop without fins or at least 300m non-stop with mask, fins and snorkel
• Be able to speak and read English

Back to the one-day AIDA 1 beginner course · Next step: the AIDA 3 advanced course · Compare all Oahu freediving courses · How deep must you dive for AIDA 2? · Prerequisites and FAQ · How Mitch teaches and approaches safety · Need extra practice? Private training