AIDA 1* level/ Intro
Introduction to freediving, during which we experience the feeling of being underwater while holding our breath.
During the course, we learn, among other things, basic breathing and relaxation techniques, including activation of the diaphragm and correct diaphragmatic breathing, the basics of freediving theory with elements of physiology for breath-hold diving, the immersion technique, pressure equalization, safety rules, rescue techniques, types of disciplines in freediving and other topics related to breath-hold diving at the level of this course. You will also familiarize yourself with the equipment used by freedivers in the pool and in open water.
There is no need to have experience in freediving to participate in this course. The introductory course is for people who would like to try freediving, but for example are not yet sure whether to decide on the full basic AIDA 2* course. The AIDA 1*/intro course includes elements of the basic AIDA2* freediving course and also allows you to get an idea of what such a full freediving course looks like. The AIDA 1*/intro course lasts 1-2 days and includes theoretical and practical classes in the pool/open water.
The price of the course is 180 EURO/person (includes training materials in electronic form, insurance, pool tickets, fees for the international certificate).
If we have some free time after the course, we practice recreational dives together and get to know the underwater diving attractions and the world of underwater nature at our diving site.
AIDA 2* level
Basic freediving course for people who feel comfortable in the water and have already tried snorkeling, freediving or scuba diving. During the course, we learn, among other things, breathing and relaxation techniques, including learning about proper diaphragmatic breathing and the ability to take a full breath into our lungs, and exercises that stretch our body appropriately. During theory lectures, we will learn about the elements of physiology, physics, knowledge related to depth, pressure and pressure equalization that are important for breath-hold diving. We will learn about freediving equipment used in the pool and in open water, we will improve the technique of swimming underwater both horizontally in the pool and vertically in open water, we will learn the technique of immersion and starting a dive, orientation, correct body position, turn and how to move underwater as effectively as possible. Both in the pool and in open water, we train rescue, safety procedures, we learn the disciplines in freediving in the pool and in open water, and a number of other topics and skills related to breath-hold diving at the level of this course. Goal of the course is to achieve static apnea of 2 minutes, dynamic apnea of 40 meters and freedive in open water to a depth of 12 m - 20 m.
The AIDA 2* course lasts 3-5 days and includes theoretical and practical classes: 5 sessions in the water (2 pool sessions and 3 open water sessions) and ends with an exam in theory.
The price of the course is 350 EURO/person (includes training materials in electronic form, insurance, pool tickets, fees for the international certificate).
If we have some free time after the course, we practice recreational dives together and get to know the underwater diving attractions and the world of underwater nature at our diving site.
AIDA 3* level
Advanced freediving course for people who have completed the AIDA 2* course or equivalent in another freediving organisation. This course significantly expands the theoretical knowledge and skills acquired on the AIDA 2* course. We learn more about our body's adaptive mechanisms in response to holding our breath and immersion in water, we learn and improve more advanced pressure equalisation techniques (Frenzel technique), weighting and buoyancy control, we learn and practice freefall during our dives. We also learn more advanced training methods, including how to create our own CO2 training tables aimed at increasing our tolerance to higher CO2 levels in our body and extending our time spent comfortably underwater on a single breath. During theory lectures, we discuss more advanced physiology of the respiratory system, elements of anatomy, including topics related to, among others, with lung, ear and sinus injuries and how to dive safely to avoid them during our freediving. We also continue to refine the ability to hold your breath in the pool and the technique of swimming underwater in the pool and in open water.
In addition, we work through advanced safety and security procedures, various rescue scenarios at depth and on the surface and other topics and skills related to breath-hold diving at the level of this course.
Goal of the course is to achieve static apnea of 2 minutes 45 seconds, dynamic apnea of 55 meters and costant weight freedive in open water to a depth of 24 m - 30 m.
The AIDA3* course lasts 4-6 days and includes theoretical and practical classes for 6 sessions in the water (2 pool sessions and 4 open water sessions) and ends with a theory exam.
The course fee is 400 EURO/person (includes training materials in electronic form, pool tickets, fees for the international certificate).
The requirements for participation in AIDA courses:
- 18 years of age (or 16 years of age with the consent of parents or legal guardians),
- completed AIDA medical questionnaire,
- payment of 30% of the course price within 2 days after agreeing on the start date of the course (in the event of illness or indisposition of the instructor or student, a different course date will be set respectively).
All materials for students for the courses are in English or in German or in Polish. The courses are conducted at a high level of knowledge and skills with a limit of 2 people per course to ensure maximum time and attention for each student.
In general, the theoretical and pool parts can be carried out all year round, also in winter (in Poland we operate at the swimming pool in Mościce in Tarnów). Freediving courses in Poland are done in open waters from June to September (our location is Zalew Radłowski for AIDA 1 and AiDA 2, and Zakrzówek in Kraków for AIDA 3).
At our location in Croatia on island Drvenik Veli all AIDA courses are done in the bay of the island of Drvenik Veli or from our boat RIB in the spots nearby island Drvenik Veli.
It is advisable to have your own wetsuit (wetsuit) for open waters and ABC (mask, snorkel, fins) - but if you do not have your own equipment or only part of it, we will determine what is missing and it is possible to rent equipment for the course for an additional fee.