Question Advice on a Course for a Beginner w/Strong Apnea Skills

[TimEllis]

Hello. I am traveling to the Philippines next month and want to start training in freediving. I have never taken a course in freediving. But I have done free diving quite a bit, probably to depths of around 20 ft, while snorkeling in the past.

I noticed that many of the freediving courses on offer emphasize skills that I have already mastered, like a two-minute static breath hold and swimming horizontally underwater for 50m. I have been doing CO2 tables and also apnea swims, and I've already done a 3-minute breath hold and could probably do a bit more. I can swim horizontally on the bottom of a 13fth-deep pool for about 100 seconds. I feel like it would be a waste to take a beginner's course where others are just learning these skills, but on the other hand I need to gain basic freediving knowledge (about safety, etc.) and improve my technique under the supervision of experienced divers.

What should I do? Is there a course that caters to folks like me, rather than those just starting out with breath holding and the like?

Many thanks,
Tim

 

[dcvf]

Hi ' TimEllis​

Please look at my #4 there

Hi, Freedivers of DeeperBlue

Hi, I am a 22 year old guy who is really interested to start freediving. I was just wondering if there are sites, books, movies or any other form of information is should read/view to get a good start? (I just ordered the book "Manual of Freediving: Underwater on a Single Breath" by Umberto...

forums.deeperblue.com

don’t forget to choose English subtitles

 

[annc]

I need to gain basic freediving knowledge (about safety, etc.) and improve my technique under the supervision of experienced divers.

I think you've summed up why you need a level one course, you'll be surprised how experienced some of the people in your class are and of course aside from safety and technique there is a lot of science and physiology. .

I don't think any reputable training school would sign off on a level two if you couldn't show proof of a level one course. However, I have seen liveaboard trips where you can knock out Wave 1&2 on the same trip provided you can pass. Check the area in the Philippines you are going to and see what's available. Good luck!