Freediving organisation equivelence?

[DivingDane]

Hi Guys

as we are aware there are multiple freediving "schools" in the world with some working in with others etc.

what i would like clarified is waht are the recognised equivelent levels between schools.

AIDA FDI APnea Acadamy
1* Snorkeller ?
2** Level A ?
3*** Level B ?
4**** Level C ?
Instructor Instructor Instructor
Master instructor Master Instructor ?

for starters is this accurate that FDI Level C and AIDA 4**** are equivelent and recognised by each other?

DD

 

[DivingDane]

hmmm no interest/comments/answers? interesting......

 

[trux]

I doubt there is any official equivalence. The only official equivalence agreement I am aware of is between AIDA France and FFESSM. They recognize not only each other's freediver and instructor levels, but also judge qualifications.

Otherwise, my personal opinion on freediver levels is that it is useless except of generating some money for the instructors and the federations (which is not bad in principle). I have never earned any star, and have no official level neither from AIDA nor from FFESSM, but frankly told I never needed it, and it did not stop me from participating in any competitions, including the WC.

Well, when you plan doing a carrier as a freediving instructor or judge, then it can make some sense, but in that case, you either need to choose your camp (AIDA, AA, PFI, FII, CMAS, ...) and then taking their courses to get the requested levels, or making them all. As I told, the levels were made especially to generate some money, so none of those associations or companies have any big interest in letting you bypass the individual steps.

 

[fcallagy]

Well aa afaik you can head straight for the instructor course as long as you can perform to their requirements in certain disciplines but if they don't think your up to scratch at the end of the week they won't pass you where as AIDA you need to do each level before you move to the next. I know from reading some of the past posts on the AA site that several candidates did not get the qualifacation which proves at least that they maintain a standard.

 

[DivingDane]

hmmm interesting, was just interested because FDI is much easier to go through to instructor in Australia than AIDA (we have no instructor trainers or even instructors that can teach 4****).

i had heard that FDI level C maybe equivelent and recognised by AIDA as 4****.

i dont see anything wrong with companies giving divers a structured class to learn more advanced technique, its no differrent to going to school to learn. sure it would be cheaper to not do further education and work it out for yourself,but the schooling system definetly accelerates the learning curve and more often than not will result in a great er understanding of what is happening.

for example a diver will know how to do frenzel but more likely than not will not understand what is happening while doing the EQ, where as someone that has been learned what frenzel is and can do it has amuch better understanding which i found definetly helped me when looking for deeper depths, the knowledge of others is a valuable item and i think it is fair to charge for that information.

DD

 

[trux]

I think I would be more concerned about what the respective course can teach me new, than whether it is equivalent to three or four stars at AIDA. The stars won't make a better freediver from you. If you see a course or an instructor who offers something you may need, just go for it, and do not bother whether you get a star or two for it or not.

 

[timm]

Hey DD,

Aida have a cross over / equivalant wth FDI, well from the last documents I have seen.

FDI would be the way to go in Oz, then you can cross over when / if you want to do an AIDA course elsewhere

A = 3* AIDA
B = 4* AIDA
C = AIDA instructor

Thanks for the beuchat / Mtechnic comments, didnt get a chance to speak to Erez, but its really tight and its going to be easier to get some new Omers and fit mtechs to them, and use the beu's for Spearing.

Hope all is good mate

Tim

 

[DivingDane]

thanks for the info but level Cis EQ in spec to 4**** not instructor (i've doing the c LEVEL course)

Trux not worried about what "stars" i get your right it makes bugger all difference what level you are if you good your good, and also agree that if an instructor has something that is of interest just do the course. i'm all for that.

unfortunately in Australia we are VERY limited for choice, with only 2 AIDA judges and neither of them are allowed/willing to teach past 3*** and then we have FDI with EREz which can teach through to instructor. the main reason i asked was that if level C FDI is EQ to 4**** then i can transfur across and do the AIDA instructor course when i am in EGYPT rather than having to do both 4**** and instructor course (ona limited time fram while i am there thats all)

i dont give a hoot whether i have (3***, 4****, Level C, instructor or GOD) after my name but this is the only way to get instructor certification is to pay the dues to the respective organisations which teach and support the sport.

thanks Tim your right it is going to be easier in australia to do FDI and thats what i'm doing wish we had moe choice here though, but thats just the way it goes.

thanks for the comments guys.

DD

 

[fcallagy]

dd in a simialr situation with no instructors in ireland. have 3star from aida but really wanted to do an instructor course next so am hoping to do the aa course next may instead of 4 star and then instructor course with aida. While I was wavering on which agency to run with aida being slightly better recognised the mess its in at present would keep me towards aa at present too.