How deep to qualify a basic free diver?

[Boshen11]

How deep to qualify a basic free diver?
Dear all:

I was a snorkeling fan and practice free diving ,

there is no FD certificate or traning organization in Taiwan,

therefore, maybe someone can give me an idea,

how to qualify a Free Diver?

By the deepth he can descend? ( how deepth )

or by the time he can hold his breath underwater? ( how long )

just for personal reference.


usually I practice FD by myself at sea shore of Taiwan east north corner,

with great sunlight and little tide, I can see about 12 meter from surface,

that's not really good but best places I can find.

I knew that against the rule number one,

Never practice Free Diving alone,

therefore I never push self to limits when descend,

and keep holding breath time witin one minute and deepth about 30~ 50 feet.


But still I am interesting to know,

in an official Free Diving classes,

how deep student has to descend to get certificate?

Thank you very much, any opinons can be helpful !!!!



Peter

 

[samdive]

AIDA 2 Star has a depth requirement of 16m, a static requirement of 2 minutes and dynamic of 40m - but there are a lot of other things that you also need to learn and do to qualify including buddy skills, safety techniques, physiology, good training practices etc.

 

[Boshen11]

THankyou very much ~~

That's all I need to know, thanks ~~

 

[drunkinbda]

yeah most courses have minimum requirement to enter, but no real maximum on what oyu need to be a "qualified freediver". Many will tell you that to just be a "freediver" all you need is to hold your breath and go under.

For the most part, as sam said, these courses arent as much about depth/distance/time as they are about knowing safetly, knowing the body, knowing the science, and then knowing how to apply them to increase depth, etc

hehe and welcome do DB!

 

[azapa]

Sam, what are the AIDA *** and **** level requirements?

thanks

 

[fcallagy]

Simon 3 star is 24m cwt. 2.45 stat and 55m dyn
4 star is 32m cwt 3.30 stat and 70m dyn

AIDA International

 

[azapa]

thanks fergus. i feel ready, all i need is a course anywhere in the southern hemisphere! congrats again on your great show in the double dip comp.

 

[Mullins]

I guess courses can only qualify students on skills and knowledge rather than fitness, because there is no way to increase students' fitness over 3 days. The performance requirements are presumably calculated to be achievable by anybody who's picked up the skills regardless of their fitness, so end up being essentially meaningless for those who start from a reasonable base. After all, many beginners could romp past all those **** requirements right away on sheer talent and still be hopeless divers by any commonsense measure.

So to qualify a freediver you're probably better off ignoring depth/time/distance and basing your judgement on things like their understanding of freedive physiology, their understanding of accepted safety practices and on their technique in various areas (finning, streamlining, equalising, duck diving etc).


- I should have read the thread, looks like Drunkinbda said much the same thing.

 

[Boshen11]

Hi, Mullins:

Thank you very much for your post !!

Initially I just want to know some criterion for personal reference,
now I know to find more info in AIDA.

But I think your saying makes more sense,
what we know and realize about free diving also important,
maybe more important than what we do.

actually,
I am just a amateur free diver and never think about records,
all I want is enjoy the pleasure of FD,
within the physical limitation and safety environment allowed.

Since I was a heavy smoker and I don't want to quit rest of my life.


Have a good dive !!


Peter

 

[samdive]

I totally agree with Mullins and drunkinbda - but unfortunately these performance requirements have to be reached before we certify a freediver. It is a nightmare, especially when teaching ** in cold dark water - 16m can be pretty challenging to a total newbie, no matter how fit they are

S