From £ 195
Chertsey
From £ 65
London
From £ 115
London
From $ 76
Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi
From $ 144
Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi
From $ 158
Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi
From $ 122
Aargau, Indonesia
Ready to find a course or session?
The AIDA 1 course is designed to introduce you to the world of freediving in a safe and supportive environment. It combines classroom theory with practical sessions in the water, offering a balanced overview of the key concepts and techniques involved in breath-hold diving.
All water activities are conducted within safe depth limits (typically no deeper than 5 m / 16 ft), and the focus is on comfort, technique, and safety over performance. The course is usually taught in small groups to ensure individual attention. Depending on the centre, some may offer additional optional practice time or video feedback.
Upon completion, participants receive a recognition of participation but not a formal certification. It’s an ideal way to decide whether to pursue the full AIDA 2 Freediver course, which introduces open water diving and depth training.
Completing AIDA 1 Intro to Freediving gives you a solid foundation in the principles of breath-hold diving. You’ll learn about the body’s response to apnea, how to breathe properly before and after a dive, and how to stay safe under water. While this is not a certification that qualifies you for independent freediving, it does prepare you for the AIDA 2 course—the first full-level certification in the AIDA system.
After AIDA 1, you’ll have the confidence to explore shallow snorkelling sites with more awareness and control. You’ll also understand the key safety protocols and the importance of always diving with a buddy. If you decide to continue, the step up to AIDA 2 will be smoother thanks to the familiarity with foundational techniques and terminology.
With adventuro, you can find dozens of AIDA 2 courses, as well as guided freediving tours and gear rentals, to help you take your next step.
The AIDA 1 course typically runs over half a day (around 4 to 6 hours), including theory lessons, breathing practice, and in-water sessions. Some centres may offer it as a one-day course depending on logistics and group size.
The AIDA 1 Intro to Freediving course is designed as an experience-based introduction with no formal pass/fail assessment. Instead of testing, the course focuses on building comfort in the water and introducing fundamental freediving techniques in a safe and supportive environment. Instructors will guide you through static breath-holding, duck diving, equalisation, and basic safety protocols. There are typically no minimum depth or time requirements to meet—this course is about learning at your own pace. Most centres will deliver a mix of classroom theory and confined water sessions, often in a pool or calm open water. Upon completion, you’ll receive a participation certificate, and your instructor may recommend moving on to AIDA 2 if you're ready. You can browse and book AIDA courses at a range of UK centres on adventuro’s freediving pages.
Quick answers about this qualification. For anything else, use live chat or browse bookable activities below.
Find activitiesAIDA 1 is the entry-level introduction to freediving from AIDA, the world governing body for recreational and competitive freediving. It’s ideal for anyone curious about breath-hold diving, whether you're a confident swimmer, snorkeller, or total newcomer to underwater sports. It requires no previous experience and is a relaxed, low-pressure way to learn the basics of freediving safety, breathing techniques, and underwater movement.
You don’t need to be an athlete, but a reasonable level of comfort in the water is essential. You should be able to swim at least 100 metres non-stop and feel relaxed in deep water. Freediving involves breath-holding, so if you have any medical conditions that affect your lungs, sinuses, or heart, you should consult a doctor beforehand. Most centres will ask you to complete a medical form before starting.
The course covers freediving theory, basic breathing and relaxation techniques, equalisation methods, and safety procedures. In the water, you’ll practise static apnea (holding your breath while floating), duck diving, finning techniques, and buddy safety. You'll also get an introduction to the key physics and physiology behind freediving, such as the mammalian dive reflex and pressure effects on the body.
The AIDA 1 course usually runs over a single day, sometimes split into half-day sessions. This includes classroom theory, breathing workshops, and at least one pool or confined water session. Some centres may offer it as a weekend taster or combine it with AIDA 2 if you’re progressing quickly. Check individual listings on adventuro for full details and availability near you.
No – AIDA 1 is a non-certifying, experience-based course. There’s no final exam or skills assessment to pass. The focus is on learning comfortably and safely, not on achieving set performance targets. You’ll receive a recognition of completion and personalised feedback from your instructor. If you're keen to go deeper (literally and figuratively), you can move on to the AIDA 2 Freediver course.
Most centres provide all the essential gear: mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, weight belt, and sometimes dive computers. If you have your own equipment, especially a low-volume freediving mask or long fins, feel free to bring them. Make sure everything fits comfortably—freediving is all about relaxation. Centres listed on adventuro will specify what’s included in the course fee.
AIDA 1 is an introductory, non-certifying course designed to give you a taste of freediving. AIDA 2 is the first full certification level, with performance requirements like a 2-minute static breath-hold and 16–20 metre depth dive. If you enjoy AIDA 1 and want to continue, your instructor can help you decide when you're ready to progress. Some centres offer a combined AIDA 1 & 2 course for faster learners.
Yes, but age limits vary by centre. AIDA recommends a minimum age of 16 for adult courses, though some centres may accept younger students with parental consent. Junior courses are sometimes available for ages 12 and up. Always check with the provider before booking. Regardless of age, all students must be comfortable swimmers and able to stay relaxed in water for extended periods.
You can find and book AIDA 1 courses at centres across the UK on adventuro’s freediving pages. We work with trusted, AIDA-accredited instructors to ensure a safe and professional learning experience. Each listing includes full course details, kit info, prices, and real student reviews to help you choose the right centre for your goals and location.
Yes—when taught correctly, freediving is very safe. AIDA instructors follow strict safety protocols and will introduce you to buddy diving, recovery breathing, and how to avoid risks like shallow water blackout. You’ll never be asked to dive beyond your comfort zone. Safety is at the core of every AIDA course, starting from your first breath-hold.