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Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
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Lanzarote, Spain
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Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi
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The classroom portion of AIDA 2 covers the essential knowledge needed to freedive safely and effectively. Topics typically include:
These are usually held in a pool or calm, shallow water and focus on breath-hold and technique:
At least two open water sessions are required, where you’ll apply your skills in deeper water:
Assessment includes a written exam and demonstration of practical skills. By the end of the course, you’ll have a strong grasp of safe freediving practices and the confidence to continue your journey underwater.
Completing the AIDA 2 Freediver course certifies you to dive independently with a similarly qualified buddy to depths of up to 20 metres (66 feet), within conservative time and depth limits. This opens up a wide range of recreational freediving opportunities, from reef exploration to underwater photography and travel-based diving experiences.
You’ll also be eligible to continue your training with AIDA 3 Freediver, which introduces more advanced techniques, deeper diving, and greater focus on efficiency and performance. Many divers also use AIDA 2 as a stepping stone into disciplines like spearfishing, underwater foraging, or artistic freediving. Most importantly, the course gives you the skills to freedive safely — both for yourself and your buddy — with a strong understanding of rescue procedures, equalisation, and the physiological effects of breath-hold diving.
The AIDA 2 Freediver course typically takes 2 to 3 full days to complete. This includes classroom theory sessions, confined water training, and at least two open water dives. Some centres may offer the course over consecutive days or split it across weekends, depending on conditions and group size.
The AIDA 2 Freediver certification is a performance-based course, meaning you'll need to demonstrate specific skills both in the classroom and in the water. To pass, you'll complete a written theory exam covering freediving physics, physiology, safety, and techniques. In the pool, you must perform a static breath-hold of at least 2 minutes and a dynamic apnea swim of 40 metres. In open water, the key requirement is a successful dive to at least 16 metres (typically up to 20 metres), using proper technique and safety protocols. Your instructor will assess your equalisation, buddying procedures, and rescue skills. Most students meet the requirements over three to four days, but it's common to need extra coaching sessions depending on comfort level and progress. Booking through adventuro gives you access to top-rated centres and professional instruction around the world.
Quick answers about this qualification. For anything else, use live chat or browse bookable activities below.
Find activitiesAIDA 2 is the first full-level certification in the AIDA freediving education system. It builds on introductory experiences and certifies that you can safely dive to 16–20 metres while performing essential freediving skills. It covers theory, pool training, and open water dives. Once certified, you're qualified to freedive with a buddy in similar conditions without direct supervision, following AIDA safety standards.
Yes. You should be comfortable swimming and ideally have tried basic freediving before. AIDA recommends that you complete the AIDA 1 Introduction to Freediving course first, though it's not mandatory if you have equivalent experience. You'll need to demonstrate basic comfort in the water and readiness for deeper dives, breath-holding, and rescue practice.
To pass the AIDA 2 Freediver course, you must complete:
Your instructor will guide you through each component safely and progressively.
The AIDA 2 course typically takes 3 to 4 days to complete. This includes theory sessions, confined water training (usually in a pool), and open water dives. Timelines may vary slightly by centre depending on conditions and your progress. Booking through adventuro lets you choose from a range of centres and schedules to suit your needs.
Most centres provide freediving equipment, but it’s best to check in advance. You'll typically use a low-volume mask, snorkel, long-blade fins, wetsuit, weight belt, and a dive computer or timer. Some students prefer to bring their own mask and snorkel for comfort and fit. Adventuro listings include equipment details for each provider.
Yes. AIDA is a globally recognised freediving organisation, and the AIDA 2 certification is accepted at dive centres and training facilities around the world. It shows that you’ve met a standard level of competence in freediving, allowing you to join guided freediving activities or continue with higher-level training, like AIDA 3.
Safety is a core part of AIDA 2. You'll learn how to dive with a buddy, perform rescue procedures from depth, manage blackouts and LMC (loss of motor control), and use correct surface protocols. These skills help you become a responsible freediver and a reliable partner in the water.
It's possible, but instructors work closely with you to help you succeed. If you need more time to meet the performance standards—like achieving the required depth or static breath-hold—you can often book extra sessions. Many centres offer flexible support. Adventuro’s centres are known for patient, expert instruction to help you reach your goals safely.
Once you’ve completed AIDA 2, you can join depth training sessions, explore fun dives with a buddy, or enrol in AIDA 3. The next level focuses on technique refinement, deeper diving (up to 30 metres), and advanced rescue and safety skills. Many freedivers also pursue training in equalisation or monofin technique as they progress.
