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After certification, you can participate in supervised freediving sessions and entry-level freediving trips where a Basic Freediver card is accepted, and you’ll have a clear framework for safe buddy procedures. You’ll be able to practise foundational disciplines—static apnea, dynamic apnea, and introductory depth freediving—using correct breathing preparation, relaxation, finning technique, and controlled recovery breathing at the surface.
Basic Freediver also sets you up for further training, typically progressing to SSI Freediver and then Advanced Freediver, where depth, performance, and rescue skills expand. What you are “enabled” to do is always conditional on conditions, supervision requirements, and local regulations; training centres may set conservative depth limits for newly certified divers. You should treat this certification as a starting point for consistent practice and coaching, not a green light to chase depth alone. Many divers use Basic Freediver as a gateway to pool apnea training, warm-water depth sessions, and structured coaching—options you can often find alongside rentals and guided days through adventuro’s listings.
Most SSI Basic Freediver courses run over 1–2 days or 2–4 shorter sessions. Expect a mix of academic learning, dry practice, and in-water training in a pool and/or open water, depending on local conditions and the centre’s schedule. Plan for several hours of water time plus briefing and debriefing. Some centres deliver the theory via SSI digital learning to reduce classroom time.
SSI Basic Freediver is assessed through continuous instructor evaluation rather than a single exam. You’ll typically complete knowledge development (often via digital learning), plus confined-water and open-water sessions where your instructor checks core safety and technique. Expect assessment of correct breathing and relaxation habits, buddy procedures, surface protocols, equalisation, efficient finning, duck dives, and safe ascent behaviour (including controlled recovery breathing at the surface). You’ll also be evaluated on self-awareness—knowing when to abort a dive—and on responding appropriately to common issues such as discomfort, equalisation problems, or fatigue. Centres may structure sessions differently, but assessment is always focused on demonstrating safe, repeatable skills within the course limits. You can browse adventuro’s extensive pages to compare locations and book a Basic Freediver course that fits your schedule and conditions.
Quick answers about this qualification. For anything else, use live chat or browse bookable activities below.
Find activitiesSSI Basic Freediver introduces the foundations of breath-hold diving in a structured, safety-first way. You’ll learn how freediving physiology works (breath-hold response, CO2/O2 basics), how to prepare with relaxation and breathing techniques, and how to dive efficiently with good body position and finning. A big focus is on safe buddying, surface procedures, and recognising your limits. It’s aimed at people who want to try freediving properly rather than “just having a go” without training.
No. Basic Freediver is an entry-level freediving course, so it’s built for first-timers. You do need to be comfortable in the water and able to follow instructions calmly. If you’ve snorkelled before, that helps, but it isn’t required. Some centres may ask about swimming ability and general fitness, and you’ll complete a medical questionnaire. If you have relevant medical conditions (especially respiratory or cardiac), get medical clearance before training.
Assessment is practical and ongoing. Instructors typically look for safe preparation (breathing and relaxation without hyperventilation), correct buddy checks and positioning, controlled entries and duck dives, efficient finning and streamlining, and appropriate equalisation. You’ll also be assessed on safe surfacing behaviour—coming up under control, establishing positive buoyancy, and performing recovery breathing. Importantly, you’re assessed on judgement: stopping when something feels wrong and communicating clearly with your buddy and instructor.
Most courses run over one to two days, depending on whether you complete academics in advance and how the centre schedules pool/confined and open-water sessions. SSI often uses digital learning, so you may do theory before arrival to maximise water time. Weather and sea conditions can also affect timing for open-water training. Your instructor may add extra time if it improves safety and comfort, especially for equalisation and relaxation skills.
Centres usually provide or rent the key freediving kit: mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, and weight system. Some also use a buoy/line setup in open water and may include a neck weight or lanyard depending on local practice and standards. Bringing your own mask and snorkel can improve comfort and fit, but it’s not essential. Ask your centre what’s included and what’s optional. Proper thermal protection matters because cold increases stress and reduces performance.
Freediving can be very safe when trained and practised correctly, but it carries specific risks, including hypoxia (low oxygen), shallow-water blackout, and lung overexpansion injuries from unsafe technique. SSI training emphasises buddy procedures, surface supervision, conservative limits, and recovery breathing to reduce risk. Never freedive alone, never practise breath-holds in a pool without trained supervision, and avoid hyperventilation. Your instructor will teach you how to recognise warning signs and respond early.
SSI certifications come with defined training outcomes and limits that your instructor will explain, and centres may apply more conservative local rules based on conditions. As a general principle, Basic Freediver qualifies you for supervised or appropriately planned freediving within the scope of your training, focusing on foundational depth and safety skills rather than maximum depth performance. If your goal is deeper line diving, longer breath-holds, or more advanced rescue skills, the next step is usually SSI Freediver.
Yes. Basic Freediver is commonly used as a stepping stone to SSI Freediver and beyond. Progression typically adds more structured depth training, improved equalisation, better efficiency, and more robust safety/rescue drills. Many divers find that taking time to practise the basics—relaxation, technique, and buddying—makes the next course far more enjoyable. If you book through adventuro, you can compare centres and choose one that offers a clear pathway from Basic Freediver to the next level.