AIDA 3*

After completing the AIDA 3* course you will have learnt;

• Advanced breathing and relaxation for freediving
• Frenzel equalisation technique and how to train for improvement
• Deep safety for freediving and advanced buddy skills
• Deep freedives to at least 24m (up to 30m)
• Static apnea breath holds over 2:45 minutes
• Dynamic apnea (distance in pool) of at least 55m
• Perfect your duck diving for smooth, controlled starts
• Freefall technique – one of the best parts of freediving!
• Training for freediving – CO2 tables and how to train effectively
• Understanding and minimizing the risks of deep freediving
• Buoyancy and how it affects our ‘sink phase’, aka freefall
• The MDR (Mammalian Dive Reflex) and why it’s important

Day 1

We begin the course with a theory session including recapping basic info from the AIDA 2* course. Once again the yoga mats come out and we work on improving breathing technique with some advanced relaxation skills and refining your recovery breathing technique.

At the pool (or confined water) you will perform multiple LMC and BO simulation rescues with your instructor to ensure fluid, controlled and correct rescue techniques. We introduce warm up tables for both STA and DYN as well as CO2 training for both.

Some students like to spend more time in the pool where they can further enhance their technique, in most cases however we finish the day with a quick open water dive and some equalization drills.

Day 2

Before heading out in to the ocean we conduct the second theory session where you will learn about enhanced training concepts, the MDR and planning deep dive sessions.

Two open water sessions fill the majority of the day with skills including, but not limited to; adjusting weight for deeper dives, training and developing Frenzel equalisation, freefall technique, correct finning and streamlining as well as providing safety for freedivers going 20m and beyond. As well as working on your rescue skills, you will also be taught how to ‘self rescue’ from depth for situations such as leg cramp.

Freefalling (sink phase) is the next skill to develop on your journey to becoming a deep freediver and during these sessions we will be working on; when to enter freefall, posture and streamlining, relaxation, equalisation and how to enjoy this new sensation!

Day 3

After finishing the third and final theory session of the course you will take a short exam which covers various topics discussed during the knowledge development. Once completed we will review your answers to ensure you understand all the information.

We have our last two open water sessions in the morning/afternoon breaking for lunch in between and you will have the opportunity to dive up to 30m (98ft) during these sessions and looking to achieve at least 24m (78ft). You will also perform a deep BO rescue followed by a surface tow of at least 50m to complete the final safety requirements for the course.

Requirements and Costs

To take our AIDA 3* course you must be over 16yrs old and have completed the AIDA 2* course or equivalent. It is advised that students have valid First Aid training from EFR or similar.

What’s included: pool fees, certification costs, transport (in most cases), water and weights. Due to the increased depth during this course it may be necessary to charter a small vessel to access dive sites further from shore. In these cases there will be a boat fee – you will be made aware of this before course commencement as it is dependent on number of students, conditions and scheduling.

What you will need to bring: lunch on both days or we can stop along the way, pen & paper for notes during theory, a towel and sunscreen. By 3* level you should your own equipment (mask/snorkel/fins/wetsuit) but we can still provide gear where needed.

The AIDA 3* course is $375 USD, starts at 7am and finishes around 3:30pm weekdays and weekends run over 3 consecutive days.