SSI Level 1 Freediver Course - 2 & 3rd Oct 2010

Taught by 5 time national record holder, Alana Caskey Wells!

Alana recently set a 50m record in the constant weight category in Dahab as well as breathhold of 5.27 min in the static apnea category and 41metres in the free emersion category!

The SSI level 1 freediver course is to provide students the necessary skills and the proper knowledge to partake in the recreational sport of freediving (Breath-hold diving) in a safe and enjoyable manner. The purpose of the course is to familiarise the student with the skills, knowledge, planning, organisation, safety procedures, techniques, problems, hazards and enjoyment of breath hold freediving. Students will be introduced to freediving as a recreation and as a sport.

The confined water sessions are to be used to teach breathing, relaxation, finning technique and safety procedures, The confined water session will also familiarise the student to the equalisation process and all basic skills that will be required during the OW session, this builds comfort through repitition.

Theory sessions classroom are a minimum duration of 2-3 hrs per session (Minimum 2 Sessions), and include:

• Introduction to freediving

• Equipment for freediving

• Breathing for freediving

• Physiology / Respiration – circulation – Dive Reflex

• Depth and Pressure- Equalisation

• Safety- SWB and Samba / LMC

• Underwater environment

• Freediving and Scuba Diving / Risks

• Basic Freediving Disciplines

• Dive planning factors / equipment

There is a minimum of 1 confined water session / 2 open water session. A confined or open water session should run for maximum time of 2hrs (water temperature to be considered). Practical sessions include:

• Minimum swim requirements – 200 m

• Equipment skills- mask & snorkel

• Finning technique / Streamlining

• Dynamic swimming (40 mtrs length minimum)

• Duckdive technique

• Breathing for freediving

• Equalisation airspaces

• Safety- SWB and Samba / LMC

• Buddy procedures

• Constant weight dive minimum (12 mtrs), maximum (20)

• Skills / Ascend mask removal / ascend arms only / from (10mtrs)

• SWB Rescue technique / Skills (10 mtrs) / LMC – Samba (Surface)

• SWB surface rescue skills

PREREQUISITES

To enrol in the SSI Level 1 Freediver course, an individual must:

• Be 18 years of age or older (16 years with parent or guardian consent)
• Be able to swim at least 200m non stop without fins/mask and 50 mtrs using emergency back swim technique.
• Have completed the forms below:

SSI Liability Release

SSI Medical Form