Freediving Starter PackWhat Can You Do with a Freediving Certification? 10 Things to Know Before You Get Certified

Diving is divided into two types: freediving and scuba diving. While both are forms of diving, they are completely different sports. Think of basketball and billiards: both are ball sports, but played in entirely different ways with different pleasures. Freediving and scuba diving are much the same.

The simplest and clearest distinction between freediving and scuba diving lies in "breathing." Scuba diving involves carrying a tank underwater, which provides about an hour of air, allowing you to breathe slowly and explore the seabed at leisure. Freediving, on the other hand, relies on a single breath to descend. The depth, breath-hold duration, and overall experience are closely linked to an individual's physical and mental training, offering a way to experience the ocean most like a fish.

Breathing is the easiest difference to grasp, but there are many other distinctions, including descent methods, ascent methods, equalization techniques, equipment operation, and the buddy system. Scuba diving and freediving are conducted in very different ways.

Freediving is often called the world's second most dangerous sport, a statement that might deter many from even considering it. But the truth is, every sport carries inherent risks, and we navigate various risks in our daily lives. Precisely because of these risks, it's crucial to enroll in a freediving course and acquire professional knowledge. Once you take a class, you'll realize that as long as you adhere to safe diving guidelines and the buddy system, freediving isn't as dangerous as it seems.

Beyond the knowledge gained in class, remember this: never dive alone. Many might think it's fine to just play in shallow water or practice breath-holding without a buddy. However, a blackout (BO) can occur at any depth, especially during ascent near the surface where pressure changes are significant. Not only should you never dive alone, but even practicing breath-holding without a buddy can lead to tragedy. The safer a situation seems, the more likely people are to underestimate the risk of an accident. Freediving without a buddy exposes you to high risk. "Dive alone, die alone." Adhering to the buddy system is the absolute first commandment of freediving.

You absolutely can learn freediving even if you don't know how to swim. This is probably the number one question beginners ask, but not knowing how to swim is definitely not a barrier to learning freediving — in fact, many scuba and freedivers don't know how to swim! However, swimming is still very important in freediving, as it's an ocean activity. If you ever encounter an unexpected situation in the sea, having an extra self-rescue skill will make you much safer. Even if you don't plan to try freediving, it's still a good idea to learn to swim. After all, when you're just playing in the water, you might encounter that classic dilemma of your mom and girlfriend both falling into the sea, and you'll have to jump in to save one.

Freediving certifications are tiered by skill level; once you complete a course and pass the required threshold for that level, you'll receive your freediving certification. In Taiwan, if you want to practice in a deep pool or rent freediving gear from a dive venue, you'll typically need to present a freediving certification to do so.

Taiwan currently has several popular freediving certification systems, including AIDA, PADI, SSI, and Molchanovs (Matcha), each with different certification levels and assessment standards. You can think of these freediving systems as different universities, each with its own graduation requirements. Some are well-established institutions with specific specializations and numerous branches worldwide. Freediving certifications are similar: the main differences between systems lie in their levels, course completion standards, and teaching materials, but you'll essentially learn all the necessary freediving techniques regardless of the system.

Both AIDA and PADI offer entry-level certifications: AIDA 1 and PADI Basic Freediver. These primarily focus on confined water (mostly pools) and are best suited for those who simply want to try freediving. If you want to learn freediving techniques that allow you to dive in the ocean, it's recommended to go directly to the next level: AIDA 2, PADI Freediver, SSI Level 1, or Molchanovs Wave 1.

The specific freediving system or certification you choose isn't all that important.

Even top schools can have unmotivated instructors, and lesser-known schools can have incredibly dedicated ones. But even with a great instructor, if you don't put in the effort and skip classes, you might still fail. So, when signing up for a freediving course, finding a professional and attentive instructor and being willing to commit yourself are the primary considerations, rather than focusing on the system. The only exception is if you plan to pursue freediving professionally, as some dive venues might require specific freediving systems (though you can always transfer later). If you're just looking to freedive recreationally, there's no need to worry too much about whether you get an AIDA, SSI, or PADI freediving certification.

The freediving certification process typically involves three types of courses: confined water (pool sessions), open water (ocean training), and academic lessons. After completing all courses, you'll take both academic and practical exams. The passing thresholds vary slightly across different freediving systems, but once you meet the requirements set by your chosen system, you'll successfully complete the course.

Freediving courses typically take three to four days, so we recommend starting your search in an area convenient for you, and checking out student reviews for different venues. Also, remember to ask if you can return to practice with the instructor after your certification period, what the practice fees are, and how equipment rental is charged. Here are some key points to consider when choosing a freediving venue:

In Taiwan, freediving course fees generally range from NT$10,000 to NT$15,000. However, some courses may require additional charges for accommodation or pool entry fees on top of the freediving course itself. If you're looking to combine your certification with a popular island getaway to Xiaoliuqiu or Orchid Island, the costs will vary further. Additionally, most venues offer group discounts, so it's worth inquiring and comparing prices.

If you're going to hit the water, you might as well fully embrace a summer of sun, sand, and bikinis! Most people worry that learning to dive in winter is too cold, so they opt for summer lessons. However, freediving courses usually provide wetsuits, and if you're not particularly sensitive to the cold, avoiding the crowded summer months can actually be a great option.