AIDA 2 Course
AIDA 2: $550 (Sydney) $620 (Byron) $650 (Perth, Melbourne)
*Prices vary between locations due to set boat costs
THREE DAY COURSE INCLUDING POOL/CLASSROOM AND OPEN OCEAN SESSIONS
The AIDA 2 program forms the structural framework for all breath-hold diving. Whether you are a complete beginner, wanting to know how to ‘snorkel a bit deeper;’ or a more experienced diver wanting to develop the correct skills to keep progressing, the course focuses on creating safe and accurate technique.
Rather than “chasing numbers,” the three day instructional guides you through the theory and practice of breath hold, correct finning and hydrodynamic positioning, relaxation techniques, equalisation and a thorough understanding of physiology. During the open ocean sessions, students are exposed to a variety of freediving disciplines, the preparation for each dive, and techniques for safety and rescue.
The classes are small and intimate, so one on one time with the instructor is maximised. The course does include a few challenges for successful completion including a 40m DYN “distance swim,” a 16-20m CWT “deep dive” and a 2min static “stationary breath-hold.” These are fun targets, and the program guides you through the necessary techniques to achieve and eventually exceed these. We teach our courses over three days, a Thursday evening (theory and pool) and then a Saturday and Sunday (theory and ocean days). It is NOT a pre-requisite to have done the AIDA 1 in order to begin the AIDA 2.
WHAT YOU LEARN:
- Basic physiology of freediving
- Advanced breath-hold and relaxation techniques for static apnea
- Buddying for static and dynamic apnea
- Correct hydrodynamic finning for DYN and CWT diving
- Rescue and recovery for DYN and CWT diving
- Efficient equalisation and duckdiving for CWT and FIM freediving disciplines
- Safety and buddying while line training
WHAT TO BRING?
- You will need a wetsuit appropriate for current temperatures (Sydney 3.5mm minimum, Melbourne 5mm minimum)
- Mask, snorkel and towel
- Fins (freedive fins not necessary but make things a little easier)
- Weight belt if you have one, if not, weights and belt provided
- Seasick tablets if you are prone to getting seasick
- Some determination, enthusiasm, laughter and a few good stories
WHEN AND WHERE?*
***During the current COVID-19 restrictions there may be small changes to the structure of these courses depending on state regulations.
Unless otherwise privately arranged, the theory sessions for this course begin at 5:00pm Thursday evening at your local Adreno store (Sydney; Melbourne;Perth) with the Thursday evening pool session held at a pool close to the store (Sydney will be Saturday morning). Saturday and Sunday ocean segments typically run from 9:00am - 4:30pm and need to remain flexible with location due to environmental conditions. The location and specific timing of each day will be advised by your instructor on the Thursday evening, however the below is a rough guide.
Thursday:
5:00pm - 6:30pm ‘dry theory’
6:30pm - 9:00pm: pool practical
Saturday:
9:00am - 10:00am theory on location
10:30am - 12:30pm pool exercises
12:30 - 1:30: Lunch (B.Y.O - or there are cafés nearby)
1:30pm - 2:15pm theory on location
2:30pm - 4:30pm open water segment
Sunday:
9:00am briefing and theory
9:30am - 11:15am open water segment
11:15am - 11:45am debrief
12:00pm - 1:30pm Ocean segment
1:30pm - 2:30 lunch (B.Y.O)
2:30 - 4:00pm debrief and exam
*times will vary between cities slightly due to the availability of suitable services and locations to teach each segment (boats/pools etc.)
PRE-REQUISITES:
- Candidates must be able to comfortably swim 300m non-stop with mask fins and snorkel and/
- be at least 18 years old, or 16 or older with parent/guardians approval