Description
2 DAYS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR FREEDIVING (& YOUR LIFE!) FOREVER!
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The PADI Freediver Course is your first step into freediving, the purest form of exploring underwater world. You don’t need any previous experience in snorkeling or scuba diving.
This is the most popular freediving course for beginners AND self-taught freedivers, pool freedivers and spearfishermen that want to improve their freediving techniques and learn how to freedive safely and efficiently.
The course is designed to prepare you to freedive in the dynamic open ocean conditions. You will learn and practice fundamental skills so you can freedive safely and efficiently. After completing the course you will be able to plan and execute safe freedives in the sea as one half of a responsible and competent buddy team.
This is a comprehensive course where you are taught in the classroom, confined water and open water. It is the most important first steps in getting a solid foundation for freediving.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
- Anyone who wants to learn how to freedive
- Self taught freedivers who want to learn the proper freediving techniques (duck-dive, finning, breathe-up), safety skills and who want to better understand what they are doing
- Spearfishermen who want to improve their finning technique, hydrodyamics, depth and breath-hold time
- Pool freedivers who want to learn how to freedive safely, comfortably and efficiently in the sea, and also how to perform rescues
- Anyone who is curious about freediving and wants to learn more about it and try it out
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Learn the fundamentals about apnea; the physiology, physics and techniques
- Learn how to equalize efficiently & without causing damage to the ear
- Have a clear understanding of the dangers associated with freediving (blackout & loss of motor control) how to avoid these dangers and how to assist & rescue your buddy if an accident occurs
- Complete set of proper freediving skills that will allow you to execute open water freedives safely and effectively
- Learn about the different freediving equipment, how to maintain it and use it effectively
Practical application: A considerable amount of time is spent poolside, beach, stretching, breathing, briefings, diving etc.
THE PADI FREEDIVER COURSE CONSISTS OF
- Instructor lead theory sessions
- Breathing and relaxation techniques for freediving
- 2 confined water sessions
- 2 open water sessions
DETAILS OF THE COURSE
During the theory sessions:
- You will learn the basics of the physics and physiology that applies to freediving
- Breathing and relaxation for freediving
- How to prevent blackout and LMC
- How to rescue a freediver in trouble; how to safely improve your dives
During the static apnea session:
- The instructor will teach you advanced breathing and relaxation techniques, so that you will be able to extend your breath-hold times easily and safely
- You will put into practice; the breath-up techniques, the breath-hold & relaxation, followed by the recovery breathing
During the dynamic apnea session:
- You will practice dynamic apnea with fins (horizontal freediving)
- You will learn what is the correct weighting to use
- You will receive feedback on your finning technique and body position
During the open water sessions:
- You will practice frenzel equalization
- The instructor will help you to learn and improve your technique in Free-Immersion and Constant weight freediving; duck dive, body and head position, streamline position during the descent, finning technique, etc
- You will practice safety and rescue procedures from the depth and at the surface
- You will learn how to use the safety lanyard
- Progressive adaptation to the depth
- Do a fun dive session to explore and take underwater pics if there is time!
SCHEDULE
The course is 2 days. We start at 8:00 AM and finish between 5:00-6:00 PM
DAY 1 – POOL FREEDIVING, STATIC APNEA & DYNAMIC APNEA
7100 Grand Montecito Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89149
- Introduction & Paperwork
- Theory: Freediving Disciplines & Equipment
- Theory: Safety in Freediving for Static Apnea & Dynamic Apnea
- Theory: Physiology & Dangers of Hyperventilation
- Lecture / Practical: Breathing and Relaxation for freediving
- Confined Water Session 1 – Static Apnea & Relaxation
- Theory: Freediving Techniques
- Confined Water Session 2 – Dynamic Apnea & Finning Technique
DAY 2 – OPEN WATER FREEDIVING SESSIONS & BUDDY RESCUES
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Theory / Practical: Physics & Equalization. How to equalize in the proper way
- Stretching for Freediving
- Open-water Session 1 – Free-Immersion (& some Constant Weight Freediving)
- Theory: Freediving Techniques
- Theory: Safety in Freediving for Depth Training
- Open-water Session 2 – Freediving Practice (FIM, CWT & Rescue Skills)
*Schedule is subject to change
LOCATION
Day 1 of the theory/pool sessions will be held at 7100 Grand Montecito Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, 89149.
Day 2 of the open water sessions will be at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. (Either at Nelson’s Landing or Willow Beach)
COST
The price for the 2 day PADI Freediver Course is $600 USD. Personal freediving equipment is not included (see below for equipment).
The payment of the course fee secures your spot in the course. Or you can do a 50% deposit payment to secure your position in the course and then pay the balance on the first day of the course.
THE COURSE INCLUDES
- 2 Freediving sessions
- 1 Fun freediving session with underwater pics (if there is time!)
- Theory sessions
- Static apnea session
- Dynamic apnea session
- Breathing and relaxation session
- PADI Freediver certification upon completion
- PADI Freediver Touch electronic manual
PRE-REQUISITES
- 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 and at least 300m non stop with mask, fins and snorkel
- Have completed the PADI Medical Form
- Have completed the Liability Release
PERSONAL FREEDIVING EQUIPMENT
Here is a list of the personal freediving equipment needed for the course and links to where you can buy them:
- Freediving 2-Peice wetsuit 3.5mm thick $89.90 – $249.95
link option 1 black wetsuit for $249.95 – link option 2 patterned wetsuit for $89.90 (this type of wetsuit design is ideal, but you can also use a diving wetsuit or surfing wetsuit if you already have!) - Freediving snorkel $19.95
link (this J-shaped snorkel is ideal for freediving, but you can also use any other snorkel if you already have one) - Freediving fins $104.95
link There are many options for long freediving fins, this link is just an example option. (You can also use snorkeling fins if you already have them. Just no scuba diving fins that require boot-like shoes.) - Freediving mask $49.95
link (You can also use a snorkeling / scuba mask if you already have one) - Freediving rubber weight belt $34.95
link (You can also use a scuba diving weight belt if you already have one) - Freediving weights (qty: 4 x 2.2 lbs) $57.36 – $87.96
link option 1 $87.96 – link option 2 – 2.3 lb weights $57.36 (both are the same weights, but shipping time/sale price might be better for one than the other) - Freediving gear bag – $54.95 $109.95
link option 1 waterproof $109.95 – link option 2 mesh bag $54.95
Note, although you need everything on the above list, you don’t have to get these exact things. This is just the equipment that I recommend, but you can get something similar or use equipment that you already have. Just email me and let me know what you have in mind and I can help advise you :)
MEDICAL
While it is recommended that you have a full diving medical examination, which is good practice, it is not essential to participate in the course. You will, however, be required to fill in a medical questionnaire on the first day of the course.
MINIMUM PERFORMANCE REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATION
To successfully complete the PADI Freediver course you will have to perform:
- Perform a static apnea of at least 1:30
- Dive in constant weight to at least -10 meters
- Perform a dynamic apnea (with fins) of at least 25 meters
At the end of the course you will be able to freedive comfortably with an experienced buddy to depths of 16 meters.
COURSE REVIEWS
It was magic!
After years of day dreaming about it, I finally started my freediving training. In just one day of training I learned that I can breath way deeper than I thought. I learned that I can expand my lungs beyond their usual size. I learned that I can reduce my oxygen consumption with simple breathing tricks and mind games. I learned that with oxygen conservation I can hold my breath for 2 minutes and 20 seconds. I learned that I can tell my body to relax and my heart to beat slower. It was magic! I learned that I’ve taken air for granted for my entire life. Air never tasted better like it did after emerging from 140 seconds under water. Nothing I did today was really that special or outstanding. Everyone can do this. Go freediving. Freedive with Renee Blundon because she is an awesome instructor! 
Another fear conquered!
Another fear conquered! After three days of training, I dove down 65 ft on one breath. Thanks to Renee for the awesome coaching.
Thank you so much!
With one of the most amazing persons I’ve ever met, eating Russian food, and sharing our experiences with each other. Renee Blundon a freediving instructor and she is the best ever, she taught me a lot about freediving.
Renee thank you so much for everything, actually i cant thank you enough. No words ever could describe the happiness I feel and the love l have for you 
Thank you for everything
I can’t say more than what Heba said for you, thank you Renee so much for everything you did for us. Give me a call when u will be in Cairo 
I’m water within water
Thanks for everything, you are the best diving instructor, inspirational coach and such a lovely funny person. Thanks for your patience and motivation. I can still hear your voice saying “I’m water within water, I’m water withing water.” I’m going to see you soon for sure 
I learned a lot
It was a great to have you as my freediving instructor 
because I learned a lot from you. Your perfect way in explaining the theories and your accurate feedback and notes so I am really exited to take my next course
I can hold my breath for over 3 minutes!
Last month when I was doing my freediving course with Renee Blundon, I could hold my breath for 3 mins 30 in underwater static, which surprised me as I didn’t expect I’d go over a minute! Renee explained that once under water, the body adapts and goes into oxygen saving mode, so our bodies consume less oxygen and we can hold our breath for longer. Another thing she showed me is how fast we can get better at holding our breath. All we need to do is practice! I decided that being stuck in Cairo away from the sea didn’t mean I couldn’t do some apnea training! So for the past 8 days, I have been timing myself as I held my breath while in bed, right before I sleep. I started on the 16th of June and my time was 2 min 10 (2 min 10 would be more underwater) and I decided that every night, I had to break last night’s records. And here are the results:
16 June: 2 min 10
17 June: 2 min 18
19 June: 2 min 39
20 June: 2 min 42
21 June: 3 min 
💃💃💃
24 June: 3 min 10
The progress was amazing! So I highly recommend to do a freediving course and not give up on training your lungs! I bet next time I go underwater I’ll do much much better than the last time! After all, practice makes perfect
My Dream Sport
Freediving was one of my dream sports since long time ago… I took this course with my friend, Gamal, and we’re both hooked!! Renee Blundon – the #1 freediving instructor in Egypt!!
Excellent escape!
I highly recommend! It was such a great escape for two weeks to learn something new and challenge myself.
The natural features in and around Dahab make this place special and a wonderful place to dive with wider adventures to be had in the surrounding mountains. There are lots of great affordable options for eating out too.
There were very few international tourists due to concerns about safety. There was nothing about the experience, from the very high levels of security at Sharm El Sheikh airport to the feel of Dahab with the friendly locals and small community of passionate divers and free spirits, that raised any concerns. Now is a great time to go.
There are other options in Dahab but I highly recommend Renee specifically for free-diving, you will not find better training. Thank you, Renee, for all your time and patience.
Wonderful!
It was the perfect break away from the stress of day-to-day life. Two big thumbs up!
