General Freediving: Frequently Asked Question's
What is Freediving?
Freediving is diving with a single breath of air without using any equipment that would make you breath under water. Freediving gives you total freedom of movement to dive without heavy, bulky and expensive equipment on your back. It also allows for interaction with the ocean creatures in a way many can only dream. Combining yoga breathing techniques with freediving we learns about the power of mind, the energy inside our body and the knowledge of breathing to develop and expand the confines and limitations into the deep blue water on only a single breath.
What is Apnea?
Freediving is also referred to as 'Apnea'. The word apnea comes from the Greek word A-Pnoia, that means without breathing. The origin of this word doesn’t have any connection with water, but in modern athletic terminology the word APNEA has become a synonym with freediving.
Can Anyone Freedive?
Yes, all humans are all designed to freedive. The human body shares similarities with our mammalian relatives, whales and dolphins, which allow us to hold our breaths for extended periods while in the water. You do not need to be super fit to be able to freedive! We work closely with each student to encourage them and make sure they are happy and progressing well on their freediving journey.
Is it Dangerous?
No, no more than other in water activities. And not if you abide by the golden rule: NEVER FREEDIVE ALONE. Always freedive with an experienced buddy with you at all times. During all of our freediving courses you will be supervised at all times by a freediving instructor and will be taught and have opportunity to practice the safety and rescue procedures that are integral to the sport.
What Are The Benefits Of Freediving?
By learning the breathing and relaxation techniques associated with freediving you can learn how to be truly relaxed underwater on a single breath. Benefits include; relaxation, being able to see/take pictures of underwater life, freedom from stress and worry. Learning to freedive also helps control anxiety, asthma, assist in other sports, promote a healthy mind and body and build confidence!
Freediving is diving with a single breath of air without using any equipment that would make you breath under water. Freediving gives you total freedom of movement to dive without heavy, bulky and expensive equipment on your back. It also allows for interaction with the ocean creatures in a way many can only dream. Combining yoga breathing techniques with freediving we learns about the power of mind, the energy inside our body and the knowledge of breathing to develop and expand the confines and limitations into the deep blue water on only a single breath.
What is Apnea?
Freediving is also referred to as 'Apnea'. The word apnea comes from the Greek word A-Pnoia, that means without breathing. The origin of this word doesn’t have any connection with water, but in modern athletic terminology the word APNEA has become a synonym with freediving.
Can Anyone Freedive?
Yes, all humans are all designed to freedive. The human body shares similarities with our mammalian relatives, whales and dolphins, which allow us to hold our breaths for extended periods while in the water. You do not need to be super fit to be able to freedive! We work closely with each student to encourage them and make sure they are happy and progressing well on their freediving journey.
Is it Dangerous?
No, no more than other in water activities. And not if you abide by the golden rule: NEVER FREEDIVE ALONE. Always freedive with an experienced buddy with you at all times. During all of our freediving courses you will be supervised at all times by a freediving instructor and will be taught and have opportunity to practice the safety and rescue procedures that are integral to the sport.
What Are The Benefits Of Freediving?
By learning the breathing and relaxation techniques associated with freediving you can learn how to be truly relaxed underwater on a single breath. Benefits include; relaxation, being able to see/take pictures of underwater life, freedom from stress and worry. Learning to freedive also helps control anxiety, asthma, assist in other sports, promote a healthy mind and body and build confidence!
One Breath Freediving & Courses: Frequently Asked Question'S
I've Never Freedived Before. Where Do I Start?
The 'Freediver' course is a suitable starting point if you are comfortable in the water such as being a swimmer, a scuba diver or have done more adventurous snorkelling. If you are less confident in the water a better place to start will be the 'Introduction to Freediving' course. If you are still unsure you can email us to see what we recommend for you.
Why Should I Choose One Breath Freediving?
There are many good reasons to dive with One Breath Freediving! Here are just a few of them:
What Can I Expect From A Course?
It is important not to put too much pressure on yourself during the course as a relaxed body and mind are necessary to freedive successfully. Our breathing and relaxation sessions will help you achieve this state before diving, but it is also beneficial not to focus on depth or times during diving sessions. These targets will come with the proper technique and with practice.
But, as a guide most students will achieve depths of 16-20m at Freediver, 24-26m at Advanced and 30-35m at Master levels.
How Much Is A Course?
All courses are fully inclusive, so there are no hidden costs. To see the current price lists, please click HERE
Do I Need My Own Equipment?
Freediving equipment rental is included FREE for the duration of any of our courses. This includes: Wetsuit, fins, low volume mask, snorkel, weights and weight belt. If you do own some of your own diving equipment, such as a wetsuit, you are more than welcome to use it. You can check with us what is suitable if you are unsure.
For other training, guiding & coaching sessions, equipment (except weights) is not provided but, can be hired from us:
To see a current price list, click HERE
What Certification Will I Receive?
All courses are certified by AIDA International which is the biggest and most widely recognised freediving organisation. This means that you can continue your training anywhere in the world with many instructors available to choose from. Upon successful completion of your course you will receive an e-certification card which will display your personal qualification information.
What If I Don't Meet The Requirements?
To certify a student as a freediver we need to abide by AIDA training standards and ensure that certain requirements and standards are met. If for any reason you do not meet these requirements during the duration of the course it is up to the student to book and pay for any extra training sessions. Alternatively, with AIDA, if all pool and theory requirements are met but not the open water requirements, it is possible to be certified to show this is the case (i.e- AIDA2 Pool Freediver). The additional open water requirements can then be completed at a later date with any AIDA freediving instructor.
Can I Cross Over To AIDA From Another Freediving Agency?
Yes. Depending on your freediving experience and which freediving agency you are crossing over from, it might be necessary to do a cross over evaluation to test your in water skills and theory knowledge. This will include: 1x open water session, 1x confined water session, 1x classroom session. Depending on the outcome you will then be able to progress to the next suitable freediving course or schedule extra training sessions to ensure you are ready. For more information about crossing over to AIDA, click HERE
Why Freedive in The Maltese Islands?
The Maltese islands in the Mediterranean sea boast clear blue water with visibility of up to 40m and water temperatures between 16-28c. Depths of 30m+ are easily reached from shore so there is no hassle of needing a boat during the dive sessions. Malta also boasts some of the best wrecks and most interesting underwater geology in the world, so after the training dives there is the opportunity to have some fun dives and practice what you have learnt. Malta is an amazing location for freediving!
Is The Freediving From Shore Or Boat?
All freediving is from shore. As Malta is a small island we can easily access all sides depending on the conditions on the day and we can access up to 35m of depth just metres from shore. The exception is Comino where we will take a dedicated freediving boat. Gozo is accessed by ferry and then from shore.
Can I Get Photographs Of Me On The Course Or Training?
We can offer you digital photo and video packages of your freediving! Ask to see examples of student photographs. Additionally, if you want to learn how to take underwater photographs while freediving yourself, we also offer a 1 day course which will transform your underwater photography knowledge!
Find out more, go to the Underwater Photography page.
The 'Freediver' course is a suitable starting point if you are comfortable in the water such as being a swimmer, a scuba diver or have done more adventurous snorkelling. If you are less confident in the water a better place to start will be the 'Introduction to Freediving' course. If you are still unsure you can email us to see what we recommend for you.
Why Should I Choose One Breath Freediving?
There are many good reasons to dive with One Breath Freediving! Here are just a few of them:
- Small teaching groups for better learning and more attention
- Courses starting every week with no minimum number for the course to run
- Professional & Personalised teaching with a qualified & highly experienced instructor
- Top rating on Trip Advisor. Check the reviews!
- FREE hotel pick up (Bugibba, Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay, Xemxija)
What Can I Expect From A Course?
It is important not to put too much pressure on yourself during the course as a relaxed body and mind are necessary to freedive successfully. Our breathing and relaxation sessions will help you achieve this state before diving, but it is also beneficial not to focus on depth or times during diving sessions. These targets will come with the proper technique and with practice.
But, as a guide most students will achieve depths of 16-20m at Freediver, 24-26m at Advanced and 30-35m at Master levels.
How Much Is A Course?
All courses are fully inclusive, so there are no hidden costs. To see the current price lists, please click HERE
Do I Need My Own Equipment?
Freediving equipment rental is included FREE for the duration of any of our courses. This includes: Wetsuit, fins, low volume mask, snorkel, weights and weight belt. If you do own some of your own diving equipment, such as a wetsuit, you are more than welcome to use it. You can check with us what is suitable if you are unsure.
For other training, guiding & coaching sessions, equipment (except weights) is not provided but, can be hired from us:
To see a current price list, click HERE
What Certification Will I Receive?
All courses are certified by AIDA International which is the biggest and most widely recognised freediving organisation. This means that you can continue your training anywhere in the world with many instructors available to choose from. Upon successful completion of your course you will receive an e-certification card which will display your personal qualification information.
What If I Don't Meet The Requirements?
To certify a student as a freediver we need to abide by AIDA training standards and ensure that certain requirements and standards are met. If for any reason you do not meet these requirements during the duration of the course it is up to the student to book and pay for any extra training sessions. Alternatively, with AIDA, if all pool and theory requirements are met but not the open water requirements, it is possible to be certified to show this is the case (i.e- AIDA2 Pool Freediver). The additional open water requirements can then be completed at a later date with any AIDA freediving instructor.
Can I Cross Over To AIDA From Another Freediving Agency?
Yes. Depending on your freediving experience and which freediving agency you are crossing over from, it might be necessary to do a cross over evaluation to test your in water skills and theory knowledge. This will include: 1x open water session, 1x confined water session, 1x classroom session. Depending on the outcome you will then be able to progress to the next suitable freediving course or schedule extra training sessions to ensure you are ready. For more information about crossing over to AIDA, click HERE
Why Freedive in The Maltese Islands?
The Maltese islands in the Mediterranean sea boast clear blue water with visibility of up to 40m and water temperatures between 16-28c. Depths of 30m+ are easily reached from shore so there is no hassle of needing a boat during the dive sessions. Malta also boasts some of the best wrecks and most interesting underwater geology in the world, so after the training dives there is the opportunity to have some fun dives and practice what you have learnt. Malta is an amazing location for freediving!
Is The Freediving From Shore Or Boat?
All freediving is from shore. As Malta is a small island we can easily access all sides depending on the conditions on the day and we can access up to 35m of depth just metres from shore. The exception is Comino where we will take a dedicated freediving boat. Gozo is accessed by ferry and then from shore.
Can I Get Photographs Of Me On The Course Or Training?
We can offer you digital photo and video packages of your freediving! Ask to see examples of student photographs. Additionally, if you want to learn how to take underwater photographs while freediving yourself, we also offer a 1 day course which will transform your underwater photography knowledge!
Find out more, go to the Underwater Photography page.
Technical: Frequently Asked Question'S
What Are The Main Freediving Disciplines?
Freediving has 10 main competitive disciplines:
Constant Weight (CWT) Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) / Constant Weight No Fins (CNF):
With or without fins, the diver must descend and ascend kicking and completely unassisted. The diver may wear weight, but whatever is taken down must be returned to the surface. This is seen as the truest form of freediving and the toughest. Descending in the easy part. You need 80% of your strength in returning to the surface, using all the major muscles in your body when you O2 levels are at their lowest.
Variable Weight (VWT):
The diver descends on a sled (with up to a third of their body weight) and returns to the surface under his or her own power, either kicking and/or pulling on the rope.
Free Immersion (FIM):
The diver must descend and ascend by pulling on the dive line. Weight may be worn, but this is simply a variation of the constant weight category so the diver must return to the surface with the same amount of weight used for the descent. No fins are worn.
No Limits (NLT):
The deepest free dives in history are made in this category. Here the diver uses a weighted sled, descending at a rate of 3 – 4 meters/second. Ascent is assisted by an air filled balloon or other lifting device, which the diver usually has to manually activate upon arrival at depth.
Static (STA):
The diver holds his/her breath floating face down in a swimming pool or confined water area.
Dynamic (DYN) / Dynamic Bi-Fins (DYNB) / Dynamic No Fins (DNF):
With or without fins, the diver swims horizontally under water in a swimming pool or confined water area.
Here are the current AIDA World Records
Why The Long Fins?
Long bladed fins are more powerful and more responsive than scuba or snorkelling fins making it easier to move through the water.
Why Do I Have To Follow The Rope During Dives On The Course?!
Using a line or rope, for freediving training provides us with a number of benefits, such as being able to relax our head and neck rather than looking down or up, a reference point for depth and to know we are descending or ascending in a straight line and also for safety as an aid to descend or ascend (Free Immersion) and for turning efficiently and buddying.
The line can be seen as a 'tool' to improve our freediving technique underwater, and then afterwards, we can apply what we have learnt from the line to fun diving on the reefs.
Freediving has 10 main competitive disciplines:
Constant Weight (CWT) Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) / Constant Weight No Fins (CNF):
With or without fins, the diver must descend and ascend kicking and completely unassisted. The diver may wear weight, but whatever is taken down must be returned to the surface. This is seen as the truest form of freediving and the toughest. Descending in the easy part. You need 80% of your strength in returning to the surface, using all the major muscles in your body when you O2 levels are at their lowest.
Variable Weight (VWT):
The diver descends on a sled (with up to a third of their body weight) and returns to the surface under his or her own power, either kicking and/or pulling on the rope.
Free Immersion (FIM):
The diver must descend and ascend by pulling on the dive line. Weight may be worn, but this is simply a variation of the constant weight category so the diver must return to the surface with the same amount of weight used for the descent. No fins are worn.
No Limits (NLT):
The deepest free dives in history are made in this category. Here the diver uses a weighted sled, descending at a rate of 3 – 4 meters/second. Ascent is assisted by an air filled balloon or other lifting device, which the diver usually has to manually activate upon arrival at depth.
Static (STA):
The diver holds his/her breath floating face down in a swimming pool or confined water area.
Dynamic (DYN) / Dynamic Bi-Fins (DYNB) / Dynamic No Fins (DNF):
With or without fins, the diver swims horizontally under water in a swimming pool or confined water area.
Here are the current AIDA World Records
Why The Long Fins?
Long bladed fins are more powerful and more responsive than scuba or snorkelling fins making it easier to move through the water.
Why Do I Have To Follow The Rope During Dives On The Course?!
Using a line or rope, for freediving training provides us with a number of benefits, such as being able to relax our head and neck rather than looking down or up, a reference point for depth and to know we are descending or ascending in a straight line and also for safety as an aid to descend or ascend (Free Immersion) and for turning efficiently and buddying.
The line can be seen as a 'tool' to improve our freediving technique underwater, and then afterwards, we can apply what we have learnt from the line to fun diving on the reefs.
Other: Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Recommend Accommodation?
Yes, certainly. Tell us what your budget is and requirements and we will give you the best options we know of, or check HERE on the 'Links' page.
Anything Else I Should Know Before I Come?
Here are a few pieces of useful information:
Yes, certainly. Tell us what your budget is and requirements and we will give you the best options we know of, or check HERE on the 'Links' page.
Anything Else I Should Know Before I Come?
Here are a few pieces of useful information:
- Malta uses UK style three-pin electrical plugs, so you might need an adaptor.
- Malta drives on the left side of the road.
- English is the official second language after Maltese. Italian is also widely spoken.
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