How should you choose your first freediving course?

Do not choose solely by asking:

“How deep will this certification allow me to dive?”

A better set of questions is:

Who will teach me?

How much direct instruction and feedback will I receive?

Will I learn proper buddy and rescue skills?

Will I understand why I am doing things, rather than simply being given instructions to copy?

Will I get enough practical training to develop the skills?

What happens if I don't meet one of the certification requirements immediately?

That last question matters.

Participating in a course and receiving a certification are not the same thing. Certification should be awarded after the required knowledge, skills and performance standards have been successfully demonstrated.

There is nothing shameful about needing additional time.

Learning should not become a frantic attempt to manufacture one successful performance on the final afternoon so that a card can be issued.

The objective is competence.

The certification records it.