What you should know before your first freediving course

A few practical points are worth establishing before you arrive.

Tell your instructor about relevant medical issues

Freediving exposes the body to breath-holding and changes in ambient pressure. Training providers use medical screening for a reason. If your medical questionnaire indicates that medical clearance is required, obtain it rather than deciding for yourself that a condition “probably doesn't matter.”

Do not arrive trying to demonstrate your maximum breath-hold

Your course is where you learn.

It isn't an audition.

Do not hyperventilate to stay underwater longer

Suppressing your urge to breathe by lowering CO₂ can increase blackout risk rather than making you a more capable freediver.

Never practice underwater breath-holds alone

Make this a rule before you develop any other training habits.

Do not force equalization

Pain is not a performance target.

Expect individual differences

Some skills will probably come quickly. Others may take time.

That is normal skill development, not a verdict on your potential.с