Question 1

What’s the difference between PADI Basic Freediver and PADI Freediver (Level 1)?

Accepted Answer

PADI Basic Freediver covers theory and confined‑water (pool) skills only—breath‑hold techniques, static and dynamic apnea, safety, and finning—with no open‑water depth requirement. It’s ideal if you want a strong foundation in a controlled environment or prefer to separate pool and ocean training.

PADI Freediver (Level 1) includes everything in Basic plus open‑water sessions where you apply skills on a line (free immersion and constant weight), practice equalisation at depth, and complete safety/rescue skills. Level 1 is performance‑based and typically targets around 90s static, 25m dynamic, and a 10m (or more) constant weight dive, though progress varies by student.

Question 2

What is the PADI Basic Freediver course?

Accepted Answer

It’s an entry‑level freediving course focused on theory and confined‑water skills (pool). You’ll learn breathing, relaxation, safety, and technique for static and dynamic apnea, without open‑water depth requirements.

Question 3

Do I need prior experience?

Accepted Answer

No. You just need to be confident in the water, able to swim a benchmark distance of 200m (or 400m with mask and snorkel) at any pace, and be medically fit and healthy.

It's an advantage if you have already tried snorkeling, scuba diving or open water swimming before but is in no way required.

This course is designed for complete beginners.

Question 4

What if I can’t reach 25m dynamic apnea or 90s wet static apnea on the day?

Accepted Answer

If you're unable to meet any or all of your PADI Freediver performance requirements you can continue training with us and complete performance requirements later to earn certification.

We retain your Blueback course records to track your performances and development as a freediver.

We offer several opportunities for you to safely build your skills and demonstrate the performance requirements needed to complete your certification* after your initial training course.

1. Book one or more Blueback Freedivers' Squad pool sessions (Monday and Thursday nights, 2hrs per session, from $55), 
2. Book one or more Blueback Ocean Squad sessions (Tuesday mornings, 1.5hrs, from $20), 
3. Book one or more Blueback Ocean Adventure Charters which include dynamic and depth training with a coach (from $230),
4. Book onto one of our Blueback Trips - most of which include the opportunity to practice and perform your static, dynamic or depth performance requirements towards your PADI Freediver (Level 1) certification.
5. Book a one-on-one breath, pool or depth training session with a Blueback Coach to develop skills at your own pace (from $100/hr).
6. Book onto one or more of our Blueback Community Days to practice your freedive skills in a safety-managed setting (Free for Blueback Freedivers; You are a 'Blueback Freediver' once you book and attend any event with us)! These are our way of supporting those freedivers in our community that would enjoy more time and space to build their skills and confidence.

*You must let your Blueback Dive Supervisor know that you wish for your training freedives to count towards your PADI Freediver (Level 1) certification 'in-progress', so that they can link your performances to your PADI training records in our system.

Question 5

What will I be able to do by the end of the course?

Accepted Answer

You’ll understand freediving fundamentals and be able to perform safe breath‑hold exercises in a pool, including static and dynamic apnea with efficient finning and recovery breathing. Many students aim for typical targets like around 90 seconds static and 25 metres dynamic, but progression is individual.

Question 6

What gear do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

STUDIO SESSION
 • Comfortable clothing
 • Water bottle
 • Snacks or light meal

POOL & OPEN WATER SESSIONS
 • Swimwear
 • Towel
 • Yoga Mat 
 • Change of clothes
 • Freediving mask*
 • Freediving snorkel*
 • Freediving fins* 
 • Freediving wetsuit (5mm)* 
 • Weight belt & weights (4.5kg, 3 x 1.5kg recommended)
 • Snacks or light meal
 • Comfortable clothing
 • Water bottle
 • Snacks or light meal

*Scuba or snorkeling equipment will also suffice if that's all you have.

NOTE: We recommend NOT rushing ahead and buying new freediving gear for the course until you've sampled or learned about the different types of equipment for the different types of freediving activities through this course. Many people buy the wrong fit or type of gear before they've even learned how to freedive. For your ongoing safety, comfort and needs we recommend to either use what you have or hire before making any purchases. We foster a sustainable purchase of high quality equipment or gear that suits your freediving goals and budget. It may save you a lot of money and time to wait until after the course to purchase freediving equipment.

Check with us about rentals and try-before-you buy with some of our freediving equipment available to hire and purchase (new).

Question 7

Can I upgrade to the full PADI Freediver (Open Water / Level 1) later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Basic Freediver covers eLearning/theory and pool skills. You can add open‑water depth sessions (2 minimum) later to complete the full PADI Freediver certification when you’re ready.

BLUEBACK FREEDIVING & YOGA

PADI Basic Freediver Course

Blueback PADI Basic Freediver Courses

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

PADI Basic Freediver Course

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