FAQ

 
 

 

WHAT COURSES DO YOU OFFER?

We offer multiple levels of courses through two different agencies; 
Through PADI, we offer the: Level 1 Freediver, Level 2 Advanced Freediver, and the Level 3 Master Freediver certification courses.
Through AIDA, we offer the: AIDA 2 Freediver and AIDA 3 Advanced Freediver certification courses.
We also offer Crossover Evaluations for each agency, meaning if you are PADI certified and want to take an AIDA course, or vice versa, we are able to do so!
In addition to those, we also offer Emergency First Response courses twice a year, dry training, private training, and private courses for all levels / agencies. Check out our courses under the COURSES tab or contact us directly to schedule yours!


WHAT IF THERE IS NO COURSE DATE LISTED FOR WHEN I AM AVAILABLE?

If you have any specific dates in mind and there is no course listed, reach out to us directly and we can set up a special course date just for you!


WHAT CAN STUDENTS EXPECT DURING A CERTIFICATION COURSE?

At Depth Wish we teach our courses in four phases:

  1. We start with E-learning.  Once this is downloaded, you can access you e-learning anywhere, anytime; no internet required!

  2. Next is the classroom. During the classroom portion, we cover the physiology of freediving, history of freediving, safety procedures and protocol, freediving technique, equalization technique, freediving health and wellness, dry training, and much more.

  3. After the classroom, the next phase occurs in a confined water environment such as a swimming pool.  Here we practice different types of apnea (breath holding disciplines), rescue skills, the importance of diving with a buddy, and introducing you to proper water entry.

  4. Lastly, the final phase occurs in open water sessions.  During these, we perfect your duck dive, practice free immersion (pulling yourself down a line) and constant weight dives (diving down and following the line), then we hammer home the rescue techniques and importance of safe diving.  


WHAT IS THE CLASS SIZE / RATIO?

The student-to-instructor ration is never more than 4:1.  This small ratio learning environment guarantees that students will have a better opportunity to communicate as well as guaranteed one on one diving time with the instructor. 


HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE IN ORDER TO TAKE A FREEDIVING CLASS?

PADI Level 1 & 2: Students must be at least 15 years of age (with a parent / guardian signature), or 18 years of age (no parent / guardian signature required). 
PADI Level 3: Students must be at least 18 years of age. 
AIDA 2-3: Students must be at least 16 years of age (with a parent / guardian signature), or 18 years of age (no parent / guardian signature required).


WHAT DO I NEED TO BE PREPARED PRIOR TO TAKING A FREEDIVING CLASS?

The student must meet the minimum age requirements.  Students must be comfortable in water and be confident swimmers.  Lastly the student must complete a medical form provided by the instructor prior to your first class day; if you answer yes to any questions on the form you will need to be examined and signed off by a physician on the medical form.
If students are taking a PADI Level 2 Advanced or PADI Level 3 Master course, the student must also be actively CPR / First Aid certified.


WHERE ARE YOUR COURSES HELD?

Classroom and pool session will be held in Gainesville, FL. A team member will reach out to you once you have booked a course to let you know the exact times and locations of where you will be meeting.
Open water session are held in one of the beautiful freshwater springs of North Central Florida surrounding the Gainesville area.
If you are coming in from out of town, we suggested that you stay in the Gainesville area so you have the best opportunity to rest and meet your needs without the stress of traveling to and from meeting locations. Feel free to reach out to us for any suggestions on stays!


WHAT GEAR DO I NEED IN ORDER TO TAKE A FREEDIVING CLASS?

For PADI Level 1 & 2 and AIDA 2 & 3, freediving specific gear is recommended but not required to take a course.  Students should have a wetsuit (3mm suggested), mask, snorkel, weight belt and fins.  However, if students do not have their own gear, rental gear is available for an additional $25.
For a PADI Level 3, students are required to have their own gear, and it must be freediving specific equipment.


MY EARS HURT WHEN I DIVE IN A POOL OR WHEN SNORKELING. WILL THAT AFFECT MY FREEDIVING PERFORMANCE?

This is fairly common for anyone new to freediving. The discomfort you feel is a normal effect of the water pressure changes on your eardrums.  When you take a course we teach you proper equalization techniques that will help eliminate this problem all together.


WHAT IF I NEED TO RESCHEDULE?

You can always reschedule a course or training. However, courses canceled or rescheduled within 2 weeks of the scheduled date will be subjected to a $50 rescheduling fee. There is no fee for rescheduling before the 2 week window.

 
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?

All courses and trainings, once booked, are non-refundable and non-transferrable.