Private Scuba DiversPADI CoursesFreediving › Master Freedivers

How to Be a PADI® Master Freediver

Having lessons from a Freediver Instructor will help you refine your freediving skills and improve your performance to elite freediving standards in static and dynamic apnea.

This section explains how to get the Master Freediving certification, what skills you will learn, program limitations, and what kind of equipment you'll use.

Skills Needed to Become a Master Freediver

The key principles of freediving focus on performing controlled and safe breath-hold techniques.

Taking a freediving course is one way to explore shallow water without having to learn scuba diving or join a snorkeling tour.

You will start by practicing in a swimming pool or a confined water site (e.g. a sheltered bay).

The goals of the masters course are to approach elitist levels and take your freediving achievements to the next phase - accomplished at a pace that is safe and practical.

Note: If you don't meet the minimum age requirements (eighteen) you may choose to enrol in the PADI Advanced Freediver course instead.

Course Requirements

The objective for students in confined water (e.g. a pool) is to achieve static apnea for at least three minutes and thirty seconds (3:30) and dynamic apnea for seventy metres (230 feet).

The objective for students in open water is to achieve a constant weight freedive of thirty two metres (105 feet) - through three main phases:

  1. Knowledge development:
    1. Achieved through independent study via Freediver eLearning or through classroom sessions (if the online tuition is not available in a language that you understand).
    2. How to Get the PADI Master Freediver Certification in ThailandExpert level breathing techniques, nutrition, and relaxation drills.
    3. The Master Freediver Assignment completed through independent research.
  2. Confined water session to learn about:
    1. Improving static and dynamic apnea.
    2. No fins dynamic apnea swim
  3. Open water sessions to practice:
    1. Mouthfill equalisation
    2. Warm-up and workup dives for free immersion and constant weight freediving

To enrol in the PADI® Master Freediving certification course, you must:

Note: The main section explains how to get the Freediver certification, what skills you learn, program limitations, and what kind of gear you will need.

Equipment for Freedivers

Some gear is specifically designed for freediving. Even so, you may use some traditional snorkeling equipment if you already have your own set. You will need to have:

Another section contains a comprehensive list of freediving equipment and accessories for beginners. You can also learn about some safety items that allow you to dive deeper - and for longer.

Ready to Get Started?

The PADI® Freediver eLearning mobile app is an interactive study tool that you can use at your own pace. You can use it to get the background information needed to freedive in a safe manner.

Related Information and Help Guides

Note: The short video presented by PADI® [1:01 seconds] spotlights the discipline and control needed to stay underwater while your breath allows it. Please contact us for further details.

Divers also enjoyed reading about...