Costa diving down through open blue water on one breath, no fins

Learn To Dive On One Breath

Name: FII Level 1 Freediver
Price: 475 USD

Welcome to freediving: Self-discovery, new depths, and a certification that unlocks a world of aquatic adventures.

Take The Plunge Private Courses

The Way Your Body Was Always Meant To

Costa on the line in a Florida spring, a manatee passing above

The FII Level 1 Freediver course unlocks your secret aquatic superpower: The Mammalian Diving Reflex.

Like the manatee in the neighboring photo, humans have this diving reflex (very few people actually know about it). The mammalian diving reflex allows you to hold your breath far longer and dive much deeper than you ever knew you could. And that's just the beginning...

FII Level 1 unlocks hundreds of trips and courses worldwide.

Freediving Instructors International Gold standard freediving education

Meet Your Instructor

Costa Michailidis

Costa pulling up the dive line on one breath, trailing bubbles — Costa Michailidis · **Founder, Costa Freediving** · FII Freediving Instructor

I have loved the ocean since my mother first threw me into it; not a joke. That's how I learned to swim. I tried scuba for years, but it was always constricting and unnatural. Freediving changed everything! It gave me a deep sense of belonging in the ocean, and I have never looked back.

Costa learned to freedive, and to teach freediving, from thirteen-time world record freediving champion, Martin Stepanek. Martin built the first freediving schools, pioneered safety systems that save lives to this day, and continues to dive and teach as a living legend in the sport.

Martin Stepanek Founder, Freediving Instructors International · World Record Freediving Champion

Freediving Courses

Discover your aquatic superpowers and explore the underwater world like never before.

FII Level 1 Freediver Course

A student ascending the line from 20 meters, the safety diver beside him

Day 1: Classroom & pool session. Day 2: Open water dives to 20 meters (66 feet). Ages 16 and up (ages 12 to 15 by request), competent swimmers. Required gear: Full body wetsuit, snorkel, mask, fins, weight belt & weights.

The Diving ReflexFreediving physiology and the mammalian diving reflex you were born with.
SafetyFII's gold standard safety practices and techniques.
BreathingEfficient breath up techniques, relaxation, and recovery breathing.
EqualizationBasic equalization techniques and training programs.
TechniqueEfficient finning and a streamlined body on the line.
EquipmentChoosing safe, high performance gear, and caring for your own gear.
ScienceAnd a little bit of physiology and physics.