Basic Freediving Safety Program – Kona (FULL)
Open to 12-years-old to 22-years-old spearfishermen and freedivers.
Team: Heidi Hoover (@merlifehawaii), Sandy Hammel (@sandyseabottom), Niki Stepanek, Martin Stepanek
This is a five hour program teaching you how to:
- Ensure you and your diving buddy come home alive
- Freedive/spearfish following standardized safety protocals
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of a freediving related hypoxic event
- Effectively manage a freediving related hypoxic event
- Minimize the chance of freediver blackout or LMC (loss of motor control)
- Be a Safe! buddy for your friends and family members
Depending on group size, we may split the practical training into two sessions. Group 1 will complete their practical training on Saturday afternoon and Group 2 will complete their practical training on Sunday between 11am-2:30pm. Students from out of town (those who do not live in Kona) will be given priority to complete the course on Saturday afternoon. If you live in Kona, then you will complete the practical training on Sunday.
Schedule:
Saturday, July 31st – 9am-11:30am Classroom; 12:30pm – 2:30pm Practical Training Group 1
Sunday, August 1st – 11:30am-1:30pm Practical Training Group 2
Duration:
- 2.5 hrs classroom
- 2 hrs confined water
What to bring:
- Mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, pen and paper (we can provide anything you don’t have, just let us know!) All items are mandatory for attendance.
Minimum age to attend:
- 12-years-old or older (12-17 year olds require both parents/guardians to complete the Liability Release and Medical Release)
Location:
- Classroom will be hosted at Suite Possibilities, 75-5915 Walua Road, Kailua Kona
- Practical Session will be hosted in Kailua Bay
Additional info:
- Upon completion students will receive a certificate of completion with the option of taking a short knowledge test for the FII Basic Freediving Safety certification.
Registration:
- Due to limited positions, all participants must pre-register.
Covid-19 Program Precautions:
- Group size is limited to maximum group size as outlined by the State of Hawaii.
- Programs are adapted to ensure social distancing and safety are a priority.
- All students must complete a Covid-19 questionnaire before attending.
- We encourage family members and buddy teams (pairs) to register together to limit exposure during the practical training.
