Almost everyone asks the same question before signing up for the AIDA 2: “Can I actually do this?” You can’t hold your breath for long. You’ve never freedived before. And yet something pulls you toward the idea of going underwater on a single breath.
The honest answer is: yes, you can. And in Dahab, in the Red Sea, the chances of not just being able to do it but falling completely in love with it are very high.
What the AIDA 2 is
The AIDA 2 is the first internationally recognised freediving certification from AIDA (Association Internationale pour le Développement de l’Apnée), the world governing body for the sport of freediving. It is the standard entry point into certified apnea — there is an AIDA 1 below it, as a 1 day introduction experience. The AIDA 2 is where freediving really begins.
On completion, you’ll be certified to freedive worldwide with international recognition, always with a certified safety buddy. The maximum depth of the course is 20 meters.
What you’ll learn
The AIDA 2 covers three freediving disciplines:
- Static apnea (STA): breath-hold at the surface, face in the water, no movement. Simpler than it sounds and more revealing than you’d expect. You learn to manage CO², relax the diaphragm, stop fighting the urge to breathe.
- Dynamic apnea (DYNB): Horizontal distance underwater in a pool or shallow water, with fins. The goal is distance with minimal oxygen consumption and efficient movement.
- Free immersion (FIM): The vertical descent in open water that is the most recognisable image of freediving. Using the descent line as a guide, pulling it down and back, you go down managing equalization, reach your target depth, and come back up calmly.
- Constant weight with bifins (CWTB): vertical descent with the line as a guide but using the finning to move up and down underwater.
Beyond the disciplines, the course covers basic physiology (what happens to your body when you dive), pre-dive breathing technique, basic equalization, freediving safety and basic buddy rescue protocol.
How the course works at Makara
Day 1 — Theory, STA and shallow water: we will start with some theory: physiology, safety, breathing technique. Not a terrifying written exam — a conversation where we explain exactly what your body will do when you submerge and why. Then we will go for our first experience in static apnea, rather in the sea or in the pool. In the afternoon is the first session in shallow water where you will feel your first feelings of descent.
Day 2 — open water session 2 with a progressive depth and pool day. First sea session, usually at Dahab’s Lighthouse dive site — the most accessible spot in town. Progressive dives: 5 metres, 10, 15. We work on equalization, descent posture, relaxation at depth. The goal is not to reach 20 metres on day two — it’s for each dive to feel more comfortable than the last. In the afternoon and after a break, we will move to the pool to learn pool freediving.
Day 3 — last open water session and final exam. We will practice buddy rescue and the safety protocol. You will complete a test exam and achieve your first freediving certification.
Requirements
- 18 years or older (15–17 with parental consent).
- Comfortable in water — not a fast swimmer, just at ease in the water. We often ask the student to be able to swim 200 meters in open water.
- Good general health — you’ll fill in a medical form before the course.
- No prior freediving or scuba experience required.
What comes after the AIDA 2
The AIDA 2 is the beginning. With it you can:
- Freedive anywhere in the world with a certified buddy
- Access training sessions at freediving centres worldwide
- Progress to the AIDA 3 when ready (30 metres depth, advanced equalization)
- Eventually train as an AIDA instructor if freediving becomes more than a hobby
Many of our AIDA 2 students come back to Dahab for the AIDA 3 or private freediving coaching. Some stay for weeks of training. Freediving has that effect.
Ready to book your AIDA 2? Message us on WhatsApp or use the contact form. We’ll tell you availability and help you plan your trip from scratch.
FAQ
How much does the AIDA 2 course cost at Makara?
Contact us for the current price or check our website.It includes all materials, equipment and certification.
Can I do the AIDA 2 if I have sinus issues?
Chronic sinusitis can make equalization difficult. In mild cases it’s manageable with correct technique. In severe cases it’s better to wait until you’re in good condition. Talk to us before booking.
Does the AIDA 2 expire?
No. AIDA certifications don’t have an expiry date.
Can I freedive alone with an AIDA 2?
Never alone. The fundamental rule of freediving: always with a buddy. The AIDA 2 certifies you to practice with another certified freediver who can act as safety, but we recommend to keep training with an instructor until you feel full comfortable and confident.