CROSS OVER FOR SCUBA DIVERS

For certified Scuba DIvers that want to become FCOA FREEDIVERS we often combine FCOA lesson 1 and 2 in one day and FCOA lesson 3 and 4 on the day that follows. In that way it's possible for scuba divers to earn their FCOA FREEDIVER certificate in just 2 days. 

CROSS OVER FOR OTHER AGENCY FREEDIVER 

If you are already a certified freediver with another agency then we give credit for your existing skills and experience. In order to cross over and to become an FCOA freediver your coach will assess you. After that he/she will familiarize you with FCOA protocols. You will also have to undergo FCOA lesson 3 "Navigation" since that is a lesson other agencies don't teach. Once you're certified as and FCOA freediver you can continue training to become an FCOA FREEDIVING COACH.

CROSS OVER FOR OTHER AGENCY INSTRUCTORS

If you are already an Instructor with another agency then an FCOA LEAD COACH can do an assessment session with you. After that a practical plan gets made for you to go trough the teaching experiences required to become an FCOA COACH. You would be teaching FCOA lessons under direct supervision of the lead coach un till you can conduct them independently.

WHAT MAKES FCOA UNIQUE?

1 First of all, our nonswimmer program:

- We welcome nonswimmers! about 50% of our participants arrive as nonswimmers yet they go home as a beginning swimmers and divers.

2. Our coach training program. Many of our participants of the past now make a living teaching freediving. FCOA functions as a stepping stone for those that like to get in to the business of diving. Check out some cool freediving groups here that started with FCOA

3. Our Sponsored Vipassana inspired 10 day coach training. We run a yearly 10 day coach training at no charge. The training camp includes vegan meals and a place to sleep. Click on MENU for more info.

4. Our Navigation lesson is something special and gets you ready to explore with confidence. The subjects covered in this unique lesson are:
- Tidal forcasting
- Drift awareness
- Triangulation (making a fix)
- Compass use and
- Time management.

5. Discounted Open Water Scuba Certification course. Once you have completed lesson 1 till 6 and pass the  "FCOA mask drill" you will get a 4k discount on your Scuba Course (In Puerto Galera Mindoro

6.FCOA is a non-profit organization, our learning materials are publicly available. FCOA coaches are free to charge as they please. But our training & certification app https://fcoa.online  is cost free. 

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF FREEDIVING?

The risks of freediving are very apparent and need little explanation.

"If you dive to long you pass out and drown", beginners have a healthy human fear for this that prevents them from pushing past their limits. 

In scuba diving most accidents happen during a beginers first 10 dives because the many risks are invisible and requier study and skill to be managed.

In freediving very little goes wrong during a beginers first 10 dives. Especially if the diver knows nothing at all, he won't argue with his contractions that tell him: "Go up and breath". 

It's when freedivers advance and gain confidence that they start exploring there boundaries and pass out. In general, the more they think they know, the closer they dive to their limits. 

(as a side note, the deeper you dive the greater the risks, and the greater the benefits of study and guidance, its good to be with someone more experienced who is comfortable with the new depthes you like to achieve)