If freediving has become more than a hobby and you're ready to pass that passion on, this is your route from strong personal skills to a genuine teaching career. Over an intensive week you build instructor-level knowledge, learn to run safe confined and open water sessions, and train yourself to spot early warning signs of a breath-hold problem. Passing the exam puts you in the global PADI Pro network, qualified to teach anywhere.

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In detail

About This Course

The PADI Freediving Instructor course is the professional-level program that qualifies experienced freedivers to teach. Run over an intensive week, it is designed for PADI Master Freedivers who are ready to pass on the skills, safety awareness and love of the sport that brought them this far.

Training combines instructor-level knowledge development with detailed teaching practice. You will learn how to present freediving theory clearly, run safe and well-organised confined and open water sessions, manage buddy and safety diver procedures, and recognise and respond to the early warning signs of a breath-hold problem before it becomes an emergency.

Throughout the course you will take turns leading mock lessons for your fellow candidates, receiving direct feedback on your presentation, in-water supervision and problem-solving under the guidance of a PADI Course Director or Staff Instructor. This hands-on teaching practice is where the real learning happens, turning strong personal freediving skills into the ability to coach someone else through theirs.

The course concludes with the PADI Freediving Instructor Exam, covering both theory and practical teaching ability. Pass, and you join the PADI Pro network as a qualified Freediving Instructor, ready to introduce new divers to the sport at dive centres and resorts anywhere in the world.

The process

How The Course Works

Step 1
Instructor Knowledge Development
You start by building the theory base every PADI Freediver Instructor needs - standards, risk management and the physiology behind safe freediving. It is the groundwork that lets you teach with real authority rather than just personal experience.
PADI states candidates must be at least 18, hold a Master Freediver certification (or qualifying rating), and complete EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months.
Step 2
Teaching Practicum
You plan and deliver real lessons to real students, in the pool and in open water, with a Course Director watching how you brief, demonstrate and debrief. It is where you shift from being a strong freediver to being someone other people can trust to teach them safely.
Step 3
Certification and Medical Sign-Off
With your teaching skills assessed and a physician's medical statement on file, you are cleared to certify students of your own. From here, the path towards Advanced and Master Freediver Instructor status is entirely in your hands.
PADI states a medical statement signed by a physician is required within 12 months of the course.

Course curriculum

What You'll Learn

Learning Outcomes

How to plan and run safe Basic Freediver, Freediver and Advanced Freediver courses
Recognising and managing breath-hold emergencies as a safety diver
Effective presentation and in-water teaching techniques
PADI standards, procedures and risk management for freediving instruction

Getting ready

Before You Start & What's Next

What's Included

PADI Freediving Instructor Manual and Guide to Teaching materials
Instructor-level knowledge development presentations
Confined and open water teaching practice sessions
PADI Freediving Instructor Exam

Prerequisites

Minimum age 18
PADI Master Freediver certification or qualifying certification
EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months
Medical statement signed by a physician within 12 months

Next Steps

PADI Master Freediver Instructor rating
Freediving specialty instructor courses
EFR Instructor training to broaden your teaching qualifications

Upcoming training

Dates & Booking

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Quick facts

Duration

7 days of structured training

Location

Unit 4, Bellman Court, Great Knollys Street, Reading, RG1 7HD

Certification

Recognised PADI qualification on completion

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Freediving Instructor

What to expect