Freedive-Harvester Package:
This package on offer from Bottom Dwellers is a two course package. Learn proper and safe Freediving Techniques from a PFI Professional in the 'PFI Freediver' course. Take those skillsets learnt and adapt them to Marine Harvesting Applications in Bottom Dweller's 'Freedive-Harvesting Course' where you'll learn about local marine life, rules and regulations, risk management and valuable techniques and skillsets (including band-powered device handling) for freedive-harvesting and spearfishing.
These two courses together create Bottom Dwellers' 'Freedive-Harvester Package' to get you freediving, spearfishing and harvesting in the marine environemnt safely and competently.
***Costs may vary from course to course and location to location. Please check the specific course for which you wish to register for accurate and up to date pricing on this particular course.***
PFI FreEDIVER
In this course you will be taught the fundamental building blocks of Freediving. You will learn freediving skills and techniques and experience first hand how these will benefit you within an aquatic environment. You will learn about the physics and physiology of freediving and how your body adapts to being at depth. The PFI Freediver course will allow you to reach depths of up to 20m/66' deep during our open water sessions. In confined water sessions the PFI Freediver course will also have you explore and practice Static Apnea with the goal of increasing your breath-hold capabilities and learning to better manage your body for freediving.
Focus of instructional material in the PFI Freediver course will be on:
Proper safety practices and procedures as well as rescue and risk management
Proper Surface prep and Recovery Breathing Techniques for Freediving and Snorkelling
Open-water and Confined-water skills development. Take what you learn in the classroom to the pool, and from the pool to the ocean. Learn and improve proper freediving techniques and skills, including, but not limited to: safety procedures, breathing techniques, entry techniques, constant weight and free immersion techniques, equalization techniques, emergency procedures ...
Learn about proper freediving equipment: why it works and how to maintain it.
Freedive-Harvesting
This course bridges the gap for the 'certified freediver' allowing them to grow as a safe and competent freediver, adapting to safe, efficient and conscientious Freedive-Harvesting and Spearfishing methods and practices
Freediving within their certification standards, students will be taught the fundamentals of safe Freedive-Harvesting, band-powered device handling as well as the basics of Ethical Freedive-Harvesting and Local Rules and Regulations.
Focus of instructional material in BD's Freedive-Harvesting Course will be on:
Proper safety practices and procedures for freedive-harvesting and spearfishing as a safe-buddy system
Proper execution of safe-buddy system protocols
Classroom and In-water skill development covering such topics as: handling of band powered devices, safe freediving practices while harvesting, line management, signals and communication
Freedive-harvesting/spearfishing equipment use, management and maintenance. Learn the benefits specific freedive-harvesting/spearfishing equipment: why it works, how to maximize it's potential and how to keep your gear working for you.
COURSE FORMAT:
Bottom Dwellers Courses will be held between Online Academic classrooms, in person class rooms, various confined water settings (pool, lake or ocean) and a variety of open water dive sites. For up to date information on these locations check out the details for the specific course are attending and refer to your pre-course emails.
~3.5 days (specific courses and locations vary depending on scheduling, be sure to consult the specific course you are interested in taking for specific details)
Over the 3.5 days your course will have in some shape or form:
4 classroom sessions (total of 12 hours)
2 confined water freediving sessions (total of 6 hours)
2 open water freediving session (total of 5 hours)
1 x confined water band-powered device handling session 1.5 hrs
1 x open water band-powered device handling session 1.5 hrs
Example of a typical Bottom Dwellers' PFI Freediver course schedule and format
OA = Online Academics / CW = Confined Water / OW = Open Water
DAY 1*: OA1 VIA ZOOM - 6PM-9PM
DAY 2*: OA2 VIA ZOOM - 6PM-9PM
DAY 3: CW1 & CW2 8AM-330PM AT ESQ REC CENTRE
DAY 4: OW1 & OW2 8AM-4PM AT WILLIS PT. DIVE SITE
DAY 5: FH 1 & 2 9AM-12PM LOCATION TBD
Course prerequisites:
Have a full understanding the Bottom Dwellers Liability Release found in the link of the waiver set below. Acknowledge your understanding and agreement to this liability release and its terms by completing the Adobe Sign contract presented digitally by Bottom Dwellers prior to payment.
Fully read and understand the terms of the Medical Form and make any arrangements required for doctor’s stamp and signature prior to course.
Good bill of health and fitness - (see attached medical form)
To manage spearguns while diving participants must hold a freediving certification of equal or greater standing than the ‘PFI Basic Freediver’ level and must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
To manage polespears participants must have taken an ‘Advanced Snorkeler’ or higher rated course with Bottom Dwellers or hold a freediving certification of equal or greater standing than the ‘PFI Basic Freediver’ level and must be a minimum of 11 years of age
HOW TO REGISTER FOR A COURSE: (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
Step 1: Confirm Course Availability on site or Book a Private
Step 2: Download, read fully and have a complete understanding of the liability Release.
Step 3: Fill out the Registration form below on this page after referencing the course equipment requirements and medical form links below.
Step 4: Upon receipt of your registration form we will send you an ‘Adobe Sign’ agreement as acknowledgement of the liability waiver. When you have a full understanding of the liability release and you consent to its terms you may fill out and complete the agreement.
Step 5: After completing your electronic liability waiver acknowledgement via Adobe Sign you will be prompted to Make Payment for your seat for the desired available course with us via e-transfer.
After the Adobe Sign liability release acknowledgement is complete and the form below on this page has been submitted you may arrange for payments with Bottom Dwellers via E-transfer. You will receive a receipt for your payment which will be input by us manually through Online Store via ‘Squareup’.
IF A COURSE IS FULL and you wish to be WAITLISTED please feel free contact Bottom Dwellers
***Privates can be book off 4-6 person minimums pending the course.***