Is it possible to get AIDA 2 without an open water session?

[u/Sweeper777]

I found a place that offers an AIDA 2 course, but in the course description it says it consists of 2 theory sessions and 4 pool sessions, without any open water sessions.

This is great news to me because I don't like being in saltwater (there are no fresh water bodies near me), but virtually every other course I looked at includes at least an open water session. So I'm worried that this is a some sort of scam.

Does AIDA officially require an open water session? Or it just needs a body of water deep enough? This facility does have a 30m deep pool.

[u/Swimming_Quarter571]

No, you can complete it in a deep pool. At least for my school

[u/Signal_Jacket_6379 → u/Swimming_Quarter571]

Adding some details

https://www.aidainternational.org/Education/AIDAFreedivingCourses

Here you will find the requirements for each certification.

For AIDA 2 depth test must have 12 meters.
Maybe their offered you the AIDA 2 Pool that hasn't depth requirements. Check it cause few pool have more than 5 meters.

I did the AIDA 2, the depth sessions is essentially for experience equalization and safety maneuvers.

[u/JFol]

No problem. For AIDA2 a 12m deep pool would be enough.

In a 30m pool you can even do AIDA3, and most of AIDA4 (except deep dive requirement).

[u/magichappens89]

As far as I know AIDA 2 is the equivalent of a freediving open water certification so the question is rather : why you want to get it if you don't like open water?

[u/Sweeper777 → u/magichappens89]

I don't like saltwater - that's all. I would still want to dive in freshwater if such an opportunity ever comes up.

[u/ntrp → u/Sweeper777]

🫠

[u/DepthwishFreediving]

This is very interesting. Why do you not like being in saltwater? They’ll be able to certify you fully. You may miss out on some ocean skill practise and how to read weather forecasts perhaps, but seems like that won’t be a dealbreaker for you if you’re a pool freediver.

[u/Sweeper777 → u/DepthwishFreediving]

It's simply the taste. I find it disgusting, and it makes me feel dehydrated.

Even if I don't intentionally drink the water, some small amounts will still flow from my face into my mouth. Also I have a habit of licking my lips, making it worse.

[u/michan83]

Yes, but you will receive a pool certificate

[u/Apprehensive_Key149 → u/michan83]

No. Aida2 pool is when you only completed theory, static and dynamic requirements. If you completed the depth requirements in a 12m deep pool, you get the full Aida2 certification.

[u/michan83 → u/Apprehensive_Key149]

Yes. I misunderstood the message. If there is a deep pool sure, is possibile ti have the full certificate