The folks at AIDA International are showcasing the importance of freediving safety at this year’s DEMA Show in Orlando, Florida.
Created in 1992 as a nonprofit, AIDA International is among the world’s most well-known freediving organizations, and has since become the single largest organizer of international freediving competitions, rules and regulations. AIDA was created as not only a way for divers all over the world to come together, but to also establish safety guidelines for competitions and record attempts.
AIDA offers an array of courses ranging from “Introduction to Freediving” all the way to “Instructor,” “Judge” and even “Competition Safety Freediver.” Each course was built upon their fundamental values of safety and prevention. They believe that giving students a more in-depth look at the potential dangers of the sport, as well as teaching what NOT to do (such as never dive alone) will ultimately lead to a community of freedivers who put safety as their number one concern. They educate students on risk factors for things like respiratory barotrauma, freediving related blackout, as well as how to conduct a mini neuro-exam to check for signs of DCS.
AIDA freedivers from around the world are constantly participating in scientific studies to better understand the body’s reaction to deep diving. These studies ultimately allow them to develop new and better guidelines for safety which can then be implemented in both competitions and courses. Their goal is to “Standardize Competitive Freediving.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the incredible world of freediving — both competitive and recreational — check out their website at www.aidainternational.org. Here they offer an array of information about competitions, how to become a certified freediver, and most importantly pertinent medical documents and procedures.
— by Sarah Barrett
