AIDA 3 FREEDIVING MANUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the focus of the AIDA3 Course? - Correct Answers -Train freediving beyond the
basics, safely expanding personal capabilities. "Numbers" in freediving indicate good
technique, not pushing limits.
Prerequisites for enrolling in AIDA3 - Correct Answers -18+ years old (16 with guardian
consent)
Completed AIDA2 or passed AIDA Crossover Evaluation
Completed AIDA Medical Form
Signed Liability Release
Course structure of AIDA3 - Correct Answers -Minimum 3 theory lessons
Minimum 2 pool sessions
Minimum 4 open water sessions
What is the purpose of the AIDA Crossover Evaluation? - Correct Answers -To assess
knowledge and skills from other freediving certifications or experience, ensuring
appropriate course placement.
Skills required to enroll in AIDA3 (from AIDA2) - Correct Answers -STA: ≥ 2 min
DYN: ≥ 40 m
CWT: 12-20 m
Demonstration of FIM technique
Buddying & rescue in all disciplines
What does AIDA assess during evaluation? - Correct Answers -Classroom, pool, and
open water sessions to ensure correct technique, safety, and efficient execution of
dives.
Purpose of AIDA Medical Statement - Correct Answers -Ensure freediver is fit and
aware of risks. "YES" answers require written clearance from a doctor.
Purpose of Liability Release - Correct Answers -Acknowledge personal responsibility for
safety while freediving; emphasizes adherence to instructor guidance.
Average breath-hold in an untrained person - Correct Answers -60-80 seconds. AIDA2
students prove 2+ min is safe with technique.
Blood composition - Correct Answers -~8% of body weight (~4-6 L)
RBCs → carry oxygen via hemoglobin
WBCs & platelets → immunity & clotting
Plasma → transport nutrients, CO2, hormones, heat, water balance, pH regulation
, Oxygenated vs oxygen-depleted blood - Correct Answers -Oxygenated: bright red, 96-
99% saturation
Deoxygenated: purple, indicates lower O2 (cyanosis)
What is cyanosis and why is it important? - Correct Answers -"Blue lips" indicating
decreasing O2. Buddy should notice → warns diver not to push further.
Principle of diffusion - Correct Answers -Gas moves naturally from high concentration →
low concentration. Drives O2 into blood, CO2 out of blood in alveoli.
Cardiovascular system - Correct Answers -Circulates oxygen-rich blood (arteries) and
CO2-rich blood (veins). Exception: pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood to
lungs; pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood to heart.
Hyperventilation and freediving - Correct Answers -Reduces CO2 → delays urge to
breathe → increases blackout risk
Decreases cerebral blood flow → can cause blackout at surface
Bohr effect: low CO2 → hemoglobin holds O2 more tightly → less delivered to tissues
Key takeaway about O2 and CO2 - Correct Answers -Hyperventilation doesn't increase
O2 content; it decreases CO2, delaying warning signs → hypoxia risk.
Outer ear during freediving - Correct Answers -Must fill with water; uncompressible air
impedes equalisation. Hood may block → lift slightly or poke holes.
Middle ear and equalisation - Correct Answers -Air-filled space separated by eardrum;
equalised via Eustachian tubes connected to nasopharynx.
Muscles around Eustachian tubes - Correct Answers -Relaxed muscles allow smooth
equalisation. Swallowing contracts muscles → opens tube ("click" sound).
Sinuses - Correct Answers -Hollow, air-filled cavities in skull → reduce weight, resonate
voice, ventilated via ostium. Mucus traps irritants.
Why avoid flushing sinuses with seawater? - Correct Answers -High infection risk due to
germs & pollutants; better to use gentle ventilation and yogic techniques (kapalabhati,
neti).
Frenzel vs Valsalva - Correct Answers -Valsalva: uses abdomen → shallow dives,
inefficient at depth
Frenzel: uses tongue/cheeks, throat locked → efficient, required from AIDA3 onward
How to self-check for Frenzel - Correct Answers -Calm nasal breathing
Pinch nose
Pronounce "T" or "K"
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the focus of the AIDA3 Course? - Correct Answers -Train freediving beyond the
basics, safely expanding personal capabilities. "Numbers" in freediving indicate good
technique, not pushing limits.
Prerequisites for enrolling in AIDA3 - Correct Answers -18+ years old (16 with guardian
consent)
Completed AIDA2 or passed AIDA Crossover Evaluation
Completed AIDA Medical Form
Signed Liability Release
Course structure of AIDA3 - Correct Answers -Minimum 3 theory lessons
Minimum 2 pool sessions
Minimum 4 open water sessions
What is the purpose of the AIDA Crossover Evaluation? - Correct Answers -To assess
knowledge and skills from other freediving certifications or experience, ensuring
appropriate course placement.
Skills required to enroll in AIDA3 (from AIDA2) - Correct Answers -STA: ≥ 2 min
DYN: ≥ 40 m
CWT: 12-20 m
Demonstration of FIM technique
Buddying & rescue in all disciplines
What does AIDA assess during evaluation? - Correct Answers -Classroom, pool, and
open water sessions to ensure correct technique, safety, and efficient execution of
dives.
Purpose of AIDA Medical Statement - Correct Answers -Ensure freediver is fit and
aware of risks. "YES" answers require written clearance from a doctor.
Purpose of Liability Release - Correct Answers -Acknowledge personal responsibility for
safety while freediving; emphasizes adherence to instructor guidance.
Average breath-hold in an untrained person - Correct Answers -60-80 seconds. AIDA2
students prove 2+ min is safe with technique.
Blood composition - Correct Answers -~8% of body weight (~4-6 L)
RBCs → carry oxygen via hemoglobin
WBCs & platelets → immunity & clotting
Plasma → transport nutrients, CO2, hormones, heat, water balance, pH regulation
, Oxygenated vs oxygen-depleted blood - Correct Answers -Oxygenated: bright red, 96-
99% saturation
Deoxygenated: purple, indicates lower O2 (cyanosis)
What is cyanosis and why is it important? - Correct Answers -"Blue lips" indicating
decreasing O2. Buddy should notice → warns diver not to push further.
Principle of diffusion - Correct Answers -Gas moves naturally from high concentration →
low concentration. Drives O2 into blood, CO2 out of blood in alveoli.
Cardiovascular system - Correct Answers -Circulates oxygen-rich blood (arteries) and
CO2-rich blood (veins). Exception: pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood to
lungs; pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood to heart.
Hyperventilation and freediving - Correct Answers -Reduces CO2 → delays urge to
breathe → increases blackout risk
Decreases cerebral blood flow → can cause blackout at surface
Bohr effect: low CO2 → hemoglobin holds O2 more tightly → less delivered to tissues
Key takeaway about O2 and CO2 - Correct Answers -Hyperventilation doesn't increase
O2 content; it decreases CO2, delaying warning signs → hypoxia risk.
Outer ear during freediving - Correct Answers -Must fill with water; uncompressible air
impedes equalisation. Hood may block → lift slightly or poke holes.
Middle ear and equalisation - Correct Answers -Air-filled space separated by eardrum;
equalised via Eustachian tubes connected to nasopharynx.
Muscles around Eustachian tubes - Correct Answers -Relaxed muscles allow smooth
equalisation. Swallowing contracts muscles → opens tube ("click" sound).
Sinuses - Correct Answers -Hollow, air-filled cavities in skull → reduce weight, resonate
voice, ventilated via ostium. Mucus traps irritants.
Why avoid flushing sinuses with seawater? - Correct Answers -High infection risk due to
germs & pollutants; better to use gentle ventilation and yogic techniques (kapalabhati,
neti).
Frenzel vs Valsalva - Correct Answers -Valsalva: uses abdomen → shallow dives,
inefficient at depth
Frenzel: uses tongue/cheeks, throat locked → efficient, required from AIDA3 onward
How to self-check for Frenzel - Correct Answers -Calm nasal breathing
Pinch nose
Pronounce "T" or "K"
