Frequently Asked Questions
All Your Questions
Everything people ask about freediving and spearfishing: getting started, courses, health, equipment, regulations and booking. For anything not covered here, WhatsApp is always open.
Getting Started
I have no diving experience — can I join?
Yes. The PSA F1 program is designed for complete beginners meeting the sea for the first time; most participants have never even snorkeled. Breathing, equalization and safety are taught from scratch — 2 theory sessions and 2 practical sea dives in a single day.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
You don't need to be an athletic swimmer; being comfortable in the water and able to swim at a basic level is enough. You'll work with mask, fins and buoy support throughout — technique develops during the course.
I can only hold my breath for 30 seconds — is that enough?
More than enough. There is no breath-hold requirement to start; the untrained average is 30-60 seconds anyway. With the relaxation and breathing techniques taught in the course, most participants reach 2 minutes by the end of day one — it's about relaxation, not lung size.
My ears hurt at the bottom of a pool. Can I still dive?
Yes — what you feel is normal pressure that everyone experiences, and the solution is the equalization technique taught on day one. The golden rule: never continue descending through ear pain.
Is there an age limit?
Courses are for ages 18 and over; with parental accompaniment F1 accepts 12+, F2 14+, and spearfishing courses 16+. There is no upper age limit — calmness is a real advantage in this sport.
I'm nervous about deep water. Is freediving for me?
Probably more than you think. Training progresses gradually, depth is never forced and every step is taken at your pace. Freediving is essentially a relaxation practice — many participants build their water confidence in this very course.
How is it different from scuba and snorkeling?
Snorkeling stays at the surface; freediving is trained single-breath depth diving with equalization and safety protocols. Compared to scuba, it's about freedom: minimal gear, and marine life comes much closer. Note for scuba divers: equalization is re-learned in freediving (the fast Frenzel technique).
I wear glasses or contact lenses — is that a problem?
Soft contact lenses are usually fine; just close your eyes if your mask floods. Glasses can't be worn under a mask, but prescription-lens masks exist — mention it when booking and we'll plan a solution together.
Courses & Certification
Which course should I start with?
If your goal is freediving, start with F1. If your goal is spearfishing and you're new to both disciplines, the F1+S1 combined camp — packing the full F1 and S1 curricula into one program — is the fastest, best-value path. Undecided? Try the 30-second guide on our homepage or message us on WhatsApp.
Can I start directly with spearfishing?
Spear 1 requires at least F1-level freediving as a prerequisite, because spearfishing is a functional form of freediving and safety is built on breath control. For a fast start in both disciplines, the combined F1+S1 camp is ideal.
How do the PSA levels progress?
Freediving: F1 (1 day, discovery) → F2 (2 days, conscious diving) → F3 (3 days, performance). Spearfishing: S1 (1 day, foundations) → S2 (2 days, reading the sea) → S3 (3 days, performance and trophy) → Spear Pro (competition athlete program). Each level builds on the previous one and is documented with a badge.
Does the certification expire?
No — the PSA certificate and badge you receive on completing a program do not expire. If you're returning after a long break, we recommend a short refresher session to renew your safety habits.
I'm certified with another agency (AIDA, SSI, PADI, CMAS). Do I start over?
No. Your current level is matched through a short skills evaluation and you continue from the appropriate PSA level. With an F1-equivalent certification you can join Spear 1 directly; the same evaluation applies to experienced divers comfortable solving problems at 10 meters.
Is certification guaranteed?
The honest answer: no — certification is earned by meeting performance standards, not by attendance. The most common sticking point for beginners is equalization; when that happens we don't apply pressure, we schedule extra sessions for the missing skills. The goal is not paper — it's making you a genuinely safe diver.
How big are the groups?
Groups are kept small for safety and efficiency, and every course is planned individually around the participant's level, capacity and goals. Fully private one-on-one programs are also available — ask us on WhatsApp.
Health & Safety
Is freediving dangerous?
Practiced with proper training and protocols, freediving is a safe sport; serious accidents almost always involve untrained people diving alone. At PSA every course is built on the buddy system, gradual progression, ILS lifesaving standards and emergency management — safety isn't a garnish on the curriculum, it's the foundation.
Can people with asthma, heart conditions or ear problems dive?
Every participant completes the PSA Medical Form before training. Such conditions are not automatic disqualifiers; only your physician can assess your individual risk — conditions flagged on the form require a doctor's approval. The final word on your health always belongs to your doctor.
What is a blackout, and how do you manage the risk?
A blackout is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by low oxygen — the sport's best-known risk. Managing it is simple in principle: never dive alone, a trained buddy watches every dive from the surface, and limits progress conservatively. Blackout and samba emergency management is taught hands-on in the F2 curriculum; with proper protocols, blackouts are rare.
Will diving damage my ears?
Not if you equalize correctly and never descend through pain. Barotrauma is entirely preventable, and equalization technique is central to the curriculum from the first level. That's also why we never dive congested.
I have a cold — can I dive?
No. Nasal and sinus congestion blocks equalization and risks ear injury; diving on decongestants is not recommended either. Just message us and we'll move your session to a new date together.
Can I freedive while pregnant?
The industry's standard position is to postpone freediving during pregnancy; since the effects of pressure and oxygen changes are not fully known, we recommend scheduling training for after birth. In all cases, consult your physician.
Can I scuba dive and freedive on the same day?
Order matters: freedive first, scuba after. Deep, repetitive freediving after scuba is not recommended due to decompression risk. If you're planning both on the same day, run the schedule by us.
Equipment
Should I buy equipment before the course?
No — don't shop before the course. The wrong gear (especially high-volume masks and short fins from scuba shops) hurts both comfort and performance in freediving. We'll clarify your equipment needs together when you book, and purchase decisions are best made after training, with your instructor's guidance.
What equipment does freediving use?
A low-volume mask, a simple flexible snorkel, long-blade freediving fins, a wetsuit and a rubber weight belt worn on the hips. Depth sessions add a buoy, dive line and lanyard; a dive computer is a later investment.
What should I buy first?
The order: mask first (fit is completely personal), then snorkel, then wetsuit. Fins and a dive computer can wait. Ask your instructor at every step — the right first mask beats years of fighting the wrong gear.
What wetsuit thickness do I need?
A practical map for the Aegean and Mediterranean: 3 mm in summer, 5 mm in spring/autumn, 7 mm in winter. Freediving-specific two-piece open-cell suits are both warmer and more flexible than scuba suits.
What extra gear does spearfishing need?
A speargun, camo wetsuit, knife and — legally mandatory — a buoy marking your position. Correct gear selection and safe handling is a core module of the S1 curriculum; don't buy your first speargun before the course.
Spearfishing & Regulations
Do I need a license to spearfish in Türkiye?
Yes. As of 1 January 2026, anyone hunting with a speargun must hold the Amateur Fisher License annotated for 'diving-method fishing' (per the April 2025 regulation amendment). It's issued by provincial/district Agriculture and Forestry directorates, valid for 5 years for citizens, with an application channel on e-Devlet. Check the current fee with the directorate. This license is a participation requirement for our spearfishing courses.
Which regulation governs the rules, and where can I follow them?
Amateur fishing is governed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Circular No. 6/2 on Amateur Fisheries (2024/21), covering 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2028. Rules can change mid-period; the consolidated current text is on mevzuat.gov.tr and announcements at tarimorman.gov.tr/BSGM. Regulations are part of the S2 curriculum.
Is spearfishing on scuba legal?
No — spearfishing may only be done on breath-hold. The regulation (Art. 16/4-b) bans scuba tanks, hookah and any breathing apparatus while hunting with a speargun; the only permitted aid is a snorkel. This ban is also the sport's ethic: spearfishing is freediving in its functional form.
Can I spearfish at night?
No. Speargun hunting at sea is banned from sunset to sunrise (Art. 16/4-a), and using a light source while hunting is banned even in daytime. Violations can mean serious fines, equipment confiscation and license cancellation.
Is a buoy mandatory?
Yes — a buoy marking your diving position is legally mandatory (Art. 16/4-c). Beyond the law, the buoy is your life insurance against boat traffic; it's used without exception in all PSA courses and tours.
Where is spearfishing banned?
The main ones: buoyed swimming areas within 200 m of shore between 1 April–15 November; harbors, fishing shelters and boatyards; within 100 m of fish-farm cages; and coordinate-defined closed zones listed in the regulation (including part of İzmir Bay as of the April 2025 amendment). Zone lists change — checking the current regulation before a hunt is the spearo's responsibility.
What are the size limits and banned species?
Example minimum sizes: sea bass 25 cm, gilthead bream 20 cm, common dentex 35 cm, amberjack 40 cm (max 1), white grouper 50 cm (max 1; closed 1 June–31 August). Hunting dusky grouper (orfoz) is completely banned. The daily limit logic: for kg-based species, stay within 5 kg total. Species identification and ethical hunting are part of the curriculum from S1 — the legal side of our 'be a hunter, shoot shallow' philosophy.
Is amateur bluefin tuna hunting legal?
Yes, but under strict rules: the season is 15 June–15 October, minimum size 115 cm fork length, maximum 1 fish per person, with 0.5% of the national quota allocated to amateur fishing. The e-BCD (catch document) process runs through the provincial directorate before the hunt, and amateur-caught bluefin cannot be sold. Our bluefin tours are planned in full compliance with these rules and quota tracking.
Booking & Practical
How do I book?
The fastest way is WhatsApp: tell us your goal and available dates, and we'll settle the right program and schedule together. You can also use the contact form; the 'Book via WhatsApp' buttons on course pages pre-fill the message for you.
How does the early booking discount work?
Bookings made up to 2 weeks before the course date receive a 10% or 20% discount; message us on WhatsApp for current availability. The early-booking rows in the price tables reflect this discount.
Where do the courses take place?
Courses are based in İzmir on the Aegean coast; open water sessions take place at sea on a fully equipped 5 m RIB. Different locations can be arranged for groups — the meeting point and time are shared clearly after booking.
What should I bring?
Swimsuit, towel, water, sunscreen and a warm layer for after the water — that's the core list. We'll clarify your equipment plan and any personal needs when you book, so there are no surprises on course day.
How should I prepare for course day?
Arrive rested and well hydrated; avoid alcohol the day before. A light meal 1.5-2 hours before diving is ideal — heavy, fatty and dairy foods can make equalization harder. Easing off the morning coffee also helps relaxation.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The call always favors safety: if conditions aren't right, the session moves to a protected site at the instructor's discretion, or we plan a new date together. The sea isn't going anywhere — no diving in unsafe conditions.
Do you run courses and dives in winter?
Yes — the Aegean is diveable year-round; winter diving stays comfortable in a 7 mm suit. Winter is also a great season for refining technique in calm seas; scheduling stays flexible around conditions.