This Vipassana inspired 10 day dive coach program is a big commitment taking you out of your daily lives. It requires you to self study and complete homework before you register.  This all to prepare you to become an effective trainer for non-swimmers and beginning divers.

Many of our successful coaches entered our program as a non-swimmer and now run independent freediving courses world wide. 

Occasionally the event includes a place to sleep and vegan meals.

Why Vegan? Watch glass walls

Thanks to the donations of participants of the past and the time and energy of our volunteering coaches, there is NO CHARGE for this 10 day course, but we would accept donations from you in the form of time, energy, food or money.

FCOA EVENT CONTRACT FOR SPONSORED PARTICIPANTS

To join the 10 day training you have to register on fcoa.online and complete video quize 1 till 5 B. You will also have to agree with the following. 

I hereby commit my self to follow the itinerary of this event from start to end participating in all the activities and rules. I also commit to participate in teaching non-swimmers: survival at sea and diving, throughout my life. I will also be an ambassador for the ocean and speak up to encourage mindful interaction with the ocean and its creatures. 

I understand that during the duration of this event I CAN NOT: Smoke, drink alcohol or eat animal unfriendly products (no meat, eggs, or milk products).

I understand that I should not venture in to water to deep to stand up in before I have passed the: 'FCOA Survival float challenge" and the 200- meter no equipment swim in shallow water. 

I understand that I am solely responsible for my own safety and should rely on my own skills and not on the rescue or towing skills of my buddies or coaches. 

I understand that I should not encourage fellow participants to venture into deeper water before they have the right skills in place. 

I understand that the course starts every day at first light and ends after sunset when all my gears are prepared for the next day and that my surroundings and belongings are organized and clean.

I understand that after 21:30 I have to turn off my phone to assure proper rest.

I understand that with depth trainings we wil serve the deepest divers, we will carry the ropes and weights and set up the dive station while the deepest divers relax their hearts and minds. After the depth training the deepest divers have to make up in effort.

I understand that I have to respect time and not be late. I understand that if I'm late for anything that on the following day I need to wake up at 04:45 to join the 05:00 beach cleanup. 

I understand that at some events the vegan meals are free of charge but that we will take turns cooking and preparing them and that I will participate in shopping, foraging and gardening to benefit the group. 

I understand I have to follow instructions of coaches and that in case of disagreements solutions have to get found after the day's lesson in private between me and the lead coach and not in public during the teachings unless I believe safety to be at stake.

I understand that every FCOA group needs a lead coach and if its not clear who that is he/she should get choosen. I understand I should inform the leadcoach if I want to leave the group and follow his directions in how to do so.

I understand that I start participating in teaching already after the first day, but that I will only do so within my confidence and comfort zone after  particular segment briefings and role play and under direct feedback of a LeadcCoach. 

I understand that on the last day we first clean up and prepare our living space whether it's a boat, coach house or campsite to look good and clean for new arrivals before doing our last dive.

I understand that if we use boats we have to obey captains orders, and an additional hour per day might be needed to do maintenance and (haul) cleaning as per captains directions.

I understand I have to segregate my trash and use minimum plastic and I agree I should motivate others to do the same.

I understand I have to bring my own equipment. 

I understand FCOA encourages me to bring my own gear to the event: Mask, fins, snorkel a 10 meter dive line (minimal 4mm) and a 2 arm spans fin rope (+/- 3 meter, minimal 4mm) 

I understand I have to leave an ID with FCOA when ever I borrow gear.

I understand that travel costs are not included but minimal and optional.

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THINGS TO BRING:

1. 1. Mask, J type Snorkel and closed heel Fins
2. Pen and paper
3. Long sleaves if you easily burn or are sensitive to jelly fish stings
4. An at least 10 meter long diveline, thickness between 4 and 10 mm
5. A 2 armspans (or 3 meter) long fin-rope to tie the fins on your back. Ideally 8mm thick
6. Wet weather camping gear
7. Plate, cutlery and water tumbler
8. Medic first aid bag with the most common medicine you might need
9. (optional) a dive light for night diving. (You may choose to do it in the dark) 

This is an EXAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY ZERO: 

On some events, the day before the official start you may already come stay at our place, this is handy when you come from far or if you like to help us prepare for the 10 days that follow. Joining us one day before usually leads to some extra teaching opportunities. 

• 05:30 Shopping Run
• 07:00 Stretching / Coach development on Apnea runs
• 08:00 breakfast
• 09:00 Dive "Coach development on divesite fixes"
• 11:30 Coach development on KNOTS (Lesson 4)
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Coach development on Physics of Exhale dives
• 15:30 Cooking or DIVE: coach/student roleplay
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 1:

• 09:00 Latest arrival, personal introduction and local tour. 
• 10:15 Lesson 5: Coach training11:15 Coach development and
• preparation to teach a topic of FCOA lesson 1 "The Introduction to freediving"
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Lesson 1: Introduction to freediving
• 17:00 Coach development, preparation to teach Lesson 2: Rescue and selfhelp
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Dishes and Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 2: 

• 05:30 Mandatory swim
• 06:30 Debriefing of the past day followed by: Meditation
• 07:00 Stretching / Guest Coach workout
• 07:30 Three Apnea walks and the daily 10 min run
• 08:00 breakfast
• 09:00 Lesson 2 Rescue and Selfhelp (Briefing & Dive)
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Coach development, preperation to Participation in the Lesson 3 Navigatio Briefing
• 15:30 Fun Dive, Optional for those that don't have to cook.
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Dishes and Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 3

• 05:30 Mandatory swim
• 06:30 Debriefing of the past day followed by: CO2 tolerance training, the Wonka Method
• 07:00 Stretching / Advertising Freediving &Guest Coach workout
• 07:30 Three Apnea walks and the daily 10 min run
• 08:00 Second breakfast
• 09:00 Lesson 3 Navigation (Briefing and Dive)
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Coach Development, preparations to teach lesson 4, Ropework & weight use
• 16:00 Briefing for the night dive
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Dishes and Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 20:00 Night dive (Mandatory)
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 4

• 05:30 Mandatory swim
• 06:00 First Breakfast
• 06:30 Debriefing of the past day followed by:the Buteyko merhode
• 07:00 Stretching / Guest Coach workout
• 07:30 Three Apnea walks and the daily 10 min run
• 08:00 Breakfast
• 09:00 Lesson 4 (briefing and dive)
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Coach development: Preperation to teach lesson 5A and 5B coach training and Medic first aid
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Dishes and Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 5

• 05:30 wake up with your own alarm
• 06:30 Debriefing of the past day followed by: The Wim Hof Methode
• 07:00 Guest Coach workout
• 07:30 Three Apnea walks and the daily 10 min run
• 08:00 Breakfast
• 09:00 Lesson 5: Coach training and Medic first aid
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Coach development: Preparations to teach lesson 6 "The depth preparation dives"
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Dishes and Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 6

• 05:30 Mandatory swim
• 06:30 Debriefing of the past day followed by: Meditation
• 07:00 Guest Coach workout
• 07:30 Three Apnea walks and the daily 10 min run
• 08:00 Breakfast
• 09:00 Lesson 6: Briefing and Dive
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Coach Development: Preparation to teach FCOA lesson 7 "Chest Deep Exhale Dives"
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Dishes and Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 7

• 05:30 wake up with your own alarm
• 06:30 Debriefing of the past day followed by: Meditation
• 07:00 Lesson 7 Briefing "Exhale dives"
• 07:30 Three Apnea walksand the daily 10 min run
• 07:45 Dive: 8 Exhale dives
• 08:15 Breakfast
• 09:15 Training dive
• 14:00 Lunch
• 15:00 Coach training role play to prepare for teaching outreach
• 16:00 Promotion of our mission. Leaving reviews, defining your edge and your target market.
• 17:00 Meditation Related to Freediving
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Dishes and Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 8 

• 05:30 Mandatory swim
• 06:30 Apnea walks and 10 min run
• 07:30 Breakfast
• 09:00 Lesson 8, lost at sea
• 14:00 Coach Training Role play for Lesson 4 Ropework & Weightuse
• 15:00 Briefing on: How to train Coaches
• 16:00 Briefing on: How to plan events
• 17:00 Equipment maintenance
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Dishes and Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 9

• 05:30 Mandatory swim
• 06:30 Apnea walks and 10 min run
• 07:30 Breakfast
• 08:30 Arrival of your Intro students
• 09:00 Intro to freediving for your friends
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:30 Coach development
• 15:30 Fun dive (Optional) for those not cooking.17:00 Return all equipment
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Dishes and Equipment prep for tomorrow
• 21:00 Lights out

DAY 10

• 05:30 No equipment tie on dive
• 06:30 Apnea walks, 10 min run
• 08:30 Breakfast
• 09:00 Repeat of the no equipment tie on dive w
• 11:00 Ending sequence, gratitude round and goodbyea
• 12:00 program ends

BULLET POINTS FOR OUR PROGRAM 

Day 1: INTRO TO FREEDIVING COVERS:

• 20 min briefing
• 2 minutes of meditation
• Measuring pulse, armspan, breathhold time and respiratory volumeSurvival floating
• Mask/snorkel/fin use
• Equalizing of the ears
• Down the rope
• Duckdiving
• and Logbook use

Day 2: RESCUE FOR FREEDIVERS COVERS:

How to be a safety

Transport of a victim.

Exiting a victim

Legcramp removal

Dealing with a panicking swimmer

Intro to freediving can get done on any event day

Day 3: NAVIGATION FOR FREEDIVERS COVERS:

briefing:

-reading tide charts

-recognition of currents

-time management

-how to make a fix

-compass use

Practice:

-predict jump in time

-creating a fix

-recognition of currents

-applying a drift correction (optional)

-drift dive (optional)

-compass use (optional)

Day 4: WEIGHT USE & ROPE WORK COVERS:

Briefing:

-knot practice, bowline, clovehitch, daisy chain and storage.

-A lecture on weight use.

-Make your own syringe depth meter

-Compression of the lungs

Practice

-weightbelt donning with 2lbs

-weightbelt removal

-Setting up a dive line

-identifying the neutral point

-Gliding

Day 5 Coach Training & Medic First Aid

- Roleplay

- Monkey see monkey do

- Group pressure

- Dealing with Traumas

- The full glass of wine

1. Response to choking

2. Managing bleedings

3. CPR

4. Managing Fractures

5. Aquatic Injuries

Day 6 Depth prep dive:

1. Rescue from depth & mouth to mouth

2. The FCOA mask drill: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=764556940571336&id=288542931506075

3. No fins

4. Duration

5. Depth

6. Bubble catch vision

7. Pulling up the diver (lanyard use)

Day 7 Blow out dives:

1. Residual Volume (RV) breathhold

2. The blood shift story

3. Safety on blow out dives

4. Four sensations

5. How to measure RV

6. Eight blowout dives in shallow water

7. Optional to measure RV

Day 8: Lost at sea:

1. Coordinates

2. Radio use

3. Natural Navigation

4. Collision avoidance

5. Rough water exit

Day 9: Equalizing at depth

1. Meeting our friend the equalizing challenge

2. Reverse packing

Day 10 Leadcoach training:

1. How to advertise your event.

2. The payment Setup

3. Communication 

4. The Event handling

5. Duties of a lead coach

6. Creating teaching opportunities

7. The after care

8. Your credibility 

9. Plan B

10. And what to do when things go wrong.

******FREEDIVING COACHES OF ASIA**********

Diving is for Everybody

Last updated January 29 -2026

FCOA FULL TRAINING MANUAL 2026

THE FCOA MISSION

80% of the world population cannot swim. That's six billion non-swimmers and 300,000 drownings per year. Besides that, we are killing our planet. Diving is our tool to make people care more about our planet and oceans. We teach people from all walks of life to swim, dive and sail and turn them into advocates for our environment.

Freediving Coaches of Asia (FCOA) was founded in 2016 by Jeroen Elout a Dutch National

Freediving Coaches Of Asia (FCOA) is a non-profit certification agency for freediving, scuba, sailing and climbing. We collaborate with divers and sailors that like to participate in our mission.

Collaborators participate in teaching and in exchange they get to do their continued courses. Scuba licenses can be converted to CMAS

 Prerequisite to become a collaborator: Register in full on http://FCOA.online and complete Video Quiz 1 till 5b, contact +639174489590 on WhatsApp for feedback and guidance.

We operate mostly in the Philippines, India, Uganda and Zambia. For those that are far from us: trough Remote Verification Training (RVT), swim & dive training is available for anyone in the world with an internet connection at zero cost.

 

OUR 3 MISSIONS ARE:

1. To teach ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY how to survive at sea.

2. To teach freediving because those that get to love the ocean will take care of it.

3. To train coaches so that when they go home, they will also teach their family and friends how to survive and dive.

We welcome non-swimmers and always start their sessions in shallow water.

OUR VISIONS

• To give our 20% swimming population the tools to teach swimming to the 80% that still has to learn it.

• To practice respect for life. Respect for other humans, for animals, for nature in general and for our own mind and health.

• To recognize our destructive habits and replace them with progressive once.

What differentiates us from other organizations is that from day one we encourage a coaching mindset. Our motto is “What you learn today be ready to teach it tomorrow” This allows our students to be exposed to teaching opportunities and to learn from each other under the guidance of a coach. Eventually they will become FCOA coaches themselves.

Since 2016, we have functioned as a stepping stone into the diving industry. Here a list of cool diving groups that had their initial trainings with FCOA for many of them teaching freediving has become their livelihood.

currently, we have coaches and divers operating worldwide at locations in India, Uganda, Zambia, and in the Seychelles. In the Philippines, we have coaches in Mabini Batangas, Pagkilatan Batangas, Puerto Galera, Bicol, Iloilo, Zambales, Cebu and Ilocos and Pangasinan

Our organization advocates for marine conservation and protection. We host clean-up and holiday dives to fulfil our vision of living in a world with a clean and healthy ocean and conserving our home planet.

 

FCOA follows the International Standard ISO 24803 for Recreational diving services

FCOA-PH (Freediving Coaches of Asia Philippines Incorporated) is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines as a Non-Profit organization since June 9, 2023 and currently being lead by President Haze Galos

FCOA-INDIA (Asian Freediving Pioneers Association) is registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in India since October 17, 2024, and currently has 2 directors: President Dhvinay Vinod and Secretary Ramkumar Rajesh

FCOA-ZAMBIA (Registration in Progress by Esther Piri and Maysen Likonge)

Aqua line / FCOA UGANDA (Registration in Progress by Sanusu Businge)

FCOA-INERNATIONAL (Registration in the USA in progress by Jeroen Elout and Jacob Jose)

If you notice errors, spelling mistakes, or discrepancies in this manual, please send a screen shot of it to WhatsApp +639174489590 or to https://www.facebook.com/jeroen.elout

 

FCOA FULL TRAINING MANUAL

This manual works together with the FCOA video quizzes and training videos available on fcoa.online (under digital training), and the FCOA DIVELOG

This guide contains

1. The FCOA mission & vission

2. Definitions

3. Organizational structure

4. Notes of caution

5. Minors and diving with kids

6. Our 10 lessons

7. Our 10-day sponsored freediving coach program

8. Notes for coaches on the 10 lessons

9. Conversion Table between FCOA and AIDA

10. Freedivers Code of Conduct (by Haze Galos)

11. FCOA Enviromental Diver Program / Installing mooring ropes to reduce anchor damage

12. FCOA/CMAS SCUBA program

13. FCOA DIVE & SAIL PROGRAM/ Freediving from boats

14. FCOA CLIMBER program

15. Reducing Anchor Damage (Jeroen Elout)

16. About Spearfishing (An interview with Spearo: Ian Lester E. Servillon)

17. About riding turtles (Jeroen Elout)

18. About solo diving

19. Cold water tolerance training

20. FCOA National Records and Video Verification

21. Freediving Disciplines

This FCOA training manual outlines a unique training program to train from non-swimmer to Instructor trainer for freediving, scuba, sailing and climbing.

“Copyright @ Jeroen Elout 2023

 

FCOA DEFINITIONS

Bare minimum requirements: (In purple) This are the minimum requirements needed for a member to reach a certain level. Coaches are encouraged to first make sure bare minimums requirements are met, before isolating certain skills for further development and before the touring part of a dive. If the bare minimum requirements are not met, then the relevant certificate cannot yet get approved. Here you can find them listed. the most up to date bear minimun requirements can be found on the bottom of the relevant quiz lesson on digital training

Competent safety diver: A safety diver who has appropriately responded to at least 3 of your unannounced simulated blackouts in the last year. Trust has to get earned, you have to form a bond between you and your safety diver. We do so by faking unannounced blackouts. To consider someone as your competent safety diver you must personally experience that they respond appropriately. The fact that a diver says to be experienced or certified does not automatically mean they are competent: We don’t know the quality of their training and their recency.

Deep water: Water deeper than chest level

Deep water skill requirements of FCOA: The ability to swim 200 meters without equipment, without interruption and without standing up. And the ability to remove and replace any equipment like mask fins and snorkel while in the survival float with minimum movements in a repeatable fashion.

Down Current: the area where the current pushes you, away from your intended dive spot, this is considered a higher risk zone because if you cramp out the current will push you away from your intended dive location.

Drift correction: an angular correction made into the direction of the current to avoid drifting off course.

Gap: The difference between what we say and what we do

Grouper call: A throat sound used for communication underwater without expelling air

Non-Swimmer: A person that has not yet met the FCOA Deep Water Skill requirements

Shallow water: water not deeper than chest level

Solo diver: A diver who dives by himself or who dives without specifically agreeing with a competent safety diver to be looked after during the entirety of a particular breath-hold dive.

Sterile Cockpit Rule: A concept from aviation where unnecessary small talk is avoided to maintain focus and alertness during critical tasks.

Remote Verification Training: A system allowing distance learners to progress by submitting homework and performance videos for assessment.

Up current: the area where the current will push you to your intended dive spot or exit point, this is considered a safe zone, because if you cramp out at least you will get pushed to your dive spot or exit point.

OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AT FCOA-PH

MEET THE TEAM

FCOA Pagkilatan is currently our busiest location, and a recognized freediving group of Freediving Coaches of Asia. FCOA was established with its first freediving event on July 16, 2016, and is registered as a Non-profit organization with the Philippines Security and Exchange Commission since June 9, 2023. FCOA is the pioneer of the Non-swimmer to Freediving Program. It started in the Philippines and then expanded to India, Zambia, Seychelles, Tanzania, and Uganda.

FCOA Officers for Fiscal calendar 2023 to 2026:

President: Haze Gallos

Vice President: Ehra Beli

Secretary: Cha cha Padua

Treasurer: Waynie Liboon

Auditor: Camille Gamalong

Education Committee

Head Education officer: Michelangelo Maglaque

Member :Aldrich Ballares

Member: Jeroen Elout

Media Committee

Head Media Officer: Haze Gallos

Media layout officer: Jay Ferrer

IT Head officer – Jeroen Elout

Regional Directors, and FCOA Representative/s:

Northern Luzon Region (I and II) - Ehra Beli

MIMAROPA Region - Kexia Gocotano

Bicol Region - Kristin Atienza

Western Visayas Region - Ansis Ivan

Mabini, Batangas - Mark Flavier

Registered FCOA divers and coaches

https://fcoa.online

If you have trained with us in the past and have completed lesson 1 till 4 then you may join us for a assessment day to see if you meet the current requirements to be an FCOA freediver.

 

Graduation Requirements

Download the flow chart The most updated version of our certificates and requirements can be found here: FCOA certificates for freediving, scuba and sailing

To become an FCOA SWIMMER you:

1. Must swim 200 meters with no equipment in a repeatable fashion without standing up or holding on.

2. You may stop and float to manage the heart rate as long as you don’t stand up.

3. This certificate can get given out by any FCOA COACH or FCOA SWIM TRAINER

To become an FCOA FREEDIVER you:

1. Must have completed lesson 1 till 4 as outlined in the FCOA FULL TRAINING MANUAL.

2. Must complete the FCOA deep water requirement: A 200 meter no equipment swim without standing up and B: the FCOA survival float challenge (Mask on and off while floating motionless) in a repeatable fashion.

3. This certificate can get given out by any FCOA COACH

To become an FCOA SAFETY DIVER

1. This is an FCOA FREEDIVER who has also followed FCOA LESSON 5B "Medic First Aid" (Or an equivalent medic first aid course),

2. Must have followed FCOA LESSON 6 "Depth Prep & Line Training"

3. Must be able to perform a rescue from 10 meters in a repeatable fashion

4. Depth requirement 12m

5. Static apnea Requirement 1min 30sec.

6. Demonstrate leadership skill by preparing the dive plan, buoy setup.

7. Demonstrates satisfying freediving skills by tying a knot at 5 meter or deeper under the supervision of a coach.

8. This certificate can get given out by any FCOA LEAD COACH

To become an FCOA ADVANCED FREEDIVER you:

1. Must have followed FCOA lesson 1 till 7 as outlined in the FCOA FULL TRAINING MANUAL

2. You must meet the following criteria STA 2'30" DYNB 50m DNF 35m CWTB 24m CNF15 m

To become an FCOA SWIM TRAINER:

1. This certificate has been created for locations where equipment is not available.

2. In that case the trainee undergoes all the parts of FCOA 1 till 5 that don’t require equipment.

3. The swim trainer must show the ability to teach a non-swimmer till that student can swim 200 meters.

To become an FCOA FREEDIVING COACH you:

1. Must pass the FCOA COACH EXAM

2. Must have completed lesson 1 till 5 as outlined in the FCOA FULL TRAINING MANUAL

3. Must be comfortable to respond to a panicking swimmer in deep water.

4. Must have completed a 50-meter no equipment swim with the head out of the water while having a conversation

5. This certificate can get given out by any FCOA LEAD COACH

6. An FCOA coach teaches under the indirect supervision of his/her FCOA LEAD COACH

To become an FCOA LEAD COACH / FCOA COACH INSTRUCTOR you:

1. have completed lesson 1 till 10 as outlined in the FCOA training manual

2. Must have taught all the FCOA lessons as outlined in the FCOA training manual with minimum intervention.

3. Must have been a representable FCOA coach for at least a year.

4. Must have participated in at least 3 ten-day events or equivalent.

5. Must have trained at least 5 FCOA freedivers under him/her name.

6. Must have organized an at least 2-day FCOA event personally

7. Must pass the FCOA LEAD COACH EXAM

8. Must give advice and guidance to the FCOA COACHES he certifies

9. This certificate can get given out by any FCOA INSTRUCTOR TRAINER

To become an FCOA FREEDIVING INSTRUCTOR

1. You must be a Lead coach

2. Must be able to dive 20 meter CWT

3. Must be able to hold their breath for 90 seconds

4. Must be able to perform a rescue from 10 meter.

5. Must pass the FCOA Lead coach exam.

To become an FCOA MASTER FREEDIVER you:

1. Must have followed FCOA lesson 1 till 9 as outlined in the FCOA FULL TRAINING MANUAL

2. You must meet the following criteria STA 3'30" DYNB 75m DNF 50 m CWTB 34m CNF 25m CWTB 20m RSC 20m

To become an FCOA JUDGE

1. You must have been an FCOA member for at least one year

2. You must be a Coach

3. You must have 3-character witnesses

4. You must have undergone the FCOA judge development session

5. Your firs 10 judgements will be under supervision before becoming an independent judge

6. This certificate can only get given out by the FCOA president, vice president or founder.

To become an FCOA OFFICER you:

1. Must be a regular coach

2. Must have been an FCOA coach for at least one year

3. You must have been voted for by the members.

To become an FCOA MASTER COACH / FCOA INSTRUCTOR TRAINER

1. Train or participate in the creation of 10 FCOA LEAD COACHES under the supervision of an FCOA MASTER COACH

2. Must undergo an internship with an FCOA MASTER COACH who should set clear expectations of what targets he wants the intern to meet.

3. Must be able to dive to 40 meter

4. Static Apnea Minimum 4 minutes

5. Must be able to perform a rescue from 15 meter

6. Must pass the FCOA INSTRUCTOR TRAINER exam.

7. Must undergo deliberation by fellow FCOA MASTER COACHES

To become an FCOA SWIM TRAINER:

This certificate has been created for locations where equipment is not available. In that case the trainee undergoes all the parts of FCOA 1 till 5 that don’t require equipment.

The prerequisites:

1. Undergone all parts of FCOA 1 till 5 that require no equipment.

2. Able to progress a non-swimmer till he/she can swim 200 meters.

3. Able to respond to a panicked person in deep water.

4. This certificate can get given out by any coach.

To become an FCOA LIFEGUARD you:

1. Must be an FCOA FREEDIVER

2. Must have passed the FCOA LIFEGUARD EXAM

3. Must have undergone FCOA lesson 5c "Medic First Aid"

4. Must have undergone FCOA lesson 8 "Lost at Sae"

5. Must be able to swim 400 meters with no equipment,

6. Must be able to snorkel 800 meters with mask fins and snorkel

7. Must be able to tow a tiered diver 100 meters.

8. Must be able to tie a rope to an object at least 2 meter deep using no equipment. This certificate can get given out by any FCOA COACH.

To become an FCOA/ CMAS SCUBA OPEN WATER

1. Must be an FCOA COACH

2. Must have attended FCOA lesson 1 till 8.

3. Mastered the FCOA mask Challenge

4. Passed the Scuba exam

5. Has a minimum of 4 logged Open Water Dives

To become an FCOA/CMAS SCUBA ADVANCED DIVER

1. Must be a FCOA Open Water diver

2. Mush have done 5 additional experience dives and now has a minimum of 9 logged Open Water dives.

To become an FCOA/CMAS SCUBA RESCUE DIVER

This is an Advanced Scuba diver who completed his rescue training and has a minimum of 20 dives

To become an FCOA/CMAS SCUBA DIVEMASTER

This is an FCOA SCUBA RESCUE DIVER who completes his SCUBA DIVE MASTER TRAINING with a minimum of 60 dives, able to teach the introduction to scuba diving by himself and able to lead groups of scuba divers.

To become an FCOA/CMAS SCUBA INSTRUCTOR

This is an FCOA SCUBA DIVEMASTER who completed his instructor training with a minimum of 100 dives, able to conduct FCOA SCUBA OPEN WATER COURSES independently.

To become an FCOA/CMAS SCUBA ADVANCED INSTRUCTOR

This is an FCOA SCUBA INSTRUCTOR who also completed his/her training to conduct the advanced SCUBA courses. He/She has certified at least 10 Scuba divers and can conduct Advanced, Rescue and Divemaster courses independently.

To become an FCOA/CMAS SCUBA INSTRUCTOR TRAINER

This is an FCOA SCUBA ADVANCED INSTRUCTOR who has completed his/her INSTRUCTOR TRAINER course, he/she has trained at least 2 Instructors and can further train instructors independently.

To become an FCOA OXYGEN PROVIDER

A person who has been trained to provide emergency oxygen

SAILING

To Complete an FCOA DIVE & SAIL program the participant:

1. Must first complete a 200 meters swim

2. Must follow the minimum two-day FCOA SAIL&DIVE program as outlined in this Manual

To become an FCOA SOLO SAILOR

This is an FCOA FREEDIVER who has attended FCOA lesson 1 till 10 and has passed the FCOA SOLO SAILOR exam and has logged a minimum of 10 solo sailing hours.

To become an FCOA SAILING INSTRUCTOR

This is and FCOA COACH, an FCOA SAFETY DIVER and an FCOA LIFEGUARD who has trained at least 5 FCOA FREEDIVERS and who has passed the FCOA sailing instructor exam and who has logged 30 supervised sail teaching hours.

FCOA CLIMB TRAINING

FCOA Improvised Climber

A Climber who

1. Followed our 2-day course that prepares members to use ropes during emergencies.

2. Completed the Improvised climber quiz. This is a certificate of attendance that can get approved by any proficient coach.

FCOA TOP ROPE CLIMBER

This is improvised climber who

1. can make all the needed knots with eyes closed

2. can switch from prusik to self belay without slipping

3. did FCOA lesson 5: Coach training

4. gave 5 Improvised climb trainings under supervision

5. passed the top rope climber assessment.

This is a certificate of completion that can get approved by a FCOA CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR

FCOA LEAD CLIMBER

This is a certified FCOA TOP ROPE CLIMBER who

1. Passed the Lead Climber assessment.

2. Participated in the training of two top rope climbers on different dates

This is a certificate of completion that can get approved by a FCOA Climbing Instructor

FCOA RESCUE CLIMBER

This is a certified FCOA LEAD CLIMBER who

1. did FCOA lesson 5 B "Medic First AID"

2. did FCOA lesson 8 "Lost in the Jungle"

3. did FCOA Radio operator

4. Participated in teaching 2 lead climbers on different dates

This is a certificate of completion that can get approved by a FCOA Climbing Instructor.

FCOA CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR

This is a certified FCOA RESCUE CLIMBER who

1. did FCOA lesson 10 "Lead Coach Training"

2. did participate in teaching 2 FCOA Rescue Climbers on different dates.

This is a certificate of completion that can get approved by a FCOA ADMIN

 

 

 

FCOA Organizational Tasks

The Tasks of an FCOA Member

FCOA members play a crucial role in the organization's marketing strategy. Whenever you share content about your dives, please say something positive about FCOA and use the FCOA hashtag. For sponsored members, this is mandatory—you must either post something after each dive day or contribute 30 minutes to an environmental clean-up. Most people discover us because a member recommended us, so please help spread the word.

FCOA members are fully responsible for their own safety. They should act as though they are alone in the water. Members should not leave shallow waters before completing the "Mask On and Off Challenge" and the 200-meter swim. Do not rely on the rescue and towing skills of others.

FCOA members should bring their own equipment unless otherwise agreed upon.

FCOA members should build trust with others by practicing simulated blackouts repeatedly,