BARAKUDA diving training and training standards are certified according to ISO guidelines (ISO 9001 certification 2015). BARAKUDA course content and materials can also be used for equivalent CMAS Baltic courses, provided the certifying instructor holds a CMAS Baltic instructor license corresponding to the certification level, and can then be certified by CMAS Baltic in Riga.The BARAKUDA training standards define the content of training for divers from beginner to instructor, with varying areas of focus. An expert team comprised of department heads, course instructors, and examiners is responsible for developing these standards. Standards exist in all areas of diving. They govern the methods of theoretical and practical training, standardize dive instruction, define safety precautions, and serve as a quality control mechanism. BARAKUDA's primary goal is to ensure that all forms of diving in diverse waters offer a safe and rewarding sporting experience through rigorous safety and quality guidelines.The BARAKUDA Standards include not only generally applicable standards but also safety standards, training guidelines, and regulations for all training levels. Depending on the type of diving, the standards are divided into chapters on recreational and children's diving (Part I), technical diving (Part II), freediving (Part III), and disability diving (Part IV). Adherence to the requirements of these standards is mandatory throughout the entire training program.

GeneralThe instructor certification exam consists of two parts: a decentralized preparatory course led by an instructor trainer and a centralized instructor qualification exam. The reason for the centralized exam is the desire for standardized and improved quality assurance. Experience has shown that objectivity decreases when the instructor and examiner are the same person; therefore, the exam is administered by external examiners and course instructors.Instructor preparation courseThe preparation is conducted independently and decentrally by an instructor trainer after registration with BARAKUDA and includes all theoretical examinations. The exact timeframe is determined by the instructor trainer in consultation with the instructor candidates; however, the preparation must be completed within 6 months.Instructor qualificationSeveral times a year, a central instructor qualification takes place where examiners and members of the BARAKUDA teaching team (Course Instructors, CI) assess the instructor candidates. The exact examination content and duration of each examination are specified in the corresponding instructor standards.The entire instructor preparation and qualification must be carried out using your own complete and functional equipment (exception: bottles (single bottles, twin packs, stage bottles) and lead, which will be provided depending on the course location).

Successful completion of the BARAKUDA Master Instructor certification qualifies the holder to train all levels up to Dive Leader. Additionally, they are authorized to conduct specialty courses in diving accident and rescue, navigation and orientation, and group diving. The Master Instructor demonstrates all exercises with greater skill and precision than the Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWSI).RequirementsMinimum age 20 yearsValid medical certificate of fitness to diveValid instructor insuranceValid CPR/AED first aid certificate! BARAKUDA AOWSI or equivalent qualificationMinimum 250 logged divesMinimum 25 certifications

Instructor Trainer training is conducted by invitation from BARAKUDA headquarters. The IT is qualified to independently train Basic Instructors and to independently conduct decentralized instructor preparation for TL1 and TL2. Furthermore, upon invitation from BARAKUDA headquarters, they have the opportunity to participate in the central instructor qualifications as a member of the teaching team (as a Course Instructor after completing the CI course). During the qualification, the IT demonstrates all exercises with outstanding skill and coaches the TL1 and TL2 candidates.RequirementsMinimum age 20 yearsValid medical certificate of fitness to diveValid instructor insuranceValid CPR/AED first aid certificate! BARAKUDA Master InstructorMinimum 500 logged divesMinimum 50 certifications

The BARAKUDA Course Instructor is an active member of the teaching team and possesses a high level of professional and interpersonal skills. They have also completed a Course Instructor Seminar (a leadership course lasting approximately 1-2 days). During the instructor qualification process, they teach and examine instructor candidates together with the other teaching team members, under the supervision of the examiner.Requirements! BARAKUDA Instructor Trainer! Completed Course Instructor course (duration 1-2 days, depending on the number of participants)Invitation from the BARAKUDA teaching teamThe appointment as a Course Instructor is limited to a period of two years. After this period, the Course Instructor status is re-evaluated and, if necessary, extended.

A crossover program allows instructors from any recognized diving association to switch to BARAKUDA or expand their training offerings. All qualifications and achievements are recognized, provided the BARAKUDA system allows it.A crossover can only be done to become an Advanced Open Water Scuba Instructor or Master Instructor. A crossover to Instructor Trainer status is only possible by invitation from BARAKUDA. This is the only way to fully embrace the BARAKUDA philosophy andTo impart a training structure and to ensure standardized training.The crossover to TL1 or TL2 lasts 5 days and can be completed at any recognized Barakuda training base or as part of the central instructor examinations, in a separate group. Alternatively, you can invite a Barakuda staff member to your school. All crossover seminars cover both theoretical and practical diving content to ensure alignment with Barakuda training standards. No written exams are required.Barakuda's accredited training centers:Barakuda Club- Campese Diving Center Isola del Giglio / ItalyBarakuda Club - Wassenberg Peters DiveshopBarakuda Club - Innsbruck Diving Concepts

To learn freediving, also known as apnea diving, BARAKUDA offers several courses that build upon each other. The BARAKUDA freediving course program consists of four training courses and an instructor course. In addition, there are freediving specialty courses such as scooter freediving and freediving safety procedures.BARAKUDA Basic Freediver (Special Course)The freediving basic course introduces beginners to the fundamentals of freediving.The focus is on safety-related aspects (e.g., never dive or train alone, etc.) and learning the disciplines (static, dynamic, and constant weight). The aim of the course is to convey to participants the appeal of freediving and the fundamentals for safe training.The Basic Freediver can complete their first free dives with other divers of their level.More advanced techniques (e.g. lung packing, empty lung maneuver, hyperventilation, etc.) are neither shown nor applied.BARAKUDA Freediver 1The Freediver 1 is a freediver who, in addition to the fundamentals learned in the Basic course, can also perform the disciplines of Static (2:00 min), Dynamic (30 m), and Constant Weight (-10 m) with some training. It is crucial that these dives, at the required times and depths, are completed without any signs of hypoxia such as samba or blackouts, and that the student can reproduce these times and depths calmly and with full control and reserves. The Freediver 1 is a fully qualified freediver who can already act as a safety diver for their diving partners during shallower dives. Upon completion of the course, they must already possess knowledge of breathing techniques, the physiology of freediving, and emergency management in the event of freediving accidents.BARAKUDA Freediver 2The Freediver Level 2 is an advanced freediver who achieves performance levels in all three disciplines that would generally be unattainable without training. Their minimum requirements are 3:00 minutes static apnea, 50 meters dynamic apnea, and 20 meters constant weight dive with fins or 15 meters without fins. They utilize advanced breathing techniques and, judiciously, specialized techniques such as lung packing and/or specific equalization techniques. They can act as a safety diver during all dives within the BARAKUDA training program. Rescue techniques are taught in all disciplines; in deep diving, a casualty must be safely brought to the surface from a depth of 15 meters.BARAKUDA Freediver 3The Freediver 3 is the highest certification available in non-professional freediving atBARAKUDA is available. The Freediver 3 possesses very good knowledge and skills in all areas.Freediving disciplines. Its minimum requirements are:Static 04.00 min, 75 m Dynamic, -25 m Constant Weight with fins or -20 m without fins, 100 mDynamic with monofin, -20 m constant weight with monofin.

Diving for people with disabilities offers a wide range of opportunities. Experiencing weightlessness and actively integrating into a diving community are the most common motivations for divers with disabilities. For many, underwater experience true equality with able-bodied divers for the first time. But diving for people with disabilities is also used for rehabilitation and to alleviate pain, spasticity, and other conditions.The BARAKUDA Handicap Standards presented here are recognized by both the professional societies for diving medicine (GTÜM, ÖGTH) and the IAHD (International Association for Handicapped Divers). The standards of the respective diving courses also apply to participants with disabilities and are regulated and can be found in the standards for recreational diving.Abbreviations