Terms of Service | PalaOne Freediving Coron

By accessing our website at www.palaonefreediving.com, booking our services, or participating in any activities offered by PalaOne Freediving ("we," "us," "our," "Company"), you ("you," "your," "Customer," "Participant") agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our website or services.

Business Information:

Business Name: PalaOne Freediving / PalaOne Freediving Coron
Business Type: Sole Proprietorship
Business Address: PalaOne Freediving, Bancuang Baba, Barangay 5, Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Website: www.palaonefreediving.com

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2. Services Offered

PalaOne Freediving provides the following services in Coron, Busuanga, and Apo Reefs areas:

Freediving tours and experiences
Professional freediving certifications (Molchanovs & AIDA)
Line training sessions
Apo Reefs expeditions
Spearfishing trips
Gear rentals
Underwater videography/photography assistance
Transportation services (through partner organizations)
Accommodation assistance (through partner organizations)

Geographic Limitations: Our services are exclusively provided in the Coron, Busuanga, and Apo Reefs areas of the Philippines. We do not provide services outside these geographic regions.

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3. Age Requirements and Parental Consent

Minimum Age: While children are welcome to participate in appropriate activities, all participants under 18 years of age must have written parental or guardian consent before participating in any activities.

Requirements for Minors:

Signed parental consent form must be completed before activity participation
Parent or guardian must acknowledge understanding of risks associated with water activities
Age-appropriate activities will be determined by our qualified instructors
Supervision requirements may apply based on the specific activity and age of participant

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4. Assumption of Risk and Safety Acknowledgment

High-Risk Activity Warning: Freediving, spearfishing, and related water activities are inherently dangerous and carry significant risks including but not limited to:

Freediving and Breath-Hold Diving Risks:

Shallow water blackout: Loss of consciousness due to hypoxia, which can be fatal if not immediately addressed
Barotrauma: Pressure-related injuries to ears, sinuses, lungs, and eyes from failure to equalize or rapid depth changes
Decompression sickness (DCS): Risk increases with repetitive deep dives and rapid ascents
Loss of motor control (LMC/Samba): Involuntary muscle contractions that may precede blackout
Pulmonary edema: Fluid accumulation in lungs from pressure changes
Cardiac arrhythmia: Heart rhythm irregularities from breath-holding
Hypoxia-related injuries: Oxygen deprivation effects on brain and other organs

Environmental and Marine Hazards:

Drowning: The ultimate risk in all water activities
Marine life encounters: Including venomous creatures, sharks, aggressive fish, and other potentially dangerous marine animals
Entanglement: In fishing lines, nets, kelp, or underwater structures
Weather and sea conditions: Strong currents, waves, sudden weather changes, poor visibility
Boat traffic: Risk of collision with watercraft
Rocky shores and coral: Cuts, abrasions, and impact injuries during entry/exit

Spearfishing-Specific Risks:

Speargun accidents: Accidental discharge causing impalement or injury to self or others
Line entanglement: Risk of drowning from spear lines wrapping around body
Equipment failure: Malfunction of spearguns, reels, or other equipment
Predator attraction: Blood in water may attract sharks or other predators
Target identification errors: Risk of spearing non-target species or missing targets

General Water Activity Risks:

Dehydration and exhaustion: Particularly dangerous when combined with breath-holding
Sun exposure: Sunburn, heat stroke, and dehydration
Hypothermia: Even in warm tropical waters at depth
Equipment-related injuries: From masks, fins, weights, and other gear
Transportation risks: Associated with boat travel to dive sites

Assumption of Risk: By participating in our activities, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with freediving, spearfishing, and related water activities, whether listed above or not, and whether foreseeable or unforeseeable.

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5. Medical and Physical Requirements

Pre-Activity Requirements:

Physical Fitness: You must be in adequate physical condition to participate in strenuous water activities
Medical Clearance: If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you may be required to provide medical clearance from a physician
Disclosure Requirement: You must disclose any medical conditions, medications, or physical limitations that may affect your ability to safely participate

Medical Conditions Requiring Special Attention:

Heart conditions, cardiac arrhythmias, or blood pressure irregularities
Respiratory conditions including asthma, previous pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
Ear, nose, and throat problems affecting equalization
Neurological conditions, seizure disorders, or loss of consciousness episodes
Pregnancy (freediving during pregnancy carries additional risks)
Recent surgeries, particularly involving chest, head, or respiratory system
Current medications that may affect judgment, breathing, or cardiovascular function

Medical Emergency Response: While we maintain first aid equipment and emergency procedures, you acknowledge that immediate medical care may not be available in remote diving locations.

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6. Certification and Experience Requirements

Certification Levels: Participation in certain activities requires appropriate certification from recognized agencies (Molchanovs, AIDA, PADI, SSI, or equivalent).

Experience Verification: You must accurately represent your diving experience and certification level. Misrepresentation may result in exclusion from activities without refund.

Continuing Education: Safety standards and techniques evolve. We encourage ongoing education and may require additional training for certain advanced activities.

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7. Safety Requirements and Participant Obligations

Mandatory Safety Rules:

Buddy System: Never freedive alone. Always dive with a buddy and follow established buddy protocols
Depth Limitations: Respect your certification and experience limits
Equipment Use: Properly use all provided safety equipment
Instructor Direction: Follow all instructions from qualified instructors and guides
Abort Procedures: Immediately abort dive if you experience discomfort, equipment problems, or unsafe conditions

Participant Responsibilities:

Arrive in proper physical and mental condition (well-rested, properly hydrated, not under influence of alcohol or drugs)
Disclose any changes in medical condition or fitness level
Ask questions if unsure about any aspect of the activity
Take personal responsibility for your safety and the safety of others
Respect marine environment and local regulations

Exclusion for Safety: We reserve the right to exclude any participant from activities if we determine their participation poses a risk to themselves or others.

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8. Equipment and Gear

Provided Equipment:

All basic freediving equipment (masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, weights)
Spearfishing equipment when applicable
Safety equipment and first aid supplies
Transportation to dive sites (where included in package)

Equipment Responsibility:

You are responsible for any damage to or loss of equipment due to misuse or negligence
Equipment must be returned in the same condition as provided
Replacement costs will be charged for lost or damaged equipment
All equipment use must follow provided instructions and safety guidelines

Personal Equipment:

You may use your own equipment subject to our safety approval
We are not responsible for damage or loss of personal equipment
Personal equipment must meet safety standards appropriate for the activity

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9. Booking, Payment, and Cancellation Policy

Booking Requirements:

50% down payment required to secure booking
Payment must be completed at least one day before scheduled tour
No down payment = No tour confirmation
Booking cut-off times:
- Dugong + Black Island Tour: 6:00 PM (day before)
- All other tours: 8:00 PM (day before)
No on-the-spot bookings accepted

Cancellation Policies:

Standard Tours (Super Ultimate, Reef & Wrecks, Intro Freediving):

Cancel before 8:00 PM (day before): Full refund
Cancel after 8:00 PM (night before): 500 PHP cancellation fee
Cancel day of tour or no-show: Full payment charged, no refunds

Specialized Tours (Dugong Encounters):

Cancel more than 24 hours in advance: Full refund or reschedule
Cancel within 24 hours or no-show: Full payment charged, non-refundable

Weather and Safety Cancellations:

Tours cancelled by PalaOne due to weather or safety concerns: Full refund or free rescheduling
No refunds if tours are modified or cut short due to safety concerns after commencement

Payment Methods:

PayPal, credit/debit cards, bank transfer, GCash, Maya, cash accepted
We do not store payment information on our systems
All payments processed through secure third-party processors

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10. Liability Limitation and Indemnification

Limitation of Liability:

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PALAONE FREEDIVING SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OUR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

Personal injury, disability, or death
Property damage or loss
Emotional distress or mental anguish
Lost income or profits
Medical expenses

Indemnification:

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless PalaOne Freediving, its owners, employees, instructors, guides, and partners from any claims, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including attorney's fees) arising from:

Your participation in activities
Your violation of these Terms
Your negligent or wrongful acts
Any injury or damage you cause to third parties

Insurance:

We strongly recommend that all participants obtain appropriate dive and travel insurance covering freediving activities. We are not responsible for arranging or paying for medical treatment, evacuation, or repatriation.

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11. Photography and Video

Media Release:

By participating in our activities, you grant PalaOne Freediving the right to use photographs, videos, and other media taken during activities for promotional, educational, and commercial purposes without compensation.

Opt-Out:

If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform us before the activity begins.

Your Content:

Any photos or videos you take during activities remain your property, but you grant us a license to use them for promotional purposes if shared with us.

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12. Intellectual Property

Our Content:

All content on our website, including but not limited to photos, videos, text, logos, course materials, and training guides, is the intellectual property of PalaOne Freediving and is protected by copyright laws.

Prohibited Uses:

You may not:

Copy, reproduce, or distribute our content without written permission
Use our content for commercial purposes
Modify or create derivative works from our content
Remove copyright notices or watermarks

User-Generated Content:

By submitting content to our website or social media, you grant us a non-exclusive license to use, modify, and display such content.

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13. Third-Party Services

Partner Services:

We work with third-party providers for:

Transportation services (boats, vans)
Accommodation arrangements
Payment processing (PayPal, credit card processors)
Mapping services (Google Maps)
Social media integration

Third-Party Liability:

We are not responsible for the actions, services, or policies of third-party providers. Your use of third-party services is subject to their terms and conditions.

Integration Services:

Our website may integrate with:

Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel for website analytics
Social media platforms for content sharing
Booking systems that may use cookies
Payment processors for secure transactions

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14. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure to perform our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

Natural disasters, extreme weather conditions
Government restrictions or regulations
Acts of terrorism or civil unrest
Equipment failure not due to our negligence
Medical emergencies affecting staff

In such cases, we will work with you to reschedule activities or provide appropriate refunds.

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15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Philippines.

Alternative Dispute Resolution:

We encourage resolution of disputes through direct communication. If formal action becomes necessary, we prefer mediation before litigation when possible.

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16. Severability and Modifications

Severability:

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Modifications:

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Updated Terms will be posted on our website with the revision date. Continued use of our services after modification constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

Communication of Changes:

Significant changes to these Terms will be communicated through:

Website posting with prominent notice
Email notification to previous customers (where contact information is available)
Social media announcements

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17. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms or our services, please contact us:

PalaOne Freediving

Address: Bancuang Baba, Barangay 5, Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Website: www.palaonefreediving.com
WhatsApp: +63 905 375 6012 (English & Mandarin)
WhatsApp: +63 967 206 9708 (English & Tagalog)
Email: palaonefreediving@gmail.com
Instagram: @pala_onefreediving
Facebook: Pala-One Freediving

Business Hours:

We respond to inquiries during normal business hours. Emergency contact information will be provided to tour participants.

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18. Final Acknowledgment

BY USING OUR WEBSITE OR PARTICIPATING IN OUR ACTIVITIES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT:

You have read and understood these Terms and Conditions in their entirety
You understand the serious risks associated with freediving and related water activities
You voluntarily assume all risks and release PalaOne Freediving from liability
You agree to follow all safety rules and instructor directions
You will participate only within your certification and experience level
You are physically and mentally fit to participate in the activities
You have disclosed any medical conditions that may affect your participation

Remember: Your safety is our priority, but ultimately your responsibility. Freediving and water activities require constant attention to safety, proper training, and conservative decision-making.

These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between you and PalaOne Freediving regarding your use of our services and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

Last Updated: August 1, 2025
Version: 1.0

Table of contents

1. Agreement to Terms