Nitrox Diver course

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Please check the Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) Diver course above >>>

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Peak performance buoyancy course

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During the course your buoyancy control will be polished beyond the Open water diver level to be more efficient - saving air and energy - and help you avoid damage to the aquatic environment.

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Performance requirements:

  1. Confined water dive:

a) Estimate weight needed for your equipment configuration using the Basic Weighting Guidelines.
b) Practice visualization skills.
c) Conduct pre-dive buoyancy checks.
d) Perform controlled descents, ascents, and safety stops.
e) Perform hovering.
f) Use breath control for fine-tuning buoyancy underwater.
g) Maneuver close to the bottom without touching.
h) Perform post-dive buoyancy checks.

  2. Open water dive #1:

a) Rig a weight system with the following considerations in mind:

 - Estimate the amount of weight to begin a dive using PADI’s “Basic Weighting Guidelines” or the manufacturer recommendations (if using a rebreather).

 - Position and distribute the weight for comfort and desired body position (trim) in the water.

b) Use visualization techniques prior to the dive to help you relax, establish a comfortable breathing pattern and move gracefully through the water.

c) Conduct a buoyancy check by adjusting the amount of weight worn to achieve neutral buoyancy at the surface of the water with the BCD deflated.

d) Make a controlled, slow descent to the bottom and, if needed, adjust for neutral buoyancy using the BCD.

e) Adjust for neutral buoyancy at a predetermined depth.

f) Hover for 60 seconds without rising or sinking more than 1 meter/3 feet by making minor depth adjustments using breath control only (open-circuit scuba), or using very minor hand/fin sculling only (rebreathers).

g) Make minor depth adjustments using breath control only (open-circuit scuba).

h) Swim horizontally, while neutrally buoyant without touching the bottom or breaking the surface of the water with equipment or body.

i) Demonstrate efficient fin kicks, using long, slow strokes and gliding.

j) Adjust weights (trim) and practice hovering in different positions – vertical, horizontal, feet slightly elevated and head slightly elevated.

k) Conduct a post-dive buoyancy check by adjusting the amount of weight worn to achieve neutral buoyancy at the surface of the water with the BCD deflated.

  3. Open water dive #2:

a) Rig a weight system with the following considerations in mind:

 - Estimate the amount of weight to begin a dive using PADI’s “Basic Weighting Guidelines” or the manufacturer recommendations (if using a rebreather), or based on experience from previous dives.

 - Position and distribute the weight for comfort and desired body position (trim) in the water.

b) Use visualization techniques to help you relax, establish a comfortable breathing pattern and move gracefully through the water.

c) Conduct a pre- and post-dive buoyancy check by adjusting the amount of weight worn to achieve neutral buoyancy at the surface of the water with the BCD deflated.

d) Make a controlled, slow descent to the bottom and if needed, adjust for neutral buoyancy using the BCD.

e) Demonstrate efficient fin kicks, using long, slow strokes and gliding after each kick.

f) Hover for 90 seconds without rising or sinking more than 1 meter/3 feet by making minor depth adjustments using breath control only (open-circuit scuba), or using very minor hand/fin sculling only (rebreathers).

g) Flood and clear your mask while holding a specific hover depth and compensating for sudden buoyancy changes (rebreather divers only).

h) Maneuver as close to a nonliving portion of the bottom (rock, sand, etc.) without touching it and then back away using neutral buoyancy with hand or fin sculling.

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Mandatory paperwork: please download and fill out the Diver Medical Form in advance >>>

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Sidemount Diver course

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During the course you will learn a systematic, methodical, approach to recreational sidemount diving, showing how to apply the skills developed using conventional backmounted equipment.

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Performance requirements:

  1. Confined water dive:

a) Assemble, don and adjust the sidemount equipment that will be used on the dive.

b) Demonstrate an appropriate sidemount entry into water shallow enough in which to stand and donning sidemount cylinders in the water.

c) Inflate the BCD to establish buoyancy, swim on the surface into water too deep in which to stand, perform a buoyancy check, and adjust for proper weighting.

d) Execute a five-point descent with a buddy.

e) Locate both SPGs and indicate the gas supply in each cylinder to the instructor and buddies.

f) Throughout the dive, in two-cylinder sidemount, manage gas by switching second stages as planned before the dive.

g) Establish neutral buoyancy and swim using flutter kicks and frog kicks (unless it is not possible for the student due to a physical limitation), with a buddy, 24 meters/80 feet to assess balance and trim, to make adjustments as required, and to develop/confirm familiarity with both kicks.

h) Recover and clear the second stage from behind/below the cylinder.

i) In two-cylinder sidemount, remove and release the second stage of one cylinder, secure the second stage of the other, clear it and begin breathing from it, then recover the first second stage.

j) Establish neutral buoyancy and hover using breath control for at least one minute.

k) Respond to a simulated out-of-gas emergency as both the donor and as the receiver by sharing gas with a long hose second stage, then swimming 15 meters/50 feet maintaining contact with a buddy.

l) In two-cylinder sidemount, respond to a simulated failed regulator or failed cylinder valve by switching second stages (if necessary to maintain a breathing supply) and shutting down the simulated affected cylinder valve, within 60 seconds.

m) With a buddy, perform a safety stop in midwater for three minutes, not varying from the stop depth by more than 2 meters/7 feet.

n) Surface in water too deep in which to stand, establish positive buoyancy, remove the cylinder(s) and exit the water.

o) Establish positive buoyancy, enter water too deep in which to stand and don cylinders, connecting the BCD and other inflators as appropriate for the configuration in use.

p) Swim underwater for a distance of not less than 24 meters/80 feet, including at least one turn of 180 degrees and swimming backwards using only kicks (unless doing so is impossible due to a physical limitation), without making contact with the bottom.

q) Disconnect the lower attachment of at least one cylinder, swing it in front with the upper connection in place, swim at least 18 meters/60 feet, then reconnect the lower attachment.

r) Execute a proper ascent, and exit the water (any method), then enter the water using a method in which the diver dons the cylinders before entry (giant stride, seated back roll, etc.)

s) Throughout the session, respond calmly, correctly and appropriately to simulated emergencies presented by the instructor.

  2. Open water dive #1:

a) Assemble, don and adjust the sidemount equipment that will be used on the dive.

b) Complete a pre-dive safety check.

c) Demonstrate a sidemount entry appropriate for the local environment.

d) Inflate the BCD to establish buoyancy, perform a buoyancy check, and adjust for proper weighting.

e) Execute a five-point descent with a buddy.

f) Locate the SPG(s) and indicate the gas supply to the instructor and buddies at regular intervals and when asked.

g) In two-cylinder sidemount, throughout the dive, manage gas by switching second stages as planned before the dive.

h) Establish neutral buoyancy and swim using flutter kicks and frog kicks (unless it is not possible for the student due to a physical limitation), with a buddy, 24 meters/80 feet to assess balance and trim, to make adjustments as required, and to develop/confirm familiarity with both kicks.

i) Recover and clear a second stage from behind/below the cylinder.

j) In two-cylinder sidemount, respond to a simulated failed regulator or failed cylinder valve by switching second stages (if necessary to maintain a breathing supply) and shutting down the simulated affected cylinder valve, within 60 seconds.

k) With a buddy, ascend at a rate no faster than 18 meters/60 feet per minute and make a three minute safety stop at 5 meters/15 feet.

l) At the surface in two-cylinder sidemount equipment, tow a simulated tired diver in two-cylinder sidemount equipment 24 meters/80 feet.

m) Surface in water too deep in which to stand, establish positive buoyancy, remove the cylinder(s) and exit the water.

n) Throughout the dive, respond calmly, correctly and appropriately to simulated emergencies presented by the instructor.

  3. Open water dive #2:

a) If you completed Open water dive #1 in single-cylinder sidemount, you must complete the tired diver tow from Open water dive #1.

b) Assemble, don and adjust the sidemount equipment that will be used on the dive.

c) Complete a pre-dive check using proper procedures.

d) Demonstrate a sidemount entry appropriate for the local environment.

e) Execute a five-point descent as part of a buddy team.

f) Throughout the dive, manage gas by switching second stages as planned before the dive.

g) Respond to a simulated out-of-gas emergency as both the donor and as the receiver by sharing gas with a long hose second stage, then swimming 15 meters/50 feet maintaining contact with the buddy.

h) Establish neutral buoyancy and hover using breath control for at least one minute.

i) Respond to a simulated failed regulator or failed cylinder valve by switching second stages (if necessary to maintain a breathing supply) and shutting down the simulated affected cylinder valve, within 60 seconds.

j) Disconnect the lower attachment of at least one cylinder, swing it in front with the upper connection in place, swim at least 18 meters/60 feet, then reconnect the lower attachment.

k) With a buddy, ascend at a rate no faster than 18 meters/60 feet per minute and make a three minute safety stop at 5 meters/15 feet.

l) Surface in water too deep in which to stand, establish positive buoyancy, and exit the water.

m) Throughout the dive, respond calmly, correctly and appropriately to simulated emergencies presented by the instructor.

  4. Open water dive #3:

a) Assemble, don and adjust the sidemount equipment that will be used on the dive.

b) Complete a pre-dive check using proper procedures.

c) Demonstrate a sidemount entry appropriate for the local environment.

d) Execute a five-point descent as part of a buddy team.

e) Throughout the dive, manage gas by switching second stages as planned before the dive.

f) Respond to a simulated out-of-gas emergency as both the donor and as the receiver by sharing gas with a long hose second stage, then swimming 15 meters/50 feet maintaining contact with the buddy.

g) Establish neutral buoyancy and hover using breath control for at least one minute.

h) With a buddy, ascend at a rate no faster than 18 meters/60 feet per minute and make a three minute safety stop at 5 meters/15 feet.

i) Surface in water too deep in which to stand, establish positive buoyancy, and exit the water.

j) Throughout the dive, respond calmly, correctly and appropriately to simulated emergencies presented by the instructor.

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Mandatory paperwork: please download and fill out the Diver Medical Form in advance >>>

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Surface Marker Buoy Diver course

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Please check the Delayed Surface Marker Buoy Diver course above >>>

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Underwater Navigator course

During the course you will learn a systematic, methodical approach to enjoying underwater navigation.  You will develop the techniques involved in navigating underwater within recreational limits and while avoiding disturbing delicate marine life.

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Performance requirements:

  1. Open water dive #1:

a) Maintain neutral buoyancy during the dive.

b) Determine the average number of kick cycles AND average amount of time required to cover a distance of approximately 30 meters/100 feet while swimming underwater at a normal, relaxed pace.

c) Navigate (surfacing only if necessary to verify direction or location) to a predetermined location and return to within 15 meters/50 feet of the starting point using natural references and estimated distance measurement (kick cycles or time).

d) Demonstrate the correct positioning and handling of a compass needed to maintain an accurate heading while swimming underwater.

e) Navigate (without surfacing) to a predetermined location and return to within 6 meters/20 feet of the starting point using a compass and estimated distance measurement (kick cycles or time).

f) Swim a square pattern underwater returning to within 8 meters/25 feet of the starting point using a compass and beginning from a fixed location.  (Size of square - each side 30 meters/100 feet or total combined length of approximately 120 meters/400 feet.)

  2. Open water dive #2:

a) Demonstrate the correct compass positioning and handling needed to maintain an accurate heading while swimming underwater.

b) Navigate a predetermined course (provided by the instructor prior to the dive) with more than five compass turns, returning to the starting point within 15 meters/50 feet of the exit, without surfacing.

c) Fix a specific underwater location to be relocated on a future dive, using two permanent sets of landmarks with an angle of at least 60° between them, or using a compass bearing.

  3. Open water dive #3:

a) Demonstrate the correct compass positioning and handling needed to maintain an accurate heading while swimming under water.

b) Navigate a compass course under water when new course headings (five or more) are provided on underwater markers.

c) Draw a map of the underwater area covered by the course conducted during the dive.

Mandatory paperwork: please download and fill out the Diver Medical Form in advance >>>

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