Specialty Courses
All Specialty courses will require participants to be certified Open Water Divers (Junior Open Water diver where applicable) and may require other certifications as prerequisites as well. At successful completion of the course you will receive your certification. Contact us for more information.
DRAM (Diving Rescue & Accident Management)
Master Diver Level 4
Dry Suit Diver
Equipment Service
NITROX Diver
Night Diver
DRAM (Diving Rescue & Accident Management)
The purpose of the DRAM Rescue Diver specialty course is to provide the knowledge and skills to recognize and take action in the event of a diving accident. This course concentrates on four primary topics: Cognizance, Assessment, Rescue, and Evacuation. DRAM Rescue Diver certification is recommended for all divers and is a prerequisite for all levels of scuba leadership training. Once certified, it is recommended that divers participate in a refresher course at least every two years. Requirements:
- The minimum age is 15yrs. old
- You will complete a medical questionnaire
- You will need to be Advanced OWD Level 2 certified or have 10 logged dives after your Open Water certification
- You will need a current certification in CPR (NSC, AHA, ARC, ASHI or equivalent) and prior to certification, you will need First Aid (NSC, ARC, AHA, ASHI or equivalent) and Oxygen Provider (DAN or equivalent)
Master Diver Level 4
This course and certification is the highest and most prestigious non-leadership rating that may be attained by a our divers. It is considered the supreme standard of diving excellence and recognition of expert training. This course of instruction is often offered to students over a period of time rather than in a formal class environment. In this way students can build knowledge and skills while meeting all the completion requirements including other specialty courses. By taking Advanced OWD Level 2 and/or Level 3 courses and making at least 15 dives on the diver’s own, and ten dives during the program, a total of at least 40 dives is logged. Requirements:
- The minimum age is 18yrs. old
- You will complete a medical questionnaire
- You will need to be Advanced OWD Level 3 and complete 15 additional dives, as well as a certified DRAM Rescue Diver, or the equivalent from another recognized diver certification agency
- You will need to be certified in one (1) additional diving specialty of your choice
- You will need to be certified or complete certification for First Aid (NSC, ARC, AHA, ASHI or equivalent), CPR (NSC, AHA, ARC, ASHI or equivalent), and Oxygen Provider (DAN or equivalent)
Dry Suit Diver
Students completing this course will be able to demonstrate proper care and maintenance of dry suits, know the potential dangers of cold water diving, make field repairs on dry suits, and demonstrate proper use of a dry suit, including emergency procedures associated with the use of dry suits.
Equipment Service
This course provides divers with information on the selection, function, and maintenance of their own diving equipment. Students will receive training in routine field maintenance that they will be able to do on their own equipment and develop an appreciation for the equipment maintenance procedures performed by a full service dive center.
NITROX Diver
The NITROX specialty course is designed to familiarize the individual diver with the issues and procedures necessary to evaluate the application and utility of using oxygen enriched breathing mixes of 22% to 40% oxygen content for recreational scuba diving.
Night Diver
This course provides recreational divers with the knowledge and skills to safely dive with a buddy during the night and low light situations using artificial lights. These divers will be able to demonstrate the use and maintenance of underwater dive lights, describe how to avoid the hazards associated with night diving including a lost buddy, and show the importance of compass use during night dives. Included in this course are two classroom sessions and two dives over a period of two days.
Coral Reef Ecology
Kayak Diver
Ice Diver
Underwater Hunter
Underwater Navigation
Search & Recovery/Public Safety Diver Level 1 Awareness
Coral Reef Ecology
The purpose of the Coral Reef Ecology specialty course is to provide an understanding and appreciation for the coral reef environment. The direct and indirect human impact on the reef environment will be examined with emphasis placed on the role of the diver in preserving reefs. You will complete both classroom training and open water dives.
Kayak Diver
Kayak diving offers the unparalleled opportunity to make the journey to and from your dive site as rewarding as the dive itself. Experience “The Best of Both Worlds!” … explore above and below the water’s surface. This specialty combines two technical sports – open-deck (sit-on-top) kayaking and SCUBA diving. The course produces divers confident in handling skin/SCUBA gear on a dive kayak, knowledgeable and skilled in paddling and seamanship, prepared to safely and competently engage in this exciting cross-sport.
Course Objectives: You learn…
- merging the skills of SCUBA and kayaking
- safety considerations in kayak diving
- kayak launch/landing, paddling strokes and maneuvering
- rescue techniques – self-rescue; buddy assist and rescue
- basic seamanship, boating regulations, marine navigation
- continued training and travel opportunities
The course includes classroom, confined water, open water sessions, written and skills assessments.
Offered in partnership withAmerican WaterSports Association Learn More about Kayak Diving
Ice Diver
The Ice Diver specialty course is offered to scuba divers who desire to explore the underwater realm beneath ice. The crystalline structures and the extended visibility brought on by colder water temperatures can make ice diving an exciting and rewarding experience when practiced safely under the auspices of qualified instructors.
Underwater Hunter
This course will teach the safe handling of all spear fishing equipment and underwater hunting techniques. The program will also identify locations, objects, and marine life. Hunting of bottles, lures, and other items can be included as part of this program if such is available in the dive area.
Underwater Navigation
This course is designed to be accomplished in four sessions including two classroom and two open water dive sessions. Once students have completed this course, they should, among other skills, be able to determine latitude and longitude of objects on a navigational chart, determine what navigational charts are best for diving, and name all types of diving compasses and their parts.
Search & Recovery/Public Safety Diver Level 1 Awareness
Our Search and Recovery/Public Safety Diver specialty program is designed to train recreational scuba divers and to introduce public safety divers to the process of locating objects underwater and recover them through proper procedures and methods. This program exceeds the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Awareness level.
