To our future scuba divers, 

 

Thank you for choosing the “ScubaBros at Adventure Sports” for your scuba certification experience.  We hope that your experience with us will be an enjoyable one.  Please take the time to read through this information for your preparation for class. 

 

Please take the following steps before coming to your first scuba class.

 

1.    Complete the medical questionnaire; remember if you have to answer “yes” to any of the questions a medical release from a physician will be necessary before we are able to do any work in the water.

2.    Read the entire PADI OPEN WATER DIVER manual and answer “knowledge reviews” located at the end of each chapter. These are the focus of our classroom lectures. (Or Complete PADI E-Learning)

3.    Take time to look through the RECREATIONAL DIVE PLANNER instruction manual. (we will go over this material in great detail during class)

4.    Call the day before you plan on attending class to verify times if unclear. (classes start earlier depending on class size but never before 8:30am)

 

 

Through your certification process you as a new student will complete a swim test, a ten minute float/tread water test, five pool dives, four open water dives, take four quizzes, and a fifty question comprehensive final exam. In the pool sessions of class, each student must complete each skill to the satisfaction of the instructor before attending open water dives. The pool dives are where students should learn how to do a tested skill. Students are then expected to repeat that skill in an open water environment without the coaching or explaining of an instructor. Think of the pool dives as driver’s education, and the open water dives as the driving test.

 

            Upon successful completion of all the previously listed objectives a student may receive his/her certification from “ScubaBros at Adventure Sports.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ScubaBros

 

TOP THINGS FOR NEW STUDENTS TO REMEMBER  

 

1.       Never Hold YOUR BREATH!!!

2.      Remember to make your safety stops.

3.      Scuba Diving is a very equipment intensive sport, if you do not own your own gear make sure you are familiar with your rental equipment before entering the water. If unclear, ask a dive master or fellow diver for advice.

4.      When doing regulator removal skills, always blow a small stream of bubbles in between switching regulators. 

5.      Remember to blow into your 2^nd stage regulator before breathing into it underwater.  (otherwise you will suck in a mouthful of water)

6.      Beginning divers tend to use more air, and run low faster than those with more experience, through the course of class take the time to become familiar with checking your SPG to monitor your air supply. It should never get below 500 PSI during an open water dive of any kind. (for pool training we feel 300 PSI is still safe)

7.      Dive the rule of thirds. (1/3 of air on way out, 1/3 on way in, 1/3 to ascend and make safety stop) 

8.      Scuba Diving is a very safe, relatively easy, and fun sport. But with it are inherent risks involving pressure. This is why it is very important to read, learn, understand decompression theory, and how to use your dive tables. The Recreational Dive Planner is your best friend in allowing you to make safe dives. If there is something you are unclear on please ask during classroom discussion.

9.      Dive swimming into the current, unless told otherwise by your boat crew.

10.  If diving with an aluminum tank, remember to start your dive slightly more negatively buoyant.  When aluminum tanks are empty they float more than when full and this must be compensated for.

11.  Steel tanks are inherently negatively buoyant so less weight is needed.

12.  To clear a mask with a purge look down, to clear a mask without a purge look up.  (in general)

13.  When assembling your scuba unit, remember to put your BCD jacket on the tank first then the regulator set.

14.  When assembling your scuba unit, the tank valve opening should face the front of the BCD. 2^nd stage regulators should go to the right, SPG and inflator hoses go to the left.

15.  Weight belts are worn oriented with a right hand release.

16.  A wet suit is a very good investment. Not only does it keep you warm but also  protects you from the environment of the underwater world. Last but not least it makes scuba equipment feel better and provides protection from sun burn.

17.  Dive knives are not just a knife, but a tool and signaling device. Never get into the water without one.

18.  Let your scuba equipment work for you. Inflate BCD’s at surface and float.