I. COURSE
A. Description: Provides the five openwater training dives required for scuba diving certification and additional dives or study as arranged.
Instructor: Bob Weathers
Office: Brougham Pavilion, PE Offices
Office hours: 11:00 TTh, Noon Daily, 2:00 MWF
E-mail: weathers@spu.edu
Phone: 281-2081 (w) 523-6851 (h)
C. Prerequisites: Medical clearance and PE 1196 or the equivalent.
II. OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this course is to encourage continuing education leading to greater safety and enjoyment of skin and scuba diving. Each student should be able to plan dives appropriately and make dives as planned Minimally, at the conclusion of the course, students should be able to...
A. Select, assemble, use, and maintain diving equipment in a manner appropriate for the diving activities and environments for/in which they have been trained.
B. Evaluate the conditions of self, buddy, equipment and the environment for safety in and enjoyment of the planned activity.
C. Demonstrate entry, descent, swimming, buddy contact and communication, ascent, and exit skills that are appropriate to the activity and environment.
D. Navigate underwater using both a compass and environmental aids.
E. Plan emergency and other alternative plans for the possibility that things will not go as intended.
F. Assist a buddy in distress at the surface or underwater.
III. CONTENT
The content of this course will vary with the needs and interests of the individual student. If not already certified, the course will include at least five openwater dives geared toward the objectives above.
IV. PROCEDURES
The course should demand about 30 hours of each student’s time and can do so through a variety of diving-related activities. These will be selected and scheduled to meet individual student needs, interests, and schedules. However, it is ho ped that 2 or more students can work out equivalent schedules. It is recommended that all divers work toward NAUI Advanced Rescue Scuba Diver and DAN Oxygen Provider certifications regardless of interest in Scientific Diver certification.
The five openwater training dives required for NAUI Scuba Diver certification will demand about 10 of the 30 required hours.
The next logical step in recreation diver continuing education is the NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver Course. This course requires a dive focusing on underwater navigation, a night or low visibility dive, a deep (> 60 feet) dive, and three additional dives, each focused on one of the following: search and recovery, boat diving, light salvage, hunting and collecting, non-penetration wreck diving, observation and data collection, surf or current diving, altitude divin g, fresh water diving, underwater photography/videography, or use of dive computers. Each of these dives will be preceded by a briefing to emphasize important points and followed by a debriefing to process the experience. A final written exam is given to test knowledge of the types of diving included in the course. This course demands about 12 hours of class time.
To receive Scientific Diver certification and be authorized to dive under University auspices, a recreational diver must take a diving medical exam and receive medical approval; present proof of current certification in CPR, emergency oxygen administration, and diving first aid; and complete other relevant training that totals at least 100 hours (including dive rescue) beyond initial recreational certification. This training must include at least 12 additional openwater dives and examination of knowledge and skill mastery. CPR, oxygen administration, and diving first aid instruction will typically demand at least 12 hours and dive rescue training will require a minimum of 20 hours. The NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver course may be included in the 100 hour requirement for this certification.
For students who have completed the NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver course or its equivalent may pursue the NAUI Master Scuba Diver or various specialty certifications as part of PE 1196. All students may include independent study of diving academics in their minimum of 30 hours devoted to this course.
A trip is planned to San Juan Island over Memorial Day weekend for those who would like to use this opportunity for all or some of their training.
The student bears responsibility for transportation and all expenses related to acquisition of diving equipment and other materials and services required to achieve the student’s specific objectives..
V. Evaluation
Since, the content of the course will vary from one student to the next, grading will be determined on the basis of individual contracts made between each student and the instructor.
VI. RESOURCES
Certification cards and other NAUI or DAN materials will be provided at cost - including shipping. These materials and costs will vary with the student’s specific objectives. However, any NAUI certifications will $12 each.
The long list of available materials includes:
DAN Oxygen Provider Workbook and Certification $15
NAUI Mastering Advanced Diving Technology and Techniques $27.95
NAUI Scuba Rescue Text $25.46
NSC First Aid and CPR Texts $9.95 or $15.45
NSC Scuba Diver First Aid Text $9.95