This course does not include the use of our rental equipment (BCD, Regulator, Weights, Cylinders, and Wetsuit), but they will be available to rent. You are required to purchase/have the essential equipment listed below:

• Dive slate
• Surface marker buoy (This is different from a dive flag)

• Pony bottle (Optional)

• The "basics" **:

  • Mask
  • Snorkel
  • Fins
  • Hood
  • Boots
  • Gloves
  • 2 Mouthpieces

We recommend purchasing your equipment at Aquatic Specialties so we can personally fit the equipment to you and your body type. We have many different brands, styles, and sizes, and having equipment that fits well will enhance your performance in the water and make your dive experience more enjoyable! We offer our students a 10% discount* on any required equipment that is purchased while actively enrolled in a course! Every customer matters and your support of your local dive shop is the backbone to our success. Your patronage motivates us to keep improving, and allows us to be able to provide you with the services that we do today - together, we will dive into great things!

*Some restrictions apply on select products

**The list of basic equipment would have been purchased for your Open Water certification and is not included in our rentals due to sanitation and fit. 

To ensure a safe, successful, and enjoyable dive experience, we ask that all students take the following responsibilities seriously throughout the course:

GEAR TRANSPORTATION

Students are responsible for transporting their own personal equipment and rental equipment to and from each class and dive session. If you are unable to do so, we may be able to assist with transport for an additional surcharge. Please let us know in advance so we can make arrangements.

PUNCTUALITY & ATTENDANCE

Arrive on time for all sessions. Diving requires structure and safety protocols - late arrivals may miss important briefings and could be asked to reschedule at an added cost. Full attendance is required for certification.

PRE-COURSE STUDY

If your course includes eLearning or textbook materials, they must be completed before your first in-person session. This ensures you understand the theory and can focus on skills during practical training.

MINDSET & FOCUS

Stay attentive and engaged throughout the course. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and support your fellow divers. Please be mindful that this is a classroom setting and we are all here to learn together. If you would like a private class, please contact the shop for more information. Teamwork is a key part of the experience!

MEDICAL & PHYSICAL READINESS

You must complete a medical questionnaire prior to starting the course. If any answers indicate a potential condition, a physician's clearance may be required. Being comfortable in the water and in reasonably good health is essential for completion of the prerequisites of this course.

COMMUNICATION

Keep in touch with us if anything changes - whether it is scheduling conflicts, health concerns, or gear issues. We are here to help, and clear communication ensures a smoother experience for everyone!

Need help preparing or have questions? Reach out to our team at any time - we are here to support you at every step of your diving journey!

The course fee ($350) includes the following:

• Digital learning material, course registration, and certification fees for SSI
  • Lifetime access to SSI's digital learning material, digital logbook, digital certification cards, dive tables, and more

• Hard copy of your certification card

• 1 in-person (or virtual) classroom session: 
  • Students must complete the online material and exam prior to attending
  • Allows students to ask questions in real-time and engage more directly with the subject matter
  • Develop a genuine connection with your classmates and instructor
  • Facilitates collaborative work and learning

• 3 Open Water Dives:
  • Dive 1: 60 to 100 feet
  • Dive 2: 80 to 100 feet
  • Dive 3: 100 to 130 feet

• Theory, Knowledge, and Skills:
  • Learn about the physiological and environmental aspects of deep diving, such as
    • managing pressure
    • air consumption
    • dive planning for deeper depths
  • Develop techniques to handle the unique challenges of deep diving, such as
    • buoyancy control
    • managing nitrogen absorption
    • diving with advanced equipment

Check out some of our other courses we have available for our certified Open Water students to advance their skills!

Nitrox (Ages 10+): The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox program provides students with basic knowledge and skills needed to safely dive using breathing gas with enriched gas mixtures. Have you ever dreamed of having longer no-decompression limits to take pictures or explore a wreck? Did you ever want to be safer while diving concerning the potential risk of decompression sickness? Nitrox is the key. In your enriched air nitrox class, you will learn all of the necessary rules for planning dives with nitrox and using nitrox in a safe way.

Navigation (Ages 10+): This class teaches advanced skills and knowledge you need to safely and confidently navigate underwater. You will learn how to use a compass and natural navigation techniques, estimate distance, how to leave and return to a designated point. All of these will hone your underwater observation skills, improve your dive safety and help you to get the most out of every dive.

Wreck/Advanced Wreck Diving (Ages 15+): In Wreck Diving, you will be taught how to safely conduct non-penetration dives around wrecks and artificial reefs, up to a depth of 30 meters, and complete 2 dives around the perimeter of a wreck. Advanced Wreck allows limited penetration within the daylight zone into wrecks with an overhead environment. The training required for this type of diving is overhead buoyancy control (We recommend taking a Perfect Buoyancy class), new finning techniques, optional laying safety lines, and the proper use of lights.

Please note: Some courses have other prerequisites or required equipment that is necessary to complete the class. Please see the "prerequisites" and "required equipment" tabs for each individual class for more details.