RENTAL GEAR (Included)

This course includes access to our rental equipment for all pool and open water sessions:

• BCD
• Regulator
• Cylinders
• Weights and weight belt
• Wetsuit
• Dive Computer - Included in the rental for this course; students also have the option to purchase their own dive computer at a special price while enrolled

REQUIRED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT (Must Purchase)

The following items must be purchased by each participant before starting the course (approx. $300-$500 depending on gear choice):

• 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

Please Note: Students are responsible for picking up, transporting, and returning their own rental equipment. If transport is needed on our part, an additional surcharge may apply.

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!

Don't want to complete your open water dives locally? We understand that travel plans, schedules, and cold water conditions sometimes make it easier to complete your open water dives elsewhere.

With a referral, you'll complete:

• all academic sessions
• confined water (pool) training

• Referral Pricing:
  • Referral divers who complete their academic and confined water sessions with us will recieve $100 off the price of our Open Water course. 

• Referral Policies:

  • It is the referral student's responsibility to find and confirm a dive center that will accept them as a referral student.

Please contact us if you are considering a referral. 

We are happy to talk through your plans, explain the process, and help you decide if a referral is the right option for you. 

Accepting referral students:

We accept referral students who have completed their academic and confined water training and are looking to complete their open water dives. 

Please note:

• As an SSI training facility, we cannot accept PADI students who still require confined water (pool) training
• All referral training must meet current SSI standards
• Students seeking to complete referral dives with us must contact us in advance to discuss availability, requirements, and pricing. 

Complete your certification on a trip with us:

Students may also choose to complete their Open Water Certification Dives on one of our group dive trips. This option does not require a referral as your certification dives will be conducted by one of Aquatic Specialties' instructors, following current SSI training standards. 
Completing your certification on a trip with us offers:

• Completing your certification dives in warmer water and more favorable conditions
• Continuity of training with instructors you already know
• The opportunity to finish certification while enjoying a dive vacation

Availability varies by trip. Students interested in completing their certification on a trip must contact us in advance to discuss eligibility, trip details, and scheduling. 

Not sure if Scuba Diving is for you?

Check out our Try Scuba Diving class (Ages 8+). This is a program designed to give you a taste of scuba diving, without committing to a certification or diving in deep water. To be clear, you do not receive a certification, but you will receive a recognition card, and it will give you and/or your child a chance to experience scuba diving in shallow water, and teach you a little of what it’s all about. The program lasts around 3 hours in total and is a combination of a little basic theory and one shallow water session in our indoor heated pool!

Excited to start your new underwater journey? Check out some of our other courses we have available for our certified Open Water students to advance their skills!

Perfect Buoyancy (Ages 10+): Do you want to increase your buoyancy control, minimize your gas consumption, and move effortlessly above the ocean floor? The SSI Perfect Buoyancy program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their diving position and buoyancy control, and to safely minimize their breathing gas consumption. This will increase your comfort in the water and allow you to get the most from your equipment. 

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.

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.