OVERVIEW AND QUALIFICATIONS

This is an introductory Scuba course that meets the requirements for ISO level 1- supervised divers (24801-1). The goal of this course is to prepare a non-diver to the point that they can enjoy scuba diving in open water under controlled conditions to a limited depth of 12m (40ft) with the supervision of an active-status NAUI Instructor or Divemaster. Certified Scuba divers may scuba dive in open water under the direct supervision of an active-status NAUI Instructor or Divemaster with the following restrictions:

• Diver has been certified as NAUI Scuba Diver within the previous 6 months

• If it has been greater than 6 months since the completion of the Scuba Diver course the diver must:

• Have conducted supervised open water dives within the previous 6 months OR  
• Conduct a skills evaluation dive under the direct supervision of an active-status NAUI Instructor or Divemaster

• Depth is limited to a maximum of 12m (40ft)  

• At any point, the program may be converted to the Open Water Scuba Diver course. Within 6 months, credit for program training may be given to persons who complete it and subsequently enroll in a NAUI Open Water Scuba 

PREREQUISITES

• Age. Minimum is 15 years by the water phase of the course. (Junior certification for ages 10-14 years is allowed)

• Certification/Experience/Knowledge.  

• Participants should be able to comfortably demonstrate novice swimming ability. 

POLICIES

• Daily Hours. No more than eight hours of training shall be conducted during any one day.

• Academics (estimated hours). 10 hours.

Practical Application.

– MINIMUM REQUIRED HOURS.

• 5 hours.  

– MINIMUM REQUIRED DIVES.

• The minimum number of open water dives is two.

– LIMITATIONS.

• Confined water training is required to develop a level of skill that will allow participants to dive comfortably and effectively in open water under direct supervision of a diving professional.
• The first open water dive is to emphasize diving skills. The second is to reinforce diving skills and introduce the diver to local conditions.
• Participants must be directly supervised by an active status NAUI Instructor during all dives of this course.  
• All open water training dives shall be conducted during daylight hours.

– DEPTH.

• The maximum depth for ideal conditions for any open water dive is 12m (40ft).

REQUIREMENTS

– ACADEMIC

• General. Emphasis is on risk minimization, equipment and skills required to properly and effectively scuba dive with a buddy in a supervised group. Participants are to be informed of the limitations of a Scuba Diver certification. All participants are to be encouraged to enroll in an Open Water Scuba Diver (ISO Level 2) certification course.  

• The following participant capabilities are required:  Prior to using scuba in confined water, participants are to be able to:

1. Explain all equipment being used and the function it performs
2. Understand the basics of diving science and physics to include: light, sound, gas laws, direct and indirect effects of pressure, and thermal concerns
3. Explain proper equalization techniques used during a scuba dive Explain the importance of proper scuba breathing
4. Explain the effects of pressure on air consumption
5. Explain the concept of buoyancy and the methods for controlling it, including weights, breathing, and BC use
6. Explain physiological hazards that might impact fitness to dive
7. Demonstrate underwater communication

• Prior to using scuba in open water, participants are to be able to:

1. Explain hazards of the environment and aquatic life appropriate to the locality
2. List the safety rules for diving under professional supervision in open water  
3. Understand and explain emergency procedures  

• Continuing Education. All participants and graduates are to be encouraged to obtain further training. Those who desire to dive extensively or at several locations are to be encouraged to take the NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver course.

REQUIREMENTS

– SKILLS

• Swimming Skills (confined or open water)- no equipment.

• Demonstrate novice level swim stroke proficiency in any of the following strokes: crawl, side, breast, elementary back, or back stroke. Classic stroke combinations are not necessary to meet this requirement as long as forward progress is achieved, e.g. no particular kick or arm action is necessarily required and a lack of either is also acceptable. Students shall complete at least 15 continuous stroke cycles while being evaluated by an instructor. A stroke cycle is considered to be either arm or leg action or a combination thereof resulting in forward movement.
• Survival swim for 10 minutes.
• Swim underwater 15m (50 ft.) on one breath with no push-off or dive. The use of weights is permitted for students having difficulty remaining submerged. The use of a mask is permitted for students wearing contact lenses.

• Scuba Diving (confined and open water).  

• All Skills must be introduced in the confined water and performed in open water.  
• Assemble, don and adjust gear  
• Predive buddy check
• Effective use of communication and hand signals
• Weight check
• Equalization of diver air spaces
• Comfortably breath from scuba underwater
• Regulator/ Snorkel exchange while swimming at the surface
• Regulator clearing and recovery  
• Clear a mask that is filled with water
• Removal and replacement of mask
• Breathe from scuba underwater without a mask
• Monitor instruments and communicate that information to buddy /Instructor
• Demonstrate environmentally appropriate buoyancy  
• Demonstrate environmentally appropriate propulsion
• Remove and replace of ballast
• Problem solving underwater
• Surface normally breathing from scuba
• Establish surface buoyancy using power and oral inflation
• Perform a relaxed, controlled emergency swimming ascent in confined water and from a minimum depth of 4.6m (15 ft.) in open water, using oral inflation upon reaching the surface.
• Share air as both a donor and a receiver from an octopus or alternate breathing source (not buddy breathing) during ascents in confined water and from a minimum depth of 4.6m (15 ft.) to the surface in open water, using oral inflation upon reaching the surface.
• Comfortably perform entries and exits appropriate for the environment
• Disassemble and care for equipment

Scuba Diving (open water). Participants are to additionally demonstrate the ability to:

• Comfortably perform entries and exits as appropriate for the circumstances.
• Effectively dive with a buddy in a directly supervised group.
• Identify significant plant and animal life encountered.

Course Package Includes:

Instructor fee. 

NAUI eLearning material

Certification card

Pool rental

Air fills

Not Included - Required (Items marked with * are availble for rent):

Mask

Snorkel

Fins

Booties

Gloves

Hood

*Buoancy Control Device (BCD)

*Life Support System (1st Stage regulator, 2nd Stage regulator, Alternate Reglator,  and Submerssible Pressure Guage (or Computer) at minimum.

*Wetsuit

*Weights

*Cylinder