Beginning Open Water Diver Weekend Class

This class is a 3 week program to learn how to Scuba Dive. The class meets for three Saturdays in a row each with pool and classroom portions. If you are interested in signing up for this class you MUST come in to the shop for an orientation before the first day of class or give us a call at 503-245-4991.

If you are thinking about our Saturday program here is why we are different then other scuba programs:

We have found over the years that the learning process for scuba is best taught via a combination of personal interaction with the instructor and the comradery of a group environment. During our weekend class you will meet in a group with your instructor for three sessions, and individually for three sessions. In addition to this time with the instructor you will be coming into the shop to practice at least three times before your open water certification dives whether those are with us or you are traveling to a warm water destination.

Remember to come to class with all of your personal snorkeling equipment, and your educational materials with the reading complete.

Orientation session:
This is a private session scheduled before the class beings. You will sign up for the program pick up your books and materials, sign releases, medical forms and pay fees.

Snorkel Lesson/Equipment Fitting:
This is a private session scheduled before the class begins. You will be fitted for your personal snorkeling system, given a watermanship evaluation and a snorkel lesson.

Classroom Lesson # 1 Chapters 1 & 2 (9:00am to 1:00pm)

Pool Lesson # 1

Assembling equipment
Weighting
Donning of equipment
Pre-Dive Buddy Check
Poolside entry with ladder
Figure-4 with fins
Hand signals
Regulator Retrieval (2 ways)
Regulator breathing without mask
2^nd stage clearing (3 ways)
Mask clearing (2 ways)
Cramp release
Surface swim with full gear
Equipment disassembly and cleaning

Classroom Lesson # 2 Chapters 3 & 4 (9:00am to 1:00pm)

Pool Lesson # 2

Skill Review
Giant stride entry
Advanced mask clearing
Integrated safe 2^nd clearing (2 ways)
Non-integrated safe 2^nd clearing (3 ways)
Surface fin rotation
Equipment removal / replacement on the surface
Equipment removal / replacement at depth
Buoyancy Skills
Forward roll entry
Line descent
Manual filling of the BCD
Weight belt removal and replacement
Sharing air technique

Lesson # 3 Chapters 5 & 6 (9:00am to 1:00pm)

Pool Lesson # 3

Skill Review
High deck – giant stride entry
Emergency swimming out of air ascent
Emergency buoyant out of air ascent
Advanced air sharing technique

Coaching Session:
This is a private session scheduled after your second class. In this session you will turn in all of your homework, complete the required forms, schedule your open water certification dives and complete the written exam.

Practice Session #1

Practice Session #2

Practice Session #3