The PADI AWARE Fish Identification course is a Project AWARE supportive course   teaches you how to identify different species of fish underwater.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI AWARE Fish Identification course, you need to be at least 10 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your AWARE Fish Identification Specialty course, you will learn and practice identifying various species of fish while you tour the dive site. Your instructor will discuss the different categories of fish and explain ways to determine which group they belong to. During your open water dives, you will put these techniques into practice identifying and recording the aquatic life you see.

The PADI Boat Diver specialty course is a scuba diving course which teaches you how to safely dive from a boat.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Boat Diver course, you need to be at least 10 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Boat Diver specialty course, you will learn and practice techniques for diving from a boat. Your instructor will discuss the different locations of the boat and how to correctly assemble your gear for the dive. You will also learn how current, wind and waves can affect your boat diving experience.

The PADI Coral Reef Conservation specialty course is a Project AWARE supportive course which teaches you more about the underwater majestic formations known as coral reefs and the importance they play.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Coral Reef Conservation course, all you need is to have a desire to learn more around corals. There is no minimum age requirement for this course, but you will be required to participate in a classroom discussion.

Course Structure

During your Coral Reef Conservation specialty course, you will learn how coral reefs are formed, where they can most commonly be found, and the importance they play in our aquatic realm. Your instructor will discuss the different species of coral and explain ways to determine which group they belong to. This might include discussing specific types that may be found in your area. You will also learn about what specific threats they face, and additionally, what you can do as an individual to help protect them.

The PADI Digital Underwater Photography specialty course is a scuba diving course which teaches you how to properly take pictures while underwater.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Digital Underwater Photography course, you need to be at least 10 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Digital Underwater Photography specialty course, you will learn and practice different techniques for photographing objects underwater. This may include plants and aquatic life, macro photography, non-moving objects and other divers. Your instructor will discuss important aspects to keep in mind while you are taking pictures, such a visibility, lighting, color, subject composition and distance. During your open water dives, you will put these techniques into practice by photographing various subjects.

The PADI Diver Propulsion Vehicle Diver specialty course is a scuba diving course which teaches you how to safely use a Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DVP) while underwater.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the Diver Propulsion Vehicle course, you need to be at least 12 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Diver Propulsion Vehicle specialty course, you will learn and practice different techniques for using a Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DVP) while underwater. This may include estimating distances, equalizing, ascending and descending, maintaining the buddy system and steering. Your instructor will discuss important aspects to keep in mind while you are using the DPV and certain steps for preparing for your dive. During your open water dives, you will put these techniques into practice by preparing for the dive and touring part of the dive site while using a DPV.

The PADI Dolphin Awareness specialty course is a Project AWARE supportive course that teaches you more about dolphins, their lives and why they are important.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Dolphin Awareness course, all you need to have is a desire to learn more around dolphins. There is no minimum age requirement for this course, but you will be required to participate in a classroom discussion and view a PowerPoint presentation, which includes pictures of various species of dolphins.

Course Structure

During your Dolphin Awareness specialty course, you will learn about dolphins and how they breed, grow, feed, migrate and interact with one another, and the importance they play in our aquatic realm. Your instructor will discuss the different species of dolphins and explain ways to identify them and determine which group they belong to. You will also learn about the specific threats they face, how they are affected by humans and additionally, what you can do as an individual to help protect them.

The PADI Drift Diver specialty course is a scuba diving course which teaches you how to safely drift dive by allowing the current to carry you along as you dive.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the Drift Diver course, you need to be at least 12 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Drift Diver specialty course, you will learn and practice different techniques for drift diving and swimming in a steady current while underwater. This may include estimating distances, equalizing, ascending and descending, maintaining the buddy system and managing a surface float or marker buoy. Your instructor will discuss important aspects to keep in mind while you are using drift diving and certain steps for preparing for your dive. During your open water dives, you will put these techniques into practice by preparing for the dive and touring part of the dive site while towing a surface float and being carried along by the current.

The PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider specialty course is a continuing education level course for both scuba divers and non-divers alike. It teaches how to correctly administer oxygen and manage a vast number of emergency situations.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider course, you need to be mature enough to understand the concepts discussed during the course and be able to help another individual in need.

Course Structure

During the Emergency Oxygen Provider course you will learn when it is recommended to provide oxygen as a responder, and how to correctly administer it using a variety of different face masks. When you undergo the practical skills training, you will likely combine your skills with those learned through other first aid courses, such as CPR, providing care for injured individuals and managing various emergency situations. The Emergency Oxygen Provider course teaches valuable skills for anyone from parents and child caretakers to educators and business professionals.

The PADI Enriched Air Diver specialty course is a non-diving course which teaches you how to correctly plan and dive safely with enriched air.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the Enriched Air Diver course, you need to be at least 12 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Enriched Air Diver specialty course, you will learn how to accurately calculate no decompression limits and plan dive times and depths depending on the mix of enriched air that you will be using. Once you have completed the Enriched Air Diver manual, you will be required to complete a multiple choice exam. You will also be required to analyze a couple of enriched air tanks to show that you understand how to do it in the future. When collecting tanks from a dive center, you should always analyze the mix, but it is vital that you also remember to analyze your tank before diving, regardless of whether you think you know what’s inside or not.

The PADI Equipment Specialist course is a continuing education level course for scuba divers which teaches about various types of diving equipment, their servicing and maintenance, and equipment troubleshooting.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Equipment Specialist course, you need to be at least 10 years old and a certified PADI Junior Scuba Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During the Equipment Specialist course you will learn about how certain scuba diving equipment is made and when it is appropriate to do simple maintenance on it. You will learn about the various bits and pieces that make up scuba diving equipment such as regulators, BCDs and tank valves, and how often it is required that you have them serviced. When you undergo the practical skills training, you will likely combine the skills you have learned into a single project, such as disassembling/reassembling a piece of equipment, fixing a minor problem, or adjusting something to be more suitable to your requirements. The Equipment Specialist course teaches valuable skills for anyone considering to continue their diving education or for individuals who dive on a steady basis.

The PADI Night Diver specialty course is a scuba diving course which teaches you how to plan and safely dive at night.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Night Diver course, you need to be at least 12 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Night Diver specialty course, you will learn and practice techniques for safely diving at night. Your instructor will discuss signals, underwater light use, navigation, hazards, accurate ways to measure, points of interest and more, in preparation for your dives. During your open water dives, you will practice assembling your equipment and preparing for the dive, including setting up appropriate surface support lights and navigating through the dive site, observing the marine life as you swim.

The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy specialty course is a scuba diving course which helps to improve your weight use and buoyancy underwater and helps you to maintain the most efficient air consumption possible while you dive.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course, you need to be at least 10 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Peak Performance Buoyancy specialty course, you will learn how to perform accurate weight checks and assemble your weight system. Your instructor will discuss how to streamline your body and equipment, and help you practice techniques for more efficient finning and slow, smooth breathing. During your open water dives, you will practice assembling your equipment and weight system, preforming weight checks before and after the dive, various hovering, buoyancy and finning skills, and making a conscious effort to stay off the sea bottom.

The PADI Project AWARE Specialist course is a Project AWARE supportive course that teaches about some of the most pressing problems our underwater world faces.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the Project AWARE Specialist course, all you need to have is a desire to learn more about our aquatic world. There is no minimum age requirement for this course, but you will be required to participate in a classroom discussion.

Course Structure

During your Project AWARE Specialist course, you will learn about the Project AWARE Foundation and how you can become a partner in the efforts to preserve the underwater environment. You will also learn about the ocean commons and coastal zone issues, fisheries challenges and sustainability, coral environment overview and inhabitants, the role of the scuba diver in protecting aquatic environments and more. Our aquatic realm is in danger, and it is up to us to defend it so that it can be preserved for future generations. By enrolling in the Project AWARE Specialist course, you are joining the ranks of numerous divers who wish to protect our environment.

The PADI Search & Recovery specialty course is a particularly valuable scuba diving course which develops your ability to use search patterns, tie knots and use lifting bags while searching for and recovering lost objects.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Search & Recovery course, you need to be at least 12 years old and a certified PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Search & Recovery specialty course, you will learn how to perform various styles of search patterns using grids, ropes and a compass. Your instructor will discuss how to correctly secure and lift an object to the surface, and during your open water dives, you will practice searching for and recovering objects of varying size and weight. You will also learn a number of knots to use while securing objects to lifting bags.

The PADI Sea Turtle Awareness specialty course is a Project AWARE supportive course that teaches you more about sea turtles, their lives and why they are important.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Sea Turtle Awareness course, all you need to have is a desire to learn more about sea turtles. There is no minimum age requirement for this course, but you will be required to participate in a classroom discussion and view a PowerPoint presentation, which includes pictures of various species of sea turtles.

Course Structure

During your Sea Turtle specialty course, you will learn about sea turtles and how they breed, grow, feed, migrate and interact with one another, and the importance they play in our aquatic realm. Your instructor will discuss the different species of sea turtles and explain ways to identify them and determine which group they belong to. You will also learn about the specific threats they face, how they are affected by humans and additionally, what you can do as an individual to help protect them.

The PADI Underwater Naturalist course is a Project AWARE supportive course which teaches about why some creatures behave the way they do and what their role is in the aquatic ecosystem.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the Underwater Naturalist course, you need to be at least 10 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Underwater Naturalist course, you will learn about the major aquatic life groupings, interactions and factual information that dispels negative myths, the role of aquatic plants, food chains and predator prey relationships, responsible interactions with aquatic life, the underwater naturalist’s view of organisms and their roles in the environment, and more. During your open water dives, you will use what you have learned to observe aquatic life.

The PADI Underwater Navigator specialty course is a particularly valuable scuba diving course which develops your ability to find your way underwater by using both a compass and natural means to navigate.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Underwater Navigator course, you need to be at least 10 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Underwater Navigator specialty course, you will learn how to navigate various courses using compass headings, fin kick cycles to measure distance, and your natural surroundings. Your instructor will discuss how to correctly use a compass, and the techniques for changing headings while underwater. During your open water dives, you will practice using these varying techniques to navigate a number of different headings and courses.

The PADI Underwater Videographer specialty course is a scuba diving course which teaches you how to properly take videos while underwater.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the PADI Underwater Videographer course, you need to be at least 10 years old and a certified PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Course Structure

During your Underwater Videographer specialty course, you will learn and practice different techniques for filming objects underwater. This may include plants and aquatic life, macro photography, fast-moving objects and other divers. Your instructor will discuss important aspects to keep in mind while you are taking filming, such a visibility, lighting, color, subject composition and distance. During your open water dives, you will put these techniques into practice by filming various subjects.

Once you have you completed a specialty course, you will receive a temporary certification card, which you can start using right away! You will receive your permanent card about 30-45 days after you have been certified.

You will be required to have your own mask, fins, and snorkel for the duration of the course. We would also recommend that you have a suitable exposure suit – a wetsuit during the winter months to protect your body from the cold and a lycra, or skin suit for the summer months to protect your body from jellyfish stings and scrapes.