Back to School... Scuba-Style

One of the more popular topics to debate in SCUBA diving is whether or not a given certification agency's Open Water Scuba certification is sufficient training for new divers who will then be released into the wild. I noticed this after I'd had a chance to survey the magazines we get at Scuba Emporium. The topic only comes up every thirty seconds or so (which is especially impressive when you consider that they're monthly magazines).

If you've ever wondered whether or not your level of training will restrict you from, say, wreck diving in Lake Michigan, then you've already taken a step in the right direction. Apprehension or uncertainty about a dive or piece of equipment is a sign that you may want to take another SCUBA class to give you that extra boost of confidence, and give you the expertise that only additional training can provide.

Or take the Underwater Pumpkin Carving specialty... Seriously.

The courses you can take range from continuing education courses like PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver to specialty courses that train you in the use of specialized equipment (underwater cameras or dry suits) and environments (night and ice). You can also progress into professional diving through the PADI  Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Instructor Development course.

Fortunately, we here at Scuba Emporium run the gamut of available PADI con-ed and specialty courses. We're planning dive weekends and trips to teach these courses before the season's over. Check out our calendar for August and September here!

If you think that the fall isn't a good time to start a pro class, think again. Working on Divemaster through the winter is a great idea; you finish all your exams and pool work while it snows, then finish the open water portion with confidence in May.

If you're interested in some of these courses, or curious about how they're run, contact us today! 708.226.1614