Diving in altitudes higher than 300 metres/1000 feet above sea level is altitude diving. Discover a hidden world where only a few have ventured.
Imagine descending below the surface of a clear mountain lake to explore a well-preserved wreck. Interested? Any time you scuba dive at an altitude higher than 300 metres/1000 feet above sea level, you're altitude diving. If you're ready to discover a hidden world where few have ventured, then the PADI Altitude Diver Specialty course is for you.
Learning to adjust your dive plan for the reduced surface pressure at altitude is an important part of the course. You'll complete two scuba dives and learn:
Independent Study
Altitude Specialty eLearning includes interactive lessons on the fundamentals of diving at altitude including setting and following your computer along with the timing for going to a higher elevation after your dives
At The Dive Shop
The course includes two dives at altitude
Uniting scuba divers and water enthusiasts to make a difference. By earning this certification, you'll learn how you can make a difference for ocean protection every time you dive or travel.
The Project AWARE Specialty course is an introduction to the global AWARE movement for ocean protection. It focuses and expands on the 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet. Through interactive discussions, you'll learn how you can make a difference for ocean protection every time you dive or travel. A dry, ‘fins off' course, this specialty is ideal for divers and nondivers alike to gain insight into how decisions above and below the surface impact our water planet.
Independent Study
Through classroom workshops, you will:
• Be introduced to the AWARE movement.
• Understand the 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet.
• Develop an action plan for how you can personally make a difference.
At The Dive Shop
You can read all about the 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet on the PADI AWARE Foundation website. Stop by your local PADI Dive Center and Resort to enroll in the course and make personal commitments to help the environment.
If you love to travel, the PADI Boat Diver Specialty course will prepare you to dive from small inflatables all the way up to large liveaboards. Learn how to enter and exit the water, use current lines and manage seasickness.
If you’re new to boat diving or want to learn more about diving from different types of boats, enroll in the PADI® Boat Diver course.
During two dives with an instructor you’ll learn nautical terminology, boat diving etiquette and may practice using lines and/or deploy a surface marker buoy (SMB).
Independent Study
PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Complete the independent study part of your course whenever, wherever it’s convenient for you.
Work at your own pace, online or offline, using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor for inwater training, or whenever you have a question.
At The Dive Shop
You'll make two dives from a boat where you’ll practice entering and exiting the water and properly stowing your gear. Your instructor will also teach you about local boat diving etiquette and safety procedures.
This course helps you appreciate the complexity of coral reef habitats and teaches how you can help conserve these vital systems.
Everyone likes to scuba dive or snorkel in warm, clear water on a vibrant coral reef, yet many people know little about what they're seeing or the importance of reef ecosystems. The Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course helps you appreciate the complexity of these habitats and teaches you how you can help conserve these vital systems.
Anyone who has an interest in the aquatic world can take this course. There are no prerequisites or age restrictions and no water sessions are required to earn this non-diving certification.
Academics
Through classroom discussions, you learn:
• How coral reefs function and the complex nature of life on a reef.
• Why coral reefs are so important.
• Why many coral reefs are in serious trouble.
• What you can do to prevent further decline.
• How the PADI AWARE Foundation unites divers and water enthusiasts to make a difference.
Getting Started
The Coral Reef Conservation course references information in the digital manual - AWARE - Our World, Our Water - downloadable for free on the PADI Aware Foundation website. Although this manual is not required for the course, you can read the chapter on coral reefs in preparation for meeting with your instructor.
Enjoy dives even more when you can recognize and identify fish families and their characteristics.
During the PADI® Deep Diver course, you'll learn how to plan deep dives, manage your gas supply and how to identify and manage narcosis.
You'll learn about buddy contact procedures, safety considerations and buoyancy control at depth.
Independent Study
PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Complete the independent study part of your course whenever, wherever it's convenient for you.
Work at your own pace, online or offline, using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor for inwater training, or whenever you have a question.
At The Dive Shop
During four dives with a PADI Instructor, you'll practice descents, buoyancy and safety stops. Through hands-on exercises, you'll discover how deep dives affect color, physical objects and your brain.
Diving in altitudes higher than 300 metres/1000 feet above sea level is altitude diving. Discover a hidden world where only a few have ventured.
Imagine descending below the surface of a clear mountain lake to explore a well-preserved wreck. Interested? Any time you scuba dive at an altitude higher than 300 metres/1000 feet above sea level, you're altitude diving. If you're ready to discover a hidden world where few have ventured, then the PADI Altitude Diver Specialty course is for you.
Learning to adjust your dive plan for the reduced surface pressure at altitude is an important part of the course. You'll complete two scuba dives and learn:
Independent Study
Altitude Specialty eLearning includes interactive lessons on the fundamentals of diving at altitude including setting and following your computer along with the timing for going to a higher elevation after your dives
At The Dive Shop
The course includes two dives at altitude
Unlike wetsuits, drysuits are filled with air. During your drysuit course, your instructor will teach you how to control the air in your drysuit along with your buoyancy. You'll also learn about different types of drysuits, basic drysuit repairs and maintenance. During one pool session and two open water dives, you'll learn how to comfortably and confidently dive in a drysuit. An experienced instructor will help you dial in your buoyancy and shorten the learning curve.
Independent Study
PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Complete the independent study part of your course whenever, wherever it's convenient for you.
Work at your own pace, online or offline, using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor for in water training, or whenever you have a question.
At The Dive Shop
You'll practice taking your drysuit on and off, determine how much weight you need, and master basic drysuit skills in a pool before making two open water dives.
Learn why nitrox allows you to make longer dives and how to dive nitrox safely through online independent study. Meet with your PADI Instructor for hands-on practical exercises, then make two (optional) dives. Enriched air, also known as nitrox or EANx, contains less nitrogen than regular air. Breathing less nitrogen means you can enjoy longer dives and shorter surface intervals. No wonder Enriched Air Diver is the most popular PADI® specialty.
Independent Study
PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Complete the independent study part of your course whenever, wherever it's convenient for you.
Work at your own pace, online or offline, using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor for in water training, or whenever you have a question.
At The Dive Shop
After finishing your independent study, you'll learn how to analyze a tank, fill out an enriched air log, and set your dive computer for nitrox. There are two optional dives.
Don’t miss a dive due to minor issues with your scuba diving equipment a broken fin strap or wetsuit tear. Learn how to fix minor gear issues and how to clean, store and maintain your dive gear so it lasts a long time. Whether it's a missing o-ring or a leaking dump valve, the PADI Equipment Specialist course teaches you to manage basic repairs and adjustments. You'll also learn more about how your gear works, making you more comfortable with it and better prepared to take care of your investment.
Independent Study
PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Through animations and interactive diagrams, you’ll peek under the hood and learn how your scuba gear works.
Complete the independent study portion of the course at your own pace, online or offline, using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor for hands-on training, or whenever you have a question.
At The Dive Shop
Get hands-on experience making minor equipment repairs and learn about different types of dive gear. Learn how to properly clean and maintain gear, and how to create a save-a-dive kit.
Working divers, such as public safety divers, use full face masks because they protect the eyes and nose from contaminants in the water, provide comfort in cold water, and allow for communication. If you're interested public safety diving, scientific diving, or venturing into extremely cold-water, then learning to dive with a full face mask is definitely for you. Because full face masks allow you to breathe from your nose, they are also beneficial for those who have difficulty using standard scuba masks. Diving with a full face mask offers a different experience and that alone may be reason to give it a try.
Academics
There are several different types of full face masks, so you begin learning about varying mask features and components. Next, you learn techniques for preparing and diving with a full face mask as well as proper maintenance. During a confined water dive, you get comfortable using your mask and practice skills in preparation for your open water dives. In open water, during two dives, you'll demonstrate your ability to:
• Properly prepare and check your mask for the dive.
• Make adjustments underwater and clear water out of the mask.
• Respond to simulated out-of-gas emergency situations
Independent Study
PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Through animations and interactive diagrams, you’ll peek under the hood and learn how your scuba gear works.
Complete the independent study portion of the course at your own pace, online or offline, using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor for hands-on training, or whenever you have a question.
At The Dive Shop
Get hands-on experience making minor equipment repairs and learn about different types of dive gear. Learn how to properly clean and maintain gear, and how to create a save-a-dive kit.
Can Open Water Divers night dive? Yes, but proper training will make your first night dive more enjoyable. You’ll learn how to navigate in the dark, where the most interesting creatures hang out, and gain night diving tips from your instructor.
The thought of dipping below the surface at night seems mysterious, yet so alluring. Although you've been scuba diving at a site many times before, at night you drop into a whole new world and watch it come to life under the glow of your dive light. The scene changes as day creatures retire and nocturnal organisms emerge. If you've wondered what happens underwater after the sun goes down, sign up for the PADI Night Diver Specialty course.
PADI (Junior) Open Water Divers or higher, who are at least 12 years old, can enroll in the Night Diver specialty course.
Independent Study
PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Complete the independent study part of your course whenever, wherever it’s convenient for you.
Work at your own pace, online or offline, using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor for inwater training, or whenever you have a question.
At The Dive Shop
Practice underwater navigation at night and learn how to find entry and exit points in the dark. Your instructor will share night diving tips, teach you how to stay in contact with your buddy, and avoid disorientation.
PADI
Buoyancy control is essential to becoming a confident, relaxed diver. Being perfectly balanced allows you to float effortlessly, use air more efficiently and deftly approach skittish marine life to get a closer look.
Excellent buoyancy control is what defines skilled scuba divers. You've seen them underwater. They glide effortlessly, use less air and ascend, descend or hover almost as if by thought. They more easily observe aquatic life without disturbing their surroundings. You can achieve this, too. The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course improves the buoyancy skills you learned as a new diver and elevates them to the next level.
Independent Study
PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Complete the independent study part of your course whenever, wherever it's convenient for you.
Work at your own pace, online or offline, using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor for in water training, or whenever you have a question.
At The Dive Shop
Determine how much weight you need and where to place trim weights to streamline your body position. During two dives you’ll fine-tune your weighting during buoyancy checks and master neutral buoyancy with in water practice.
It’s easy to get disoriented underwater if you don’t know how to use a compass or natural navigation clues. Learn how to easily find your way back to boat or shore without returning to the surface and avoid long, exhausting swims.
Be the scuba diver everyone wants to follow because you know where you are and where you're going. The PADI Underwater Navigator course fine-tunes your observation skills and teaches you to more accurately use your compass underwater. If you like challenges with big rewards, take this course and have fun finding your way.
If you're a PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver who is at least 10 years old, you can enroll in the PADI Underwater Navigator Specialty course.
Independent Study
PADI eLearning makes it easy to improve your underwater navigation skills. Start your course online whenever, wherever it’s convenient for you.
Work at your own pace, online or offline, using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor for inwater training, or whenever you have a question.
At The Dive Shop
Practice using a compass on the surface, then apply your skills underwater during three dives. Learn how to estimate distance, follow natural clues and practice finding your way back to the boat or shore.
Minimum age: 10 years or older
Love Sharks? Scared of Sharks? or Do you just want to know more about them?
Enroll in an AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course and discover the value of sharks to marine ecosystems and economies. You'll learn more about the causes of declining shark populations and the actions you can take to become a knowledgeable and passionate shark defender. By being informed, you can dispel misconceptions and act to protect sharks. Sharks need you!
Academics
At the end of your classroom session and two open water dives, you will be able to explain:
• The conservation status of sharks, why they are unique and vulnerable, and the importance of healthy shark populations.
• How to manage threats to sharks, recognize the value of sharks and remove barriers to conservation.
• Actions you can take to protect sharks and how joining a global movement of divers can help to protect sharks.
Get credit! The first dive of this PADI Specialty Diver course may credit as an Adventure Dive toward your Advanced Open Water Diver certification - ask your instructor about earning credit.
Getting Started
Download and read the AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Study Guide from the PADI AWARE Foundation website. Stop by your local PADI Dive Center and Resort to enroll in the course and start learning about the value of sharks to marine ecosystems and economies.