Dive Training
Well trained divers have fun, not problems.

The Sea Divers classroom

Dive Training Frequently asked Questions

Is there a refresher course for certified divers?
Yes, the refresher course lasts one evening (or more if you wish) and is free to any member of the Aquarians Dive Club. (If not a member, you may join for a yearly fee of $15) Sea Divers will also furnish air and equipment for free, if needed. See the Contract page for details.

What about advanced and specialty courses?
Continuing education classes are taught throughout the year. When enough divers are interested, a class will be scheduled. Usual classes are: Advance Diver,Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox, Tri-Mix, Rescue, Photography, CPR, DAN Oxygen Provider.
Ken Paramore teaches specialties (SEA TECH DIVERS) Deep Diver, Diver Propulsion Vehicle, Dry Suit Diver, Wreck Diver, Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox, TDI Cavern through full Cave Diving Courses and Decompression Procedures, Cavern through Full Cave with the NACD ( National Association For Cave Diving ). To get on a list, contact Sea Divers (334)774-DIVE or e-mail SeaDivers@Charter.net

Where and when are Openwater SCUBA classes held?
Initial water training is held at the Fort Rucker indoor pool. It is a 25 meter heated pool at the physical fitness center on Andrews Avenue (see Map of Ft. Rucker). Academic training is held at the Sea Divers classroom adjacent to the store in Ozark (see Map of Ozark). The time for the classes is 6:30 to 10:00 in the evening. Academic training is on Monday evening and pool training is on Wednesday evening (except for the first week, of six weeks). During the first week, sign up and the pool session is on Monday 7:00 PM (on Tuesday when Monday is a holiday) and the classroom session is on Wednesday. At the end of the sixth week, open water training will consist of 3 dives done at springs in Florida on Saturday and 2 dives done from a boat in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday. If necessary, due to weather or other factors, the training may be extended to seven weeks.


Training at the Fort Rucker indoor pool.

When does an Openwater class start?
Here is the schedule for 2009..
   
#           Start                     Open water dives  

#1      2 February            14, 15 March   (completed)

#2       16 March             25, 26 April (completed)        

#3       27 April                06, 07 June  (completed)     

 #4      08 June                18, 19 July   (completed)         

 #5      20 July                  29, 30 August   (completed)        

 #6      31 August             10, 11 October   (completed)     

Call Sea Divers (334)774-3483 (774-DIVE) or 347-6936 for further information and to get on the list. Otherwise, show up at the Physical Fitness Center with swim suit and towel at 6:30 PM the first day of class. This session will consist of registration, swim evaluation and other training.

Open water training at Morrison Springs.

Fort Rucker security:
When entering Fort Rucker, be prepared to show driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. You may not bring firearms on post, either on your person or in the vehicle - even if you have an Alabama permit to carry as pistol.

Who is authorized to take the SCUBA training?
Just about anyone who can swim. The Fort Rucker community dive club, The Aquarians, sponsors the training for its new members, who may be military or civilians. Club membership is included in the fee for the class.

What is the minimum age to take the class?
Age 15 for the regular Open Water certification. For those younger than 15, Junior Diver certification is available on a case by case basis.

How much will the class cost me?
Sea Divers is contracted by the Aquarians Dive Club for Openwater SCUBA training. To learn the current cost of the course check the Contract page to read about the portion of the contract that refers to fees.

Do I need to buy any equipment?
The only equipment you need to have is personal mask snorkel and fins (with boots) and cheap gloves. If you don't already have these items, we recommend that you wait until after the first academic class, which discusses those items and how to select the models and sizes that are best suited to you as an individual. Later in the course you will need a log book. No need to buy or rent additional equipment for the open water dives. For those who wish to own their own equipment, Sea Divers provides discounts on equipment sold to class members.

Who teaches the course?
Instructor Staff: George Perez, Chief Instructor (NAUI, PADI, YMCA, NASDS, NACD, IANTD), Robert Boutwell, Instructor (NAUI), Bil Lindstrom, Instructor (NAUI), Mike Conarton, Divemaster (NAUI), Rollie Edwards, Divemaster (NAUI), Shawn Holmes, Divemaster (NAUI) and Mary Adams, Divemaster (NAUI).
The Chief instructor, George Perez, has 43 years experience teaching diving and related courses. The other persons helping with the class all have several years experience working with dive students.

What if I don't pass or don't complete the course?
No one will be certified who does not meet NAUI standards or is not qualified to safely make SCUBA dives. If you do not meet the skill or academic level required, you may participate in a later class for no additional fee. Usually this will require only one or two evenings to make up for the deficiency. Those who fail the academic test may, after additional study, retake the written test (different version), This process may be repeated as necessary to achieve a satisfactory score. The Self study material provided (video tape or DVD) is very useful for home study. We realize that many military people, and others, have obligations that sometimes require unplanned absence.

How long is the certification good for?
Good for life. The certification will be with NAUI. For those who prefer, PADI certification is available


Assembling equipment for a boat dive.

What is the pool training like?
The first evening is for sign-up and swim evaluation. You must be able to swim 225 meters without stopping (any stroke, no time limit) and swim a reasonable distance under water. There will be a short swim clinic, a demonstration of drown proofing and a short practice of drown proofing.

Pool session 2 and 3 will be for learning skin diving skills (using mask, snorkel and fins).

Pool session 4 will be the evaluation of skin diving skills and introduction to SCUBA.

Pool session 5 and 6 will be more skills and practice while using SCUBA. You will learn safe diving habits and procedures to recover from emergency situations.

Academic training
Classroom sessions will cover the physiology and other science pertaining to diving. You will learn the function of equipment used in SCUBA diving and how to maintain it. You will learn underwater navigation and how to plan for a safe dive. The classroom is a comfortable room adjacent to the Sea Divers store. An abundance of training aids are available to help explain the subject matter.

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