PADI e-Card Replacement Certification Card Now Available
You now have the option of selecting between a PADI eCard™, a plastic replacement card or both!
Not sure what to choose?
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I just got my PADI Open Water Diver certification…what’s next?
Remember when you first received your PADI Open Water Diver certification card? Think of the sense of accomplishment you felt after achieving a worthwhile goal. I can remember the day I finished my Open Water Diver training dives at the local quarry….cold water, low visibility, and a thick wetsuit. I remember filling out my logbook and having my Instructor sign it. Then I went home and thought…”OK, now what?”
This is a question we receive many times from our Open Water students either during their training or just after their certification dives. Let’s take a few minutes to share some options for continuing your diving education, and help answer the question: “I just got my PADI Open Water Diver certification, now what?”
Here are some options and suggestions for taking the next steps in your diving education.
You have a few options when it comes to the next class to increase your knowledge and experience. The most obvious option is to take the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. During the AOW course, you will make five dives in a variety of environments and performing different skills. At this level, we assume you already know the basics of diving, but in the AOW class, you will learn more about navigation, deep diving, improving your buoyancy, searching for lost objects, and maybe even night diving. Each Instructor has their favorite dives to do for Advanced, so be sure to ask what dives are going to be done for the class in which your are interested. We have some additional details on a previous post on 10 Reasons to Become a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
You can also take a variety of PADI Specialty Diver courses as an Open Water Diver. These can include but aren;t limited to:
- AWARE Fish Identification
- AWARE Coral Reef Conservation
- Boat Diver Specialty
- Digital Underwater Photographer
- Drift Diver
- Drysuit Diver
- Enriched Air Nitrox Diver
- Emergency Oxygen Provider
- Equipment Specialist
- Night Diver Specialty
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Underwater Naturalist
- Underwater Navigator Specialty
- Underwater Videographer
So, taking the next step in your diving education can be something to help with buoyancy, learning more about navigation or night diving, or maybe even learning how to take better pictures underwater. The choice is yours, don’t stop learning. For more details on any of the classes listed about be sure to check out our website PADI Specialty Courses Page
New DSAT Tec Programs Introduced at Underwater Connection
The new DSAT Tec diving programs were introduced this evening at an informational seminar put on by Michael Haynes, the technical diving Instructor for Underwater Connection. During his presentation, Mike went into the definitions of recreational versus technical diving, the history of technical diving, what equipment configurations are appropriate for different levels of technical diving, and a good discussion of the “Team Concept” of dive planning and conducting technical dives. Most of the attendees found that the display of technical diving equipment such as twin cylinder configurations, sling and stage bottle uses, and accessories like surface marker buoys, line reels and lights to be very interesting.
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Boy Scouts Scuba Diving Merit Badge Information
Welcome to the World of Scuba Diving!
The popularity of scuba diving with the scouts has grown exponentially over the last several years. Much like scuba, the overall philosophy of scouting 
encourages the quest for adventure. It is a life changing experience that enables young men and women to embrace challenges in a whole new way. That first breath underwater; the feeling of total weightlessness as you embark into a foreign world enables you to be part of something so powerful it transforms your life.
Thousands of scouts have delved into the adventure during the jamboree, local camporees, and high adventure trips. Additionally, with the recent approval of the Scuba Merit Badge there are now countless opportunities for Boy Scouts to explore the thrill of scuba.
We currently have Scuba Merit Badge counselors at our Delafield and Menomonee Falls stores, and also have sponsored a Venturing Crew (Crew 130) that meets at our Delafield store. Please contact us for more information and to arrange Scuba classes for your Scouts!
Merit Badge Requirements
Do the following:
- Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while scuba diving, including hypothermia, hyperventilation, squeezes, decompression illness, nitrogen narcosis, motion sickness, fatigue, overexertion, heat reactions, dehydration, injuries by aquatic life, and cuts and scrapes.
- Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions.
Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor. - Before completing items 4-7, earn the Swimming merit badge.
- Discuss the Scuba Diver’s Code with your merit badge counselor, and explain the importance of each guideline to a scuba diver’s safety.
- Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy.
- Explain what an ecosystem is, and describe four aquatic ecosystems a diver might experience.
- Find out about three career opportunities in the scuba industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
New Emergency First Response Instructors
Congratulations to Jim Huismann, Steve Conway, Steve Brown, Dave Weise, Shannon Merkowitz and Eric Rechlin on completing the Emergency First Response instructor course this past weekend. Everyone came well prepared and learned all about conducting Emergency First Response courses, including Primary Care, Secondary Care, Care for children and the CPR/AED course.
Taking the final exam for EFR Instructor
The new Instructors learned about the courses’ philosophy, standards, procedures and they also received helpful hints, tips and suggestions to make their classes run smoother and also make them more memorable for their students.
If you’d like more information on any of our scuba training courses please fill out our Scuba Class Information Request Form
10 Reasons to Become a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
You’re already an Open Water Diver, and you wonder why someone would want the next certification. Let’s take a look at 10 reasons to continue your diving education by becoming a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.
- The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed for the newly certified diver. Many times we hear someone say “I’ll get certified, and get a ton of dives in, then I’ll take the Advanced class”. Why not take advantage of your Instructor’s experience and learn the basics of different types of diving or new techniques to help make your dives easier? The Advanced class has a total of five dives, with two being required: Underwater Navigation dive and a Deep Dive. The other three dives are “elective dives” meaning you can choose the specialty in which you are interested. Read more
New DSAT Technical Diving Courses added
For 2012 we have added some new and exciting DSAT technical diving courses that will take you beyond recreational scuba limits. These courses aren’t for everyone, but rather for those who choose to make the investment in time, education and equipment to make these dives safely. The courses work on a natural progression, meaning you get experience in different types of gear configuration, gases, and safety techniques, and as you become more comfortable, you can extend your dive depths in succeeding courses.
- Tec 40-The entry point into the technical range provides a transition from recreational to tech. The diver is qualified to complete up to 10 minutes of non-accelerated decompression while breathing from one deco cylinder of up to EANx50,
- Depth is limited to 40m
- Prerequisites: 18 years or older, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air Nitrox, and Deep Diver (or equivalents), minimum 30 logged dives of which 10 dives were made with nitrox deeper than 60 feet
10 Ways to Have a Safer Dive
We’ve all been trained in the pre-dive safety check advocated by all the certification agencies’ classes, but did you know there are other things to think about before making the big step or back roll into the blue? Here is a quick list of things to do while getting your gear assembled, before hitting the water, and just after getting into the water.
Ever thought about becoming a Divemaster or Scuba Instructor?
Go Pro Nite!
Next week, Jan 12th, is our Go Pro Night at our Menomonee Falls store! If you have ever considered becoming a Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, or Instructor…you won’t want to miss next Thursday night. We’ll discuss each course’s schedules, prerequisites, and costs. Everyone is welcome, no matter your certification level. Last day to register for this event is THIS Friday, Jan 6th. Call 262-251-8283 to sign up, or drop us a note here
An easy to keep New Year’s Resolution
So, if you have any questions, or need more information, you can contact us online