LEARN TO SCUBA DIVE NORTHERN VIRGINIA – ADVANCED OPEN WATER COURSE

PADI Open Water Diver Course in Northern Virginia

Most of us think that once become a Certified Scuba Diver then our scuba diving training ends.  That it definitely not the case.  All beginning Scuba Divers start with the Open Water Scuba Course.  The PADI Open Water Diver Course is designed to teach the new diver to be, just the very basics.  Topics of learning include Scuba Diving Equipment, basic Scuba Skills, and the bio-mechanics involved in scuba diving.  The Open Water Course is designed to allow a Scuba Diver to dive safely but only in depths of 60 feet or less.

PADI Advanced Open Water Course in Northern Virginia

PADI Peak Performanc Buoyancy:

The PADI Advanced Open Water Course is designed to continue the Scuba Diver’s skills from where the Open Water Course leaves off.   In the PADI Advanced Open Water Course that we offer in Northern Virginia we include an introduction to five Scuba Diving Specialty Dives.  We start with a PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Dive where the scuba diver learns the bio-mechanics of maintaining good buoyancy.  Emphasis is placed on proper weighting, the use of an efficient fin kick, streamlining your body, and overall scuba diving efficiency.

PADI Underwater Navigation:

The buoyancy dive is followed by an Underwater Navigation Dive.  On land we have maps and can follow a course because it used street names, mileage distances, and today even a GPS.  Underwater these are not available to us, consequently, the PADI Underwater Navigation Course teaches us how to measure distances underwater, how to navigate using an underwater compass, how to navigate using natural navigational landmarks and even the animal life underwater to lead our way.  This course goes a long way to making the scuba diver more comfortable in the water and less likely to get lost on a dive.  The Navigation dive requires the use of a compass, which is a very valuable piece of scuba diving equipment.

PADI Night Diver:

The third scuba dive in the PADI Advanced Open Water Course that we teach Scuba Divers in Northern Virginia is a Night Dive.  The PADI Night Diver is one of the most popular and useful specialty dives that PADI has to offer.  Many of the more interesting creatures that we wish to encounter when scuba diving are nocturnal.  Lobster,  moray eels, shrimp and the octopus may been seen during the day hiding in a hole but they are often out and touring the reef at night.  In addition to the many critters that may be seen at night the Night Diver certification also teaches better buddy team work due to the lower visibility at night.  Navigation skills and communication skills are also enhanced as a result of this course.  Scuba diving equipment used for night diving include a primary and back up dive light and a scuba regulator marker light.

PADI Deep Diver:

The fourth scuba dive that we complete during the PADI Advanced Open Water course is the Deep Dive from the Deep Diver Course.  During this dive we learn about the physiological differences in deeper diving such as shorter bottom times, more rapid air consumption, loss of color at depth and the added element of nitrogen narcosis.  This is a fun dive that adds to the divers experience level and builds confidence.  The need for specialized scuba equipment for Deep Diving, such as a balanced regulator for better breathing at depth is also covered.

PADI Specialty Diver:

The fifth and final dive of the Advanced Open Water Course is one that the student gets to select.  Some of the better options are a dive from the Wreck Diver Course, Multi Level Diver Course, Search & Recovery Diver Course or perhaps a dive from the Digital Underwater Photography Course.  All of these dives are fun and add quite a bit of knowledge and experience to the Advanced Open Water Diver.
Advanced Open Water Course Dives & Specialty Diver Course Dives:

In addition to all of the great advantages of taking the PADI Advanced Open Water Course, there is an added bonus.  The dives completed as part of the PADI Advanced Open Water Course count as the first dive of the respective PADI Specialty Diver Course should the diver decide to pursue one of these Specialty Diver Courses.  The most important feature of the PADI Advanced Open Water Course is that is greatly increases your experience and comfort while under the direct supervision of a PADI Instructor, making you ready for that next great Aquatic Adventure.