What Should You Look For In Dive Training?

• Know your dive shop and instructors before you purchase anything!!
• Shop agency affiliations-Check our references – just because an agency is listed on a website doesn’t mean they recognize that shop.
• Level & experience of Instructors
• How long have those Instructors been teaching?
• How many students have been certified this year, last year, total?
• Do they staff Divemasters?
• Air quality and certification
• Tours of the Shop, Service Center and Dive Locker
• How long has the shop been in business?
• Efforts to promote safe environmental practices
• Classroom and Training Facilities

Wreck Diving

The lure of exploring sunken vessels, airplanes and automobiles is something most divers can't resist. The Wreck Diver Specialty course introduces you to wreck diving and helps you develop the skills and knowledge necessary for safe and fun wreck diving.

In this course you will:

• Learn the planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of wreck diving
• Learn the preparation and use of lights, air supplies, special equipment, penetration lines and reels
• Know limited-visibility diving techniques and emergency procedures

The Wreck Dive may count towards this Specialty certification at instructor discretion. This Specialty certification also counts as one of five Specialty certifications required for your Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Cavern Diver

If you dive within the light zone of a cave, the area near the cave entrance where natural light is always visibly, you're cavern diving. If you want to explore secrets hidden in caverns around the world you'll need your Cavern Diver certification.

During your first open water dive you'll practice line handling, reel use and emergency procedures without entering a cavern. But, for your next three dives, you're headed into the cavern, staying within the light zone and 40 metres/130 feet total distance of the surface.

In this course you will:

• Learn planning, organization, techniques, problems and hazards of cavern diving
• Be knowledgeable about special equipment use, such as lights, guidelines, reels and redundant breathing systems
• Learn the proper body position, buoyancy control, air management and emergency procedures
• Know about cavern diving hazards such as silting, line problems, disorientation and emergencies

You can apply this Specialty course towards your Master Scuba Diver rating.

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Deep Diver

The Deep Diver Specialty course offers you the opportunity of a lifetime - going deep to see thing others can only dream about.

In this course you will:

• Learn deep dive planning, organization, procedures, techniques and hazards
• You'll put this knowledge to the test as you go on four open water dives that range from 60 - 130 feet
  

You can count the Deep Dive as the first dive of the Specialty course at instructor's discretion. This Specialty course certification also counts as one of five Specialty certifications required for Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Drift Diver

Drift Diving is effortless and relaxing because you simply glide with the current and feel the rush of flying underwater. But, with this type of diving come special procedures that you need to know so you can maximize your fun underwater.

In this course you will:

• Learn about drift dive planning, organization, techniques and potential hazards
• Know special equipment and procedures like buoyancy
• You will go on two open water dives where you can put your new knowledge into action

Your Drift Dive may be count towards your Specialty certification at the instructor's discretion. You may also count this Specialty certification toward one of the five required Specialties for the Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Dry Suit Diver

If you want to see the spectacular and prolific aquatic life often found in colder water climates you'll need to stay warm and that means a dry suit. But, you want to be trained in proper techniques and this is where Dry Suit Diver Specialty course comes in.

In this course you will:

• Learn more about dive planning, organization, techniques, problems and buoyancy control
• Cover the background knowledge related to dry suit diving
• You will get into confined water to put that theory into practice
• Then, once you've mastered confined water, it's time for two open water dives

Your Dry Suit Dive may be count toward the Specialty course at your instructor's discretion. You may also count this Specialty certification toward one of the five required Specialties for the Master Scuba Diver Certification.

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Night Diver

When you go night diving you'll see a whole new world. Even your local dive site takes on a new personality at night, as many underwater creatures and plant life (different from those you see during the day) are active at night.

In this course you will:

• Learn night dive planning, organization, procedures, techniques and potential problems
• You will also learn how to control your buoyancy, navigate and communicate at night
• Since many of the plants and animals you'll see are different, you'll also get an introduction to nocturnal aquatic life

Your Night Dive may count towards the Night Diver Specialty course at the instructor's discretion. In addition, the Night Diver Specialty course counts as one of five Specialty courses required for your Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Nitrox

See our Nitrox page here.

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Underwater Navigator

When you're underwater, knowing where you are and where you're going comes in handy, especially if you're looking for that beautiful reef that you have heard all about. The Underwater Navigator Specialty course will help you become a pro at finding your way underwater.

In this course you will:

• Learn underwater navigation dive procedures, techniques, planning, organization and potential problems
• You will also be introduced to natural navigation, underwater patterns, distance estimation and further your compass navigation skills
• You will put these skills into practice during your three open water dives

Your Diving Navigation Dive may count toward your Specialty course at the instructor's discretion. This Specialty also counts toward your Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Search and Recovery Diver

Have you ever dropped something in the water? Are you looking for lost treasure? The PADI Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course will teach you effective ways to find objects underwater and bring them to the surface.

In this course you will:

• Learn search and recovery dive planning, organization, procedures, techniques and potential problems
• You will also cover limited visibility, search patterns and safe object recovery using lift devices

Your Search and Recovery dives may count toward this Specialty certification at the instructor's discretion. This specialty can also be used as one of five Specialty certifications required for your Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Boat Diver

Through the PADI Boat Diver Specialty course, you can learn the techniques and procedures for diving from different types of boats. The more boats you're diving from, the more diving you're doing.

In this course you will:

• Learn boat diving planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards
• Proper boat diving etiquette, including equipment storage and conduct
• Common boat terminology
• Specific and local boat diving laws and ordinances
• Overview of emergency and safety equipment needed on- private dive boats
  

The Boat Dive may credit toward this Specialty course at the instructor's discretion. This Specialty course can also be one of the five Specialty certifications necessary for your Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Diver Propulsion

If you want an introduction to the excitement of moving through the water with no effort, then this is your course.

In this course you will:

• Learn diver propulsion vehicle dive planning organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards
• Equipment and procedure considerations
• How to avoid harming fragile aquatic life

The Diver Propulsion Vehicle Dive may count toward this specialty at the instructor's discretion and this specialty counts as one of your five Specialty diver certifications for the Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Equipment Specialist

Whether it's a regulator problem, a wet suit tear or a broken mask strap, the Equipment Specialist course can help. This Specialty course prepares you for the basic equipment maintenance, care and adjustments you'll encounter every day. In addition, you'll get the valuable background on equipment repair and purchase, making you better able to protect your investment.

In this course you will:

• Familiarize yourself with the operation and maintenance of your personal equipment
• Your instructor might also provide the opportunity to review new or unfamiliar dive equipment
• Theory, principles and operation of dive equipment
• Routine recommended care and maintenance procedures
• Common problems with equipment and recommended professional maintenance procedures
• Simple suggestions for comfortable equipment configurations and an introduction to new equipment

You can count this Specialty certification towards your Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Shark Eco Diver

Course description coming soon!

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Marine Eco Diver

As you become more environmentally aware of your underwater surroundings, you may find yourself particularly interested in the ecology of two major oceanic environments, the Kelp Forests and the Coral Reefs. We promote sound environmental diving techniques to help protect our planet's ecosystems, and teaching divers how to better interact with the delicate kelp and coral environments. Through the Underwater Ecologist courses, you will learn more about diving environments.

Underwater Ecologist: Kelp Forest

The Underwater Ecologist (Kelp Forest) specialty course focuses on the complex and productive ecosystem bordering much of the west coast of North America, from Alaska to Baja California. Kelp forests are also found in other cooler coastal waters of South America, Tasmania, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and many other locations. This course examines the kelp forests, their occupants such as mollusks, crustaceans, fish and marine mammals.

Underwater Ecologist: Coral Reef

Coral reefs are primarily found in three major biogeographic regions of the world: The tropical western Atlantic (Caribbean), the Red Sea, and the Indo-Pacific region. Coral colonies are composed of thousands of tiny polyps, each with its own protective skeleton. The Underwater Ecologist (Coral Reef) specialty course focuses on the vertebrates and invertebrates of the complex living reef. This course examines coral zonation, seagrass beds, lagoons, mangroves, and the common reef algae, invertebrates and reef fishes.

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Underwater Photography

The Underwater Photographer Specialty course can help you learn how to take your first underwater photographs or fine tune your existing skills to produce photographs that will stun your friends.

In this course you will:

• Learn the basics of underwater photography such as composition, film type and camera handling, with special emphasis on practical techniques
• Learn underwater photography dive planning, organization, procedures, techniques and potential problems
• How to care for and maintain your camera equipment

Your Underwater Photographer Adventure Dive may count towards this Specialty course at your instructor's discretion. This Specialty also counts toward one of the five Specialties required for your Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Peak Performance Buoyancy

If you want to fine-tune your buoyancy and soar over reefs, extend bottom time by reducing air consumption and prolong the life of your dive equipment, the Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course is for you.

In this course you will:

• Determine the correct amount of weight you need
• Then you'll practice the fundamentals of peak performance buoyancy during two open water dives, including the buoyancy check, fine-tuning buoyancy underwater, weight positioning for trim, streamlining and visualization

Your Peak Performance Buoyancy Dive may count towards your Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course at the instructor's discretion. This Specialty course also counts toward one of the five Specialties required for your Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Project Aware (PADI)

If you want to learn about the plight of worldwide aquatic ecosystems and how you can protect them, this Specialty course is for you. This non-diving Specialty course may also be conducted in conjunction with other Specialty Diver courses.

In this course you will:

• Learn about aquatic ecosystem degradation and the conservation measures protecting aquatic resources
• Know The Project AWARE philosophy
• The importance and interdependence of worldwide aquatic ecosystems
  Current issues regarding fisheries, coastal zone management and marine pollution
• The status of several critically degraded marine environments
• How you can help

The Project AWARE Specialty course certification counts as one of five Specialty certifications required for your Master Scuba Diver certification.

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Hazardous Marine Life Injuries

The objectives of this course are to train and educate the general diving public and interested non-divers in the first aid techniques for a suspected hazardous marine life injury. In addition, this course will introduce divers to the identification of potentially hazardous marine life and how to avoid hazardous marine life injuries. This program also provides an excellent opportunity for experienced divers and instructors to continue their education.

The nature and scope of this course is limited to training divers and interested non-divers such as boat captains, water enthusiasts and non-diving family members to identify potential hazardous marine life; to provide first aid for a hazardous marine animal injury; and to prevent injuries caused by hazardous marine life. This course does not provide training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or scuba diving rescue. The training exercises of this course presuppose that the ill or injured diver has already been brought to shore or is aboard the boat.

In this course you will:

• Identify hazardous marine life injuries
• Identify venomous marine animals
• Describe the appropriate first aid procedure for managing a venomous marine animal injury
• Name aquatic animals that may bite a diver
• Know common warning signs of marine animal bite
• Describe the appropriate first aid procedure for managing a bite from a marine animal
• Describe the appropriate first aid procedure for accidental contact with aquatic life
• Know common warning signs of seafood poisoning
• Perform a scene safety assessment
• Assess the Airway, Breathing and Circulation (ABCs) of an injured diver
• Demonstrate a caring attitude towards a diver who becomes ill or injured
• Establish and maintain the Airway and Breathing (perform Rescue Breathing) for an injured diver
• Describe the importance of the use of supplemental oxygen as a first aid measure for injured divers
• Demonstrate the techniques for controlling bleeding including direct pressure, elevation and the use of pressure dressings and pressure points
• Locate and demonstrate the use of pressure points to control external bleeding
• Apply dressings and bandages to manage wounds caused by hazardous marine life
• Demonstrate the pressure immobilization technique
• Learn techniques or guidelines that minimize the risk of injury from marine animals
  

To successfully complete the First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries course, participants must demonstrate skill and confidence providing first aid to injured divers who have simulated hazardous marine life injuries.

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Marine Injuries and Care

Serious hazardous marine life injuries are rare, but most divers have experienced minor discomfort from unintentional encounters with fire coral, jellyfish and other marine creatures. This course teaches divers to minimize these injuries and reduce diver discomfort and pain. Learn how to conduct a neurological assessment on a potentially injured diver, along with how to handle a variety of other scuba diving maladies. Add onto your existing medic first aid training (MFA is a pre-requisite) by taking this Marine Injuries and Care course.

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Aquarium Diver

If its excitement you want, then we have it! You are about to experience some of the most interesting, exciting and unique diving anywhere in the world. Atlantis Divers is proud to be the only shop in Virginia where you can get certified as an Aquarium Diver and experience the thrill of diving a coral reef and stingray city, all in the same day.

In this course you will:

• Identify many species of rays, sharks and fish.
• Experience interactions with these gentle creatures of the sea.
• Have an informative class session on the basics of aquarium diving and fish identification.
• Dive in the pool to fine-tune your buoyancy and skills to ensure the environment will be safe.
• Do two 30 minute dives, one in the Coral Reef tank and one in the Ray Tray at the National Aquarium in Baltimore (NAIB)!

If you have guests entering the aquarium to watch your dives make sure they arrange for tickets prior to your timed arrival. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.aqua.org

You will need this completed paperwork:

• PADI Medical Statement
• PADI Liability Release
• PADI Safe Diving Practices
• Aquarium Release
• Certified Diver Release

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Expectations for Students

• Contact our store for specific requirements for each course
• Maintain a good attitude
• Complete all assignments
• Adherence to Instructor guidance
• Be on time for class

Before the Academic Sessions:

• Have read and watched video (depending on your specialty course)
• Complete any written assignments
• All fees paid
  

Remember you are not just buying your C-card – you are qualifying to become a safe, educated diver.

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Expectations for Atlantis Divers

• Highest level of professional treatment
• Qualified, experienced Instructors
• Quality Instruction
• Safe diving practices
• Safe, clean learning environment
• Reliable rental equipment

We take the time to train you right!

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The supplies you may need depend on the particular specialty course you choose to take, inquire within for more details.

We find that students perform better and enjoy their scuba experience more if properly fitted and maintained personal gear has been used.

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