AID / Specs

Scuba diving can introduce people to an almost limitless number of interests with subjects ranging from Archaeology through to Zoology. There is no other sport or pastime that can match it for the diversity of knowledge to which a diver can be exposed. That’s often why this sport is often called “life changing”; it can introduce a diver to another interest that may not otherwise have been experienced, and then life can take on a different and exciting perspective!

Adventure/Advanced Open Water/Specialty courses

That’s also why we offer Adventure, Advanced Open water and Specialty training - because there’s a lot more to know about this sport than just blowing bubbles and taking pictures of Nemo!

So what are these courses all about, how much are they, how long do they take and what to do to get started?

To be eligible to get started with any of these courses, a person needs to have at least an Open Water certification (and in some cases starting with that course). Then it’s easy! You just have to choose from a long list of specialty areas of interest and we’ll go about introducing you to them.

The ' Adventure diver' course consists of any three specialty dives. These are conducted on one day and the course fee is $450.00 including text and certification

The ‘Advanced Open Water ‘ course consists of five specialty dives, and must include a navigation and deep dive. These dives are conducted over two days and the course fee is $650 including text and certification.

Specialty courses can be ‘stand alone’ or performed in conjunction with your Adventure or Advanced Open Water course. The specialty subjects available are as listed below and take between one and two days each to complete.

The course fees are varied as dives may be credited from those already performed for the Adventure or Advanced Open Water courses. If inquiring regarding any of these specialty courses, please advise your current level of training with the type of adventure dives completed during that training. In that way a more accurate estimate of overall course fee/s can be made for you.

Air Fill Station Operator

Not only do you need to know how to safely fill scuba cylinders but also how to keep the air you pump into them free of contaminants and that the scuba cylinders we want to use are safe and within test.

Altitude Diver

Diving 300 metres above sea level is nearly always in a lake. Divers need to use altitude correction tables or make adjustments to their computers to compensate for the changes of a lower pressure evironment. Then there are the thermoclines and new animals to see!

AWARE Coral Reef Conservation

Protection of our coral reefs systems are of paramount importance to the well-being of us all. Recognition of the many different types of corals and identification of what looks right and what doesn't allows you to play a very important role in our reef management for future generations.

AWARE Fish Identification

Can you recognize every species of fish you've seen? Didn't think so! This activity is made easier by learning how to identify families of fish and where you are most likely to find them. And there's always the possibility to discovering a new species!

AWARE Shark Conservation

Many shark species are in danger of becoming extinct but you can give sharks a fighting chance by taking an AWARE Shark Conservation course. Through Independent Learning or Classroom Presentations, you can become certified even if sharks are not seen on Training Dives. Help our friends the sharks by becoming more informed and passionate shark defenders who take action to protect sharks.

Boat Diver

Many, if not most dives are performed from boats. Even with certain similarities, not all boats have the same design or protocols for diving. Learn how to dive safely from boats, where to stow your dry/wet gear, nautical terms and something about using ropes is a must. Also where useful items like first aid kits are kept makes you that much more comfortable when diving from boats.

Chamber Orientation Diver

Never experienced narcosis? This is the chance to really find out how silly (dumb and dangerous) you can be at depth. A recommended course to discover your reactions.

Deep Diver

Any depth between 18 metres and 40 metres is defined as a deep dive for any recreational diving activity. Consider diving deeper to going faster in your car. The faster you drive the more concern and caution you need about the way you feel and what your instruments tell you.This is no different when diving. If you wish to dive deeper play it safe and do a course! And if you want to go deeper still – start thinking about technical diving.

Digital Underwater Photography

Pixels, shutter speed, lenses, strobes … a bit confusing? Learn about the best type of camera and set up for what you want to shoot and how to make those 'gob-smacking' photos!

Dive Propulsion Vehicle

Want to cover a lot of ground quickly? Hitch a ride with a DPV – but watch out for the rapid pressure changes and the fan that propels you along! There are some do's and don't you need to learn about!!

Drysuit Diver

Even in the warmer waters of the tropics you can become cool if not insulated correctly. If diving in cold water, a dry suit is the ONLY way to maintain warmth throughout the dive. Thicker wetsuits are useless in comparison – especially at depth.

Emergency Oxygen Provider

A must course for diving professionals but equally as important if you might be in a position where you need to look after anyone else. A life could depend on your knowledge.

Enriched Air

More divers than ever are using enriched air (nitrox) to increase allowable times at depth. Would you be confident enough without these new skills?

Equipment Specialist

Make no mistake – this type of course for recreational divers is a really smart thing to undergo. This should be a compulsory course for divemasters or those who wish to look after groups of divers. Knowledge gained from this course can get you out of all sorts of simple, easy to solve jams – but it is NOT a full repair technician's course.

Freshwater Diver

Often far too underestimated, freshwater diving is both economic, laid back and offers unusual dive sites that are very rewarding. There are some differences between salt and freshwater diving you need to practice.

Multi-level Diver

Want to stay down longer? Learn how to extend your dive times at depths using basic tables as well as computers.

Project AWARE

We have a beautiful underwater world. Don't let untidy, uncaring individuals litter it. When you can – clean up! But there are cautions to be taken here also –like not putting a coke can in the rubbish bin on land with a snail or two wondering where their water's gone!

Night Diver

When the sun goes down, some animals go to sleep while others wake up. Familiar landscapes sometimes change to make you feel that you are somewhere different. In this environment where the lights can go out, it's important to know the rules and guidelines for this type of diving. Disorientation can be unsafe! Do the course!

Peak Performance Buoyancy Diver

We have a precious underwater environment. Please learn to pick your feet up and not crush/damage the animals. Even the most insensitive appearing sites have organisms (some 1,000s of years old) living there (your knees or size 10 fins don't). If your buoyancy control is a bit lousy – at least get tips from someone you've seen that looks pretty good at it. But for a quick and thorough fix, do this course. You may save someone's (helpless organism's) life!

Search & Recovery Diver

Lost a ring or something you want back? Whether it's heavy or light, in clear or dirty water, this is the course to help you with knowing how to find what you're after. You might find other great finds also - like old bottles that don't go too badly as flower vases or just plain old (often literally) conversation pieces!

Self–Reliant Diver

It's a good thing to be able to dive alone and know that you have virtually every chance of getting back safely without the assistance of a buddy. That needs special training and equipment. To do this course you need to be well experienced with proof of at least 100 logged dives.

SMB (Surface Marker Buoy) Diver

Often tied in with drift diving, but not necessarily so, being able to competently use a surface marker buoy is a must when there's any chance of you not surfacing close to the point of entry or the boat that's looking out for you. Every person that wishes to dive in remote areas should be well prepared with this ability.

Underwater Navigator

Starting on land just to get the hang of it, underwater navigation then graduates to low visibility water with plenty of turns that try to confuse you. This course gives you the confidence to get back to where you started from and have a fairly good idea as to where you are at any point throughout the dive.

Underwater Naturalist

Bugs, beetles, fish and other animals. I've always found that it's easier to get close to nature underwater than on land. And what a lot of nature! Even in the dullest shallowest, grubbiest dives you can always find animals to grab your attention. This course goes into the do's and dont's of how we should interact with this environment and also gives a lot of tips on where to find things.

Wreck Diver

Whether it's the history or the marine life that ends up calling them home, wrecks are utterly fascinating. Even so, there are hazards to be aware of, often with legal and social considerations to be accounted for such as whether entry is forbidden or sensible in the first place.

Other courses available:

AED for Divers
Drift Diver
First Aid for Marine Life Injuries
GBR Diver
Scientific Scuba Diver
Surface Supplied Air Diver
Tropical Diver
Underwater Videographer