Recreational diver training
Recreational diver training is the process of developing knowledge and understanding of the basic principles, and the skills and procedures for the use of scuba equipment so that the diver is able to dive for recreational purposes with acceptable risk using the type of equipment and in similar conditions to those experienced during training.
Refresher courses are offered by many diving schools to remedy this possible loss of competence due to lack of practice.
[8] The entry-level course is for certification of competence to dive in open water to a limited depth and not incurring a decompression obligation requiring decompression stops, so that the diver can make a direct ascent to the surface at any time at an acceptable level of risk.
In principle a refresher course could be a checkout at any certification level, and could cover either or both skills and knowledge, but in practice the most common refresher courses are offered for the divers most likely to need one, which are entry-level divers with little experience and a long gap since their last dive.
[13] They include a theory component which can be done on-line, and a practical skills component that can be done under the supervision of a divemaster or instructor, and starts with checkout of setting up the scuba equipment and water entry techniques, and continues with assessing critical skills like mask recovery and clearing, neutral buoyancy, ditching weights and ascent using an alternative air source.
PADI suggest a refresher after six months inactivity, but the actual need depends on the previous experience and skill of the diver.
Some agencies approach further training by packaging a significant number of skills together and provide the training as an integrated unit, which is relatively efficient in overall time and cost, while others break it down into smaller programs, each dealing with a limited group of associated skills, which can be sold to the customer separately, which can be convenient if the diver does not want to invest the time and effort to do it all at once, but will generally cost more in total.
They are also considered competent to conduct emergency procedures associated with these activities and the relevant diving environment.
[17] Minimum requirements to attend a recreational diving instructor training programme vary between certification agencies.
The necessary level of understanding of the principles, hazards and possible consequences, and the skills and procedures for managing the equipment and foreseeable contingencies is commensurately greater.
Crossover training from one model to another generally only requires the second aspect if the equipment is similar in design and operation.
[citation needed] Recreational diver training courses range from minor specialties which require one classroom session and an open water dive, and which may be completed in a day, to complex specialties which may take several days to weeks, and require several classroom sessions, confined water skills training and practice, and a substantial number of open-water dives, followed by rigorous assessment of knowledge and skills.
Details on the approximate duration of training can be found on the websites of most certification agencies, but accurate schedules are generally only available from the specific school or instructor who will present that course, as this will depend on the local conditions and other constraints.
[citation needed] The initial open water training for a person who is medically fit to dive and a reasonably competent swimmer is relatively short.
[citation needed] Initial training typically takes place in three environments:[citation needed] The usual sequence for learning most diving skills is to be taught the theory in the classroom, be shown the skills and practice them in a swimming pool or sheltered and shallow open water using the minimum equipment, then practice again in open water under supervision in full equipment and only then use the skill on real dives.
Advanced training mostly takes place at depths and locations similar to the diver's normal diving environment.
[26] From the age of 8 years old PADI has the "SEAL Team program" and SSI have "SCUBA Rangers" which teach diving in shallow swimming pools.
The German Society for Pediatric Sports Medicine (Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Sportmedizin]) has developed a consensus statement on the subject of children's diving by the 'Children's Diving' working group,[30] which was presented to the public as the Eisenacher Erklärun[31] at the International Boat Show in Düsseldorf in 2015.
A diver training agency can follow the standard as long as all the requirements are met, and can add as much additional course material as they see fit.
