1.1 INTRODUCTION
This program is designed to give prospective students an introduction to Scuba diving in a controlled environment under the direct supervision of an insured Instructor.
1.2 QUALIFICATIONS OF GRADUATES
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may:
1. Dive under the direct supervision of an active instructor
2. Enroll in an SDI Open Water Diver Course
1.3 WHO MAY TEACH
Who may teach this course?
3. An active SDI Instructor.
1.4 STUDENT – INSTRUCTOR RATIO
Academic:
4. Unlimited, so long as adequate facility, supplies and time are provided to insure comprehensive and complete training.
Confined Water (Swimming pool-like conditions):
5. A maximum of eight (8) students per Instructor.
Open Water (Ocean, lake, quarry, spring, river or estuary):
6. A maximum of six (6) students per Instructor. However, it is the instructor’s discretion to reduce this number as conditions dictate.
1.5 STUDENT PRE-REQUISITES
The student must:
7. Be a minimum age of eighteen (18).
8. Be a minimum age of ten (10) with parental consent.
9. Demonstrate comfort and adequate swimming skills.
1.6 COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION
Open or Confined Water
10. Training depth must not exceed twelve (12) msw / forty (40) fsw.
11. One (1) dive required, second dive optional.
12. All dives must be completed during daylight hours.
Course Structure:
13. SDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of students participating and their skill level.
Duration:
14. The suggested number of training hours is two (2).
1.7 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Administrative Tasks:
15. Collect the course fees from all the students.
16. Ensure that the students have the required equipment.
17. Communicate the schedule to the students.
18. Have the students complete the Liability Release and Medical history forms.
19. The Instructor should review the Liability Release and Medical Forms before starting on the course.
Upon successful completion of the course the Instructor must:
20. Complete the SDI Student Registration form.
21. Issue a SDI Experience card.
22. Award card.
1.8 REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Basic SDI Open Water SCUBA equipment as prescribed earlier in this manual. The exception to this is that a dive computer is not required, however it is highly recommended.
1.9 REQUIRED SUBJECT AREAS
Instructors may use any additional text or materials that they feel help present these topics. The following topics must be covered during this course:
23. The Aquatic Environment
A. Marine Environment.
B. Marine Life expected to encounter at local dive site.
24. Physics and Physiology
A. Buoyancy.
B. Pressure.
C. Gas spaces
I. Equalization Techniques.
II. Lung Over-Expansion Problem.
25. Scuba Equipment Assembly
A. Mask, Fins and Snorkel.
B. Exposure Protection
I. Wetsuits.
C. Buoyancy Compensator Device.
D. Regulator
I. Primary Regulator.
II. Alternate Air source.
E. Tanks.
F. Weight Systems.
G. Underwater Instruments
I. Submersible Pressure Gauge.
II. Dive Computers.
III. Depth Gauges.
26. Underwater communications.
1.10 REQUIRED SKILL PERFORMANCE AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to successfully complete the following skills in confined water:
27. Weight system adjustment with proper weighting.
28. Pre-dive check of self and buddy.
29. Mask clearing (partial and full at depth).
30. Buoyancy Control Devise (BCD) use
A. Inflation and deflation (auto inflation) at the surface.
B. Inflation and deflation (auto inflation) at depth.
31. Buoyancy Control
A. Controlled ascents.
B. Controlled descents.
32. Regulator use.
A. Breathing, clearing, and recovery at the surface.
B. Breathing, clearing, and recovery at depth.
33. Underwater swimming (proper use of fins).
34. Computer Use (reading and understanding data).
35. Use of gauges.
36. Underwater Communications.
In order to complete this course, students must
37. Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution.