1.1 INTRODUCTION
This snorkeling course is designed to give students the necessary skills to safely snorkel in conditions similar to their training without the direct supervision of an instructor.
1.2 QUALIFICATIONS OF GRADUATES
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may:
1. Snorkel in conditions similar to their training.
2. Enroll in an SDI Open Water Diver Course.
1.3 WHO MAY TEACH
Who may teach this course?
1. An active SDI Instructor.
2. An active SDI Assistant Instructor.
1.4 STUDENT – INSTRUCTOR RATIO
Academic:
2. Unlimited, so long as adequate facility, supplies and time are provided to insure comprehensive and complete training.
Confined Water (Swimming pool-like conditions):
3. A maximum of sixteen (16) students per Instructor/ Assistant Instructor.
4. Instructor / Assistant Instructor have the option of adding two (2) more students with the assistance of an Active Divemaster. For a total of eighteen (18) students.
Open Water (Ocean, lake, quarry, spring, river or estuary):
5. A maximum of ten (10) students per Instructor / Assistant Instructor. However, it is the instructor’s discretion to reduce this number as conditions dictate.
6. Instructor / Assistant Instructor have the option of adding two (2) more students with the assistance of an active Divemaster. For a total of twelve (12) students
1.5 STUDENT PRE-REQUISITES
The student must:
7. Be a minimum age of eighteen (18).
8. Be a minimum age of four (4) with parental consent.
1.6 COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION
Open Water execution:
9. Students must complete one (1) snorkeling trip and remain in the water for twenty (20) minutes.
10. All snorkeling trips must be completed during daylight hours.
Course Structure:
11. SDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of students participating and their skill level.
Duration:
12. The suggested number of training hours is four (4).
1.7 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Administrative Tasks:
13. Collect the course fees from all the students.
Ensure that the students have the required equipment.
Communicate the schedule to the students.
Have the students complete the Liability Release and Medical history forms.
The Instructor should review the Liability Release and Medical Forms before starting on the course.
Upon successful completion of the course the Instructor must:
14. Issue one of the following cards:
15. A SDI Experience card.
16. A SDI Certification card. Complete and submit the Registration Form to SDI HQ.
17. Award card.
1.8 REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Basic SDI skin diving equipment including Mask, Snorkel and Fins.
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:
18. The Aquatic Environment
19. Vision.
20. Light.
21. Sound.
22. Heat loss.
23. Tides.
24. Currents.
25. Waves.
26. Surge.
27. Marine Life injuries.
28. Physics and Physiology
29. Buoyancy.
30. Pressure.
31. Equalization Techniques.
32. Snorkeling Equipment
33. Mask, Fins, and Snorkel.
34. Exposure Protection.
35. Buoyancy Compensator Device.
36. Weight Systems.
37. Accessories
38. Dive Flag.
39. Rescue Signal.
40. Knife or cutting device.
41. Planning your dive
42. Diver Fitness and overexertion.
43. Buddy system.
44. First Aid.
1.10 REQUIRED SKILL PERFORMANCE AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to successfully complete the following snorkeling skills:
45. Properly prepare, don, and adjust all skin diving equipment.
46. Perform a buddy check, and demonstrate good use of the buddy system.
47. Safely conduct exits and entries either from land or boat.
48. Achieve neutral buoyancy.
49. Proper breathing and clearing of a snorkel.
50. Proper use of Buoyancy Control Device / Snorkel vest.
51. Surface Dives.
52. Proper use of hand signals.
In order to complete this course, students must:
Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution.