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Specialty Courses

Specialty courses are a great way to improve your diving while learning and having fun.  Underwater Phantaseas, South offers a wide range of specialty courses, including both diving and non-diving classes.  Check out these listings or call for more information. These speciality classes require some reading and knowledge development prior to class.

Diving Specialties

  • Deep Diver Course
  • Altitude Diver Course
  • Multi-level Diver Course
  • Underwater Navigator Course
  • Enriched Air Nitrox Course
  • Search and Recovery Course
  • Drysuit Diver Course
  • Peak Performance Buoyancy Course
  • Underwater Photography Course
  • Rebreather Diver Course
  • Night Diver Course
  • Wreck Diver Course
  • Underwater Naturalist Course
  • Ice Diver Course
  • Underwater Videographer Course
  • Non-Diving Specialties

  • DAN First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries Course
  • Emergency First Response Course
  • DAN O2 Course
  • Deep Diver Course

    The PADI Deep Diver Course is designed to teach you the necessary skills, knowledge and techniques to safely dive from 60 to 130 feet.

    PREREQUISITES:

  • 15 years of age or older.
  • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.
  • COURSE STRUCTURE:

    Four open water dives or 3 open water dives if student has completed 1 deep
    dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:

    Four open water dives over two days with a certified PADI instructor are required to complete the PADI Deep Diver Course. Open water dives are available at Homestead Crater or locally at the Aurora Reservoir.

    INCLUDED:

  • Four open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
  • Tanks, weights and weight belt
  • 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:

  • PADI Advanced Open Water Manual
  • PADI Deep Diving Video Pack
  • PADI certification fee
  • Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
  • Diving gear for open water dives-wetsuit, regulator, BCD, may be rented during the course.
  • Learn the skills and techniques required to become a deep diver specialist. Going deeper allows opens up a whole new world of diving including wall dives and wreck dives.

     

    Altitude Diver Course

    The PADI Altitude Diver course is designed to help you develop the skills, knowledge and techniques for diving at altitudes above 1000 ft. Learn how to properly plan your dives if you’re going out to the reservoirs or with us to New Mexico or Utah.  If you plan to dive the lakes, quarries, rivers and reservoirs here at altitude, this course gives you the added safety and comfort needed to enjoy our local diving environment.

    PREREQUISITES:
    * 12 years of age or older.
    * PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * 2 open water dives or 1 open water dive if student has completed 1 altitude dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor are required to complete the PADI Altitude Diver course. Open water dives are available at Homestead Crater or locally at the Aurora Reservoir.


    INCLUDED:
    * Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
    * Tanks, weights and weight belt
    * 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI Advanced Open Water Manual
    * High Altitude Slate
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Diving gear for open water dives-wetsuit, regulator, BCD. May be rented during the course.

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    Multi-Level Diver Course

    The PADI Multi-level diver course is designed to teach you the necessary skills, knowledge and techniques to use the Wheel and plan multi-level dives.  Are you still using the basic dive tables and cutting you bottom time shorter than you need to? Learn how to maximize your bottom time while remaining safe.

    PREREQUISITES:
    * 12 years of age or older.
    * PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * Two open water dives or 1 open water dives if student has completed 1 multi-level dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor are required to complete the PADI Multi-level Diver Course. Open water dives are available at Homestead Crater or locally at the Aurora Reservoir.


    INCLUDED:
    * Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
    * Tanks, weights and weight belt
    * 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI Advanced Open Water Manual
    * PADI Multi-level Dive Wheel
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Diving gear for open water dives-wetsuit, regulator, BCD, may be rented during the course.

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    Underwater Navigator Course

    The PADI Underwater Navigator course is designed to introduce you to navigation using natural and compass techniques.

    PREREQUISITES:
    * 10 years of age or older.
    * PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * 3 open water dives or 2 open water dives if student has completed 1 navigation dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Three open water dives over two days with a certified PADI instructor are required to complete the PADI Underwater Navigator Course. Open water dives are available at Homestead Crater or locally at the Aurora Reservoir.


    INCLUDED:
    * Three open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
    * Tanks, weights and weight belt
    * 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI Underwater Navigation Video Pack
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Diving gear for open water dives-wetsuit, regulator, BCD, may be rented during the course.
    * Compass

    It’s easy to become disoriented and misdirected underwater. This course will make you more confident using natural landmarks and marine life, as well as your compass to find your way back to the boat or shore. This is one specialty that really boosts your diving confidence!

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    Enriched Air Nitrox Course

    Come join Underwater Phantaseas and learn how to dive safely on oxygen enriched air mixtures with up to 40% oxygen. You will have some home preparation for this PADI specialty, so come in and pick up your class materials. One night of class to complete the course, dives not required.

    PREREQUISITES:
    15 years of age or older.
    Certification as a PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    One 4 hour class session.


    INCLUDED:
    *
    One 4 hour class session.
    10% student discount on all diving equipment purchased during you term as a student (course materials and equipment rental excluded).

    NOT INCLUDED:
    PADI EAN student kit with video or DVD.
    PADI certification fee.

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    Search & Recovery Diver Course

    The PADI Search and Recovery Diver course is designed to introduce you to the skills, techniques and equipment required to safely search, find and recover lost objects under water.

    PREREQUISITES:
    * 12 years of age or older.
    * PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * 4 open water dives or 3 open water dive if student has completed 1 search & recovery dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Four open water dives with a certified PADI instructor are required to complete the PADI Search & Recovery course. Open water dives are available at Homestead Crater or locally at the Aurora Reservoir.

    INCLUDED:
    * Four open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
    * Tanks, weights and weight belt
    * 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI Advanced Open Water Pack
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Diving gear for open water dives-wetsuit, regulator, BCD. May be rented during the course.

    If you’ve ever lost an object in the water, you how difficult and frustrating it can be to find it. Now YOU can find your lights, weight belts, outboard motors, and jewelry! The PADI Search and Recovery Diver course takes the frustration out of locating these items and bringing them to the surface. Who knows what you may find!

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    Drysuit Diver Course

    Planning a cold water vacation? Getting certified at Aurora Reservoir? Get certified for cold water comfort.

    PREREQUISITES:
    * 12 years of age or older.
    * PADI Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * 1 pool session approximately 2 hrs in length.
    * 2 open water dives or 1 open water dive if student has completed 1 dry suit dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    POOL SESSION:
    * Discuss different types of drysuits, styles, and materials
    * Practice buoyancy control using drysuit and BCD.
    * Learn about valve operation, donning the suit, and weight distribution.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor are required to complete the PADI Drysuit Diver course. Open water dives are available locally at the Aurora Reservoir.

    INCLUDED:
    * 1 pool session
    * Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
    * Tanks, weights and weight belt
    * 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI Drysuit video/manual pack
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Diving gear for open water dives, regulator, BCD. May be rented during the course.

    Knowing how to use a drysuit opens up a whole new world of diving. Join our instructors on one of our group trips to Channel Islands, Galapagos, or British Columbia. Be warm and have fun!

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    Peak Performance Buoyancy Course

    Buoyancy control . . . it's what separates good divers from great divers.  Whether you're recently certified or have been diving for years, mastering buoyancy control should be a goal you strive for at any level.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * 1 pool session approximately 2 hrs in length.
    * 2 open water dives or 1 open water dive if student has completed 1 peak performance buoyancy dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    POOL SESSION:
    * Discuss different types of weight systems and estimate amount of weight you need.
    * Practice buoyancy control.
    * Conduct buoyancy check, establish neutral buoyancy underwater.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor are required to complete the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course. Open water dives are available at the Homestead Crater or locally at the Aurora Reservoir.

    INCLUDED:
    * 1 pool session
    * Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
    * Tanks, weights and weight belt
    * 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI Peak Performance Pack
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Diving gear for open water dives--regulator, BCD. May be rented during the course. 

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    Underwater Photography Course

    The PADI Underwater Photography course is designed to increase your enjoyment of underwater still photography by familiarizing you with the techniques of operating your camera and teaching you how to compose beautiful pictures.

    PREREQUISITES:
    * 10 years of age or older.
    * PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * One classroom session with our photo pro. He’ll guide you through your camera operations: F/Stops, apertures, different lens, strobes, and composition.
    * Practice techniques on your open water dives.
    * Review your photos-get additional tips and suggestions.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    You will shoot 1 to 2 rolls of film using the theories and techniques learned in class. You can do this on your own vacation or join one of our open water weekends to the Aurora Reservoir or Homestead Crater.

    INCLUDED:
    * One classroom session w/ optional pool practice
    * Two open water dives– tanks, weights and weight belt
    * One photo review session

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI Photo Video Pack
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Underwater camera – may be rented during the course
    * Film & film processing
    * Diving gear for open water dives-wetsuit, regulator, BCD- may be rented during the course.

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    Drager Dolphin or Drager Ray Rebreather Course

    Say goodbye to those noisy bubbles and say hello to longer bottom times, closer encounters, and a new era in scuba diving. Welcome to the PADI semi closed circuit rebreather course on the Drager Dolphin and Ray rebreathers! Diving technology that in the past has only been available to commercial and military divers is now available to the serious recreational and professional diver right here at Underwater Phantaseas Scuba Center.

    PREREQUISITES:
    *You must be at least 15 years old with 10 logged dives and have a PADI (or equivalent) certification as an Enriched Air Diver. You must show your C-Cards before class start dates.

    COURSE OUTLINE:
    CLASSROOM: There will be two classroom sessions to review and discuss information in the rebreather training guide as well as provide hands on time on the units. It is imperative that all students have a good working knowledge of EAN procedures and operations and have read the rebreather manual prior to class.

    POOL SESSION: There will be one confined water pool session to practice diving on rebreathers as well as care and maintenance.

    OPEN WATER DIVES: There will be three open water dives required for Rebreather Certification. Skills will include rebreather diving procedures, Set up and pre-dive checks, as well as fail safe procedures.

    Includes:
    *2 Classroom discussions and 1 pool dive
    *Use of rebreathers during the course and Open Water Dives
    *All A-33 chem disinfectants and Dive Sorb for the dives
    *3 Open Water training dives
    *Underwater Phantaseas Rebreather log and laminated pre-dive checklists
    *tanks and weights

    REQUIRED MATERIALS NOT INCLUDED IN COURSE FEES:
    *TDI rebreather training guide.
    *C-Card processing fee.
    *2 Passport quality photos for your certification card.
    *Personal diving equipment including; Mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, knife, and compass.

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    Night Diver Course

    The PADI Night Diver course is designed to introduce you to night diving and help you develop skills, knowledge, and techniques necessary to feel comfortable and safe diving after dark.

    PREREQUISITES:
    * 12 years of age or older.
    * PADI Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * 3 open water dives or 2 open water dives if student has completed 1 night dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Three open water dives over two days with a certified PADI Instructor are required to complete the PADI Night Diver course.  Open water dives are available at Homestead Crater.

    INCLUDED:
    * Three open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
    * Tanks, weights and weight belt
    * 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI Night Diving video pack
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Diving gear for open water dives-dry suit, regulator, BCD. May be rented during the course.
    * Primary and backup lights.

    Diving at night exposes you to marine life that you may never see during the day.  Octopus, crab, shrimp and lobster are nocturnal animals that come alive after dark.  Get comfortable diving after dark, with and without lights!

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    Wreck Diver Course

    The PADI Wreck Diver course is designed to introduce you to the techniques, hazards and excitement of diving on wrecks.  Learn how to safely penetrate and explore a variety of wrecks found all over the world.  Learning about the history of a wreck gives you a new appreciation for the steel and metal that lives underwater.  Join us as we explore the plane at Aurora Reservoir or join us on a group-led vacation.

    PREREQUISITES:
    * 15 years of age or older.
    * PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * 4 open water dives or 3 open water dive if student has completed 1 wreck dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Four open water dives with a certified PADI instructor are required to complete the PADI Wreck Diver course. Open water dives are available locally at the Aurora Reservoir.


    INCLUDED:
    * Four open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
    * Tanks, weights and weight belt
    * 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI Wreck Diver video/manual pack
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Diving gear for open water dives-dry suit, regulator, BCD. May be rented during the course. 

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    Underwater Naturalist Course

    The PADI Underwater Naturalist course is designed to introduce you to the underwater aquatic environment and help develop safe and responsible interaction with aquatic life.  Underwater Phantaseas' outstanding slide show, lecture sessions and open water training dives will teach you more about the diving environment while achieving the Underwater Naturalist Specialty rating.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * 1 classroom session approximately 4 hrs in length.
    * 2 open water dives or 1 open water dive if student has completed 1 Underwater Naturalist dive during Advanced Open Water certification.

    CLASS SESSION:
    * Basic overview of major aquatic life groupings
    * Aquatic life interactions and associations as they relate to the diver
    * Techniques used to help preserve bottom dwelling aquatic life

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor are required to complete the PADI Underwater Naturalist course. Open water dives are available during one of our group trips.

    INCLUDED:
    * 1 class session
    * Two open water dives with a certified PADI instructor
    * Tanks, weights and weight belt
    * 10% discount on all diving equipment purchased during your term as a student (course materials, sale items and equipment rentals excluded.)

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Diving gear for open water dives-dry suit, regulator, BCD. May be rented during the course. 

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    Underwater Videographer Course

    The PADI Underwater Videography course is designed to increase the divers enjoyment of underwater videography by familiarizing divers with the skills, knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, and potential problems of video.  Here in the comfort of our classroom and pool, you will learn the basic skills and techniques to take beautiful videos in the underwater environment.

    PREREQUISITES:
    * 12 years of age or older.
    * PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    * One classroom session with our video pro. 
    * One pool session covering buoyancy control, equipment assembly and entry, shooting the system, camera motion, and post-production techniques.
    * Practice techniques on your open water dives.
    * Review your videos-get additional tips and suggestions.

    OPEN WATER DIVING:
    Three open water dives are required to complete your PADI rating.  These dives may be conducted at the Homestead Crater or you may wish to do it on one of our escorted group trips. 

    INCLUDED:
    * One classroom session w/ pool practice
    * Three open water dives– tanks, weights and weight belt
    * One video evaluation session

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”
    * Underwater camera – may be rented during the course
    * Film & film processing
    * Diving gear for open water dives-wetsuit, regulator, BCD- may be rented during the course.

    DAN First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries Course

    Although serious hazardous marine life injuries are rare, most divers experience minor discomfort from unintentional encounters with fire coral, jellyfish and other marine creatures at some point in their dive careers. Knowing how to minimize these injuries helps you reduce diver discomfort and pain. The First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries program is designed to provide knowledge regarding specific types of marine creature injuries and the general first aid treatment for those injuries.

    The nature and scope of this course is limited to training divers and interested non-divers 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. The training exercises of this course presuppose that the ill or injured diver has already been brought to shore or is aboard the boat.

    Learning Objectives
    At the end of this program, First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries course, participants will be able to:

    *Identify the four types of hazardous marine life injuries.
    *Name at least five venomous marine animals.
    *List five common warning signs of an envenomation.
    *Describe the appropriate first aid procedure for managing a venomous marine animal injury.
    *List two common warning signs of marine animal bite.
    *Describe the appropriate first aid procedure for managing a bite from a marine animal.
    *Name at least three marine animals that may cause irritations to the diver.
    *List at least four common warning signs of irritations.
    *Describe the appropriate first aid procedure for accidental contact with aquatic life.
    *Identify two common types of seafood poisonings.

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * DAN's Medical Guide to Hazardous Marine Life

    Emergency First Response Course

    Someone suddenly needs emergency medical aid. Do you know how to help? Maybe it’s time to learn. In as little as eight hours, Emergency First Response can show you how to save someone’s life with basic first aid and CPR. We have also added sections on Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Emergency Oxygen.

    Getting certified in first aid and CPR has never been so simple. You will learn the same emergency-aid techniques used by paramedics and doctors. In addition to CPR, you will learn how to administer first aid properly and effectively using the most up-to-date methods. We will also cover AED as well as Emergency Oxygen. Remember the EFR program meets the PADI Rescue Diver requirement for CPR.

    COURSE STRUCTURE:
    *Course is approximately 8 hours of classroom training.

    Course Materials Required:
    * EFR Deluxe Student Kit
    Kit includes: Medical Emergency Manual & Binder, Patch & Wall Certificate, First Aid Kit with gloves
    * PADI Certification Fee
    * Home Study Video (One per family or group)

    Be the one who knows what to do. Take Emergency First Response! YOU COULD SAVE A LIFE!

    DAN O2 Course

    The DAN Oxygen First Aid in Dive Accidents Course is designed to educate the general diving public to recognize possible dive related injuries. It is designed to show participants how to provide emergency oxygen first aid while activating the local emergency medical services and/or arranging for evacuation to the nearest medical facility.

    Any time a pressure related dive accident or near drowning is suspected, 100% oxygen should be administered following the primary assessment ( ABC’s). In this course you will learn how to properly provide emergency oxygen first aid and demonstrate familiarity with each of the following areas:

    *General diving anatomy, physiology, and physics.
    *Respiratory system.
    *Cardiovascular system
    *Recognition of specific diving emergencies:
    *Oxygen’s effect on the body.
    *Benefits and caution’s of using oxygen in a dive accident.
    *Emergency oxygen delivery equipment.

    INCLUDED:
    * Use of Oxygen and life support equipment
    * Approximately 4 hours of classroom training

    NOT INCLUDED:
    * DAN 02 Student kit – includes Dive Accident student workbook
    * DAN Pocket Mask
    * PADI certification fee
    * Passport photo sized 1 3/4” x 1 1/4”

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