SDI / TDI Courses

OPEN WATER SCUBA DIVER

The SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Course will cover all of the necessary skills and knowledge for open water scuba diving, including:

• The aquatic environment: vision, light, sound, heat loss, tides, currents, waves, surge, etc.
• Physics and physiology: buoyancy, pressure, air spaces, breathing compressed air, mixed gases, etc.
• Dive equipment selection, assembly, use and maintenance
• Dive planning
• Basic scuba skills including mask and regulator skills, swimming underwater, buoyancy control, basic rescue techniques, and emergency procedures
• And much more!

ADVANCED DIVER

The SDI Advanced Scuba Diver Development Program was created to make truly “Advanced Divers.” During the course your Instructor will take you through four complete SDI, TDI, or ERDI specialty courses (for example; Deep, Navigation, Photo, Video, Intro to Tech, Tender, etc.) covering all the skills and subjects, so that by the end you will feel comfortable to conduct dives of a similar nature.Once you have logged your 25th dive (these can include any and all training dives), visit your local SDI facility with your logbook and verification of completing four SDI, TDI, and ERDI specialties and you will be awarded the SDI Advanced Scuba Diver certification.

RESCUE DIVER

The SDI Rescue Diver Course is designed to develop the knowledge and necessary skills to effectively perform diver rescues and assist and administer the necessary first aid in the event of an emergency. You will learn skills such as how to perform self rescues, buddy rescues, recognize and calm potential panic divers, administer proper first aid to divers that have experienced dive related injuries, conduct effective search patterns and manage accident scenes. After the SDI Rescue Diver Course you can enroll in the SDI Master Scuba Diver Development Program or start in the professional ranks and sign up for the SDI Divemaster Course.

MASTER DIVER

The SDI Master Scuba Diver Development Program was created to make true master divers. The program requires a new open water diver to complete four SDI, TDI, or ERDI Specialties, the SDI Rescue Diver Course, and log 50 dives. SDI feels a diver will be a true master scuba diver after these steps accomplished.

SDI DIVE MASTER

The SDI Divemaster Course is the first professional level certification. During the course you will learn how to work with divers, lead certified divers, and act as a dive guide showing divers underwater dive sites and the marine life that inhabits those dives sites. You will increase your knowledge about physics and physiology as well as increase your proficiency with your scuba and snorkeling skills.

ADVANCED ADVENTURE

If you’ve taken your Open Water Scuba Diver course and are now ready to expand your knowledge but would like to see what is out there first, then the SDI Advanced Adventure Diver course is for you! The SDI Advanced Adventure course will give you an overview of five different SDI specialties. Two of the required specialties are the Deep Diver and Navigation Diver specialties which are the foundation of continuing diver education.

ADVANCED BUOYANCY CONTROL

Introducing a diver to the benefits of controlling his buoyancy usually has a great positive effect, an effect that will enhance the diver’s sense of enjoyment and feeling of accomplishment. This specialty is designed to increase the open water diver’s understanding of the factors that influence buoyancy, and to train the diver how to use the means available to him as methods for controlling his buoyancy. The added benefits to the marine and freshwater environments, cannot be overstated; as well as a diver that has better control of himself in conjunction with his environment.

ALTITUDE

The purpose of the SDI Altitude Diver Course is to acquaint a diver with the necessary procedures and knowledge to dive safely at altitudes at least 300 metres/1000 feet above sea level.

BOAT

Boat Diving occurs every day around the world; whether is it an inland lake or in the Caribbean, South Pacific or Read Sea, divers can explore the underwater world located off-shore. Dive boats vary from small private vessels to a large live-aboard dive boats. The SDI Boat Diver Course covers the “how-to’s” of boat diving from how to board, proper boat etiquette, entry(s) and much more. The course will also introduce you to the various types of boats you may be diving from.

COMPUTER

The SDI Computer Diver Course is designed to expand a diver’s knowledge in the use of their personal dive computer (PDC) and is primarily intended for divers who are certified with agencies using traditional dive tables for planning, rather than PDC’s throughout training.

COMPUTER NITROX

Nitrox is a breathing gas that has a lot of benefits for both new and experienced divers. This course will cover the use of nitrox mixtures from 22 to 40 percent oxygen.

DEEP

SDI’s Deep Diver Course is a must for any diver wishing to explore a little more, go a little deeper, and learn the risks and benefits associated with deep diving. Many interesting sights lay just beyond open water diver training limits such as: beautiful wall dives, shipwrecks, and critters that don’t come into the shallows.The purpose of this course is to provide the necessary training to plan and execute dives that are beyond the depth range experienced during an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course, specifically beyond 18 metres/60 feet and to a maximum depth of not greater than 40 metres/130 feet. By the end of the course your knowledge, awareness, and comfort level with deep diving activities will have increased.

DRIFT

Drift diving allows a diver to travel over a large area without expending much energy. You simply get neutrally buoyant and enjoy the dive as the scenery moves past you. The SDI Drift Diver Course covers the “how-to’s” of drift diving from, how to enter and exit drifts, what to do if you get caught in a drift and wish to get out, how to get out of the drift to observe something special, and much more. The course will also introduce you to the various types of drift currents you may be diving in.

DRYSUIT

The SDI Dry Suit Diver Course will open up a whole new world of diving to you. Many of the diving environments around the world are better experienced in a dry suit. Why? These areas have an abundance of marine life waiting to be seen and photographed – they just happen to be a little colder! Dry suits are also used in tropical water during the cooler months.This course allows the student to develop the knowledge and skills to properly use a dry suit. It will discuss the types of dry suits, accessories, maintenance and how to make basic repairs.

EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST

This course is designed to give an in-depth look at how dive equipment works. It will cover general repairs and maintenance of various types of exposure suits, BCD’s, regulators, and other accessories.

FULL FACE MASK

Divers often have a need, or want, to effectively communicate underwater. The SDI Full Face Mask Course is the perfect starting point. Full face mask diving allows the diver to relax and enjoy diving while not worrying about maintaining the second stage regulator. In addition, the full face mask will help insulate the diver from a coldwater environment.

MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AWARENESS

Divers have a vested interest in protecting the marine environment. In many cases, divers do not have environmental information about local sites. This specialty is designed to increase the open water diver’s understanding of marine and freshwater environments, the problems facing these unique ecosystems, and the role that diver’s play in protecting our marine resources.

NIGHT/LIMITED VISIBILITY

Many divers find that night diving is their favorite type of diving. As with all specialty diving applications, procedures are different than those associated with open water diving. The purpose of this course is to acquaint the open water diver with the procedures, techniques, and potential hazards associated with diving at night, or in limited visibility. Becoming familiar with the use of dive lights, and night diving techniques such as navigation, buddy system procedures, communications, buoyancy control, and interacting with nocturnal aquatic life, the diver can safely enjoy night diving.

RESEARCH

The purpose of this specialty course is to acquaint the open water diver with the fascinating topic of research diving. After the completion of this course, a diver will be better able to discover, explore, and appreciate the underwater environment by using research techniques and better preserve and protect the underwater environment.

SEARCH AND RECOVERY

This specialty is designed to acquaint the diver with special skills and techniques necessary to successfully plan, execute and evaluate a search and recovery dive.

SHORE/BEACH

The purpose of this course is to acquaint a diver with the necessary procedures and knowledge to safely dive from shore. The focus of this specialty must be on how to handle different types of surf and shore conditions. Many great dive sites are accessible form the shore and do not require the use of a boat but do require some basic techniques and information how to execute the dives safely.

SIDEMOUNT

Diving doesn't just have to be with a tank(s) on your back.  Learn how to properly rig and dive with your cylinders on your side and open up new possibilities.

UNDERWATER HUNTER/COLLECTOR

The purpose of this specialty course is to actively allow the student to engage in the collection of certain marine objects and to demonstrate and explain the necessary rules of underwater hunting. Prudent and conservative techniques of both aspects must be exercised. The SDI Hunter/Collector Diver Course covers the “how-to’s” of hunting and collection of marine life.

UNDERWATER NAVIGATION

Divers are intensely fascinated by navigation… It allows them to make their way back to a special spot discovered on an earlier dive. They use the tricks and techniques of navigation to find an ideal exit point at the end of a dive without the need for an uncomfortable surface swim.Your SDI Underwater Navigation Specialty course will help you overcome the obstacles inherent to finding your way underwater. You will learn how easy and simple navigation can be and how it will help you both above and below the surface. During this course, you will review natural aids such as sand ripples or reef formations, which can accurately predict your route. Tools such as mechanical or digital compasses are a surprising challenge to the novice but we will help you unravel the challenge and teach the practical skills and techniques you’ll need to use them effectively.

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER

The SDI Underwater Photographer Diver Course is designed to introduce divers to the equipment, techniques and procedures necessary to take underwater photographs, and allow the student to experience and discuss many areas of interest to the underwater photographer.

UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHER

Most divers have a desire to bring home the sights and sounds of being underwater. Underwater video makes it possible to save our underwater experiences and share them with others. Shooting underwater video is fun, exciting, and easy to learn. The SDI Underwater Video Diver Course is designed to introduce divers to the equipment, techniques, and procedures needed to plan and shoot underwater video with maximum safety.

WRECK

Wreck diving can be one of the most exciting aspects of sport diving, however every effort must be made to maximize safe diving techniques. The SDI Wreck Diver Course will discuss the equipment and techniques commonly employed while wreck diving. This course may be taught as a non-penetration, 2 dives required, or as a limited-penetration course, requiring 3 dives. Limited-penetration is defined as a swim through or within the ambient light of entry point.

INTRO TO TECH

The TDI Intro to Tech Course is an introductory course that expands on recreational training by improving dive planning methods, in-water skills, and streamlining existing gear configurations in a controlled and fun learning environment.

TDI NITROX

TDI Nitrox Diver Course is an entry-level course for divers wishing to continue their diver education and utilize enriched air nitrox as a breathing gas to extend no-decompression limits at depth.

TDI SIDEMOUNT

Diving doesn't just have to be with a tank(s) on your back.  Learn how to properly rig and dive with your cylinders on your side and open up new possibilities.

TDI ADVANCED NITROX

Are you looking to expand your dive time? Maybe you’re a scientific diver or photographer looking to stay in the water a little longer?The TDI Advanced Nitrox Course qualifies divers to use enriched air nitrox from EAN 21 through EAN 100 percent within your current certification level to a maximum depth of 40 metres/130 feet during dives that do not require staged decompression. Often taught in conjunction with the TDI Decompression Procedures course, this can be considered the foundation of your technical diving career. TDI Advanced Nitrox is also a must for SCR or CCR divers.

TDI DECOMPRESSION PROCEDURES

The TDI Decompression Procedures Course prepares you for planned staged decompression diving. With a maximum operating depth of 45 metres/150 feet, this course is your first step beyond the normal sport diving limits. The TDI Decompression Procedures Course combined with the TDI Advanced Nitrox course form the foundation of all other technical courses. After these two courses and some additional experience, the stage has been set for you to move onto additional technical levels.

TDI EXTENDED RANGE

Certain areas of the world provide spectacular dives at depths deeper than 39 metres/130 feet but you may not have access (or very limited access) to helium. The TDI Extended Range course teaches you the proper techniques for utilizing compressed air as a breathing gas, and with a maximum depth of 55 metres/180 feet, so you don’t have to miss those dives! The TDI Extended Range Diver Course provides the training and experience necessary including proper techniques, equipment requirements, and hazards of deep air diving, to competently utilize air for dives up to 55 metres/180 feet that require staged decompression, using nitrox mixtures or oxygen during decompression.

TDI HELITROX

The TDI Helitrox Diver Course examines the theory, methods, and procedures for planning staged decompression dives utilizing helium in the breathing mixture to reduce the effects of inert gas narcosis.

The TDI Helitrox Diver Course trains divers how to plan and conduct staged decompression dives to a maximum depth of 45 metres/150 feet. The most common equipment requirements, gear set-up, and decompression techniques are also presented during this course. Students are permitted to utilize enriched air nitrox and helium mixes with no greater than 35% helium content, and up to 100% oxygen for decompression diving.

TDI TRIMIX

The TDI Decompression Procedures Course prepares you for planned staged decompression diving. With a maximum operating depth of 45 metres/150 feet, this course is your first step beyond the normal sport diving limits. The TDI Decompression Procedures Course combined with the TDI Advanced Nitrox course form the foundation of all other technical courses. After these two courses and some additional experience, the stage has been set for you to move onto additional technical levels.

CLOSED CIRCUIT REBREATHER COURSES

OFFERED ON THE DIVE RITE BACKMOUNT AND DIVE RITE CHEST MOUNT UNITS

CCR AIR DILUENT

The TDI Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) Air Diluent Diver Course is your first step into closed circuit rebreather diving and your first truly quiet dive experience!Using the latest technology in CCRs can maximize your gas supply and provide an optimum breathing gas for any depth by maintaining a constant partial pressure of oxygen. It’s like having a nitrox blending machine on your back!

CCR AIR DILUENT DECOMPRESSION PROCEDURES

Are you an open circuit technical diver looking to cross over to the “silent” side? Or maybe you are a CCR Air Diluent Diver looking to progress to the next level? Either way, TDI’s CCR Air Diluent Decompression Course is the next step.Using the latest technology in CCR’s can maximize your gas supply and provide an optimum breathing gas for any depth by maintaining a constant partial pressure of oxygen. Like having a blending station on your back, a CCR is the ultimate tool for technical divers.

CCR HELITROX

This is the second level certification course for divers wishing to utilize a Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) for mixed gas diving using a Helitrox Diluent. The objective of the course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for diving a CCR and to develop basic CCR diving skills, to a maximum of 45 metres/150 feet, using an air/nitrox/helium diluent for formal decompression diving. Students are permitted to utilize a diluent and bailout mix with no greater than a 35% helium content and no less than a 21% oxygen content, and are permitted to use up to 100% oxygen for decompression.

ADULT, CHILD, and INFANT  EMERGENCY CARE

This course is cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and automated external defibrillator (AED) use combined into one program.  It is designed to teach the techniques to administer CPR, first aid, and utilize an AED in emergency situations involving infants, children, and adults.

This comprehensive program is appropriate for workplace training or general knowledge to be better prepared day to day. It meets all international standards, is OSHA* and ILCOR compliant, and has been accepted by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

The CPR and AED components cover the knowledge needed to address one of the largest causes of death in the world. Intervening with this knowledge can possibly save a life. The first aid program reviews common techniques to treat serious emergencies, as well as less serious, more common issues.

BLOODBORN PATHOGENS

If you’re a lifeguard, babysitter, parent, or otherwise at risk of being exposed to blood or materials containing blood, learn how to protect yourself and others from bloodborne pathogens

OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION

SCUBA divers, dive professionals, and boat staff, become more well-rounded rescuers and learn how to how administer oxygen as an emergency procedure.

American Heart Association Courses

CPR - Heartsaver, Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers

Academic and confined water training is offered locally in the Baton Rouge area, with open water training taking place in the Orange Beach, Pensacola, Panama City, or Florida Keys areas.  We also offer private classes and can complete the open water training anywhere you desire

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