Advanced OW Deluxe - Course Dates & Times

Diving in the Northeast is exciting, challenging and ....nearby. Some of the best wreck dives on the East coast are within a couple of hours of Fairfield County. Many different aquatic creatures, wreck's and demanding diving conditions are located right here in Long Island sound.

It is recommended that you take the Advanced Open Water Class as soon as possible after you complete your Open Water Course. This is the time to increase your skill under the direct supervision of our Instructors and Divemaster’s. The Advanced class will introduce you to a varied group of diving skills to safely perform the dives below. Now is the time to learn the safe and enjoyable way to perform these activities. This is also great opportunity to learn the use of, and practice with, new and varied equipment prior to making any purchases for yourself. Another reason is that most responsible dive operations will require a minimum of Advanced Certification to dive deeper than 60 feet.

Rex Dive Centers Advanced Open Water "Deluxe" is designed to introduce entry level divers to new skills, increase overall diving proficiency and to safely dive in varying conditions. Rex Dive Center has integrated the training and use of drysuits into the PADI Advanced Open Water Certification Course. By including this invaluable training in drysuit use, students can experience and begin to master diving in warm, dry comfort. While this is not a replacement for the DrySuit specialty course, it will give beginning divers a working knowledge of the Drysuit and it's uses. You will then be able to use this training to make more knowledgeable decisions about a future purchase of a Wet or Dry suit

Instructors will meet with students for a 3 hour drysuit orientation which includes lectures in types, uses, care and academic particulars of diving in a drysuit. Students also are instructed in the proper donning and removal of drysuit and spend several hours of pool time, learning and practicing specific drysuit skills. The class will then move to the open water for 5 certification dives and 1 optional dive.

Prerequisites:

• PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum age 15 yrs
• Cost: $399

Advanced Open Water "Deluxe" Course Includes:

• Use of PADI Textbook and Video materials
• Adventure Pack light kit (for night dive)
• 3 days of DUI Drysuit Rental ($150 value)
• Use of search and recovery equipment
• PADI registration fee (Upon successful completion)
• Classroom Sessions
• Pool Session
• 5 Open Water Training Sessions

Typically these dives would include the following.

Drysuit Dive- The 1st dive is the application of skills learned in the pool session. These would include proper inflation/deflation, correct weighting and buoyancy, and emergency techniques for correcting suit failures or diver mistakes. (Divers not wishing to continue in drysuits may elect to complete the remaining dives in their wetsuits, if temperatures allow.) Go to full Drysuit Course

Navigation Dive-Conditions in the Northeast, as well as most parts of the world, require divers to have good navigation skills. Different navigation patterns, distance measuring procedures, and the use of underwater terrain are utilized.

Night Dive- "If you ain't’t dove at night in the Northeast, you ain't’t dove at night" Lets face it, diving in the Caribbean at night is some of the most spectacular diving you will ever experience. However, divers expecting local night dives to be similar to clear water dives will be greatly surprised. Limited visibility and changing currents can intimidate divers who want to experience the wonders of great lobster diving or wreck exploration at night. Remember most sea creatures are nocturnal, lobsters that are hiding in the day are often walking on the open seafloor at night. Students also learn the use of different u/w lights and markers and communication at night (students can hold the instructors hand if necessary).
Go to full Night Diver course.

Deep Dive-Do you think that your motor and mental skills are as sharp at 60’ as they are at the surface? What special considerations and equipment needs are required on deeper dives? Students will learn why their neoprene wetsuits are colder the deeper they descend. (And will be glad this course is conducted in drysuits!)
Go to full Deep Diver course

Search and Recovery- No, students will not be salvaging treasure (any found goes to the shop owner), or lifting cars out of the Sound. Practical application of search techniques for items underwater and their safe removal to the surface are explored. Skills include the use of marker floats, varied search patterns and hands on training in lift bag usage.

Wreck Dives-Most everyone loves a wreck dive, with our boats doing wreck dives on a regular basis, students can join any of our charters and experience local wreck diving under the supervision of one of our instructors or Divemaster. (Though this is an optional dive for certification, the $50 rental charge for drysuit will still be waived.)
Go to full Wreck Diving course

Student must provide:

• All Open Water Scuba Equipment
• Primary and backup lights w/cyalume stick
• Any charter or site fees
• If needed, all equipment can be rented at Rex Dive Center.