Classes

No matter what skill level you want to obtain with your diving career, Coral Reef has something to offer you. We pride ourselves in training students to obtain certification and be qualified to have fun and safe dives.

Discover Scuba Diving

Have you always wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater? If you want to try scuba diving but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into a certification course, Discover Scuba Diving is for you. Coral Reef Dive Shop offers this program in a pool. While not a scuba certification course, Discover Scuba Diving is a quick and easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world. The cost of a Discover Scuba Diving experience is $50.

To sign up for a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience, you must be at least 10 years old. No prior experience with scuba diving is necessary, but you need to be in good physical health and able to swim. Classes are only available on certain dates, and registration prior to the experience is required.

1) Pick up a registration package from Coral Reef Dive Shop. You must fill out the paperwork in the package to be able to participate. Classes are only available on scheduled days.

2)  Make sure to bring your bathing suit and a towel.

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Open Water Diver

The entry-level scuba course is called the Open Water Course. When you decide you want to take the course, you can call or come in and register. After you register, an email will be sent to you with an access code so you can complete your academic training online. The formal classes consist of two weekends. All skills are performance-based, so the class can be a little shorter or longer depending on the class size and how fast the students master skills. 

First weekend:

FRIDAY

  • Classroom sessions start at 6 p.m.
  • We review what you learned at home to ensure everyone understands the information. 
  • Class is usually over between 8:30 and 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

  • We meet at the dive shop at 9 a.m.
  • We are in the pool from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

  • We meet at the dive shop at 9 a.m.
  • We are in the pool from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

FINAL WEEKEND - Open Water Checkout Dives

FRIDAY

  • We meet at the dive shop at 8 a.m. and caravan over to Vortex Spring. The spring is similar to a big clear pond.
  • We’ll do three dives in the spring, then head down to Panama City Beach, Fl.

SATURDAY

  • We complete two boat dives in the Gulf of Mexico, after which you become a certified diver.

SUNDAY

  • We complete two more dives in the gulf, which go towards your Advanced Open Water Certification.

Fees and Course Inclusions:

  • The Open Water Course price is $425 and includes materials, certification fees, and rental equipment for pool sessions.
  • This does not include the personal gear you need for class, which are: masks, fins, snorkel, boots, surface marker buoy, log book, and a dive computer which you may purchase or rent.
  • If you already have the personal gear, you are welcome to use these items; if not, we have a wide selection at the shop ranging from $200 to $400.
  • The Open Water Certification trip cost is $600 for the 3 day trip. The student's price of rental equipment for the trip is included. 
  • Semi-private lessons are available.
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Advanced Open Water

Note: Please don’t look for a schedule for the Advanced Course. The way the course is designed allows us to teach it individually virtually whenever the diver is ready.

The PADI Advanced Diver program is designed to give the open water diver a chance to experience the different types of diving he can do with his newly developed diving skills. When you call or come in to register for the class, we will get your email address and send you instructions about how to go online and access the academic portion of the training. There are two core dives that must be completed; these are Deep and Underwater Navigation. 

Advanced Open Water students then pick three elective dives to study, such as boat, wreck, search and recovery, underwater naturalist, etc. Do the online training for the core and elective dives. The formal class is approximately 2 hours. During the class, we will discuss how to prepare for and conduct the core and elective dives we will do in the open water. We will practice compass patterns in the parking lot.

The great thing about the Advanced Class is that the focus is on doing the dives with a minimum amount of time in the classroom. The cost of the course is $300.00 and includes the online training.

Checkout dives for advanced certification are scheduled at least once a month and consist of Friday at Vortex Spring where we will do the compass navigation portion of the course. Saturday and Sunday will be in Panama City Beach, Fl., where we will do boat dives in the Gulf of Mexico and complete our deep dive and elective dives. The price for the advanced open water trips is $600, and rental equipment is included for the weekend.

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Enriched Air Nitrox Course

The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is PADI’s most popular specialty scuba course. Why? Because scuba diving with enriched air nitrox gives you more no decompression time, especially on repetitive scuba dives. If staying down longer and getting back in the water sooner sounds appealing, then don’t hesitate to become an enriched air diver.

If you’re a PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver who is at least 12 years old, you can enroll in the Enriched Air Diver Specialty course. Note that in some regions, the minimum age is older than 12.

Academic

During the online training, you’ll learn why diving with air that has higher oxygen and lower nitrogen content gives you more bottom time, along with enriched air equipment considerations. During a practical session, you will:

  • Practice analyzing oxygen content in your scuba tank
  • Set your dive computer for enriched air nitrox
  • Discuss managing oxygen exposure
  • The course can be completed at home with online academic training and video conferencing for the practical. It is not necessary to leave your home. No open water dives are required for certification. The price for the course is $270 and includes the online training.

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Emergency First Responder (CPR)

Emergency First Response courses encompass CPR and first aid skills and incorporate Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) training and emergency oxygen use. Emergency First Response also offers comprehensive First Aid at Work courses designed to meet national and international compliance standards for CPR and first aid courses in the workplace.  Emergency First Response courses are designed to accommodate scheduling and training needs.

We offer monthly Emergency First Response (CPR/First Aid) courses at Coral Reef Dive Shop. You must register at the shop at least three days prior to the class. Classes will start at 6 p.m.

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Rescue Diver

Rewarding and fun – that best describes the PADI Rescue Diver course. This course will expand your knowledge and experience level: Rescue Divers learn to look beyond themselves and consider the safety and well-being of other divers. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence.

What do I need to start?

You can enroll in the Rescue Diver Course as a certified Open Water Diver (or have a qualifying certification from another training organization) and participate in the Rescue Diver knowledge development and rescue training sessions in confined water only while working on your Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

To participate in the rescue training sessions in open water, and to participate in the open water rescue scenarios, you must be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or have a qualifying certification from another training organization.

Minimum age: 15 years old (12 for PADI Junior Rescue Diver)

Successful completion of a sanctioned CPR program within the past 24 months. The Emergency First Response Primary Care (CPR) and Secondary Care (First Aid) courses meet these requirements.

What will I do?

Rescue Diver training will prepare you to prevent problems and, if necessary, manage dive emergencies. During the five open water sessions, you’ll cover:

  • Self-rescue and diver stress
  • AED and emergency oxygen delivery systems
  • dive first aid
  • Swimming and non-swimming rescue techniques
  • Emergency management and equipment
  • Panicked diver response
  • Underwater problems
  • Missing diver procedures
  • Surfacing the unconscious diver
  • In-water rescue breathing protocols
  • Egress (exits)
  • First aid procedures for pressure-related accidents
  • Dive accident scenarios

The classroom and pool sessions for the Rescue Diver Course are scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays. We meet at 9 a.m. both days for the classroom sessions and then head to the pool at 1 p.m. after a lunch break. We are in the pool for 2 to 3 hours. The cost of the class is $425.00.

ENROLL NOWcheck the Calendar

Master Scuba Diver

The Master Scuba Diver rating is the highest recreational rating a diver can obtain. It denotes a high level of knowledge in the academics of diving and expertise in diving skills.

The Master Scuba Diver rating is achieved by advancing through the Rescue Diver certification and completing five specialty courses. If a diver is not interested in working with student divers or supervising certified divers but still wants the extra training, this is the path to follow.

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Divemaster

Take the first step in your dive career and become a PADI Divemaster. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you’ll expand your dive knowledge and hone your skills as you become a dive professional. PADI Divemaster training develops your leadership abilities by training you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers.

What can PADI Divemasters do?

  • Work at local dive centers, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts, and exotic resort locations
  • Assist PADI Instructors with students
  • Lead PADI Scuba Divers on guided dive tours
  • Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers
  • Teach PADI Discover Snorkeling programs
  • Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
  • Lead certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences
  • Teach Emergency First Response programs after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course.

What do I need to start?

  • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or qualifying certification from another training organization
  • PADI Rescue Diver certification or qualifying certification from another training organization.
  • Medical clearance signed by a physician
  • 20 logged dives
  • 18 years old
  • Cost $995.00 includes materials.

Our divemaster programs consist of three major areas of training. 

  • First, the academic studies required for certification. 
  • Second, the watermanship skills include honing your basic open water skills to demonstrate quality. 
  • Third, the apprenticeship to a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, where you will learn to assist in the classroom, confined water, and open water training sessions. 
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Open Water Scuba Instructor

Are you looking for something extraordinary? To do something others can only dream of? To help people transform their lives? To open doors you didn’t even know existed? All of this, and more, awaits you as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

During the course, you’ll learn how to apply the PADI System of Education by presenting at least:

  • Two confined water teaching presentations
  • Two knowledge development presentations
  • One open water teaching presentation integrating two skills

You will also attend and participate in the following 14 curriculum presentations:

  • Course Orientation
  • Dive Industry Overview
  • General Standards and Procedures
  • The Role of Media and Prescriptive Teaching
  • Legal Responsibility and Risk Management
  • PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver Course
  • Adaptive Teaching
  • The PADI Continuing Education Philosophy
  • Business Principles for the Dive Instructor
  • Adventures in Diving Program
  • Specialty Diver Courses and Master Scuba Diver Program
  • Rescue Diver Course
  • Divemaster Course
  • Diver Retention Programs
  • How to Teach the RDP (Instructors from recreational diver training organizations other than PADI must complete.)

You will demonstrate competence at:

  • performing all 20 dive skills listed on the Skill Evaluation.
  • performing a facedown, nonstop swim for 800 meters/yards using a mask, snorkel, and fins.

During the course, you’ll need to demonstrate competency in Dive theory by passing a five-part theory exam scoring 75% on each part.

BECOME AN OPEN WATER SCUBA INSTRUCTORcheck the Calendar

PADI Reactivate Course

If it’s been some time since you’ve been diving, a good way to refresh your diving skills is our Reactivate course. During the training, you review the academics online, along with refreshing your skills in the pool. The price for this is $285. After completing the online training and pool work, you will receive a new card that shows you have refreshed your skills. The formal classes take place on a Friday evening from approximately 6 to 8:30 p.m., and then we are in the pool Saturday and Sunday from approximately 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The formal classes are scheduled once every month. An open water dive trip to Florida is available but not required.

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