AQUA 220 Open Water Scuba
Open Water SCUBA combines classroom instruction, confined water (pool) sessions, and (optional) open water training dives to provide a comprehensive introduction to recreational diving. During classroom sessions, students will study fundamental diving concepts, including equipment, physics, physiology, environment, and decompression theory, to support safe and effective dive planning. In the pool, students will begin with a mandatory aquatic comfort assessment, followed by conditioning swims, snorkeling, and scuba skills that emphasize safe and enjoyable diving practices. The course also incorporates a research component focused on marine conservation, maritime archaeology, marine biology, public safety diving, and/or sustainable diving practices. Successful completion of classroom and pool instructions qualifies students to complete the open water training dives (optional) for a non-expiring Open Water Diver certification. Students must successfully complete the aquatic comfort swim assessment during the first week of the course to be able continue in the course; those who do not demonstrate adequate comfort and ability in the water will not be permitted to remain enrolled.