offers a wide variety of adventure, sport, and educational dive courses and certifications. Please call us (919-570-DIVE) or email to inquire about class schedules.

Most diving classes fall under either the Recreational (Rec Diving) category or the Technical (Tec Diving) category. If you do not see a class listed that you are interested in, please contact us to inquire.

ScubaDave is also able to teach Instructor levels for most of these courses.

also offers Emergency Response Diver (Public Safety Diver) courses.

Recreational Dive Courses:

Scuba Discovery
The Scuba Discovery Program is designed to give perspective students an introduction to Scuba diving in a controlled environment under the direct supervision of instructor. The program takes people who wish to try scuba but are unsure if they wish to take a full certification course on their first dive. Students are given an introduction to basic scuba equipment and scuba skills followed by an underwater tour in the local marine environment.
* If you are unsure whether you'll enjoy scuba diving and don't want to spend money on a course you may never use, this is the place to start.

Skin Diver
This course is designed to give students the necessary skills to safely snorkel in conditions similar to their training without the direct supervision of an instructor. Graduates may enroll in the SDI Open Water Diver Course to continue their diving education and experience.

Future Buddies
A brand new, innovated course designed to provide children between the ages of 8 & 9 an introduction to scuba diving in a controlled environment under the direct supervision of an instructor. Children are given the opportunity to try breathing underwater in confined water setting. The instructor covers topics such as the history of diving, diving equipment and the marine environment.

Inactive Diver
The Inactive Diver Program is designed to update and review the knowledge and skill level of an individual who has not dived in one year.

Open Water Diver
The Open Water (OW) Scuba Diver course is an entry-level certification course designed to give students the necessary skills to safely conduct open water dives in conditions similar to their training without the direct supervision of an instructor. The course covers all the basic knowledge about equipment, physiology and the marine environment while training students to perform basic skills underwater.

Advanced Adventure Diver
The Advanced Adventure Diver program provides a new Open Water diver the opportunity to experience five additional dives with an Instructor.  The five dives include Night, Deep and three additional dives from other specialty areas.  While the student will not be an “Advanced” diver at this point, he/she will have a much better understanding of additional dive opportunities.  The dive experiences of the five dives are the first dive of each of five different specialty areas.

Advanced Diver
Earning the rating of “Advanced” diver requires the diver to complete four SDI Specialty courses and log 25 dives.  This ensures that the student has more than a passing acquaintance of diving before SDI considers him/her to be truly Advanced.

Rescue Diver
The rescue certification course is designed to develop the knowledge and necessary skills for an individual to effectively perform diver rescues and assists, and administer necessary first aid. Students are taught skills such as how to perform self rescues, recognize and calm potential panicked divers, and administer proper first aid to decompression sickness (bends) victims.
* This is one of the most important classes you can take as a scuba diver, but requires you to be able to reach beyond yourself while handling your own needs, too.

Master Diver
The SDI Master Scuba Diver Development Program was created to make true“Master Divers”. The SDI – Master Scuba Diver Development program requires a new Open Water student to have a total of four (4) SDI specialties, CPR, First Aid and the Rescue Diver course, along with having a total of fifty (50) logged dives. SDI feels a diver will truly be “Master Scuba Diver” after this is accomplished.

Specialties:

Advanced Buoyancy
Buoyancy is one of the most important skills any diver can develop. This course works on this critical skill by concentrating on methods to improve the diver’s understanding of the mechanics of buoyancy as it relates to the diver and his/her gear configuration. The diver is left with skills that will continue to grow their buoyancy capabilities.

Advanced Diver Development
The SDI Advanced Diver Development Program was created to make truly “Advanced Divers”.  Under the old way of training a student could take an Advanced Course right after an Open Water course and only have a total of 9 dives all under the direct training of an instructor and believe they had ‘advanced’ skills. The SDI Advanced Diver Development program requires a new Open Water student to take 4 SDI specialties or equivalent, along with having a total of 25 dives.  SDI feels a diver will truly be “Advanced” after this is accomplished.

Boat Diver
The Boat Diver specialty helps divers understand the unique characteristics of diving from a boat.  Boat diving offers some of the best diving opportunities, but there are some differences from shore or lake diving that should be understood to allow the maximum enjoyment and safety of this type of diving.

Computer Diver
Most new divers learn to dive using some form of the US Navy dive tables and modified by their agency. While these dive tables allow safe diving, they can be very restrictive on bottom time and not allow the diver the time to enjoy their favorite dive sites. Computer diving improves by allowing multi-level diving to extend basic bottom timing by tracking the divers actual dive profile every second of the dive time. The result is a safer dive, since the actual dive is accurately tracked as the diver dives it. A more precise No Decompression Limit can be determined that is usually significantly longer than allowed by a table. This course teaches best practices for using a dive computer for diving.

Computer Nitrox Diver
This is the entry level certification course for recreational divers wishing to utilize enriched air nitrox (EAN) as a breathing gas. The objective of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for using nitrox mixes from 22% to 40% oxygen content using a Nitrox Computer.

CPROX
This is a basic CPR course combined with an O2 administration course. These two medical courses are important for all divers, though being a diver is not required of students. Interested friends and family members are welcome to learn these skills, as well.

CPR1st
Like CRPOX, CPR1st is a medical training course for divers and non-divers.  It is more useful for non-divers than the CPROX course as it includes First Responder first aid in addition to CPR.  It can be used for non-diving situations; industrial, home, camping or trail and more.

Dive Propulsion Vehicle Diver
Ever want to fight a strong current to get where you wanted to go underwater or travel a long distance without getting tired? The use of a Dive Propulsion Vehicle or ‘scooter’ allows you to do that!  DPVs are fun and exciting to use.  However, while they are fun, they require some understanding of the care and hazards that accompany use of this type device.  This course teaches the safe and fun use of DPVs on your dives, as well as care to allow a long life of the devices.

Deep Diver
The Open Water diver rating teaches divers safe practices to 60 foot of depth in the water column. The Advanced Adventure Diver course extends this limit to 100 feet. But, the Recreational dive limit is 130 feet and many divers want to be able to see what lies beneath at that depth. The Deep Diver specialty prepares divers to descend to the maximum allowed recreational depths safely and return within the limits of the tables or computer algorithms.

Drift Diver
Drift Diving also introduces many unique characteristics in its diving methods. This specialty teaches the diver how to address these methods in a safe and fun way to ensure divers don’t get separated or have other problems while following the current on a one way ride along a reef.

Drysuit
Most diving is done using a wetsuit as a thermal protection device for the diver. But, to go into colder water and see some very unusual items, divers can dive longer and more comfortably in a drysuit that keeps them warmer in the colder environment. The drysuit does introduce some buoyancy and safety issues that are unique, though. The Drysuit course trains the diver to understand the unique characteristics of drysuit diving and how to address emergency situations effectively.

Equipment Specialist
Most divers dive their equipment and leave the technical care of it to the experts at the dive shop.  However, some divers really like to understand the inner workings of the gear they use and how to best care for it for the long run. While not a full servicing course and also while leaving the annual servicing of life support gear to the experts, this course does delve into the inner workings to allow the diver to understand why it is important and instructs in the proper care that the diver can actually do for themselves.

Full Face Mask Diver
A Full Face Mask (FFM) is a special piece of gear that allows an easier way to breathe (through both nose and mouth), improved peripheral vision and allows underwater communications, too.  Like other advanced gear, it has some unique characteristics that make its use a little different than what was experienced in basic dive training. This course teaches about these unique characteristics, as well as safe practices and emergency skills with FFMs.

Marine Ecology Awareness
After learning how to safely survive in the somewhat unfriendly environment underwater, most divers look around and wonder what they are looking at. There are all sorts of living creatures under the water that we never see outside an aquarium and for the most part don’t know the names of. This course, for divers and non-divers alike, teaches the basics of the underwater ecology and helps divers identify the variety and characteristics of our undersea neighbors.

Night/Limited Visibility Diver
Why would anyone want to dive at night or in limited visibility?  What is there to see?  Actually, there is quite a lot to see and it is fun to go in the water even with limited visibility!  This course covers the whys, wherefores, safety issues, and methods of this type of diving.

Search and Recovery Diver
While recreational divers are not trained to do commercial diving activities, there are some times when a diver wants to help recover small items for themselves and friends. But, it is important to understand the basic methods of locating items underwater and the methods to bring them to the surface. Also, to understand what the limits are to doing these activities. This specialty course helps divers understand what can and cannot be done within the limits of recreational diving.

Solo Diver
One of SDI’s most popular courses, the solo diver program teaches very experienced recreational divers how to safely dive, independently, of a dive buddy. The course stresses proper dive planning and accident prevention and teaches the benefits, hazards, and proper procedures and gear configuration for diving solo and the situations when it is or may be appropriate.

UW Navigation
Like Buoyancy, Navigation is a critical skill that all divers need to develop to help reduce anxiety and increase enjoyment of diving. Knowing where you are underwater and being able to safely get from one point to another without having to re-surface to get a fix on your location, are skills taught and practiced in this course.  These skills will also help in Search and Recovery activities, too.

UW Photographer
When we return from a dive and try to relate to friends who don’t dive or didn't come on this dive what we saw, we are often stymied because of the beauty and the differences with the dry world we live in on the surface. This specialty course teaches how to use and care for an underwater camera with an emphasis on digital photography that is becoming very economical for all divers lately.  Bringing back accurate and descriptive pictures will help relate the story and let the diver keep their memories forever.

UW Videographer
Like photography, video allows divers to capture their moments underwater and to tell a story of their dive trips. This course helps dive videographers understand the care and use of video cameras underwater to ensure safety in their use, as well as safety in the divers dive experience.  Included is a requirement to establish a storyboard for the shoot so the diver won’t end up with reams of video that do not really tell the joy of what the diver experienced.

Visual Inspection Procedure
What allows a tank to safely contain the air we breathe underwater? What keeps it safe? How do we know? The Visual Inspection Procedure course trains the diver how the dive shop does cylinder inspections, and what things they look for to ensure the safety of the diver. Methods of performing tank inspections, tools and intervals are all covered in this course.  It is mainly designed for shop personnel, rather than the average diver, but can be used like the Equipment course to give a curious diver a deeper understanding of his/her equipment and why care is important on a regular basis.

Wreck Diver
This course provides the training and experience to competently conduct advanced wreck dives. Penetration skills and techniques are covered. Wreck diving can be done with or without penetration of the wreck itself and certified either way. Safety is the primary concern when working around a wreck. Tools for safe navigation are taught both within and around the wreck, as well as mapping of the basic wreck site to aid in moving around the site.

Professional Courses – Recreational

Dive Master
The Divemaster course is the first level in the Professional Diving Ranks.  It is designed to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for an individual to lead certified divers in the open water environment. Upon completion, graduates may assist instructors during diving courses and supervise and conduct dives for certified divers. This course trains candidates to have leadership level knowledge and skill.

Assistant Instructor Course
The Assistant instructor course is designed for students to gain practical teaching experience with an active instructor. Students will help an instructor teach an Open Water Scuba Diver course, Advanced Diver Course, and Rescue Diver Course. Upon completion of the course graduates may teach and certify Skin Divers, conduct the In-active diver program, and conduct the knowledge Quest review in the Open Water Diver Course.

Instructor
Instructor level allows the dive professional to teach non-divers and divers the needs of divers underwater for basic and specialty type diving. This level builds on the information the candidate has learned either in the Divemaster or Assistant Instructor level.

Technical Diving Courses:

TDI Nitrox
This is the course that pushed the use of Nitrox into the limelight of recreational diving. Subsequent to its introduction, Nitrox courses were introduced to most other dive agency programs that reflected this course. The TDI Nitrox course can be taught to both recreational and technical divers. The safe use of Nitrox from 21% to 40% is thoroughly covered, using tables and introducing Equivalent Air Depth and other required terminology. In addition, procedures for getting gas at a fill station, as well as care of Nitrox bottles and equipment considerations is taught.

TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver
This course examines the use of EAN 21 through 100% (oxygen) for optimal mixes to a depth of 130fsw/40msw. The object of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for utilizing EAN 21 through 100% (oxygen) for dives not requiring staged decompression.
* Decompression techniques may be combined with this course at the discretion of the instructor.

TDI Decompression Diver
This course examines the theory, methods and procedures of planned stage decompression diving. The objective of this course is to train divers how to plan and conduct a standard staged decompression dive not exceeding a maximum depth of 150fsw/45msw unless taught in conjunction with advanced nitrox, Extended Range or Advanced Wreck Courses. The most common equipment requirements, gear set-ups, decompression techniques and decompression mixtures (including oxygen and nitrox) are presented.

TDI Extended Range Diver (Future Specialty to be offered)
This course provides the training and experience required to competently utilize air for dives up to 180 fsw/55msw that require staged decompression, utilizing nitrox mixtures and oxygen during decompression.

TDI Nitrox Gas Blender
The objective of this course is to train candidates in the proper technique equipment requirements and hazards involved in blending nitrox gases for recreational scuba.

TDI Advanced Gas Blender
The objective of this course is to train candidates in the proper procedures needed for the preparation and blending of high quality gasses. 

Emergency Response Diver Courses:

ERD I
This entry level emergency response diving course is designed to give the public safety diver the fundamental skills needed to safely function as part of a public safety dive team and is OSHA and NFPA compliant. Topics such as problem solving, tender skills, search patterns and evidence handling are covered just to name a few. Dive skills include executing search patterns, victim recovery and decontamination procedures among others. ERD I also serves as a perquisite to ERD I Ops Components courses.

ERD I Ops Components
      -wERD Drysuit Ops
      -wERD Ice Diving Ops
      -wERD Full Face Mask Ops
      -wERD Night Ops
      -wERD Small Boat Ops
      -wERD U/W Crime Investigation

ERD II
This ERDI course enables the public safety diver to develop detailed knowledge and advanced skills in emergency response diving. In addition, students will gain experience in utilizing drysuits and full face masks as part of dive operations. ERD II is also a prerequisite to ERD Supervisor as well as ERD II Ops Components courses.

ERD II Ops Components
      -wERD Confined Space Ops
      -wERD Hull Inspection Ops
     - wERD Rapid Water Ops
      -wERD Surface Supply Ops
      -wERD U/W Explosives Recovery Ops
      -wERD U/W Threat Assessment Ops

ERD Supervisor
The training you will receive in the ERD Supervisor course will prepare you to supervise ERD team operations as well as assist ERD Instructors with training. OSHA regulations, NFPA standards, supervising divers in varying conditions and interagency operations are some of the topics covered. Like all ERDI courses, ERD Supervisor is OSHA and NFPA compliant.