SSI Open Water Diver Course

The first segment of your SSI Open Water Diver Course consists of pool and classroom training, Through home study and classroom lectures you will learn all about scuba diving. The pool training will allow you to learn your new scuba skills in a controlled environment. To complete one's training, an open water student is required to demonstrate their newly learned skills in a realistic diving environment (either the ocean or freshwater, depending on the time of year). Some people do their pool and classroom training here with us and do their certification dives somewhere tropical with the help of our travel department.

Below is a breakdown of the cost involved in training. Following that are some scheduling options.

BONUS SPECIAL FOR OUR STUDENTS - FREE COMPUTER SPECIALTY COURSE

Diving computers are fast becoming a must in safe diving. Because we feel strongly that all divers should be well versed in the theory and use of diving computers we are adding a FREE computer specialty to our open water course. Along with your open water certification card you will receive instruction and a Computer Specialty Diver Card.

Cost:

Pool and Classroom Training

First student per house hold must purchase their Textbook, Workbook, Dive Tables, and Video (VHS or DVD). Additional students in same house hold purchase same student kit less the video for $60.00 per additional student.	$75.00
Tuition for class and pool training includes: certification card, and the use of all equipment (except mask, snorkel, and fins)	$260.00
Total:	$335.00
in addition, students must purchase their own log book for $15.95, $29.95, or $49.95	+ log book
ECD gives a $50 gift certificate (good towards all equipment purchases) to all new students enrolling in our Basic Course.

Open Water Training Dives (conducted here in New England)

Tuition for open water dives includes: six open water dives: 1 snorkel and 5 scuba dives over 2 days. Most others offer only four dives. We keep our groups small so the student to instructor ratios are even better than the national standards for your safety and increased enjoyment.	$100.00
The equipment rental rate for students certifying with us here in New England includes: every piece of equipment you will need for your open water dives in New England (except mask, snorkel, and fins).	$80.00
Total:	$180.00

 

Scheduling:

For your convenience we offer two different formats for you to choose from when taking the Open Water Diver Course, the Flex Course and the Weekend Course.

Designed with your busy schedule in mind, the Flex Course allows you to start your dive training at any time. To sign up, simply go to any East Coast Divers, purchase your student materials, and fill out the paper work. You may then study at your own pace in the comfort of your own home. When you are ready, simply call in and schedule your classroom sessions and pool nights following the list of dates below. Although there are five units worth of pool skills, you may complete more than one unit in a single night. Therefore, it might take you as few as three or four nights to complete the pool training. Each pool session will have just a maximum of 6 students per instructor. Upon successful completion of your 2 classroom sessions and all five units of pool skills, you will be ready for your open water dives.

The Weekend Course is also designed with your busy schedule in mind. We know that weeknights can be difficult for some people, so the Weekend Course fits all of the pool and classroom training into one weekend. To sign up, simply go to any East Coast Divers, purchase your student materials, and fill out the paper work. You are then required to study all of the book, workbook and video in the comfort of your own home prior to the weekend of your class. Upon successful completion of your weekend course, you will be ready for your open water dives. This course runs from 8:45 AM until 6:00 PM on Saturday and 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Sunday. This course should only be taken by people who are comfortable in the water, as it is more intense than the other format.

 

Flex Course Schedule, Winter 2008

Classroom #	Location & Time	Dates
#1	Brookline at 7:00PM (all Sunday dates begin at 1:30PM)	February 6, 10, 18, 24 March 5, 9, 19 April 2, 6, 14, 20, 28 May 4, 14, 18, 28 June 1, 9, 15, 23, 29
#2	Brookline at 7:00PM (all Sunday dates begin at 1:30PM)	February 3, 13, 17, 25 March 2, 10, 16, 24, 30 April 7, 13, 23, 27 May 7, 11, 19 June 4, 8, 18, 22

Pool Location & Time	Dates
BU Pool Tuesday and Thursday nights: 8:15 PM to 10:30 PM Sunday times: 4:45 PM to 7:00 PM directions	February 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 March 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 25, 27 30 April 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29 May 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29 June 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29

 

Weekend Course Schedule, 2007/2008

Location & Time	Dates
Brookline Saturday 8:15 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM	February 23 & 24
Brookline Saturday 8:15 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM	March 15 & 16
Brookline Saturday 8:15 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM	April 12 & 13
Brookline Saturday 8:15 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM	May 17 & 18
Brookline Saturday 8:15 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM	June 14 & 15

 

Open Water Certification Dive Schedule East Coast Divers is conducting Open Water Checkout Dives on the weekends throughout the summer.  If you are interested please call us at the store to set up trying on the wetsuits and renting the gear for those days.  These spaces for the dives are limited to a small number of students and fill up quickly so call as early as possible to reserve the equipment. (usually done at least TWO weeks in advance!!) The normal flow of events occurs this way: Call the store to set up trying on and sizing up the rental gear. Pick up the equipment on the Friday before the weekend of the dives. Show up at the dive site, with all the gear, at the stated time for that weekend (each weekend could be different times and different locations. The only way to know for sure is to ask. Three (3) dives will be conducted each day. One of which on the first day is a snorkel. After all dives are completed and logged, we go to East Coast Divers, Inc. for tank refills. Show up at the dive site Sunday morning on time and ready to dive. Conduct the final three open water dives of the certification course. Log all dives,  fill out computer log, get temporary cards, and tearful goodbyes. Go Home and return all gear to the  store on Monday. Then: Await permanent C-Card in about 4 weeks. The equipment rental fee for open water students over the weekend is $100.00 plus tax. The tuition for the dives is $ 100.00. This is to be paid to ECD upon renting gear the Friday before (if you haven't already paid this fee, of course). If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at the store. 2008 Dates: May 17 & 18 June 7 & 8 June 21 & 22 June 28 & 29 July 19 & 20 August 2 & 3 August 23 & 24 September 13 & 14 September 27 & 28 October 4 & 5 October 18 & 19 November 1 & 2 November 22 & 23

 

Private lessons are also available.