Deep Diver Course

One of the great things about scuba diving is that participants can have a wonderful time no matter what their experience or personal comfort level. Even when you’re just starting out and getting your feet wet (pun intended), the wonders of the water are immediately at your reach. Novice divers can have fun near the surface exploring locales such as coral reefs, picturesque lagoons and crystal clear springs, as well as swimming with schools of fish and cavorting with manatees and dolphins. It’s one pastime where beginners and the more experienced can share many of the same alluring locations.

But as you become more familiar with your equipment and the environments you visit, you may wish to try new challenges and specialized types of diving. There’s plenty to choose from, such as drift diving, underwater photography, and search and recovery. And for those seeking to enter a whole new realm and travel farther from the everyday world, deep diving is the way to go.

So what is deep, you may wonder? It’s a matter of opinion, but for reference an open water diver course certifies you to dive up to 60 feet, and an advanced open water course allows for descents to 100 feet. A deep diver course, however, prepares you to journey to the 140-foot-mark, which is the limit for recreational diving.

And why go deep? For starters, it’s a great way to encounter creatures few people have ever seen up close and personal. You’ll get a chance to view species of aquatic life that rarely or never venture to the shallows, such as the majestic broadbill swordfish and various types of huge freshwater catfish. Coral often is healthier in deeper areas because of less sunlight and human activity. Another benefit is the chance to visit sunken ships and aircraft that came to rest at lower depths. Such spots include the group of A-6 intruder attack jets sunk off of the coast of St. Augustine and the fleet of scuttled World War One German battleships at Scapa Flow in Scotland. There are also unique natural formations, like the fossil-laden blue holes found throughout the world in places like Australia and the Bahamas.

Why is a deep diver course important?

Venturing into the depths involves certain risks that must be kept in mind and prepared for. Because greater depths equal greater pressure, there is a heightened possibility of being stricken by decompression sickness. Increased pressure also affects nitrogen in the air, leading to symptoms not unlike those of inebriation. One must also be cognizant of the fact that you use more air in deep water and must carefully monitor your supply.

What exactly will I learn in the course?

Scuba Lessons Jax can prepare you the right way for getting in deep. Our deep diver course involves the following:

• Learning techniques and methods for diving between 60 and 130 feet
• Reviewing and familiarizing yourself with specialized deep water equipment
• Planning, organizing and making at least four instructor-accompanied dives

In addition, you may be eligible to earn college credit when you take the course.

What is required for me to take the course?

Participants must be at least fifteen years old and have completed the adventure diver course or received a qualifying rating. A dive computer, dive light and certain accessories are necessary.

Although not required, our wreck diver and enriched air diver courses are perfect compliments to this course.