Divers do remember how to dive; yet, even if only a year has passed since their open water certification course, most divers can still benefit from a refresher course. Diving is easy, but being a safe and knowledgeable diver requires commitment and consistent review of emergency skills and dive theory. Safe divers must retain a huge repertoire of information that becomes rusty without review. A refresher course focuses on this easily forgotten information. Taking a refresher course and reviewing knowledge and skills before diving helps to reduce pre-dive anxiety and makes a return to diving more enjoyable.
Most refresher courses include a combination of dive theory, in-water skill practice, and supervised dives. When possible, divers should enroll in a refresher course with their dive buddy. This allows dive buddies to work to work together to fine tune rescue skills before a real emergency arises. Refresher courses are usually short, because a diver simply reviews information he knew in the past. The average length of a refresher course is half a day to a whole day, usually done in a local pool with a half a day being much more common depending upon the diver’s needs and whether an open water dive is included.
The local lake or spring may not be as exciting as a tropical reef, but if you make a commitment to diving a few weekends every month, you will retain more diving skills and information than if you only dive on vacation. This simple course of just getting back in the water will make your vacation diving so much more comfortable; a refresher course is like riding a bicycle, and your skills will come back to you very quickly!
If you don’t have your own scuba gear, no problem, Scuba Lessons Jax will provide all your gear and air as needed in order for you to take a refresher. Also, remember to bring your log book so your instructor can sign that you have taken the refresher course. Scuba Lessons Jax also offers local classes to fit your schedule…afternoons, evenings, weekends, etc. And, our weekend Learn To Dive classes at the local springs is available as well. The springs are good if you prefer confined and open water diving as part as your refresher. It’s also a good opportunity to try any new gear that you may have gotten before you leave on your much needed dive vacation. Don’t worry about a schedule…just give us a call at (904)346-4246 and arrange your refresher course today!
06/14/2012
