Two Tucson scuba schools defy the desert by providing underwater adventures to anyone interested in the ocean, health and fun. The two schools, The Dive Shop and Desert Divers, represent the professional dive organizations of the Professional Association of Dive Instructors and Scuba Schools International, respectively. They offer standardized scuba courses such as Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and Dive Master. Course instruction, equipment and certifications are equivalent across the various world organizations. A certified diver trained by one organization has the same rating as those certified by others.
Open Water Course
Completion of the Open Water Diver course allows divers to plan and dive with other certified divers independent of the supervision of a dive professional, as well as obtain air fills. Water-based training takes place in a pool while knowledge-based learning normally takes place in a classroom. The open water portion of the class, which tests mastery of scuba skills, is conducted in the Sea of Cortez. Divers wishing to complete their open water training elsewhere have the option to join any world-affiliated members, provided they have the appropriate referral paperwork. Students simply present the referral paperwork---proof of completion of the classroom and confined water training---and are usually welcomed aboard member dive boats. As a mater of fact, the Open Water course offered by The Dive Shop, in Tucson, does not include the open water dives. Students pay for the dives separately and may use the school's in-house instructors and affiliated boats, or choose any other member dive boats and instructors.
Advanced Open Water Course
The advanced course is composed of five adventure dives in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, which may include a night dive, wreck dive, deep dive, reef dive, fish identification dive and a drift dive. The training increases a divers experience and abilities. Cruise ships often require divers to hold an advanced certification to participate in the more difficult dive excursions.
Rescue Diver Course
The rescue diver course teaches students how to handle emergency water and dive rescues. A CPR/First Aid certification is required prior to enrollment into the Rescue Diver course. PADI offers its own in-house First Response course, equivalent to the Red Cross CPR class; the in-house course provides the convenience of not having to go to a multitude of places for the certification. Simulated rescue breathing must be demonstrated with proficiency in the water to complete the class. Furthermore, students learn about the psychology of a rescue, preparation for a diver emergency/accident management and responding to a diver emergency.
Dive Master Course
The dive master is a grade higher than the rescue diver and is the professional step before becoming an instructor. Dive masters assist instructors, teach specific courses and assist captains and divers on boats. The course requires proof of having logged more than 20 dives, knowledge of physics and an internship. Water training takes place at Lake Pleasant, 159 miles north of Tucson, where conditions are calm and predictable. This makes training consistent and usually guarantees completion of the training, regardless of weather conditions.
Specialty Courses
Both schools offer a number of specialty courses as well. These are fun, highly specialized dive classes that include Nitrox Diver, Deep Water Diver, Night Diver, Wreck Diver, Dry Suite Diver, Cold Water Diving, Diving at Altitude, Beach Diving, and Underwater Photography.
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