YSCUBA Courses

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Receive college credit for your Scuba Certification through a partnership between YSCUBA, the YMCA of the USA, and Springfield College.

(Most colleges will give you one credit toward your degree for participating in many of the YMCA Scuba Program courses)

The history of dive training in the United States began with the development of the YMCA Scuba Program. As divers and instructors, we have dedicated ourselves to the quest for ever-better ways to teach others to enjoy the underwater world. That is our heritage. Throughout the history of sport diving, YMCAs have maintained unsurpassed standards. Those standards have changed as our knowledge and depth of experience have changed. Others have followed. That is our record.

The first instructors, certified in Chicago in 1959, provided the dedication and knowledge that became our tradition. We now have trained divers throughout other dive-training organizations. Throughout our history we have worked tirelessly to improve diver safety and enjoyment with a parallel sense of responsibility toward the underwater world which we explore.

Our accomplishments are known. Today, as in the past, no sport diver in the world is better trained than the individual who has met the high standards of YMCA Scuba.

In the nearly 50 years since our inception, YMCA Scuba has continued to provide the highest level of community-oriented education for divers and instructors based on the YMCA mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Open Water Diver

Learning to scuba dive is safe and affordable, and requires a modest amount of training. An entry-level certification course takes approximately 32 hours to complete. Classes may take place during day or evening times, and take from a couple of weekends to several weeks to complete. In order to earn a scuba certification, you will participate in classroom sessions and practice essential diving skills in a pool. Finally, you will test your knowledge on a written exam and apply your skills during training dives in a lake, quarry, spring, or ocean. Upon completion, you will receive a certification card that identifies you as a trained diver, allowing you to rent scuba equipment, participate in advanced training, and explore diving destinations.

Prerequisites: 15 years of age or older (12-14 year old children may be certified as "junior divers"), complete medical questionnaire (with doctor approval upon request), and must demonstrate acceptable swimming skills.

$299* / Student (includes text, dive tables, dive log) all equipment except mask/fins/snorkel (personal gear) shall be provided. Student will also provide exposure protection for open water training.

7 class/pool sessions and 4 open water dives. (all included)

*Prices may vary based on location.

Photo by Sean McFarland

Advanced Open Water

The YMCA Advanced Open Water Diver course is for divers who want to expand their knowledge and diving experience to include a variety of diving environments. The course provides an introduction to specialty diving, and features five open water dives, including a night dive. This course is highly recommended for all newly certified Open Water divers, to help them gain experience and comfort in the underwater world.

Prerequisites: Open Water Certification and at least 4 open water dives.

$150 / Student (includes quarry passes and air fills) 5 Open Water Dives, No classroom.

Photo by Sean McFarland

SLAM (SCUBA Lifesaving & Accident Management) Rescue Diver

The YSCUBA SLAM course stresses prevention of scuba related issues before they become accidents. Participants will be put through their paces in this rigorous and rewarding course. Learn assessment, rescue, and evacuation techniques, as well as the clues that lead up to the need for a rescue. SLAM is a prerequisite to YSCUBA leadership and DAN Oxygen Provider as well as First Aid & CPR are requirements for SLAM.

$150 / Student (includes text, pool session, and checkout dive)

NITROX Diver

This is a recreational certification and allows the NITROX certified diver to purchase NITROX fills at participating dealers and dive NITROX mixtures up to 40%.

Get a lot more bottom time and a lot less surface interval on a rocking boat!

$150 / Student (includes, text, tables, 2 checkout dives, and NITROX fills)

* $125 / Student (in conjunction with Advanced Open Water)

This course is also available in TDI format.

Drysuit Diver

This course covers the fundamentals of how to safely utilize a drysuit.

Why be cold?

$150 / Student (includes pool session and 1 checkout dive)

Additional Specialty Courses

Upon Request...

Equipment Service
Boat Diving
Computer Assisted Diver
Aquatic Environmentalist
Night Diver
Reef Ecology
Underwater Navigation
Wreck Diver

Progress to YSCUBA Leadership!

In 1959 the YMCA developed Scuba training standards for instructors. These standards remain the most thorough and comprehensive in the dive industry today.

When it comes to Scuba certification, trust is an important aspect of training. YMCA Scuba instructors follow the philosophy of the YMCA while building self-esteem and nurturing personal growth in divers. YMCA leadership prides itself on maintaining values. In a sport such as Scuba diving, it is important for those participating to have values, good moral character and ethics. YMCA Scuba Instructors instill character development in their students by promoting caring, honesty, respect and responsibility during dive training.

Instructor certification permits an individual to teach Scuba students how to become competent divers. The instructor promotes safe diving and upholds the standards of YMCA Scuba. The Instructor may also teach many specialty and leadership courses, although additional training and certification may be required to teach some of these courses. The process of becoming an instructor involves three separate courses including Divemaster, Assistant Instructor and Instructor. The certification requirements and process for each of these three levels is described in detail below.

Divemaster & Assistant Instructor

Divemaster

A certified YMCA Divemaster provides on-site leadership for groups of certified divers during recreational sport diving or for students during training under the direct supervision of the YMCA Scuba instructor. Divemasters conduct tours and supervise diving activities. Divemasters can work at dive resorts, on dive boats and in dive shops all over the world.

Divemaster Entrance Requirements:

Age 18 years or older
Medical exam with physician’s approval. The medical exam must be for scuba diving and completed less than one year prior to the beginning of the training. The medical questionnaire used in entry and advanced level classes is not acceptable to meet this requirement.
Statement of Understanding/Waiver & Release completed and signed.
Be a certified Open Water Diver with a recognized agency.
Diving experience: Silver Advanced Diver or, 20 logged dives including experience in Night, Navigation, Deep (beyond 60 feet) and Search & Recovery diving.
Current certification in Standard First Aid (ARC, AHA, NSC, ASHI, or equivalent).
Current certification in CPR (NSC, AHA, ARC, ASHI, or equivalent).

Divemaster Certification Requirements:

Completed all requirements contained in the Divemaster course.
18 years of age or older.
Own a copy of the Standards and Procedures Manual.
Medical exam with physician’s approval. The medical exam must be for scuba diving and completed less than one year prior to the beginning of the institute. The medical questionnaire used in entry and advanced level classes is not acceptable to meet this requirement.
Hold a YMCA SLAM Rescue Diver rating.
Diving experience, at least 40 logged dives.
Hold current certification in each of the following:
Signed Ethical Practices Statement
To be considered for any YMCA Scuba Program Leadership certification, the student must not have any standards violations or have been dismissed from the YMCA Scuba program or any other Scuba certification agency.

$325/Candidate Includes all necessary materials for classroom, pool, open water.

Student will be responsible for purchase of a YMCA standards manual.

Assistant Instructor

YMCA Assistant Instructor certification is a required step in the development toward YMCA Scuba instructor. Assistant instructors may teach the YMCA Snorkeling and Skin Diving courses. During the Open Water course, assistant instructors assist in classroom training, pool training and the open water dives under the direct supervision of the instructor.

Assistant Instructor Entrance Requirements:

18 years of age or older.
Medical exam with physician’s approval. The medical exam must be for scuba diving and completed less than one year prior to the beginning of the training. The medical questionnaire used in entry and advanced level classes is not acceptable to meet this requirement.
Statement of Understanding/Waiver & Release completed and signed.
SLAM Rescue Diver certification or SLAM Rescue Diver Crossover if certified in scuba rescue by another recognized agency.
Complete Divemaster training or approved equivalent level from recognized agency.
Have logged a minimum of 40 dives.

Assistant Instructor Certification Requirements:

Complete all requirements contained in the Assistant Instructor course.
Hold current certification in each of the following:
A current YMCA Scuba Standards and Procedures Manual is required.
Diving experience must include at least 60 logged dives.
A teaching internship must include the following minimum times:
1. 16 hours of classroom assisting
2. 18 hours of pool/confined water assisting
3. Assisted during 5 open water training dives under direct supervision of an instructor.
Signed Ethical Practices Statements.
To be considered for any YMCA Scuba Program Leadership certification, the student must not have any standards violations or have been dismissed from the YMCA Scuba program or any other scuba certification agency.

$325/Candidate Includes all necessary materials for classroom, pool, open water.

Student will be responsible for purchase of a YMCA standards manual.

Instructor

Instructor Entrance Requirements:

18 years of age or older.
At least one year of diving experience since entry level certification.
Medical exam with physician’s approval. The medical exam must be for scuba diving and completed less than one year prior to the beginning of the institute. The exam used for Assistant Instructor certification may be used only if within this one-year requirement. The medical questionnaire used in entry and advanced level classes is not acceptable to meet this requirement.
Statement of Understanding/Waiver & Release completed and signed.
Hold a YMCA SLAM Rescue Diver rating, or hold a nationally recognized dive rescue certification and complete the YMCA SLAM Rescue Diver Crossover. This crossover training may be completed any time prior to or during the Instructor Institute. SLAM Rescue Diver training may be included as training hours for Instructor certification.
Have completed the requirements for or be certified as a Divemaster. Divemaster training may be included as training hours for Instructor certification.
Completed requirements for or be certified as a scuba assistant instructor. (The candidate must have completed A.I. training even though the certification card may not have yet arrived.) Assistant instructor training may be included as training hours for instructor certification.
To enter instructor training, instructor candidates are required to have a minimum of 60 logged dives since entry level certification. The 60 prerequisite dives must include at least five from the list below:
1. 10 dives to greater than 80 feet
2. 10 dives utilizing full wet suit including hood and gloves or dry suit
3. 10 dives using minimal thermal protection, i.e. dive skin or shorty
4. 10 night dives
5. 10 low visibility dives (less than three feet visibility)
6. 10 fresh water dives
7. 10 salt water dives
8. 10 dives in surf, drift or current conditions
9. 4 diving specialty certifications.

Instructor Certification Requirements:

Complete all requirements contained in the Instructor Institute.
Diving experience including a minimum of 100 logged dives before completing instructor training. An up-to-date log book must be presented by the candidate.
Show proof of scuba teaching experience as follows:
1. 15 hours of lecture experience
2. 18 hours of water-work teaching
3. Assisting in at least three separate open water class checkouts.

Note: on a, b & c, proof of lecture, water teaching and open water checkout training must be in the form of a letter from the candidate’s sponsoring instructor, or the teaching internship of the YMCA Assistant Instructor course. In some cases, this experience may be gained by assisting an instructor that certifies for another agency.

Hold current certification in each of the following:
To be considered for any YMCA Scuba Program Leadership certification, the candidate/student must not have any standards violations or have been dismissed from the YMCA Scuba program or any other scuba certification agency.

We are currently working out pricing and details for an instructor institute for the fall of 08.

Pricing to be decided.

ECD is a participant in the universal referral program. Learn here and do your certification dives while on vacation! We'll take care of lining up a participating instructor. If you have taken your academics with a participating instructor, ECD can do your certification dives.

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