Frequently Asked Questions

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As with any sport or outdoor activity there are risks. The way to manage the risks in diving is through training. We prepare people to deal with issues that may occur during diving by making sure they have the skills necessary to increase the safety factor and reduce risk. Beyond the Standards Dive Training does this through a five step process:

• Identify to the Diving Student the issue or threat;
• Explain the skill used to deal with the issue or threat;
• Demonstrate the skill how to deal with the issue or threat;
• Train to perform the skill to deal with the issue or threat;
• Practice the skill to deal with the issue or threat until it becomes engrained as a behavior.

All dive certification agencies have training standards, but these are minimums. Beyond the Standards Dive Training will ensure that you are trained at the highest level possible while operating within the safety standards of the certification agency. Also we provide a high level of service where you can focus on learning the skills quickly and effectively. This service includes:

• Top of the line dive equipment;
• Transportation of equipment and dive cylinders;
• Conform to your schedule;
• Organize dives in the local area.

With Beyond the Standards Dive Training you will train with top of the line equipment including:

• Integrated dive computers;
• Fully maintained and sanitazed regulators;
• New buoyancy control devices;
• Sanitized wet suits.

Each dive will be planned including an emergency action plan, full briefing and debriefing, and have emergency equipment immediately available. Your Dive Instructor is a certified Paramedic with 24 years of experience in fire/EMS/safety.

The Diving Instructor you will train with is certified under three different certification agencies. Each of these have their benefits. These agencies are:

• PADI or the Professional Association of Dive Instructors is the most widely recognized training organization and provides the most standardized training in the dive training industry. PADI has the motto, "the way the world learns to dive". 
• NAUI or the National Association of Underwater Instructors adds to their standard training some beginning rescue training. Their motto is "dive safety through education" and states that Dive Instructors should train people like they are their family members. 
• SDI or SCUBA Diving International was founded in the world of technical diving and has an advanced philosophy requiring that all divers use dive computers from the first time they dive, even in the pool. This philosophy is unique in the dive training industry and one that Beyond the Standards Dive Training has adopted.
• For each of these cerfitication agencies Beyond the Standards Dive Training can complete training from Discover SCUBA Diving up to and including Assistant Instructor, Master SCUBA Diver, and Dive Master. Other available certifcations include deep diver, NITROX, night diver, and rescue diver.
• Junior certifications are available. We can train divers ages 10 and up!

We are not looking for Olympic level swimmers here, but if you are one that's great! What we do require is that you are comfortable in the water. There are swimming requirements that we will assess, but we have a Swimming Instructor that can help.

Open Water SCUBA Diver training has three basic parts. These are:

• Academic training that consists of learning online and lecture. The online learning can be completed at your own pace. The lecture portion is one session and reinforces the online learning while incorporating basic equipment training.
• Pool sessions where we complete the swimming assessment and learn our skills. You get to take your first breaths underwater!
• Open water dives where you can try out your new skills!
• These sessions can be completed at your pace and according to your schedule.