Scuba for Academic Credit

HPE 120 Scuba Diving, Open Water

 Next class: fall 2013

Instructor: Paul Stern PADI Scuba Instructor #240335
Office: #3 Hundley Hall
Phone: 434.544.8224
Meeting: Classroom -- Turner Gym 314, Pool -- Bedford Area Family YMCA and Open Water -- Lake Rawlings, Va.
Text: e-learning
Cost: $425

Course Objectives:

1. To provide the student with the knowledge and skills to safely enjoy and gain limited experience in the diving environment under normal open water diving conditions
2. Prepare students for Open Water Scuba Diving Certification by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)

Course Goals:

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to perform the following skills:

• Proper assembly, disassembly, donning, and use of all equipment
• Correct entry and exit procedures
• Correct ascents and descents
• Adjusting for neutral buoyancy both at the surface and underwater
• Proper use of a buoyancy control device (BCD)
• Recovering and clearing a regulator
• Mask clearing and full flooding
• Correct procedure for sharing air using an alternate air source
• Removal and replacement of the SCUBA unit and weights both underwater and on the surface
• Proper use and understanding of hand signals
• Controlled emergency swimming ascent (CESA)
• Correct procedure for an out of air situation

An integral part of this course for all students will be to:

Inquire: frame questions that address issues and uncertainties across a range of disciplines.

Explore: investigate issues in depth and detail

Conclude: develop informed responses to issues 

Persuade: convince others of the validity and value of conclusions

Engage: use knowledge and abilities for the good of self and society

Certification Requirements:

• Attend all class room lectures (exceptions with prior approval only)
• Mastery of all pool and open water skills
• 75% or better on four quizzes final and written examination
• Working knowledge of recreational dive tables, ERDPML / Computer
• Successful completion of pool dives and four open water training dives

Additional Expenses

The scuba lab fee ($475) includes:

• Tanks, weights, wet suit, BCD, regulator
• Travel expenses to Lake Rawlings or other designated location
• Camping fee and park entrance

Course Content: