The Handicapped Scuba Association Dive Buddy Course is a specialty certification for Open Water Scuba Divers, or above, who wish to know and understand more about physical disabilities and how it relates to scuba diving.

Why HSA Dive Buddy?

You may know someone with a disability who is already a certified diver or is interested in trying scuba.  As a certified HSA Dive Buddy, you can share your love of diving with them? Become a certified HSA Dive Buddy. 

What do I need to start?

• Certified Open Water Scuba Diver, or above, by a recognized diver training agency
  Please bring your certification card to the first class.

• Minimum age 18 years old
• Be fit for diving and complete a Medical Statement for diving stating that you are medically fit to dive. If you answer “yes” to any medical questions, you will need to see a physician and have them complete a standard scuba diving medical form stating that your are medically fit to dive. Please bring your completed Medical Form (signed by a physician if necessary) to the first class.
• Complete a liability and Express Assumption of Risk document.
• Logged a minimum of 10 open water dives within 2 years prior to the starting date of the course. Please bring your log book to the first class.
• Logged a total minimum of 20 open water dives to complete the course.

What will I do?

During this course, you will gain knowledge and experience in how to safely and effectively assist, travel and scuba dive with certified divers with disabilities.

• Attend all classroom, confined and open water segments of the course.
• Participate in all role-playing segments in the confined and open water.
• Complete and pass the final exam (Note: this is an open-book exam and conducted as a group)

 

How long will it take?

The course is done over 3 days. We will spend two days in the classroom and pool, with the final day held at an open water location. Participants will experience the roles of both dive buddy and simulated disabled diver. At the completion of this course, you will have the training to dive with and assist in open water diving activities involving certified divers with disabilities.

Day 1

You’ll start by meeting your fellow candidates and completing the necessary paperwork Learn the HSA course standards and move into the actual multi-level certification process. From there, you’ll head to the pool to begin a series of role-playing exercises in teams as paraplegics and quadriplegics. You’ll have a chance to act as both Dive Buddy, and disabled diver.

Day 2

Start in the classroom studying more of the Performance Standards and certification procedures of the HSA course. Then, back to the pool to resume skill training by introducing you to the techniques and tactile communication used when diving with someone who is blind. You will learn more of trust, faith, belief, confidence, expectation, reliance and dependence than you ever realized in your life.

Day 3

You will now demonstrate the techniques you learned in the open water. Once again, you’ll be working in buddy teams and performing the skill learned in the swimming pool. Again, you will  be acting in the role of a disabled diver and as a dive buddy.

Program schedules can vary. We begin Day 1 and 2 at 8am and continue until 5. This of course depends on the size of the group and the amount of participation of the various group members. Day 3 will be conducted at an open water location and generally takes approximately
 5 hours. Because there is a tremendous amount of material to cover in the course, you will need to come to class prepared and on time.

How much will it cost?

The cost for this class is $250.00

This includes:
All classroom, confined water and open water training as well as the HSA Dive Buddy Manual and your HSA Dive Buddy Certification Card. Tanks and weights.

Not included:
Personal dive gear, ( can be rented ), food, any lodging, parks passes, transportation to and from dive site, any applicable permits for the dive site.             

This is your opportunty to help introduce a special group of people to the wonderful sport of scuba diving. Are you up for the challenge? Contact Bart@personalizedscuba.com for further information, and to sign up for your class.    

HSA Open Water Certification