A-1 Scuba Classified Dive Buddy Course

Why take this course?

Thank you for your interest in our SSI Classified Dive Buddy Course. Our program offers several unique elements, including more hands-on experiences than many other programs – and the opportunity to apply your new skills at the Denver Downtown Aquarium!   The course is filled with fun, challenges and meaningful information. Your success begins with arriving prepared, ready to learn, and eager to expand your knowledge and skills alongside others.

This is your chance to challenge yourself, sharpen your personal abilities, and introduce a remarkable group of individuals to the wonders of the sport of scuba diving.  It’s an experience that will open your mind – and guaranteed to open your heart.

During this four-day course, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience to safely and effectively assist divers with disabilities. The training you receive will be like nothing else you’ve ever done before.

Day 1 (half day)

  • Classroom only – Meet fellow candidates and overview the course.  Then we’ll start digging into the many aspects of the adaptive program including open discussions on various disabilities and the classification process and procedures.

Day 2 (full day)

  • Classroom – Experience, firsthand, how to correctly use a wheelchair including: comparing various wheelchair cushions, discuss proper skin care and adaptive aids. Discuss various adaptive skills including: navigating hallways and the swimming pool deck, assembling your dive gear from the wheelchair, getting on/off an elevator, proper ways to overcome various obstacles, and simulating onboarding and deboarding a vessel.
  • Pool Activities – Begin skills training and role-modeling as someone with disability and someone assisting someone with a disability.  You’re guaranteed to discover the meaning of trust, confidence, expectation, reliance, and dependence.

Day 3 (full day)

  • Classroom – discuss the “classification” process based on  the divers ability to complete the required scuba skills.
  • Pool – continue roleplaying as someone teaching or assisting a diver with a disability.

Day 4 – Denver Downtown Aquarium dives!!

  • Here’s your chance to apply the techniques you learned in the pool in a saltwater environment at the Denver Downtown Aquarium. Once again, you’ll be working in buddy teams and performing several of the skills learned in the swimming pool by roleplaying a person with a disability and being a dive buddy.

Please note that the starting and ending times are subject to change

Course Prerequisites, Forms and Performance Requirements

  • 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
  • Have SSI Diver Stress & Rescue or equivalent from a recognized training agency
  • Have proof of current First Aid and CPR training within 2 years, prior to issuing certification
  • Be fit for diving
  • Successfully perform various skills.
  • Aquarium Waiver (print and give to instructor) – click here 
  • Complete course documents – click here 

IMPORTANT – THE DIVER MEDICAL PARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRE IS CRITICAL! If you answer YES to questions 3, 5, or 10 on page 1 of the Diver Medical Questionnaire or any of the questions on page two, you will be directed to print, sign, and date page one of the questionnaire and bring all three pages to your medical professional for an evaluation. Your medical professional must approve, date, and sign the form and add their medical credentials MD, DO, NP, RN, PA, etc.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE PARTICIPANT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE WATER UNTIL THE PROPER DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, SIGNED, AND REVIEWED FOR ACCURACY BY THE INSTRUCTOR. 

  • Attend all classroom, confined water sessions, and Downtown Aquarium dives
  • Participate in all role-playing segments in the confined water
  • Demonstrate the ability to adequately assist a classified diver with the skills from the open water diver program, based on the divers classification level
  • Complete the written final exam

INCLUDES

  • SSI digital e-Kit
  • SSI Classified Dive Buddy Certification
  • Classroom instruction
  • Confined water (pool) training
  • Aquarium dives
  • Due to concerns regarding contamination all scuba equipment and exposure protection will be provided at the aquarium.  You will need to provide a mask, snorkel, and fins
  • Use of various adaptive training aids

NOT INCLUDED

  • Pool – total diving system, including a required Octopus Alternate Air Source
  • Aquarium – Mask, snorkel, and fins.  The total diving system will be provided
  • Parking fee at the Downtown Aquarium.  Please have your credit card available at the parking kiosk
  • Transportation, lodging, and meals

2026  – Classified Dive Buddy Course Dates 

April 17 – 20

  • April 17 – Classroom (half day)
  • April 18 – Classroom and Pool (full day)
  • April 19 – Classroom and Pool (full day)
  • April 20 – Downtown Aquarium – 7:30 AM to 3 PM

May 1-4 

  • May 1 – Classroom only (half day)
  • May 2- Classroom and Pool (full day)
  • May 3 – Classroom and Pool (full day)
  • May 4 – Downtown Aquarium – 7:30 AM to 3 PM

PLEASE NOTE that the starting and ending times are subject to change 

Additional Courses

  • Fall and Winter – dates to be determined

Please call if you have any questions

Course Fee $775

Program Testimonials

Where to begin…I cannot express to you my gratitude for facilitating the course that we went through this past weekend. The dedication and passion that you brought to this course was amazing beyond words…I attempted to explain to my wife and family what is was that I just experienced and became very emotional upon my reflection. One cannot understand the emotion and sense of pride of accomplishing this course unless they go through it and my heartfelt thank you to each of you. Even though we have just met, I feel a special bond with each of you and hope that may continue to grow!

At work, I am attempting to get things done but cannot keep from reflecting on the whole weekend and sharing my experience with my co-workers as best as I can explain…I cannot keep thinking about the trust we placed in each other in the course and hope that someday I may be able to instill that trust in others of me.

I look forward to seeing you both again soon and would love to continue this journey that has just begun…Thank you both!

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