Scuba Certification

Learn To Scuba Dive In 2 Easy Steps!

Since 1959 we’ve introduced thousands of people to the wonders of the underwater world. Learning to dive is lots of fun and the perfect activity for the adventuresome. For many, it has “changed their lives forever!”

COME JOIN US!

During the Open Water Course, you’ll learn important diving principles, the necessary skills to dive safely, and apply these skills in an open water environment.  The following information will explain our two-step process in more detail.

Prerequisites and Forms

Click here for a list of prerequisites for learning to dive

Prerequisites for learning to dive –

VERY IMPORTANT  – When completing the Diver Medical/Participant Questionnaire

If there is a YES response to questions 3, 5, or 10 on page 1 of the Diver Medical form or to ANY of the questions on page 2, the participant will need to sign and date the Participant’s Signature on page 1 AND take all three pages of the Participant Questionnaire to their physician for a medical evaluation.  Their physician must approve, date, and sign page three, the Medical Examiner’s Evaluation Form, and include their medical credential MD or DO with their signature.  We are not permitted to accept the signature of a PA or Nurse Practitioner or other medical representatives.

Unfortunately, you’ll not be able to begin the water session until all of the documents have been completed, collected, and reviewed for accuracy.                  

Learn to Scuba Dive: Step 1 – Pool Dives/Online Study/Review

During this portion of your training, you’ll download your digital online reading material and enroll in one of our programs. We have (5) packages/options from which to choose. In addition to the packages below, we also offer private lessons. Please call us at 303-789-2450 for more information.

IMPORTANT – Those planning to complete one or more Open Water Certification Dives at a NON-SSI resort/dive center, outside of A-1, will need to inform their instructor ahead of time so the instructor can complete and provide the student with a SSI Referral Form.  This form is valid for six months from the date it’s issued. 

FOR SAFETY REASONS, ANY MINOR (10-14 years old) ENROLLING IN PACKAGE 3 or 4 (WEEKEND or WEEKEND PLUS) MUST HAVE AN ADULT (18 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE) ENROLLED IN THE COURSE WITH THEM.  

PLEASE NOTE:  Our Weekend and Weekend Plus courses are comprehensive, fast-paced courses that, like our other courses, include all pool dives, classroom sessions, however they are completed in a single weekend.  The Weekend Plus Course also includes (2) Open Water Evaluation Dives at the Denver Downtown Aquarium. Due to the fast-paced nature of these courses we recommend those who choose either course to be very comfortable and confident when in the water.  Unfortunately, industry standards do not allow anyone to begin their Open Water Evaluation dives until the 10-minute deep water float and 300 yard snorkel swim have been completed.  Once (any) course begins there are no refunds.  

Click to read inclusions and exclusions for Packages 1,2,3 & 5

Included

  • Digital manual
  • Digital Logbook
  • Pool dives
  • Active Classroom Learning sessions
  • Use of all diving equipment in our pool
  • SSI Referral Diver (pool certification)
  • PLEASE NOTE:  The SSI Referral Diver (Pool Certification) is valid for six months ONLY.  Those who exceed the six months are required by SSI Standards to complete a Skills Update in the pool and retake the final exam.  There is a fee for this service.

Not Included

  • DSMB – Delayed Surface Marker Buoy  (can be purchased at A-1)
  • Open water dives (see options below in Step Two – Open Water options)
  • Mask, Fins, Snorkel, and Booties for open water dives
Click to read inclusions and exclusions for Package 4

FOR SAFETY REASONS, ANY MINOR (10-14 years old) ENROLLING IN PACKAGE 3 or 4 (WEEKEND or WEEKEND PLUS) MUST HAVE AN ADULT (18 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE) ENROLLED IN THE COURSE WITH THEM.  

Included

  • Digital e-Kit Manual
  • Digital Logbook
  • Pool dives
  • Active Classroom Learning sessions
  • Use of all diving equipment in our pool
  • Open water dives 1 & 2 at the Aquarium

Not Included

  • Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) (can be purchased at A-1)
  • Mask, Fins, Snorkel, and Booties for open water dives
  • Open Water dives 3 & 4
PACKAGE 1

Mon, Wed, Mon
$420
Three-evening course
SCHEDULE
 6:00 – 10:30pm each night
Please Note: Ending times may vary due to class size and participant proficiency




Includes
  • Digital Online Manual
  • Three (onsite) pool and classroom sessions
  • Use of all snorkeling and scuba equipment at A-1
  • “Referral Diver” recognition (allows non-certified diver use of the A-1 pool for up to six months after the course) ask for details
REGISTER/VIEW DATES
PACKAGE 2

Tues, Thur, Tues
$420
Three-evening course
SCHEDULE
6 – 10:30pm each night
Please Note: Ending times may vary due to class size and participant proficiency




Includes
  • Digital Online Manual
  • Three (onsite) pool and classroom sessions
  • Use of all snorkeling and scuba equipment at A-1
  • “Referral Diver” recognition (allows non-certified diver use of the A-1 pool for up to six months after the course) ask for details
REGISTER/VIEW DATES
PACKAGE 3

Weekend Course
$420
Our most popular course!
SCHEDULE
Friday night: 7:00 – 10:45pm
Saturday: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am – 1:45pm
Please Note: Ending times may vary due to class size and participant proficiency.


Includes
  • Digital Online Manual
  • Three (onsite) pool and classroom sessions
  • Use of all snorkeling and scuba equipment at A-1
  • “Referral Diver” recognition (allows non-certified diver use of the A-1 pool for up to six months after the course) ask for details
REGISTER/VIEW DATES
PACKAGE 4

Weekend *PLUS* Course
$695
At the Downtown Aquarium!
SCHEDULE Friday: 5:30pm – 9:45pm Saturday: 8:30am – 2:30pm Sunday: 7:30am – 11:00am Aquarium on Sun: 1 – 5:30pm Please Note: Ending times may vary due to class size and participant proficiency

Includes  
  • Digital Online Manual
  • HUGE BONUS – Open Water Dives 1 and 2 at the Denver Downtown Aquarium and use of all scuba equipment (does not include snorkel equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, booties)
  • Three (onsite) pool and classroom sessions at A-1
  • Use of all snorkeling and scuba equipment at A-1
  • “Referral Diver” recognition (allows non-certified diver use of the A-1 pool for up to six months after the course) ask for details
REGISTER/VIEW DATES
PACKAGE 5

Kids Only
$480
A course just for kids!
SCHEDULE Wednesdays 4:30 – 8:30pm or Tues, Thur, Tues, Thur 4:30 – 8:30pm Please Note: ending times may vary due to class size and participant proficiency

Includes
  • Digital Online Manual
  • Four (onsite) pool and classroom sessions
  • Maximum of four students
  • Use of all snorkeling and scuba equipment at A-1
  • “Referral Diver” recognition (allows non-certified diver use of the A-1 pool for up to six months after the course) ask for details
  • Class size limited
REGISTER/VIEW DATES

Learn to Scuba Dive: Step 2 – Open Water Dives

This is where you’ll apply various skills learned in our swimming pool, in an open water environment.  And get this…..you can complete your first two Open Water dives at the Denver Downtown Aquarium! Becoming an Open Water Diver requires that you complete four open water dives over two separate days. We have several options from which to choose, including the Denver Downtown Aquarium!

FOR SAFETY REASONS, ANY MINOR (10-14 years old) ENROLLING IN PACKAGE 3 or 4 (WEEKEND OR WEEKEND PLUS) MUST HAVE AN ADULT (18 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE) ENROLLED IN THE COURSE WITH THEM.  

VERY IMPORTANT – Those planning to complete one or more of the Open Water Certification Dives at a NON-SSI resort/dive center, outside of A-1, will need to inform the instructor ahead of time so the instructor has time to complete and provide you with an SSI Referral Form.  This form is valid for six months from the date it’s issued. 

Click to read inclusions and exclusions for Chatfield, Utah, New Mexico

Included

  • Open Water Digital Certification Card
  • Two to Four Open Water Dives
  • Tanks and weights
  • Please note:  The SSI Referral Diver (Pool Certification) you received after completing Step 1 (Class/Pool) is valid for six months only.  Those who exceed the six months are required by SSI Standards to complete a Skills Update in the pool and retake the final exam before proceeding to Step 2 (Open Water Certification dives).  There is a fee for this service.

Not Included

  • DSMB – Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (can be purchased at A-1)
  • Transportation
  • Meals
  • Lodging
  • Mask
  • Fins
  • Snorkel
  • Booties
  • BCD (rental package item – see below)
  • Regulator (rental package item – see below)
  • Gauges (rental package item – see below)
  • Exposure Suit (rental package item – see below)
  • Facility and Park Entry Fee (where applicable)
  • RENTAL EQUIPMENT
    • Students need to reserve rental equipment in advance.  They are responsible for picking up and transporting their equipment (including tanks, weights, and scuba equipment). This can be done no sooner than the day before the open water dives begin and must be returned (clean and dry) the day after the final certification dive.
    • Rental Package rates – per day, plus tax
      • CRATER – CHATFIELD – BLUE HOLE
        • BCD – $27.10
        • Regulator – $30.90
        • 7mm wetsuit (Chatfield and Blue Hole only) – $17
Click to read inclusions and exclusions for The Aquarium

Included

  • Diving professional
  • Evaluation Dives 1 & 2
  • Use of BCD, Regulator, Gauges, Wetsuit, Beanie, and Gloves
  • (1) Aquarium pass (that day only)
  • Use of a locker room & showers

Not Included

  • DSMB – Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (can be purchased at A-1)
  • Mask
  • Fins
  • Snorkel
  • Booties
  • Lock
  • Dives 3 & 4
NEW MEXICO

The Blue Hole
Dives 1, 2, 3, 4
$325
The Blue Hole is located in Santa Rosa, NM, and open year-round. This natural body of water is recognized as one of the most unique inland diving locations in the U.S.
MUST CALL when enrolling students age 10-14
303-789-2450
REGISTER/VIEW DATES
LOCAL OPTION

Chatfield Reservoir
Dives 1, 2, 3, 4
$260
Our Local Open Water dives are generally done at the gravel pond on the south side of Chatfield Reservoir at Chatfield State Park.
MUST CALL when enrolling students age 10-14
303-789-2450
REGISTER/VIEW DATES
UTAH

Homestead Crater
Dives 1, 2, 3, 4
$325
Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Heber City Utah, this 95 degree body of water provides incredible comfort and great diving!
MUST CALL when enrolling students age 10-14
303-789-2450
REGISTER/VIEW DATES
AQUARIUM

Denver Aquarium
Dives 1 & 2 Only
$295
If you’re anxious to begin your open water dives right away, you can complete your first two of the required four dives in the “perfect setting.”
MUST CALL when enrolling students age 10-14
303-789-2450
REGISTER/VIEW DATES
DIVES 3 & 4 ONLY
$180 - 210
A-1 students who completed the first two dives at the Aquarium will be able to complete the final two open water training dives during any of the scheduled trips.
CALL US
303-789-2450

NOTE:  CANCELATION AND TRANSFER FEES APPLY

In addition to the five options above we also have the following available to you:

On an A-1 Group Trip: Come join us on one of our many tropical diving vacations where you’ll enjoy the warm water, great visibility, and of course, the company of others having fun – like you!