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!”
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 –
Be at least 10 years old
Have adequate swimming skills to be able to stay afloat for 10- minutes in deep water and snorkel for 300 yards
Be in good physical health
Download and complete the following required forms:
VERY IMPORTANT – When completing the Diver Medical/Participant Questionnaire Form
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 contact the non-SSI resort ahead of time and make arrangements to complete the Open Water dives.
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
CANCELLATION AND TRANSFER POLICY
Payment in full was required to reserve a space in the class.
The course fee includes the SSI online e-Kit and pool dives. Once the digital kit is issued, there is no refund for the e-Kit.
Should you transfer or cancel less than seven days but more than 48 hours before the starting date of the class, there will be a 50% transfer/cancellation fee.
Should you cancel or transfer, FOR ANY REASON, less than 48 hours before the starting date of the course, all fees will be forfeited.
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
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
SCHEDULE Friday: 5:30pm – 9:45pm Saturday: 8:00am – 2:30pm Sunday: 7:00am – 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
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
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 contact the resort ahead of time and make arrangements to complete the four Open Water Certification dives.
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
CANCELLATION AND TRANSFER POLICYPayment in full was required to reserve a space in the class.
Should you transfer or cancel less than seven days but more than 48 hours before the Open Water dives, there will be a 50% transfer/cancellation fee.
Should you cancel or transfer, FOR ANY REASON, less than 48 hours before the Open Water dives, all fees will be forfeited.
Click to read inclusions and exclusions for The Aquarium
Included
Diving professional
Certification 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
Optional lock for locker room locker
Open Water Certification Dives 3 & 4
CANCELLATION AND TRANSFER POLICY
Payment in full was required to reserve a space.
Should you transfer or cancel less than seven days but more than 48 hours before the Open Water date, there will be a 50% transfer/cancellation fee.
Should you cancel or transfer, FOR ANY REASON, less than 48 hours before the starting date, all fees will be forfeited.
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
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.
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 vacationswhere you’ll enjoy the warm water, great visibility, and of course, the company of others having fun – like you!
