Since 1959 we’ve introduced thousands of people to the wonders of the underwater world. When you learn to scuba dive, it is lots of fun and the perfect activity for the adventuresome. For many, it’s “changed their lives forever!”
During your 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
Be in good physical health
Download and complete the following required forms:
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.
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. You have five packages 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.
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 their instructor so the instructor will know to issue the 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.
Click to read inclusions and exclusions for Packages 1,2,3 & 5
Included
Digital e-Kit manual
Digital Logbook
Pool dives
Active 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
SMB – Surface Marker Buoy (can be purchased at A-1)
Open water dives (see options on the Open Water page)
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 Learning sessions
Use of all diving equipment in our pool
Open water dives 1 & 2 at the Aquarium
Not Included
Surface Marker Buoy (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
$395
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: 8:30am – 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
SCHEDULE Mon, Wed, Mon 4:30 – 8:30pm or Tues, Thur, Tues 4:30 – 8:30pm Please Note: ending times may vary due to class size and participant proficiency Includes
Digital Online Manual
Three (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 the various skills you 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 on 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 their instructor so the instructor will know to issue the 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
SMB – Surface Marker Buoy (can be purchased at A-1)
Transportation
Meals
Lodging
Mask
Fins
Snorkel
Booties
BCD (rental package item)
Regulator (rental package item)
Gauges (rental package item)
Exposure Suit (rental package item)
Facility and Park Entry Fee (where applicable)
PLEASE NOTE
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.
Click to read inclusions and exclusions for The Aquarium
Included
Diving area access
Dives 1 & 2
Use of BCD, Regulator, Gauges, and Wetsuit
(1) Aquarium pass
Use of a locker room & showers
Not Included
SMB – Surface Marker Buoy (can be purchased at A-1)
Mask
Fins
Snorkel
Booties
Lock
Dives 3 & 4
LOCAL OPTION
Chatfield Reservoir Dives 1, 2, 3, 4
$250
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
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!
