Mikel's Art

OPEN WATER DIVER AND OPEN WATER NITROX DIVER (OWND)

A. PURPOSE

1. This program is designed to provide comprehensive training to those who wish to become SCUBA divers.

2. This program emphasizes the skills and knowledge needed to develop a safer novice diver and to develop a sense of confidence and responsibility of those joining the adventures of underwater discovery.

3. This program qualifies a diver to dive to depths no greater than 60 fsw (18 msw).

4. Upon completion of the Open Water Nitrox Diver Program the diver may dive any EANx mixture from air to EAN 40.

B. PREREQUISITES

1. Must be a minimum of 15 years of age with a parent or guardian authorization, 12 for junior diver certification, or 18 years or older without guardian approval.

C. TEXTS

1. IANTD Open Water Diver Student Manual and Workbook or approved text by a certifying agency through RSTC / ANSI or CMAS affiliation; examples: BSAC, YMCA, PADI, SSI, NAUI, PDIC, NASDS, etc. Plus the IANTD Enriched Air Nitrox Student Manual and Workbook if enrolled in the OWND program.

D. PROGRAM CONTENT

1. Include all material in the approved text book and meet all minimum performance skills as advocated by the RSTC / ANSI or CMAS entry level diving programs. This includes, for example, the above mentioned (under text) programs.

2. At least one general lecture must be included addressing the psychological aspects of SCUBA diving. This must include responsible diver attributes, and risk awareness and management for recreational diving.

3. In addition to the above, for IANTD certification, the student must complete the additional skills listed in the waterskill development section of this program.

4. It is recommended that a minimum of 12 hours confined water training be completed accompanied by 12 hours of lecture. For the OWND an additional 4 hours of lecture.

5. It is required that 90 minutes of bottom time be performed within 4 to 6 SCUBA dives and even if the time requirements are exceeded a minimum of 4 SCUBA dives must be made. Five SCUBA dives are to be completed for qualification as OWND Diver, two of which must be on EANx. The minimum bottom time requirements for OWND is 110 minutes. A snorkel dive is recommended.

6. A written test must be passed with a minimum score of 80%. The OWND must also complete the EANx Diver written exam with a score of 80%.

E. PROGRAM LIMITS

1. No more than 8 students per Instructor. This ratio may be increased by 2 students for each assisting IANTD Dive Master up to a maximum of 12 students and 2 IANTD Dive Masters per class session.

2. On open water dives 1 and 2, depths no shallower than 15 fsw (4.5 msw) and no greater than 30 fsw (9 msw). On dives 3 and 4, at least one dive must be to a depth greater than 30 fsw (9 msw) and no depths greater than 60 fsw (18 msw).

3. Appropriate safety stops will be made.

F. WATERSKILLS DEVELOPMENT

1. Plan dives and demonstrate ability to act as a responsible diver.

2. All skills in the Open Water Diver course are to be taught and practiced in a pool or confined water before moving into open water dives.

3. Complete skills and dive requirements as recommended by CMAS for 1 Star Diver or RSTC / ANSI and requirements of other agencies certification may be issued through. In addition, the student must complete the following to qualify for the IANTD Open Water Diver Certification:

4. Swim 600 feet (180 meters) in under 9 minutes

5. Remain afloat with a minimum of effort for 10 minutes

6. Assist a disabled diver for 60 feet (18 meters) by a upper body tow and again by a fin push tow.

7. Swim on the surface for 75 feet ( 23 meters) breathing through a snorkel without a mask.

8. In mask, fins and snorkel; swim a distance of 1,200 feet (360 meters) on the surface in under 15 minutes.

9. Swim a distance of 30 feet (9 meters) underwater, recover and clear mask and partially clear snorkel prior to surfacing.

10. Swim using mask, snorkel and fins for a distance of 60 feet (23 meters) underwater without surfacing.

11. Demonstrate proficiency in surface diving technique.

12. Swim with full SCUBA on for a distance of 200 feet (60 meters) on the surface using a snorkel.

13. Swim on ones back on the surface in full SCUBA for a distance of 200 feet (60 meters).

14. Swim on the surface using SCUBA and BC as a surfboard type surface float for a distance of 100 feet (30 meters).

15. Simulate or perform(instructors option) manual gas sharing emergency. This (simulation) is accomplished by diver handing regulator off as in actual gas sharing, but buddy breathes the two breaths from their personal regulator, then hands the regulator back. At this time, the buddy's regulator is removed from their mouth until the simulated regulator is handed back. The exercise is performed by the out of air diver swimming a distance of 25 feet (8 meters) (without breathing, and exhaling slowly) then commencing simulated gas sharing. At least three breaths are taken at rest followed by a 10 minute swim at a normal swim rate or equivalent method.

16. Perform alternate gas source (octopus, secondary regulator, alternate air, etc.) gas sharing drill. The out of air diver must swim 30 feet (9 meters) to the diver with gas and commence gas sharing on the alternate second stage. Remain at rest for three breaths and then swim, sharing gas for 5 minutes, at a normal swim pace.

17. Swim 20 feet (6 meters) to a buddy and commence gas sharing via alternate second stage without wearing a mask, continue to share gas for 2 minutes then while still sharing gas recover and clear mask.

18. On the surface, remove and replace SCUBA, repeat underwater on the bottom, at a depth no deeper than 20 fsw (6 msw).

19. Demonstrate proficient buoyancy control.

20. Swim underwater in SCUBA for a distance of 1500 feet (450 meters) in under 20 minutes.

21. On all dives, ascend at a rate of 30 feet (9 meters) per minute or slightly slower.

22. Demonstrate the ability to neatly configure equipment.