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 Deep Diver Course
The Deep Diver Specialty Course is designed to give the advanced diver the necessary theory, skills, and experience to safely and comfortably plan and execute dives within the 60 to 130 foot range. The course consists of one evening of academic discussion and four open water training dives. Theory sessions will revolve around the discussion and use of various dive planning tools and software, emergency decompression and advanced decompression sickness theory, specialized equipment and configuration, redundant air sources and their use, air management techniques, and deep diving techniques. Four boat dives will be conducted in the Cape Ann Area (see schedule below for dive locations). These dives will include various skills and exercises to sharpen each student’s diving ability and prepare him or her for the exciting environment of deep ocean diving.

Required Equipment: You will need your standard open water equipment: mask, fins, snorkel, regulator system with octopus, pressure gauge, dive computer and compass, buoyancy compensator, proper exposure protection, weight belt, primary dive light and backup light, and knife. Minimum tank requirements are two 100 cu. ft. tanks with a 19 to 30 cu. Ft. pony bottle or Double tanks.  Also required are an alternate ascent line (wreck reel and lift bag or jersey up-line with lift bag) and an underwater slate.

Prerequisites: Advanced Open Water, 18 years of age or older.  Nitrox Certification recommended but not required.

Class Size: Limited 4 students

Course Costs: $299.00

Charter Fees: $150.00

Book: $31.95
DVD: $29.95

Students are required to complete the following:

1. Watch the PADI Deep Diver DVD, read the PADI Deep Diver manual and complete all the Knowledge Review questions before the first night of class
2.  Review the PADI Recreational Dive Planner
3.  Complete the student record folder before class one and if a medical form is required, a PADI Medical Form must be signed by a doctor before the first class.  Students will not be able to attend the class if MASS Diving does not receive the medical form prior to class one.
    

Dry Suit
There is nothing like the enjoyment and comfort of diving dry. However, proper training is essential for dry suit diving. In our Dry Suit Program, you will learn the following:

Dry Suit and Undergarment Rental (Pool/Ocean): $70.00

Pool Training: Proper don and doff of the dry suit, buoyancy check at surface, proper descent and ascent, neutral buoyancy at depth, proper kicking and positioning techniques, emergency procedures, plus BCD removal and replacement at the surface and underwater.

Ocean Training:  Two dives are required for a PADI Dry Suit certification.
Dive 1:  Surface buoyancy check, neutralize buoyancy during ascent, neutral buoyancy fin pivot, hovering, tour, ascent with safety stop, and remove and replace tank/BC unit and weights at surface.
Dive 2:  Neutralize buoyancy during ascent, neutralize buoyancy at depth, disconnect and reconnect dry suit hose, tour, and ascent with safety stop.

Prerequisites: Minimum age is 12, Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Equipment Specialist
This course is designed to familiarize divers with the operation and maintenance of scuba equipment. In this course, the diver will acquire the basic knowledge in the following areas:

1.    Routine, recommended care and maintenance procedures and equipment storage of buoyancy compensators, tank valves, wet suits and regulators.
2.    Equipment theory, principles and operation of diving equipment.
3.    Troubleshooting minor problems in the field on regulators, tank valves, buoyancy compensators, and wet/dry suits.
4.    Hydro-Static Test and Visual Tank Inspection procedures.
5.    New equipment

The course will be conducted over two nights: one night devoted to an in-depth look at regulator operation and troubleshooting and the second night on hydro, VIP, and Visual Plus process, plus buoyancy compensators, exposure suits and tank valves.

Students will receive a PADI Equipment Specialty Certification.

This course is not designed to teach professional equipment repair on regulators and other dive equipment. Servicing life support equipment is only allowed by factory trained professionals who represents the manufacturer and repair equipment on a regular basis.

Cost: $99.00

Class size limit: 12 students

PADI Nitrox - Enriched Air Diver

Why dive Nitrox?
1. Safety - If used properly, Nitrox can add additional safety to your diving plan.
2. Stay down longer - Since you take in less nitrogen, the no decompression dive limits are extended and you will be able to stay down longer provided you have the air supply.  See table below for an example of maximum time limits using different Oxygen mixtures.

3. Less tired at the end of a dive day - Some people have reported that they feel better and less fatigued at the end of a dive day.

This course is designed to qualify recreational divers to use enriched air, "Nitrox", for no stop recreational diving. The program addresses the use of enriched air with 22 percent to 40 percent oxygen, with emphasis on the use of enriched air with 32 and 36 percent oxygen.

Prerequisites: Open Water Diver and 15 years of age or older.

Course Structure: The PADI Nitrox Course consists of home study and one classroom session.

Home Study:  Before the course start date, students must watch the PADI DVD, read the PADI Enriched Air Diver Manual, complete all the questions in the manual and complete all MASS Diving homework questions. Click here to download questions.

Things to bring: PADI materials, completed Knowledge Review questions, calculator, notebook and pen.

Tuition: $100.00 (Classroom Session Includes certification card)

Student Kits: (choose one. DVD can be shared, everyone needs their own book and tables)
Manual with 3 Tables - Nitrox 32%, 36% & Equivalent Air Depth/O2 Exposure $59.95
Manual, DVD with 3 Tables - Nitrox 32%, 36% & Equivalent Air Depth/O2 Exposure $89.95 

Ice Diver Course

In this course, students will learn:

1. The planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of ice diving.
2. Site selection, preparation and hole-cutting procedures.
3. Special equipment, safety lines, signals, communications, line tending and line-securing techniques.
4. Effects of cold, emergency procedures and safety-diver procedures.

Cost: $275.00 (includes instruction and certification card)

Classroom Materials required: Ice Diver Manual by Todd Smith $39.95

Prerequisites: Advanced Open Water Diver, completion of five documented logged dry suit dives or completion of a sanctioned dry suit course (required only if diving in a dry suit) and 18 years or older.

Equipment Required: Cold water regulator with alternate air source, pressure and depth gauge, timer, buoyancy control device, minimum two tanks, wet or dry suit, hood, boots, mitts (no gloves), ice cap (optional), weight belt with 2 buckles (adjusted for fresh water), mask, fins, knives, lights, and any other personal dive equipment. Pony bottles or equivalent redundant systems are required.

Night Diver

This course is designed to be an introduction to night diving and to help the diver develop the skills, knowledge and techniques necessary to safely participate in night-diving activities.

Complete three night dives on our MASS Diving Dive Program or on one of our group trips and you can apply for the PADI Night Diver Specialty!

Course Contents:
1. The planning, organizing, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of night diving. 
2. Proper procedures for buoyancy control, underwater navigation & communication. 
3. Use of dive lights and buddy system procedures. 
4. Disorientation and emergency procedures 
5. Orientation to nocturnal aquatic life. 

Cost: $125.00 Price includes instruction and certification card.

Manual: $31.95 Participants must read the manual before the first night dive.
DVD:  $29.99 (Optional)

Prerequisite: Jr. or Open Water Diver, 12 years of age or older.

Equipment Needed: Complete scuba outfit, a primary underwater light, a secondary back up light, and a tank light.

Underwater Naturalist

The PADI Underwater Naturalist Course is designed to give the recreational diver a greater understanding of the marine environment and a broader awareness of the relationships between marine organisms.

Classroom topics will cover basic concepts of marine ecology for both the North Atlantic and the Caribbean. We will also learn appropriate diving habits for observing and interacting with marine life and their habitat. Open water dives will combine practicing these diving habits as well as conducting basic underwater surveys.

Topics:
* Introduction to the aquatic realm, divers and their environment, general ecology of marine ecosystems.
* Survey of aquatic life and relationships between aquatic animals, animal I.D. techniques.
* Aquatic life mythology and human perception, responsible human interaction, discussion.

Three Open Water Dives

Dive 1: The identification and observation of marine species from several groups, identification and observation of marine relationships and interactions.
Dive 2: Survey of community structure and relationship of different marine habits.
Dive 3: Night dive - comparison of day and night differences in community structure and observation of marine species.

Recommended Texts: PADI Encyclopedia, Reef Fish, Reef Coral and Reef Creature Identification by Paul Humann and Marine Life of the North Atlantic by Andrew Martinez.

Equipment Required:  Full scuba equipment including 3 tanks, underwater slate, and whistle or signaling device.

Classroom and 3 Ocean Dives: $199.00
Classroom Sessions Only: $99.00

Prerequisites: Open Water Diver

Class Size: 14  Students

Underwater Navigator

This course is designed to be an introduction to underwater navigation and to help the student develop the skills and knowledge necessary for use in underwater navigation.

Prerequisites: Jr. or Open Water Diver, 12 years of age or older.

Class Size: 4 to 8 Students

The Underwater Navigator Course consists of academic sessions on the beach and three open water training dives.  The academic sessions will consist of:

1. Planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of underwater navigation. 

2. Methods of estimating distance underwater.

3. Natural navigation techniques.

4. Using underwater patterns.

5. Dive site relocation techniques.

6. Compass navigation techniques.

Tuition: $150.00

Manual: $31.95  Participants must have the manual completed before their dive.
DVD: $29.99
Nav-Finder: $34.99

Equipment Needed: Complete scuba outfit with compass, and underwater slate.

Peak Performance Buoyancy Pool

The purpose of the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Pool is to polish a diver's buoyancy control beyond the Open Water Diver level. The goal of this course is to enhance the diver's buoyancy control abilities through knowledge development and practical skill practice.

Prerequisites: Certified Jr. or Open Water Diver and be 12 years of age or older.

Class Size: 4 students

Course Content: 1 Hour classroom session at MASS Diving and 2-3 Hour pool session

Classroom session will consist of viewing the PADI Peak Performance DVD and discussing the pool topics.

The pool session will consist of:
1. Equipment Set-Up
2. Visualization and meditation
3. Buoyancy Check in shallow end
4. Weight positioning and distribution
5. Breathing Management
6. Fin Pivoting and breathing underwater
7. Fine-tuning buoyancy
8. Proper kicking techniques
9. Underwater Swimming - Streamlining
10. Hovering
11. Practice Time

Course Cost: $75.00

Peak Performance Buoyancy DVD: $29.99
Students must review the Peak Performance Buoyancy DVD before class.

Equipment: Highly recommended that you use your own equipment in the pool.  Tanks and weights are supplied.  If you do not have your own equipment, we can supply regulator, BCD, and wetsuit. Students must supply their mask, snorkel, fins and boots.

Peak Performance Buoyancy Ocean

The purpose of the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Course is to polish a diver's buoyancy control beyond the Open Water Diver level. The goal of this course is to enhance the diver's buoyancy control abilities through knowledge development and practical skill practice.

Prerequisites: Certified Jr. or Open Water Diver and be 12 years of age or older.

Class Size: 4 to 8 students

Course Content: This course will consist of academic sessions on the beach and  two ocean dives. In this course, you will learn Peak Performance Buoyancy fundamentals:

1. Buoyancy Check
2. Fine-tuning buoyancy underwater
3. Weight positioning and distribution
4. Streamlining
5. Visualization
6. Hovering
7. Establishing neutral buoyancy underwater throughout the dive
8. Breathing Management

Course Cost: $125.00

Peak Performance Buoyancy DVD: $29.99
Students must review the Peak Performance Buoyancy DVD before their dives.

Equipment: Standard scuba outfit for your diving environment.

Digital Underwater Photography

In this course, you will learn:


The course will consist of one lecture, two ocean dives, and one evening to critique your pictures.  Students can opt to take the lecture portion only

Classroom Sessions: $75.00
Student Kit: $44.95
Ocean Training Dive Fee: $125.00
Boat Fee not Included: (if Applicable)

Students must supply their own digital camera and strobe.

Prerequisites:  PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent and 12 years or older.

This site was created by Mark Potter & Matthew Herson of MASS Diving.
Please direct any questions and comments about this site to: mark@massdiving.com