SCUBA

As part of the Oceans course students had the option to earn their SCUBA certification. Offered in collaboration with Beyond Land Adventures, and spearheaded by CD teachers and dive instructors Chris Uyeda and Stephanie Heinrich, the new scuba program was a first of its kind experience that was several years in the making.

All smiles!  The LJCDS dive crew after a beautiful morning at the Shores.  L to R: Patrick (instructor), Will, Arthur, Ishaq, Stephanie, Mr. U (Instructor).

Five students took the challenge and spent four days learning how to dive.  Their journey was divided into three parts.

Classroom Training

First, students engaged with a series of online tutorials which introduce the theory and practice of SCUBA.  Along the way, they completed quizzes, knowledge reviews, and a final exam to demonstrate their understanding of the key safety and practical concerns of diving.

Theory meets practice when you first get to handle the equipment.  Students set up their gear for the first time.

Arthur demonstrating how to attach the inflator hose to his BCD. 

Confined Water Training

Upon passing the classroom portion, students then moved into the pool to apply their theoretical knowledge into actual diving.   Pool training gives students a calm, clear, and shallow water environment in which they can safely learn and practice the key underwater skills.  The LJCDS crew headed up to the Fit Athletic Club in Carmel Mountain Ranch to blow their first bubbles underwater.   We were originally scheduled to spend three afternoons in the pool but the team mastered their skills so quickly we only needed two!

Confined water training.  The pool gives students a calm, clear, and shallow water environment to safely learn key safety skills.

When you’re putting on 40 pounds of dive gear you quickly understand one of the key rules of diving – always go with a buddy.

Students Stephanie and Arthur, and dive instructor Mr. Uyeda wrapping up for the day.

Open Water Training

The real fun begins in the final training when students head into the ocean.  The ocean introduces new environmental conditions – currents, reduced visibility, temperature gradients, and increased depth – that are critical training elements.  Students demonstrate that they can adequately perform the skills they learned in the pool with the addition of these factors.  We completed all our ocean training at La Jolla Shores over two full days of training.  Students showed up bright and early (6am!) to beat the crowds and take advantage of the best ocean conditions.  The team completed four training dives and by Sunday afternoon LJCDS welcomed its newest certified divers!

Students prepare for their first ocean training dive.  Setting up gear at Kennedy Park.

Pre-dive briefing at La Jolla Shores.  If you’ve never seen the shores this empty it’s because you’ve never been there at 6am!

Graduation!  Student hold their temporary dive cards (real ones are coming in the mail).