Deep Diver certification allows divers to explore deeper underwater environments that are beyond the typical recreational diving limits. This opens up new dive sites and opportunities to witness different marine life and geological features.  Deep diving requires additional skills and knowledge, including managing increased pressure, dealing with potential nitrogen narcosis, and using specialized equipment. The certification process helps divers develop these skills in a controlled and supervised environment.

PPB training focuses on fine-tuning buoyancy control, helping divers achieve and maintain neutral buoyancy effortlessly. This is essential for conserving energy, reducing air consumption, and preventing damage to the underwater environment.  PPB courses often cover specialized techniques for buoyancy control, such as using breath control, proper weighting, and trim adjustments. These techniques can significantly improve a diver’s ability to achieve and maintain neutral buoyancy.

Self-Reliant Diver, also referred to as Solo Diver, is a specialized scuba diving certification that allows a diver to plan and conduct dives without a buddy.  Before pursuing a Solo Diver certification, it’s recommended to have a solid foundation of diving experience, good buoyancy control, and a thorough understanding of dive planning and safety procedures.  Self-Reliant Diver emphasize self-sufficiency, emergency procedures, and advanced dive planning and can contribute to enhancing your overall diving skills, making you a more confident and capable diver.  Solo divers often carry redundant equipment, such as an additional air source, to mitigate certain risks. Proper training is essential to understand and use this equipment effectively.

Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) is a popular alternative breathing gas for scuba diving that has a higher oxygen content than regular air.  Enriched Air Nitrox reduces the amount of nitrogen that a diver absorbs during a dive. This can be particularly beneficial when conducting multiple dives in a single day, as it may reduce the risk of decompression sickness.  One of the primary advantages of using Enriched Air Nitrox is the potential for longer bottom times compared to diving with standard air. High levels of nitrogen in the breathing gas can lead to decompression limits, but by reducing the nitrogen content in the mix, divers can extend their no-decompression limits.

It’s important to note that while Enriched Air Nitrox offers certain advantages, it also introduces new considerations and safety measures. Divers need specialized training to use Enriched Air Nitrox, and equipment must be dedicated for use with this gas to prevent the risk of oxygen-related issues. Additionally, specific dive tables or dive computers calibrated for Enriched Air Nitrox must be used for planning and executing dives with this gas mixture.

Mastering underwater navigation builds confidence in divers and is essential for diver safety. Knowing how to navigate effectively underwater allows divers to explore dive sites more freely and with a greater sense of control, prevents getting lost and ensures a safe return to the entry point or boat.  Underwater navigation skills are crucial when conducting search and recovery operations for precision location and efficient search patterns.

It’s important to note that while Enriched Air Nitrox offers certain advantages, it also introduces new considerations and safety measures. Divers need specialized training to use Enriched Air Nitrox, and equipment must be dedicated for use with this gas to prevent the risk of oxygen-related issues. Additionally, specific dive tables or dive computers calibrated for Enriched Air Nitrox must be used for planning and executing dives with this gas mixture.

A Search and Recovery scuba certification is valuable for divers who want to develop specific skills and techniques related to locating and retrieving objects underwater.  Search and recovery training emphasizes responsible diving practices, including minimizing impact on the underwater environment. Divers are taught techniques to avoid disturbing marine life and habitats while conducting searches and recoveries.  Search and Recovery courses often include training in underwater navigation techniques. Divers learn to use compasses, natural navigation cues, and search patterns to locate specific points of interest underwater.

The Sunglass Hunter course combines underwater navigation, search & recovery and peak performance buoyancy skills to successfully locate the lost treasures in Lake Travis during your dive charter.  Divers will learn to assess above- and in-water conditions necessary to successfully hunt and retrieve sunglasses and other valuables lost byt party barge guests or boaters carelessly enjoying the lake.

The Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about advancing your skills. You’ll practice navigation and buoyancy, try deep diving and make three specialty dives of your choosing (it’s like a specialty sampler platter).  Every dive is conducted from Giant Stride, providing a platform to learn boat diving procedures commonly used during your dive adventures.

Wreck diving adds an element of adventure and exploration to the diving experience. Navigating through the corridors and compartments of a sunken ship or exploring the remnants of an aircraft can be both thrilling and fascinating, however, wreck diving involves additional risks and considerations compared to standard recreational diving. Wreck diving requires additional skills, such as proper buoyancy control, navigation through confined spaces, and the use of specialized equipment to enjoy wreck diving safely and responsibly.

Boat diving has its own set of safety protocols and considerations, operating procedures including equipment setup and storage, boat entry and exit techniques, understanding boat signals, and navigating boat traffic. The course helps you become familiar with these aspects to enhance your safety while diving from boats.