Better Diver offers a full range of scuba and snorkeling classes to the general public. Whether you are looking to polish your diving skills or just beginning your underwater adventure, the possibilities are endless.
As a 5 Star SDI/TDI Professional Development Center, we offer a wide range of courses for the beginner, who wants to learn how to scuba dive, to our specialty and advanced technical courses that are conducted throughout the year. We also offer the SDI online courses for those who want to complete the classroom portion of their Open Water, Deep, Nitrox, Navigation, and Wreck certifications online. We also offer PADI (Professional Association of Diving instructors) and BSAC British Sub Aqua Club) courses as well. At Better Diver, you will experience a professional environment that is family-friendly and focused on your diving needs.
Do you want to get the best price in town for scuba gear, top of the line rental equipment and scuba class fees? We will meet any of our local competitors best price depending on the manufacturer. Military, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and EMS will get an additional 5% off for in store purchases, just to say thank you for serving.
We are Industry Leaders, not Followers.
We have made every effort to provide our customers a professional scuba training center that supports some of the industry's best scuba diving equipment manufacturers, access to an "indoor" heated pool, along with a large training room and a diverse experienced dive staff to help make your diving adventure complete.
We understand the importance of taking care of our customers and the consistency of delivering first class customer service, all the time. Our customers and students appreciate the real benefits of being associated with a professional organization that cares for its customers.
SDI ONLINE OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE: SDI makes it possible for you to complete all of the academic requirements for your entry-level diver certification on line. You can get started right now and, when you are done, complete your in-water skill-development sessions and final open-water training dives at an SDI Dive Center close to home, or at a popular vacation destination.
SDI ONLINE DEEP DIVING COURSE: The old-school way to earn Deep Diver specialty rating involved long hours in the classroom, pouring over books and charts and complex tables. No more. Through SDIs on-line training program, you can complete most of the required academic study online in the comfort and convenience of your home or office. And, as with all SDI programs, youll dive deep the modern way, using personal dive computers and modern techniques and you will earn your new rating by diving and having fun with your SDI instructor.
SDI ONLINE COMPUTER NITROX COURSE: Traditionally, becoming a Nitrox Diver required long hours in the classroom, learning how to work obscure formulas and use complex dive tables. No more. Through SDIs on-line training program, you can complete most of the required academic study in the comfort and convenience of your home or office. And, as with all SDI programs, you will learn to dive Nitrox the modern way, using Nitrox-programmable dive computers instead of arcane formulas and complicated tables.
SDI ONLINE NAVIGATION COURSE: Once again Scuba Diving International leads the way in the important area of interactive online learning with its launch today of a fully functional online SDI Underwater Navigation specialty course. Student and facility reaction to previous releases of online learning modules such as Open Water diver, Easy Nitrox diver and Deep diver have been overwhelmingly positive. This latest addition to SDIs growing online curriculum solidifies the companys commitment to presenting the very best in diver training in the most up-to-date and convenient format.
SDI ONLINE WRECK DIVER COURSE: Wreck diving can be one of the most exciting aspects of sport diving and can uncover pieces of history seen by few others, however every effort must be made to maximize safe diving techniques. The SDI Online Wreck Diver course will discuss and use equipment and techniques commonly employed while wreck diving. This course may be taught as a 1) non-penetration (2 total dives) or 2) limited-penetration (3 total dives) course. In the event of Limited Penetration Training, limited penetration is defined as swim through or within the ambient light of entry point,. Better Diver will teach you how to safely plan and execute wreck dives in a fun and enjoyable way.
On-line Open Water Program
1. Complete your on-line training then call us at 256-326-9053 to arrange your Review Session and Pool Training.
2. Come in for your three-hour review session. During this session you will complete some paperwork, review your online quizzes with your instructor and be introduced to and learn how to assemble and disassemble your scuba equipment. You will also pay the remainder of your course fee to Better Diver if the online course was purchased via the website when you enrolled. The course fee covers the Review, Confined, and Open Water training sessions.
3. The final phase of your SCUBA education is in-water skills training. This training is done in a confined water setting, most often in the swimming pool but occasionally at a local quarry. This phase may take anywhere from 3 to 9 hours depending upon how you progress in your skills. Both the review and the confined water phases of training can often be completed in one weekend. Contact us for more information or with any questions at 256-326-9053.
4. Before you can receive your SCUBA certification card, you must complete four Open Water check-out (or certification) dives. These can be completed with us or we can give you a Universal Referral Form so you can complete your check-out dives on your next vacation. The Universal Referral Form allows you to choose an Instructor from any Internationally recognized training agency to complete your dives with you.
Classroom Open Water Program
Our traditional course is for those who like a little bit more personal interaction with their Instructor. All of our Instructors share years of diving experiences from their travels around the globe, giving you real world application to what you are learning and why.
1. To get started, simply stop by the store and purchase the course (Agency of your choice.) You will start with Take Home Study, as you will receive books and/or DVDs (if applicable) and be given directions on how to proceed with homework to prepare yourself for the first of two three hour classroom sessions.
2. After or intermingled with completing your classroom sessions, you will also participate in two three hour pool sessions. During your classroom and pool work, you will receive very personalized attention. In addition, your instructor/s will provide you with their personal cell phone numbers so that you can reach them at any time with questions.
3. Upon Completion of the classroom and pool work you will go diving with your assigned instructors and complete your four open water checkout dives at one of many local quarries. If you prefer, you may choose to conduct your checkouts anywhere in the world as part of the Universal Referral Program.
Checkout Dive Information
Upon completion of any academic course and associated pool work, students must complete four open water checkout dives with a qualified Instructor. You may do your checkouts with us or we will give you a universal referral form that allows you to complete your checkouts with any qualified Instructor worldwide. When using the Universal Referral Form, you will negotiate the checkout price with the Instructor/Facility of your choosing.
We do not charge you for referral checkouts, however there is a $20 processing fee for your C-card upon your return. Please ask your Instructor for complete details. The card processing fee is waived when checkouts are completed with us.
* Use of BCD, Regulator, Wet suit, Tank, Weights and Weight-belt during checkouts.
* Four Checkout Dives with a Certified Instructor.
* Certification Card Upon Successful Completion.
Students will be required to have their own:
* Mask
* Fins
* Snorkel
* Boots
* Gloves
Your Instructor or store staff will be happy to help you with your selections.
We can conduct checkouts for any RSTC Referral that is accompanied by a RSTC Agency Referral Letter.
All of our On-line and Traditional Courses include all of the following:
* Complete Course Instruction by a Multi-Agency Certified Instructor
* Required Course Material
* Use of BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Tank, Weights, Weight-belt, computer and gauges during all pool sessions.
* 6 month subscription to Dive Training Magazine upon request
* Free DAN Student Membership or DiveAssure insurance coverage during the course upon request
* 10% off All Gear Purchases during the course