SPECIALTY COURSE INFORMATION
OBP's 2023 Refresher, Dry Suit and Rescue Class schedules are in progress and will be posted shortly. Each class will have a scheduled application period for submission of applications (including the applicant's DD214, Medical Statement and other required documentation). OBP requires a $200 refundable deposit in order to ensure that you show up for your reserved spot for your scheduled classes on the scheduled dates. The deposit will be refunded on completion of your reserved certification class. Kindly consider your schedule carefully when you apply/register.
OBP pays for the costs of OBP's Specialty Classes, including the home study materials, the pool gear (other than the personal gear), the shore and ocean dive gear rental costs (on a first come, first served basis), the boat charter costs (if applicable) and the pool and ocean training costs.
If the OBP gear is not available for the shore and ocean dives, the Veteran will need to rent OBP gear which is available to OBP Veterans under the OBP Equipment Program at Portsmouth SCUBA.
TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIALTY CLASS SCHEDULES AND SIGN UP FOR A SPECIALTY CLASS, CLICK THE BLUE LINK BELOW. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OPERATION BLUE PRIDE WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
Specialty Course Schedule
OBP pays for the costs of OBP's Specialty Classes, including the home study materials, the pool gear (other than the personal gear), the shore and ocean dive gear rental costs (on a first come, first served basis), the boat charter costs (if applicable) and the pool and ocean training costs.
If the OBP gear is not available for the shore and ocean dives, the Veteran will need to rent OBP gear which is available to OBP Veterans under the OBP Equipment Program at Portsmouth SCUBA.
TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIALTY CLASS SCHEDULES AND SIGN UP FOR A SPECIALTY CLASS, CLICK THE BLUE LINK BELOW. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OPERATION BLUE PRIDE WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
Specialty Course Schedule
RESCUE CLASS-PORTSMOUTH SCUBA
The Rescue Diver course will change the way you dive – in the best possible way. Learn to identify and fix minor issues before they become big problems, gain a lot of confidence and have serious fun along the way.
Discover why countless divers say Rescue Diver is their favorite scuba course. Rescue Diver Course is a crucial step in the development of a diver whose desire is to expand his or her knowledge and experience beyond a purely recreational level. The rating is also a pre-requisite for all Scuba Professional Training, such as Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Open Water Instructor. This course is designed to develop the necessary knowledge and skills for individuals to effectively perform diver rescues and assists, manage diving accident situations, render proper first aid, and qualify for Scuba Professional Training.
Learn how to think like a Rescue Diver through home study (e-Learning-time commitment approximately 8-12 hours) and skill practice with an instructor. The Rescue Diver Course topics include Self-Rescue, Diver Stress, Diving First Aid, Equipment, Basic Life Support, Choking, Shock, Near-Drowning, and Emergency Management. Divers then go to the pool where students practice approaching victims, evaluating conditions, calming the victim, and transportation of the victim. Other topics deal with a panicked diver, a EFR Primary and Secondary Care training (or qualifying training) within the last 2 years, a missing diver, an unconscious diver, and using the boat or shore for assistance.
Prerequisites for this class require that:
PLEASE SEND YOUR COMPLETED MEDICAL STATEMENT AND YOUR CERTIFICATIONS OF YOUR EFR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CARE TRAINING (OR QUALIFYING TRAINING) WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ON RECEIPT THE E-LEARNING CODES FOR THE RESCUE CLASS AND, IF NECESSARY, THE EFR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CARE TRAINING WILL BE SENT TO YOU.
The orientation class (1 hour) and the EFR Primary and Secondary Care training (3-4 hours) will be held at Portsmouth SCUBA, 915 Sagamore Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-4887 prior to Pool 1. You will be required to attend the orientation class and, if you do not have the required EFR Primary and Secondary Care training, the EFR Primary and Secondary Care training before you will be allowed to participate in the dives that follow.
Please bring your PADI eLearning Completion confirmation to the orientation class.
POOL 1 AND 2
Please bring your personal gear (mask, snorkel, hood, fins, boots and gloves). If you do not already own this personal gear, it is available for purchase at a discount at OBP affiliated dive shops. On the first day of class you will be fitted for the weight suit and other scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights, computer and compass) and tanks (which will be available at OBP's cost).
The pool dives will be at the Portsmouth YMCA Pool.
OPEN WATER DIVES
The Open Water Dives will include 2 shore dives on each of Dive Day 1 and Dive Day 2. The shore dives will be at Front Beach (or other Cape Ann Beach as conditions require), Rockport/Gloucester, MA.
You will need to bring your personal gear (mask, snorkel, hood, fins, boots and gloves), and all other scuba gear that you will need to the ocean for your Open Water Dives. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights, computer and compass) and tanks (which will be available at OBP's cost).
CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE RESCUE CLASS SCHEDULE. Specialty Course Schedule
Additional class information is available at Portsmouth SCUBA's website. www.portsmouthscuba.com
Discover why countless divers say Rescue Diver is their favorite scuba course. Rescue Diver Course is a crucial step in the development of a diver whose desire is to expand his or her knowledge and experience beyond a purely recreational level. The rating is also a pre-requisite for all Scuba Professional Training, such as Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Open Water Instructor. This course is designed to develop the necessary knowledge and skills for individuals to effectively perform diver rescues and assists, manage diving accident situations, render proper first aid, and qualify for Scuba Professional Training.
Learn how to think like a Rescue Diver through home study (e-Learning-time commitment approximately 8-12 hours) and skill practice with an instructor. The Rescue Diver Course topics include Self-Rescue, Diver Stress, Diving First Aid, Equipment, Basic Life Support, Choking, Shock, Near-Drowning, and Emergency Management. Divers then go to the pool where students practice approaching victims, evaluating conditions, calming the victim, and transportation of the victim. Other topics deal with a panicked diver, a EFR Primary and Secondary Care training (or qualifying training) within the last 2 years, a missing diver, an unconscious diver, and using the boat or shore for assistance.
Prerequisites for this class require that:
- You fill out a Medical Statement. 2023_diver_medical_form.pdf. Please read the Medical Statement closely. If you answer yes to certain medical questions, you will need to get approval from your doctor before you can begin the class and your doctor will need to fill out the Medical Statement.
- You have an Advanced Open Water certification and are comfortable diving.
- You have EFR Primary and Secondary Care training (or qualifying training) within the last 2 years. If you do not have these qualifications, Portsmouth SCUBA can certify you (at OBP's cost).
- To complete the PADI eLearning Rescue Diver Course.
PLEASE SEND YOUR COMPLETED MEDICAL STATEMENT AND YOUR CERTIFICATIONS OF YOUR EFR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CARE TRAINING (OR QUALIFYING TRAINING) WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ON RECEIPT THE E-LEARNING CODES FOR THE RESCUE CLASS AND, IF NECESSARY, THE EFR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CARE TRAINING WILL BE SENT TO YOU.
- ORIENTATION AND EFR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CARE TRAINING
The orientation class (1 hour) and the EFR Primary and Secondary Care training (3-4 hours) will be held at Portsmouth SCUBA, 915 Sagamore Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-4887 prior to Pool 1. You will be required to attend the orientation class and, if you do not have the required EFR Primary and Secondary Care training, the EFR Primary and Secondary Care training before you will be allowed to participate in the dives that follow.
Please bring your PADI eLearning Completion confirmation to the orientation class.
POOL 1 AND 2
Please bring your personal gear (mask, snorkel, hood, fins, boots and gloves). If you do not already own this personal gear, it is available for purchase at a discount at OBP affiliated dive shops. On the first day of class you will be fitted for the weight suit and other scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights, computer and compass) and tanks (which will be available at OBP's cost).
The pool dives will be at the Portsmouth YMCA Pool.
OPEN WATER DIVES
The Open Water Dives will include 2 shore dives on each of Dive Day 1 and Dive Day 2. The shore dives will be at Front Beach (or other Cape Ann Beach as conditions require), Rockport/Gloucester, MA.
You will need to bring your personal gear (mask, snorkel, hood, fins, boots and gloves), and all other scuba gear that you will need to the ocean for your Open Water Dives. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights, computer and compass) and tanks (which will be available at OBP's cost).
CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE RESCUE CLASS SCHEDULE. Specialty Course Schedule
Additional class information is available at Portsmouth SCUBA's website. www.portsmouthscuba.com
DRY SUIT CLASS - PORTSMOUTH SCUBA
This class is designed to familiarize divers with the use and benefits of diving dry. However, proper training is essential for drysuit diving. In this course, you will learn the following:
Drysuit materials
Proper selection and fit
Choosing the proper undergarment
Care and maintenance
The academics and technical aspects of diving dry
Proper diving technique
This course is a prerequisite for drysuit rentals.
Prerequisites are that you be an Open Water Diver and 15 years of age or older.
Before the first day of class, you will need:
CLASS AND POOL 1
The class session is held at Portsmouth Scuba, 915 Sagamore Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-4887.
The pool dive will be at the Portsmouth YMCA Pool.
Please bring your personal gear (mask, snorkel, hood, fins, boots and gloves). If you do not already own this personal gear, it is available for purchase at a discount at OBP affiliated dive shops. On the first day of class you will be fitted for the drysuit and other scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights, computer and compass) and 1 tank (which will be available at OBP's cost).
OPEN WATER DIVES
The Open Water Dives will include 2 shore dives on the second day of class.
You will need to bring your personal gear (mask, snorkel, hood, fins, boots and gloves), and all other scuba gear that you will need to the ocean for your Open Water Dives. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights, computer and compass) and 2 tanks (which will be available at OBP's cost).
CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE DRY SUIT CLASS SCHEDULE. Specialty Course Schedule
Additional class information is available at Portsmouth SCUBA's website. portsmouthscuba.com
Drysuit materials
Proper selection and fit
Choosing the proper undergarment
Care and maintenance
The academics and technical aspects of diving dry
Proper diving technique
This course is a prerequisite for drysuit rentals.
Prerequisites are that you be an Open Water Diver and 15 years of age or older.
Before the first day of class, you will need:
- To fill out the Medical Statement. 2023_diver_medical_form.pdf. Please read the Medical Statement closely. If you answer yes to certain medical questions, you will need to get approval from your doctor before you can begin the class and your doctor will need to fill out the Medical Statement.
- To complete the PADI eLearning Drysuit Course.
CLASS AND POOL 1
The class session is held at Portsmouth Scuba, 915 Sagamore Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-4887.
The pool dive will be at the Portsmouth YMCA Pool.
Please bring your personal gear (mask, snorkel, hood, fins, boots and gloves). If you do not already own this personal gear, it is available for purchase at a discount at OBP affiliated dive shops. On the first day of class you will be fitted for the drysuit and other scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights, computer and compass) and 1 tank (which will be available at OBP's cost).
OPEN WATER DIVES
The Open Water Dives will include 2 shore dives on the second day of class.
You will need to bring your personal gear (mask, snorkel, hood, fins, boots and gloves), and all other scuba gear that you will need to the ocean for your Open Water Dives. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights, computer and compass) and 2 tanks (which will be available at OBP's cost).
CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE DRY SUIT CLASS SCHEDULE. Specialty Course Schedule
Additional class information is available at Portsmouth SCUBA's website. portsmouthscuba.com