ADVANCED/SPECIALTY COURSE INFORMATION
OBP's 2022 spring/summer schedule is in progress. Classes will be added to the schedule as the year progresses. 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 Advanced Open Water Scuba, Dry Suit and other 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 the gear at the discounted prices made available to OBP Veterans at the dive shop.Equipment Program
OBP pays for the costs of OBP's Advanced Open Water Scuba, Dry Suit and other 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 the gear at the discounted prices made available to OBP Veterans at the dive shop.Equipment Program
MASSACHUSETTS CLASSES
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE CLASS INFORMATION
ADVANCED OPEN WATER CLASS INFORMATION
HOME STUDY TRAINING REQUIRED BEFORE ORIENTATION SESSION ON FIRST DIVE DAY
Before the first day of class you will need,
ORIENTATION CLASS
Orientation sessions will be held at the dive site location prior to the dives. You will be required to attend that orientation before you will be allowed to participate in the dives that follow.
Please bring your PADI Elearning Completion confirmation to the first orientation.
OPEN WATER DIVES
The Open Water Dives will include 2 afternoon shore dives and 1 night dive on Day 1 (Saturday), then 2 afternoon dives from a boat on Day 2 (Saturday), the following weekend.
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 MASS Diving. You will need to go into MASS Diving in advance of your course to be fitted for, and reserve, the scuba gear that you will need for this class. The necessary gear includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights and compass) and 3 tanks for the first day and 2 tanks for the second day (which will be available at OBP's cost).
HOME STUDY TRAINING REQUIRED BEFORE ORIENTATION SESSION ON FIRST DIVE DAY
Before the first day of class you will need,
- To complete the home study requirements, including completing the PADI Adventures in Diving elearning and complete the knowledge reviews for following chapters - Peak Performance Buoyancy, Navigation, Boat, Deep, Underwater Naturalist, and Night Diver sections prior to the Orientation Session.
- Once you have been accepted into the class, you will be sent an elearning code that will allow you to begin the Adventures in Diving online class. You will also need to go to MASS Diving, Inc, at 247 W. Central Street in Natick, MA to be fitted for, and reserve, the scuba gear that you will need for this course.
- IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOME STUDY, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OBP'S COURSE DIRECTOR, LAURA MCCALLION at 508-320-5087. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTION OR WOULD LIKE ANY ADAPTIVE SUPPORT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OBP.
- As part of the online training, you will be required to fill out PADI's Medical Questionnaire. If you answer yes to any medical question, you will need to get approval from your doctor before you can begin the class and your doctor will need to fill out the PADI Medical Form. PADI Medical Form..
- You have to have a PADI Open Water Certification (or equivalent) to participate in this class.
- You have to have dove in New England (or, subject to OBP's discretion, other cold water environment), within 2 months prior to class start date.
ORIENTATION CLASS
Orientation sessions will be held at the dive site location prior to the dives. You will be required to attend that orientation before you will be allowed to participate in the dives that follow.
Please bring your PADI Elearning Completion confirmation to the first orientation.
OPEN WATER DIVES
The Open Water Dives will include 2 afternoon shore dives and 1 night dive on Day 1 (Saturday), then 2 afternoon dives from a boat on Day 2 (Saturday), the following weekend.
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 MASS Diving. You will need to go into MASS Diving in advance of your course to be fitted for, and reserve, the scuba gear that you will need for this class. The necessary gear includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights and compass) and 3 tanks for the first day and 2 tanks for the second day (which will be available at OBP's cost).
MASS DIVING CLASS INFORMATION
ADVANCED OPEN WATER CLASS INFORMATION
HOME STUDY TRAINING REQUIRED BEFORE ORIENTATION CLASS
Before the first day of orientation you will need,
ORIENTATION CLASS
Orientation and class sessions are held at MASS Diving, 247 West Central Street, Natick, MA.
Please bring your PADI home study materials to orientation and PADI Medical Form to MASS Diving when you pick up your Adventures in Diving Manual and other study materials prior to orientation.
OPEN WATER DIVES
The Open Water Dives will include 2 shore dives on Day 1 (Saturday), 2 dives from a boat on Day 2 (Sunday) and a night shore dive on Day 3 (Saturday, the following weekend).
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 MASS Diving. You will need to go into MASS Diving in advance of your course to be fitted for, and reserve, the scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights and compass) and 2 tanks per day (which will be available at OBP's cost).
Additional class information is available at MASS Diving's website. massdiving.com, 508-651-0698.
HOME STUDY TRAINING REQUIRED BEFORE ORIENTATION CLASS
Before the first day of orientation you will need,
- To complete the home study requirements, including completing the Scuba Review section in the Adventures in Diving Manual, and reading the chapters and complete the knowledge reviews for following chapters - Peak Performance Buoyancy, Navigation, Boat, Deep, Underwater Naturalist, and Night Diver sections prior to the Orientation Night.
- You will need to go to MASS Diving before Orientation Night to pick up your Adventures in Diving Manual and other study materials and also to be fitted for, and reserve, the scuba gear that you will need for this course.
- MASS Diving will contact you to provide you the information necessary to prepare for the course. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOME STUDY, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT MASS DIVING. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTION OR WOULD LIKE ANY ADAPTIVE SUPPORT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OBP.
- To fill out PADI's Medical Questionnaire. If you answer yes to any medical question, you will need to get approval from your doctor before you can begin the class and your doctor will need to fill out the PADI Medical Form. PADI Medical Form..
- To have a PADI Open Water Certification (or equivalent).
- To have dove in New England (or, subject to MASS Diving's discretion, other cold water environment), within 2 months prior to class start date. See massdiving.com for scheduled shore and boat dives.
ORIENTATION CLASS
Orientation and class sessions are held at MASS Diving, 247 West Central Street, Natick, MA.
Please bring your PADI home study materials to orientation and PADI Medical Form to MASS Diving when you pick up your Adventures in Diving Manual and other study materials prior to orientation.
OPEN WATER DIVES
The Open Water Dives will include 2 shore dives on Day 1 (Saturday), 2 dives from a boat on Day 2 (Sunday) and a night shore dive on Day 3 (Saturday, the following weekend).
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 MASS Diving. You will need to go into MASS Diving in advance of your course to be fitted for, and reserve, the scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights and compass) and 2 tanks per day (which will be available at OBP's cost).
Additional class information is available at MASS Diving's website. massdiving.com, 508-651-0698.
PADI EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST CLASS INFORMATION
This class 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:
Routine, recommended care and maintenance procedures and equipment storage of buoyancy compensators, tank valves, wet suits and regulators.
Equipment theory, principles, and operation of diving equipment.
Troubleshooting minor problems in the field on regulators, tank valves, buoyancy compensators, and wet/dry suits.
Hydrostatic Test and Visual Tank Inspection procedures.
New equipment.
This class is conducted over 2 nights, one night devoted to an in-depth look at regulator operation and troubleshooting and the second night on the Hydro, VIP and VIP Plus process, plus buoyancy compensators, exposure suits, and tank dives.
This course is not designed to teach professional equipment repair on regulators and other dive equipment. Dive manufacturers require that their equipment be serviced by a factory-trained professional who represents the manufacturer and that they repair equipment on a regular basis.
This class 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:
Routine, recommended care and maintenance procedures and equipment storage of buoyancy compensators, tank valves, wet suits and regulators.
Equipment theory, principles, and operation of diving equipment.
Troubleshooting minor problems in the field on regulators, tank valves, buoyancy compensators, and wet/dry suits.
Hydrostatic Test and Visual Tank Inspection procedures.
New equipment.
This class is conducted over 2 nights, one night devoted to an in-depth look at regulator operation and troubleshooting and the second night on the Hydro, VIP and VIP Plus process, plus buoyancy compensators, exposure suits, and tank dives.
This course is not designed to teach professional equipment repair on regulators and other dive equipment. Dive manufacturers require that their equipment be serviced by a factory-trained professional who represents the manufacturer and that they repair equipment on a regular basis.
MARCH NITROX CLASS-MASS DIVING
This class is designed to familiarize divers with the use and benefits of Nitrox. In this course, the diver will acquire the basic knowledge in the following areas:
Safety - If used properly, Nitrox can add additional safety to your diving plan.
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.
Less tired at the end of a dive day - Some people have reported that they feel better and less fatigued at the end of the 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 are that you be an Open Water Diver and 12 years of age or older.
Before the day of class, you will need: , with emphasis on the use of enriched air with 32 and 36 percent oxygen.
Safety - If used properly, Nitrox can add additional safety to your diving plan.
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.
Less tired at the end of a dive day - Some people have reported that they feel better and less fatigued at the end of the 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 are that you be an Open Water Diver and 12 years of age or older.
Before the day of class, you will need: , with emphasis on the use of enriched air with 32 and 36 percent oxygen.
- To fill out PADI's Medical Questionnaire. If you answer yes to any medical question, you will need to get approval from your doctor before you can begin the class and your doctor will need to fill out the PADI Medical Form. PADI Medical Form.
- To complete the PADI eLearning Nitrox program.
MAY DRY SUIT CLASS-MASS DIVING
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: , with emphasis on the use of enriched air with 32 and 36 percent oxygen.
CLASS AND POOL 1
The class session is held at MASS Diving, 247 West Central Street, Natick, MA.
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 MASS Diving. On the first day of class you will be fitted at MASS Diving for the drysuit and other scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights 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 and compass) and 2 tanks (which will be available at OBP's cost).
Additional class information is available at MASS Diving's website. massdiving.com, 508-651-0698.
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: , with emphasis on the use of enriched air with 32 and 36 percent oxygen.
- To fill out PADI's Medical Questionnaire. If you answer yes to any medical question, you will need to get approval from your doctor before you can begin the class and your doctor will need to fill out the PADI Medical Form. PADI Medical Form.
- To complete the PADI eLearning Drysuit Course.
CLASS AND POOL 1
The class session is held at MASS Diving, 247 West Central Street, Natick, MA.
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 MASS Diving. On the first day of class you will be fitted at MASS Diving for the drysuit and other scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights 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 and compass) and 2 tanks (which will be available at OBP's cost).
Additional class information is available at MASS Diving's website. massdiving.com, 508-651-0698.
MAY RESCUE DIVER CLASS-MASS DIVING
The PADI 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 PADI leadership training: 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 PADI Divemaster training.
Five Chapters include the following topics:
Pool Skills (3 Sessions)
Open Water Dive Skills (2 Days)
Two Scenarios and 10 rescue skills:
Tired Diver, Panicked Diver, Response from Shore, Boat, or Dock (Responsive Diver), Distressed Diver Underwater, Missing Diver, Surfacing the Unresponsive Diver, Unresponsive Diver at the Surface, Exiting the Unresponsive Diver, First Aid for Pressure Related Injuries and O2 Administration, and Response from Shore, Boat, or Dock (Unresponsive Diver)
Additional Requirement for Certification
Prepare an Emergency Assistance Plan for a dive location
Equipment: Each student must provide his or her own complete set of equipment including an alternate air source. Equipment can be rented at a discount of 15% off.
Student Kit: PADI Rescue Diver Crewpack and DVD.
Rescue Crewpack Contains: PADI Rescue Manual, Pocket Mask, and accident workslate.
Prerequisites: Advanced Open Water, Minimum age 15, First Aid & CPR certified (by any authorized agency) before course begins, and in good cardiovascular health. Note: First Aid & CPR classes will be scheduled at MASS Diving closer to the Rescue Diver class.
Classroom session are conducted at MASS Diving, Inc., 247 West Central Street, Natick, MA. 508-651-0698
Pool sessions are conducted at the Wayland Community Pool - 258 Old Connecticut Path, Wayland, MA
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 PADI Divemaster training.
Five Chapters include the following topics:
- Psychology of Rescue
- Being Prepared for a Diver Emergency
- Accident Management
- Responding to Diver Emergencies
- Review & Written Exam
Pool Skills (3 Sessions)
- Chapter 1: Self Rescue Review, Tired Diver, and Panicked Diver
- Chapter 2: Response from Shore, Boat, or Dock (Responsive Diver)
- Chapter 3: Distressed Diver Underwater and Missing Diver
- Chapter 4: Surfacing the Unresponsive Diver and Unresponsive Diver at the Surface
- Chapter 5: Exiting the Unresponsive Diver, First Aid for Pressure Related Injuries, O2 Administration, and Response from Shore, Boat, or Dock (Unresponsive Diver)
Open Water Dive Skills (2 Days)
Two Scenarios and 10 rescue skills:
Tired Diver, Panicked Diver, Response from Shore, Boat, or Dock (Responsive Diver), Distressed Diver Underwater, Missing Diver, Surfacing the Unresponsive Diver, Unresponsive Diver at the Surface, Exiting the Unresponsive Diver, First Aid for Pressure Related Injuries and O2 Administration, and Response from Shore, Boat, or Dock (Unresponsive Diver)
Additional Requirement for Certification
Prepare an Emergency Assistance Plan for a dive location
Equipment: Each student must provide his or her own complete set of equipment including an alternate air source. Equipment can be rented at a discount of 15% off.
Student Kit: PADI Rescue Diver Crewpack and DVD.
Rescue Crewpack Contains: PADI Rescue Manual, Pocket Mask, and accident workslate.
Prerequisites: Advanced Open Water, Minimum age 15, First Aid & CPR certified (by any authorized agency) before course begins, and in good cardiovascular health. Note: First Aid & CPR classes will be scheduled at MASS Diving closer to the Rescue Diver class.
Classroom session are conducted at MASS Diving, Inc., 247 West Central Street, Natick, MA. 508-651-0698
Pool sessions are conducted at the Wayland Community Pool - 258 Old Connecticut Path, Wayland, MA
RHODE ISLAND CLASSES
DIVE ON IT SCUBA CLASS INFORMATION
ADVANCED OPEN WATER CLASS INFORMATION
HOME STUDY TRAINING REQUIRED BEFORE DAY 1
Before the first day of class, you will need,
OPEN WATER DIVES
Open Water Dives will include 2-3 shore dives on Day 1 and 2, including the night dive.
You will need to go into Dive on It Scuba in advance of your Open Water Dive Weekend to be fitted for, and reserve, the scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights and compass) and 2 tanks per day (which will be available at OBP's cost). YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO GO INTO DIVE ON IT SCUBA ON EACH DAY OF THE OPEN WATER DIVE WEEKEND TO PICK UP YOUR GEAR.
You will also need to bring your personal gear, including mask, snorkel, booties, fins and gloves.
Additional class information is available at Dive on It Scuba's website. diveonitscuba.com, 401-333-0002.
HOME STUDY TRAINING REQUIRED BEFORE DAY 1
Before the first day of class, you will need,
- To complete the home study requirements, including completing the Scuba Review section in the Adventures in Diving Manual, and reading the chapters and complete the knowledge reviews for following chapters - Peak Performance Buoyancy, Navigation, Boat, Deep, Underwater Naturalist, and Night Diver sections.
- You will need to go to Dive on It Scuba to pick up your Adventures in Diving Manual and other study materials and also to be fitted for, and reserve, the scuba gear that you will need for this course.
- Dive on It Scuba will contact you to provide you the information necessary to prepare for the course. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOME STUDY, OR WOULD LIKE ANY ADAPTIVE SUPPORT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OBP.
- To fill out PADI's Medical Questionnaire. If you answer yes to any medical question, you will need to get approval from your doctor before you can begin the class and your doctor will need to fill out the PADI Medical Form. PADI Medical Form.
- To have a PADI Open Water Certification (or equivalent).
- To have dove in New England (or, subject to Dive on It Scuba's discretion, other cold water environment), within 2 months prior to class start date. See diveonitscuba.com for scheduled shore and boat dives.
OPEN WATER DIVES
Open Water Dives will include 2-3 shore dives on Day 1 and 2, including the night dive.
You will need to go into Dive on It Scuba in advance of your Open Water Dive Weekend to be fitted for, and reserve, the scuba gear that you will need. This includes all scuba gear (regulator, SPG, BC, wetsuit, hood, weights and compass) and 2 tanks per day (which will be available at OBP's cost). YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO GO INTO DIVE ON IT SCUBA ON EACH DAY OF THE OPEN WATER DIVE WEEKEND TO PICK UP YOUR GEAR.
You will also need to bring your personal gear, including mask, snorkel, booties, fins and gloves.
Additional class information is available at Dive on It Scuba's website. diveonitscuba.com, 401-333-0002.