Welcome to Costa Rica! Thank you for choosing Oceans Unlimited and Go Pro Costa Rica as your PADI professional training destination. We look forward to welcoming you through our doors. Please read through the following information before you arrive, so that we can ensure that your stay with us is as enjoyable as possible. If you have any questions please don t hesitate to contact us at info@goprocostarica.com 1
Travel to the dive center It is recommended to fly into San Jose international airport (SJO) which is located approx 20 miles outside of San Jose. If looking to stay near the airport we recommend Alajuela backpackers or Hampton Inn. Shuttles (interbus or Grayline) are available twice daily from the airport to Manuel Antonio (8.30am, 3.30pm). Other options include private shuttle at $175 or you can get a direct bus which leaves from downtown San Jose, a $25 taxi ride. Transport Tracopa buses are $9, take 3 ½ hours and leave around 4 times a day direct and 4 times a day indirect (5 hours). Last bus leaves at 5pm. Another option is to fly into Quepos. Flights from San Jose to Quepos are 20 mins and available through Nature Air or Sansa airlines. These flights are about $80 each way but you have restrictions on your luggage, of only 20lb (about 10kg) per person so be aware that if taking this option, you may have to pay excessive extra baggage fees. On arrival in Quepos you can make your way to the marina to the dive shop if before 4pm or straight to your accommodation. If you are staying at one of the homestays please make sure you know which one has been arranged for you before you arrive. The homestays are all located approximately a 5 minute walk from the marina dive shop. There is a map below this, indicating the location of the three homestays and how to walk to the marina from the Quepos bus station. Please try and arrive before 4pm if you are arriving to the dive shop. If arriving after that time, please let us know and you will be given a contact number of the homestay so you can find your own way there. 2
General Info Local currency is the Costa Rican Colon (approx c500 to $1). Both $ and Colones are accepted locally, however you will tend to get a better rate in local stores with colones. Credit cards are also accepted widely and there are a number of ATMs in Quepos and Manuel Antonio that you can use to get dollars and colones. During the months of May through to November we recommend that you bring a lightweight rain jacket for when there are rains in the afternoons. Language spoken throughout Costa Rica is Spanish however a lot of locals will speak or understand english. It s a great opportunity to practice your languages! Food locally is relatively cheap if you are buying local cuisine, for example a casado which is a rice, beans and meat meal will cost around $7. In the marina complex where we are located there are a couple of cheaper options including a falafel bar, sandwich shop, sushi bar, ice cream parlor and a grill. 3
90 Day Visa On entering Costa Rica with either a US, Canadian or European passport you will normally be granted a 90 day visa. You can extend your passport for an additional 90 days if you leave the country for at least 24 hours. The easiest way from Manuel Antonio is to take a car or bus to the panamanian border and cross, then to stay in the city of David for the night before crossing back over. David is located 20 minutes from the Panamanian border. To cross you will need to have a ticket leaving panama, ( a bus ticket for $20 can be purchased at the border) and show proof of $500 or a credit card statement showing that. To cross back into Costa Rica you will need to have a ticket showing that you are leaving Costa Rica and returning to your country of residence. These items are not always asked for but it is best to be prepare. Other options for your 90 day visa are to cross the northern border into Nicaragua and stay in San Juan Del Sur for a couple of days, which is a great surf town. Where will you be training? Oceans Unlimited 5* IDC center is located at the Marina Pez Vela in downtown Quepos. Quepos is a small town on the central pacific coast of Costa Rica, approximately 2 ½ hours from San Jose. At the site we have our main office, retail store, classroom facility and equipment area and boat. Pool training facilities are located nearby at local hotel complexes. High and Low season Costa Rica has 2 seasons, the wet and the dry. The dry season is from December 1st until April 30th. Costa Rica does experience rain all year round though, remember, you are in the rainforest! During the "dry season" we may have no rain for a couple of weeks on end. Once the rains start, on most days, there will be showers in the afternoon or evening. It will be slightly cooler as well. This can affect visibility with the dry season ranging from 15 to 60ft and the rainy season from 10 to 40ft. There is still lots of life and one of the big advantages is that you are able to really perfect your navigational and control skills. 4
Our dive season runs from November 1st until the end of September as October has a tendency to have lots of rain and the tourism is very slow. This is the month that we pull our boat from the water to perform maintenance. We accept interns all year though as even in October, we open, mostly to do equipment maintenance and if they want to, students can shore dive off of the local bay. If you really want to learn the ins and outs of a dive resort and brush up on your equipment servicing skills this is a great time to be here. During the rainy season another advantage is that the surf is better, so Go Pro students can practice their surfing skills as well as their diving skills. What should I bring? Materials and Books If completing a Go Pro package all materials and books are included in your package. Books are available to be picked up from the center before the start of class. Please check the list of specific program lists later in this booklet to ensure that you are prepared for your class. If completing online study all portions of online study must be completed before the first day of class. Equipment If completing a Go Pro package you must have your own mask, fins, snorkel, compass, cutting device, dive computer/watch and signaling devices (SMB and whistle). BCD and regulator rental are included in your package, however you it is recommended that you have your own. If needed, all equipment is available for purchase from the dive center with a student discount. Medical All students must complete a medical which is attached to this handout and it must be signed of by a doctor stating that you are fit to dive. If you have a previous medical it must be valid and no older than 1 year. Medicals are available in Quepos at a local doctor for a cost of $60. Medicals must be printed out and must be handed in by the end of the first day, otherwise you will be unable to dive until it has been completed. 5
Before class Make sure you have ample time to study and prepare and complete any precourse assignments. There is always option prep days for all courses, but it is for you to schedule the time if you would like to cover additional theory prep or dive skill refresh. First day of class Please bring all of your books and slates as well as your equipment you may need in the pool/ocean. Please also bring your completed medical, passport photos and a calculator if completing your instructor course. Internships at Oceans Unlimited If completing your program as part of an internship you will be completely involved with all aspects of the day to day running of the dive center. You will be expected to be at the dive center 6 days a week, it is your responsibility to make sure you get your day off. The week runs from Friday to Thursday. During your days at the dive center you will be involved in a number of different dive activities. The shop opens at 7am. If you are on the morning dive trip, you will need to be there at 7am to assist with preparing the divers and the boat for the trip. The trip returns at 12.00pm at which point the afternoon trip will leave. Following the trip you will assist with equipment clean up, and tank filling if needed. Most days if just involved with the trip you will be finished by around 2.30pm when you then have the rest of the day free. If just diving in the afternoon, you will not need to be at the dive shop until 10.30am to prepare for the afternoon trip and then will finish at around 6pm. Some days you may not be diving and just working in the pool with students, or in the classroom area. These days may be shorter. Other days you may be working on a pool session first and then diving in the afternoon. Everyday varies. Some students may be asked to assist in the office making reservations and answering the phones either in the morning or the afternoon, you may also be asked to assist with any of the social media channels that the shop has. All of these things are part and parcel of the running of a dive business. If in doubt, please just ask. 6
General Rules Around the marina, store, the equipment room, classroom and on the dive boat it is a smoke free zone at all times. No wet clothes are permitted in the classroom area at any time so if in the pool and/or ocean during the day, please ensure you bring a set of dry clothes. Tardiness is not permitted for classes and if needed make-up classes may be scheduled at additional cost to the student. No alcohol is permitted before or during classes or dive sessions. Final payment of all tuition must be made before the end of the first day of class. No cel phones are permitted during classroom sessions Please be courteous and attentive at all classroom sessions Store The Store is open from Monday to Sunday 7am - 5pm. 8pm during high season. Wifi is available around the office and classroom area Students are not permitted to use shop computers for personal use. Equipment Shop All student equipment is to be stored in the designated personal area of the equipment room. All personal gear must be labeled clearly. If renting regulator or BCD from Oceans Unlimited, it must be returned to the rental line after every use. If students dive on their spare time and rent Oceans Unlimited equipment, they must sign out all equipment on the sign out list and return all equipment including weights after every use 7
Please read carefully before signing. This is a statement in which you are informed of some potential risks involved in scuba diving and of the conduct required of you during the scuba training program. Your signature on this statement is required for you to participate in the scuba training program offered by and Instructor located in the Facility city of, state/province of. Read this statement prior to signing it. You must complete this Medical Statement, which includes the medical questionnaire section, to enroll in the scuba training program. If you are a minor, you must have this Statement signed by a parent or guardian. Diving is an exciting and demanding activity. When performed correctly, applying correct techniques, it is relatively safe. When Divers Medical Questionnaire To the Participant: The purpose of this Medical Questionnaire is to find out if you should be examined by your doctor before participating in recreational diver training. A positive response to a question does not necessarily disqualify you from diving. A positive response means that there is a preexisting condition that may affect your safety while diving and you must seek the advice of your physician prior to engaging in dive activities. Could you be pregnant, or are you attempting to become pregnant? Are you presently taking prescription medications? (with the exception of birth control or anti-malarial) Are you over 45 years of age and can answer YES to one or more of the following? currently smoke a pipe, cigars or cigarettes have a high cholesterol level have a family history of heart attack or stroke are currently receiving medical care high blood pressure diabetes mellitus, even if controlled by diet alone Have you ever had or do you currently have Asthma, or wheezing with breathing, or wheezing with exercise? Frequent or severe attacks of hayfever or allergy? Frequent colds, sinusitis or bronchitis? Any form of lung disease? Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)? Other chest disease or chest surgery? Behavioral health, mental or psychological problems (Panic attack, fear of closed or open spaces)? Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions or take medications to prevent them? Recurring complicated migraine headaches or take medications to prevent them? Blackouts or fainting (full/partial loss of consciousness)? Frequent or severe suffering from motion sickness (seasick, carsick, etc.)? MEDICAL STATEMENT Participant Record (Confidential Information) established safety procedures are not followed, however, there are increased risks. To scuba dive safely, you should not be extremely overweight or out of condition. Diving can be strenuous under certain conditions. Your respiratory and circulatory systems must be in good health. All body air spaces must be normal and healthy. A person with coronary disease, a current cold or congestion, epilepsy, a severe medical problem or who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not dive. If you have asthma, heart disease, other chronic medical conditions or you are taking medications on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor and the instructor before participating in this program, and on a regular basis thereafter upon completion. You will also learn from the instructor the important safety rules regarding breathing and equalization while scuba diving. Improper use of scuba equipment can result in serious injury. You must be thoroughly instructed in its use under direct supervision of a qualified instructor to use it safely. If you have any additional questions regarding this Medical Statement or the Medical Questionnaire section, review them with your instructor before signing. Please answer the following questions on your past or present medical history with a YES or NO. If you are not sure, answer YES. If any of these items apply to you, we must request that you consult with a physician prior to participating in scuba diving. Your instructor will supply you with an RSTC Medical Statement and Guidelines for Recreational Scuba Diver s Physical Examination to take to your physician. Signature Date Signature of Parent or Guardian Date 8 Dysentery or dehydration requiring medical intervention? Any dive accidents or decompression sickness? Inability to perform moderate exercise (example: walk 1.6 km/one mile within 12 mins.)? Head injury with loss of consciousness in the past five years? Recurrent back problems? Back or spinal surgery? Diabetes? Back, arm or leg problems following surgery, injury or fracture? High blood pressure or take medicine to control blood pressure? Heart disease? Heart attack? Angina, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery? Sinus surgery? Ear disease or surgery, hearing loss or problems with balance? Recurrent ear problems? Bleeding or other blood disorders? Hernia? Ulcers or ulcer surgery? A colostomy or ileostomy? Recreational drug use or treatment for, or alcoholism in the past five years? The information I have provided about my medical history is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I agree to accept responsibility for omissions regarding my failure to disclose any existing or past health condition. PRODUCT NO. 10063 (Rev. 06/07) Ver. 2.01 PADI 1989, 1990, 1998, 2001, 2007 Page 1 of 6 Recreational Scuba Training Council, Inc. 1989, 1990, 1998, 2001, 2007
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Pool area During all pool sessions, students enrolled in Go Pro programs must be wearing minimum of a rash guard and shorts, or a wetsuit. Soft weight belts must be worn in the pool at all times No glassware around the pool area. Please shower before entering the pool and rinse all equipment upon leaving the pool. Please keep all of your equipment organized during your pool sessions and confined to the designated area. Materials and Equipment List Divemaster Must Bring to course: Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Dive Computer (or watch), Compass, 2 surface signaling devices, reel, cutting device, RDP. Also you must have a medical signed off by a doctor stating that you are fit to dive. This must be dated within one year. Recommended: BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit (can be rented) Instructor course Must Bring to course: Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Dive Computer (or watch), Compass, 2 surface signaling devices, reel, cutting device, Calculator, erdpml, RDP, PADI instructor manual (latest edition), Encyclopedia of recreational diving. Also you must have a medical signed off by a doctor stating that you are fit to dive. This must be dated within one year. Recommended : BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit (can be rented) Before the start of the IDC you must have all of your PADI online sections completed. 10
Accommodation Options There are 3 main options that we offer to all Go Pro students but you have many to choose from depending on your budget and needs. Manuel Antonio has a large selection of hotels and condos available so if you have any questions or specific needs please just let us know. Option 1 - Dorm rooms nearby hostels Located in downtown Quepos, there is a hostel that we would recommend called the Wide mouth frog. Further up the road into Manuel Antonio is Hostel Plinio, surrounded by jungle and wildlife. Both a great locations and just a short walk from the center (approx 20 minutes) These are currently available at $15 a night. There is wifi available at the hostels here as well as a kitchen you have access to. Option 1 - Homestays One of our most popular options. For $115 a week you will stay in a semi-private (shared with one or max 2 other students) room in a local family house that we have been working with for a number of years. This is a great chance to practice your spanish and really immerse yourself in the culture. Included in the homestay is breakfast,dinner and laundry service. The house also includes wifi, cable tv and is next door to a local surf instructor who is available for consultation on board rentals or surf spots. Hammocks are also available at the house for chilling out! The Go Pro house fills early so if it is full, there are other home stays nearby which we can arrange. When space opens up you can then move if you would like. There are two other Homestays with private rooms with shared bathroom for $130 a week. Option 3 - Apartment Manuel Antonio and Quepos have a large selection of apartments to rent. These can range from $300 a month for very basic and up. Our best suggestion is to look when you arrive as we can then guide you into your choice, and make sure 11
you have seen the apartment before you make the best decision. Learning Agreement with Oceans Unlimited & Go Pro Welcome to your Diving Program here in Costa Rica. Diving courses are meant to be fun, but like any form of learning, you will need to invest some time and effort reading and studying. This agreement is between you (the Go Pro student) and Oceans Unlimited Costa Rica instructional staff. regarding our mutual responsibilities in this program. You will be working in a different level of diving than recreational divers;the course training, requirements and responsibilities are greater, given the fact that from this moment on you are training to become a pro as either a divemaster or instructor. As you invest more of yourself into the program, more will be expected from you in areas such as professionalism, leadership demonstrations and safe diving practices. In the future recreational divers will be looking to you for support, leadership and training. We will endeavor to assist you in developing the skills you will need to succeed in the professional diving world. Go Pro student responsibilities The Go Pro student agrees to study independently as specified by the instructor. In general, this means that before each class session, the student will: Complete assigned course work / study prior to each session Come to class prepared to learn and actively participate in all sessions In addition, the Go Pro student agrees to: Follow all course procedures as set forth by your instructor Ask questions about anything not understood Show up for all sessions on time and prepared If the student turns up to class but has failed to complete and turn in assignments, or if failing to arrive on time, it may be necessary to make up the work and continue the class at a later date. The student is responsible for additional costs and or / inconvenience this causes. Rescheduling costs are $50 per session. Consumption of alcohol and / or drugs is strictly prohibited prior or during any course sessions. If found under the influence of drugs or alcohol (or in the possession of drugs) 12
at any time during course hours, the first time you will be reminded and receive a written notification of your infraction, the second time, you will be terminated from the course immediately without refund. (Note: if the first violation is of sufficient nature, management reserves the right to terminate the course immediately.) If you are diving or in the shop the following day, all consumption of alcohol etc must be ceased no less than 8 hours prior to starting at the dive centre. Internships If completing an internship during your Divemaster or instructor program, the following will be expected; During a standard week of 7 days, you will participate in 6 days of training. All days start at 7am unless specifically informed otherwise by your instructor. If completing pool sessions or assisting other classes check with your instructor first if there is a different start time as you then may not need to come in at 7am. If diving on the afternoon boat, with no classes in the morning, your day will start at 10.30am. A standard week runs from Friday to Thursday. It is your responsibility to ensure that you get a day off a week, so please communicate with your course supervisor/staff which day you will be taking off. During your day off you are not permitted to scuba dive at the shop as it is your chance to off-gas If you would like to accumulate days off so you can travel, or explore the area, that is fine but again please communicate this with your supervisor/staff. As some class/diving sessions need to be completed with the rest of the group, if already scheduled, so time off from the program must be planned. During all shop activities and dive excursions you are expected to represent yourself as a staff member and so conduct yourself accordingly and professionally. Instructor/Staff responsibilities Instructor/Staff agree to: 13
Start the course as scheduled Provide a positive learning environment Answer the students questions to the best of their abilities Assist the student through learning challenge All course objectives must be met before a student can be certified, in the event of any student/staff disagreements, management will be the final arbitration of the dispute. Student signature Date Oceans Unlimited Authorized Signature)Date Internship/Program Dates Start Date:_ End Date:_ Please note internship dates for a Divemaster program starting with 40 dives is 6 weeks, and 8 weeks if starting with 20-40. Pro Student signature Date Oceans Unlimited Management Signature_Date Your plan is Internship without internship_ Name of program signed up for Accommodation If staying at Homestay, which homestay Any special conditions (e.g. prearranged time away etc) 14
Date Go Pro Reservations Oceans Unlimited Credit Card Reservation Form Name on Credit Card Passport Number Home Address Email Phone / Fax Hotel / Residence in Costa Rica _ Course/Package Start Date I here by authorize Costa Rica Oceans Unlimited, to use my card for reservation purposes only, for the amount I have noted below and signed for. I understand that Oceans unlimited will provide me with copies of any receipts that occurred from any charges made. Please complete all information on the form, if known, and when possible have the credit card owner sign the form. Then please scan and Email this form for our confidential Accounting Department files. Refunds or cancellations, if any, adhere to attached form. ( ) VISA ( ) Master Card Number Expiration Date Issue Date (if any) _ Total Course Fee_ Deposit Additional Comments Signature Holder _ Please Tick that you have read and understand our cancellation policies. *** Please Return by email *** Email: info@goprocostarica.com 15
Cancellation Policies for Oceans Unlimited as a Go Pro Student If necessary, please report cancellations by telephone, email or fax. To reserve a go pro course requires a $500 deposit. Cancellation Summaries. Cancellations more than 4 weeks before date of your first activity - refund of deposit minus $50 booking fee Cancellations less than 4 weeks before date of your first activity - 50% refund of deposit Cancellations 14 or less days before the date of your first activity - No refund of $500 deposit. Change of itinerary and class rescheduling subject to availability and may incur a rescheduling fee. At start of package and courses all fees must be paid in full. If classes are cancelled after start date refunds are only offered at the discretion of the program director on a case by case basis and are not guaranteed. please understand that at Oceans Unlimited we offer small personalized classes and if cancelled at short notice may be difficult to refill available spots. If there are any questions in regard to these policies, please contact us. 16
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