Open Water SCUBA Diving at Glendale Community College Syllabus PED101SU, Section 16077 Spring 2013 Class Room: Saturdays Jan. 19-Feb. 26 11:00-12:00 P2 Pool Dives: Saturdays Feb. 2-March 9 12:00-16:00 GCC Pool Lake Dives: Sundays March 3 & 10 08:00-13:00 Lake Pleasant Instructor: Robert H. Reavis, Ph.D. PADI* Master SCUBA Diver Trainer # 153282 Office: Life Science (LS) 221 Office Hours: MTWRF: 09:00-09:50 Telephone: 623.845.3277 e-mail: robert.reavis@gccaz.edu Web page: http://gccaz.edu/~rreavis/ Course Description This course introduces students to the theory and practice of SCUBA diving (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus). The course includes five classroom sessions, five pool dives and four open water dives. Successful students receive PADI* Open Water SCUBA certification. Text & Materials PADI Open Water Dive Manual with Dive Tables, PADI Open Water Dive DVD and PADI Dive Log - supplied at the first class meeting. Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Booties, and a Whistle. Fins should allow the diver to wear booties for thermal protection. Students must obtain by first pool session. You will also need to have a hood for our lake dives. Towel, Bathing Suit & Transportation. You will need to check out your SCUBA gear and provide your own transportation for pool and lake dives. Two passport style photos for your certification card. Disclaimer: Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group. * PADI: Professional Association of Diving Instructors SCUBA Diving Syllabus - 1 Spring 2013 4
Course Goals & Objectives This course will prepare novice divers to explore the underwater world with SCUBA. We will follow the program developed by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). By the end of this course you should be able to: Describe the special physical and physiological characteristics important to divers Use dive tables to safely plan a dive and determine residual nitrogen Plan a dive and safely complete it Identify conditions at the beach that may affect your dive Swim effectively with the use of fins Demonstrate use of all diving gear and the ability for self-rescue Navigate at the surface and underwater by use of compass and landmarks Provide useful support to a dive buddy Successful completion of these objectives will lead to PADI Open Water Diver Certification. Accommodation for Learning The college strives to make courses accessible to all students. If you require special accommodation for this course, you need to contact the instructor immediately. The college provides many services to ensure an appropriate learning environment for all students. Health Form & Considerations Water activities have inherent dangers. Use of compressed air (e.g. SCUBA) requires special training and may not be appropriate for all individuals. You are required to complete a health form and waiver for this class. The health form identifies pre-disposing factors known to effect divers. Answer this form honestly and check with a physician if needed. Your physician can call Divers Alert Network (DAN) for information about SCUBA: 919-684-2948. Grades Only pass / fail grades will be given. To pass, students must: 1) Complete each Knowledge Review and bring to class 2) Complete each written quiz with a minimum of 75% correct 3) Demonstrate mastery of fundamental dive skills in the pool 4) Safely complete four open-water dives to demonstrate these skills SCUBA Diving Syllabus - 2 Spring 2013 4
Knowledge Reviews and Quizzes: A knowledge review for each chapter of your text must be completed and turned in at the start of each class. We will discuss the material in class followed by a written quiz (10 points). The fifth quiz is cumulative (50 points). Most questions are multiple choice or true/false. Students must pass each quiz with a minimum of 75% correct before attempting the next quiz. Pool Skills: You will practice new skills during each pool dive. These skills will be shown in your DVD and demonstrated by your instructor. By the end of each session, you should be able to demonstrate mastery of each new skill. Students must complete each set of skills before attempting the next set. Most students do well in these skills, provided they study prior to class, and come to class rested and prepared for physical activity. Be sure to pick up your SCUBA gear from Tres Aquas Adventures before each pool dive (except February 26 bring your personal snorkel gear only). Gear can be picked up Friday before 7 PM or at 10 AM on Saturday Open Water Dives: The open water dives are an opportunity for you to visit the underwater world and to demonstrate your safe diving skills. All dives will be made from a beach or dock. You will be evaluated on your mastery of SCUBA skills and your safe diving practices. Our open water dives will be made in Lake Pleasant. You will be responsible for transportation to dive sites. You should also bring water and a snack - I like bananas! Attendance, Absence & Withdrawals College policy states that students are to attend all lecture and laboratory meetings. Official excuses are given only for college activities. You are responsible for all material covered during that class. Sessions may be audio taped for your personal use. All pool and open water dives are mandatory. Make-up sessions may be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor and may require additional fees for equipment, pool rental, and the instructor s time ($30 per hour). Due to the special nature of this course, no lab refunds will be available after you receive your class materials. Students unable to continue past that point may be able to take an incomplete grade. College policy prohibits anyone from attending lectures, labs, or field trips that are not enrolled in the course (e.g. spouses, children, other family members, friends, etc.). GCC expects and demands ethical participation in their courses. Violations will lead to expulsion and grade of F. SCUBA Diving Syllabus - 3 Spring 2013 4
Special Procedures & Student Responsibilities The PADI system of learning is based on mastering each skill, step by step. This course consists of three types of activities: classroom sessions, pool dives, and open water dives. Students must demonstrate mastery of each section and skill before attempting the next. Prior to each classroom session students must read the corresponding chapter in their text, answer the questions at the end of each module (Knowledge Review) and view the DVD for that module. You will turn in your Knowledge Review at the start of lecture. A quiz on this material will be given shortly after an in-class review. Prepare for each pool session by proper study and by maintaining physical fitness. You will need to provide your own transportation to the dive shop to pick up and drop off gear. You will need to visit the dive shop after our first class meeting to be fitted for gear. They may also be able to assist in your choice of mask, fins, snorkel, booties and whistle. Rental gear will be provided by: Tres Aquas Adventures 731 E Union Hills (SE corner of 7 th St & Union Hills) Phoenix AZ 85022 602.494.1010 Tres Aquas is open until 7 PM on Fridays and opens at 10 AM on Saturday. Plan to be at the shop by either 6 PM on Friday or before the store opens at 10 AM on Saturday so you can make it to class on time. In addition, bring your swimwear, towel, mask, snorkel, fins and booties. All SCUBA equipment for this course (except snorkel gear) is paid for by your lab fee. You will need to provide a credit card or other form of deposit to secure this equipment for pool and lake dives. You will also need to return the gear, clean and in good shape, following our dives. You will need to provide your own transportation for open water dives. During this time you will be responsible for your own food and other personal needs (e.g. water). Be sure to bring all your personal (snorkel) gear, your rental SCUBA gear - including two full cylinders, plus your bathing suit, towel, water, snack/lunch (bananas?) and your dive log and dive tables. SCUBA Diving Syllabus - 4 Spring 2013 4
Class Schedule* Class Room (P2) and Pool Sessions, GCC Campus Saturdays: 11:00 (12:00)-16:00 Location Jan 19 Introduction and Orientation P2 Jan 26 Chapter 1 (Knowledge Review & Quiz) P2 (no pool) Feb 2 Chapter 2 (Knowledge Review & Quiz) P2 Pool Dive 1 (2) GCC Pool Feb 9 Chapters 3 & 4 P2 Watermanship & Snorkeling GCC Pool Feb 16 No Class, President s Day Weekend Feb 23 Chapter 5 & Final Exam P2 (no pool) Mar 2 Noon Start Pool Dives 2 & 3 GCC Pool Mar 9 Noon Start Pool Dives 4 & 5 GCC Pool Open Water Dives: Lake Pleasant Sundays 08:00-13:00 March 3 March 10 Open-water Dives 1 & 2: Lake Pleasant Open-water Dives 3 & 4: Lake Pleasant * All dates and times are tentative. Changes may be made as necessary to accommodate the particular needs of this class. SCUBA Diving Syllabus - 5 Spring 2013 4
REMINDER: To Do List for SCUBA Class Week of January 19-26 1. Read the Introduction & Chapter 1 of your PADI book. Complete all the questions especially the Knowledge Review. 2. Relax with the DVD (Part 1). 3. January 26: Bring completed Knowledge Review (KR) and book to P2 Saturday, January 26 After class 1. Visit dive shops and buy: Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Booties & Whistle a. Mask - recommendation: NO purge valve b. Snorkel - recommendation: YES purge valve (one is enough) c. Fins need to be fitted with boots on! d. Whistle or other audio-signalling device 2. Be fitted for wet suit & BCD at Tres Aquas Adventures a. 731 E Union Hills (SE corner of 7 th St & Union Hills) 602.494.1010 b. NOTE: You might buy your mask, snorkel, fins and booties here! 3. Follow directions for your mask; generally: wash the inside of your mask with toothpaste (not gel) or baking soda 4. Repeat #3 until totally clean and free of any oils 5. Repeat #3 one more time just to be sure! February 2: First Pool Session! Bring KR 2 (etc.) and dive gear Get a good night s rest Friday night before our first pool session. 1. Pick up rental gear @ Tres Aquas by 10AM (or on Friday by 7 PM). 2. Bring your completed Knowledge Review 2 and books to P2, 11AM. 3. Bring your personal snorkel gear, rental gear, swimsuit, towel, snack (banana?) and water to GCC Pool: Noon. 4. Wait for instructions. 5. Gear Up, Jump In and Have Fun! SCUBA Diving Syllabus - 6 Spring 2013 4
Statement of Student Understanding PED101SU, Spring 2013 I have read the syllabus for PED101SU, section 16077. I understand and agree to the policies for this course, which include: attendance, grades, lab-fee policy, make-up exams, pool and open water policies, responsibility for my own transportation and the pickup and return of rental SCUBA gear, accommodations for disabilities, and the required texts and other materials. I understand that I am responsible for completing the self-study materials before each class, and that my attendance at each session is required to complete this course. I agree to pay for any make-up sessions required due to missed sessions or incomplete assignments. I have received my course materials: textbook with dive tables, logbook, and DVD. By accepting these materials I waive my right to receive a lab refund. Signed: Date: SCUBA Diving Syllabus - 7 Spring 2013 4