YMCA of the USA SCUBA START-UP KIT Many people both young and old yearn for underwater exploration. The mystery and fantasy of what lies beneath the water’s surface have intrigued countless civilizations. Today, through equipment designed by Jacques Cousteau, millions of divers participate in underwater exploration through the use of SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) equipment. To participate in SCUBA diving one must first be properly trained by a certified SCUBA instructor. After training that includes academic study, physical skills development and training in actual diving environments (open water), the diver receives a SCUBA certification card, also known as a “c-card.” There are many SCUBA certification agencies worldwide, the majority of which are in the United States. They are responsible for developing and maintaining SCUBA training and certification standards that their instructors are to follow when teaching students any type of SCUBA-related course. The certification agencies also are responsible for issuing SCUBA c-cards after successful training and testing has taken place. Due to a demand for safety, YMCA of the USA introduced its SCUBA Program training standards in 1959. YMCA SCUBA led the diving industry with several firsts including the first national SCUBA instructor training course, and the first SCUBA rescue course. In the 40 years since our inception, YMCA SCUBA continues to provide the highest level of community-oriented education for divers and instructors based on the principles of the YMCA triangle: the Spirit, the Mind and the Body. These principles are the core philosophy of the YMCA, and YMCA SCUBA bases all training and programs on these ideals. Today, over 30% of all YMCAs offer SCUBA programming, and several international YMCA federations have modeled their own SCUBA programs after the YMCA of the USA’s SCUBA Program. This YMCA SCUBA Start-Up Kit contains valuable information on: • Offering SCUBA programming to compliment other aquatic programs • Selecting a qualified SCUBA instructor and staff • Keys to success for running SCUBA programs • Promotional ideas • Logistics and facility management • Facility and equipment needs • Pool and classroom scheduling • Liability and risk management issues • Budget considerations and common fee structures • Understand how to use SCUBA to increase membership • Learn how SCUBA-related activities can benefit fundraisers So, your Y is interested in offering SCUBA? Here are some items to take into consideration when planning to offer SCUBA at your YMCA: Is there a demand in your community for SCUBA training and/or a dive club? Look within your membership by posting an interest flyer. You can also get a significant amount of interest outside the Y. YMCAs can have flourishing SCUBA programs in towns that have little or no dive sites near them. The fact is, anyone who wants to enjoy a lifetime of SCUBA activities must be trained and certified. Is there a dive shop in the area? When offering SCUBA programming, your instructor will have to secure SCUBA equipment for students to use during the course. This is especially true for beginner-level courses, as more advanced divers usually spend several hundred or thousands of dollars on equipment. A local dive shop can assist your instructor in rental equipment and especially with the numerous air-fills that a SCUBA tank (cylinder) needs during a course. Does your facility or another facility have a pool over six feet deep? Certain portions of SCUBA skills can be taught in lap pools in as little as 4-5 feet in depth. However, it is crucial that deeper water be used in skills development for skills involving pressure changes and water entries. If your Y has a lap pool, you can still offer SCUBA programming as long as some pool sessions are conducted at a deeper water facility. Does your facility have adequate space and time for SCUBA programs? This depends on the course(s) your YMCA and your SCUBA instructor would like to offer. Most YMCAs offer the beginning SCUBA diver training course called Open Water Diver. This course requires a minimum 12 hours of classroom and 12 hours of pool instruction. Space depends on the number of participants. See chapter 20 in the YMCA Aquatic Management Manual for additional information. Does your YMCA have a relationship with an existing SCUBA instructor? If “yes”, see YMCA Aquatic Management Manual, chapter 20 crossing over SCUBA instructors to YMCA SCUBA. If “no”, log on to www.ymcascuba.org and select “Find an Instructor”. There, a list of YMCA SCUBA instructors are listed alphabetically by city. Or, is there a dive shop in your area that you could approach about teaching YMCA SCUBA at your facility? Or, does your facility have a member or program staff person that is a highly qualified candidate for SCUBA leadership development? YMCA SCUBA Programming YMCA SCUBA offers training standards and certification for over 40 levels of SCUBA courses. Courses vary in hours, prerequisites, course content, skill development, open water diving opportunities, and instructor credentials to teach. All course particulars, guidelines and standards are available in the YMCA SCUBA Standards and Procedures Manual, 2000 Edition. The following is a list of common YMCA SCUBA courses and their descriptions: Snorkeling (non-SCUBA) YMCA Snorkeling introduces individuals and families to the sport of snorkeling. While there is no age requirement for the activity, snorkeling is a recreation shared by the whole family. Allowing people to examine underwater magic from above, snorkeling appeals to those planning a vacation in warm, tropical waters or others simply wanting to enjoy another aquatic activity. Skin Diving (non-SCUBA) YMCA Skin Diving is designed for swimmers and snorkelers who want to expand their aquatic exploration. With simple equipment and basic techniques, swimmers will find this course to be enjoyable and challenging. The underwater world is a fascinating place that can be discovered with a minimal amount of effort and the use of a mask, fins and snorkel. Open Water Diver Learning to SCUBA dive is safe, affordable and requires a modest amount of training. An entry-level certification course takes approximately 32 hours to complete during day or evening classes from a couple of weekends to several weeks. In order to earn a SCUBA certification, you will participate in classroom sessions and practice essential diving skills in a pool. Finally, you will test your knowledge on a written exam and apply your skills during training dives in a lake, quarry, spring or ocean. Upon completion, you will receive a certification card that identifies you as a diver, allowing you to rent SCUBA equipment, participate in advanced training and explore exotic diving destinations. Open Water II Diver YMCA Open Water II is designed to give certified SCUBA divers additional open water dives. This guided experience is important for new divers who want more training before going out on their own and diving without supervision. Advanced Open Water Diver The YMCA Advanced Open Water Diver course is for divers wanting to expand their knowledge and diving experience to include varying diving environments and an introduction to specialty diving. Specialty Courses SCUBA diving is one of the most rewarding activities. Numerous hobbies are integrated into the underwater environment. Our specialty courses permit the diver to gain comprehensive abilities in virtually any field of aquatic endeavor. Specialty Certification Courses: Aquatic Environmentalist Boat Diver Cavern Diver Computer Assisted Diver Dry Suit Diver Equipment Service Ice Diver Night Diver Nitrox Diver Oxygen Provider Public Safety Diver Reef Ecology Research Diver Search and Recovery SLAM Rescue Underwater Archaeology Underwater Navigation Underwater Photographer Wreck Diver Leadership Courses Divemaster A certified YMCA Divemaster provides on-site leadership for groups of certified divers during recreational sport diving or for students during training under the direct supervision of the YMCA SCUBA Instructor. Divemasters conduct tours and supervise diving activities. Divemasters can work at dive resorts, on dive boats and in dive shops all over the world. Assistant Instructor YMCA Assistant Instructor certification is a required step in the development toward YMCA SCUBA Instructor. Assistant Instructors may teach the YMCA Snorkeling and Skin Diving courses. During the Open Water course, Assistant Instructors assist in classroom training, pool training and the open water dives under the direct supervision of the Instructor. Instructor In 1959 the YMCA developed SCUBA training standards for instructors. These standards remain the most thorough and comprehensive in the diving industry today. When it comes to SCUBA certification, trust is an important aspect of training. YMCA SCUBA Instructors follow the philosophy of the YMCA while building self-esteem and nurturing personal growth in divers. YMCA leadership prides itself with maintaining values. In a sport such as SCUBA diving, it is important for those participating to have values, good moral character and ethics. YMCA SCUBA Instructors instill character development in their students by promoting caring, honesty, respect and responsibility during dive training. Instructor certification permits an individual to teach SCUBA students how to become competent divers. The Instructor promotes safe diving and upholds the standards of YMCA SCUBA. The Instructor also teaches many specialty and leadership courses. Divers with Disabilities People with disabilities can easily participate in SCUBA training. YMCA SCUBA from the very beginning of nationally certified sport SCUBA diving education and training has taken the lead in the development of safe, educated, well-trained sport divers, who are SCUBA diving for the enjoyment of the sport while minimizing through training the risks involved. YMCA SCUBA is committed to the concepts and principles of the YMCA including the development of the Spirit, the Mind and the Body. In keeping with the philosophy of the YMCA, YMCA SCUBA does not allow discrimination against people with disabilities in any of their programs including Skin and SCUBA diving.