All you need to know before packing and lots of useful information ABOUT US Utila Dive Center We are a PADI Career Development Centre based on Utila, the smallest of the Bay Islands, and the only facility in Central America to offer technical diver training to trimix level, International Yacht Training certifications, IAHD Adaptive Teaching classes and rebreather training. We specialize in all levels of diver training and education from 1-day introductory experiences to full PADI Instructor Development Courses, from Underwater Photography specialties to Trimix Technical diver training. Many of our students who come to us for non- professional certification are so impressed by our facility and philosophies for diver training that they often choose to make diving a career and become professional dive instructors at our IDC’s. Our diving here, is comprised of amazing reef systems, and our diving is a little more diverse than most warm water destinations, on the north side of Utila we have sheer wall's and drop off's that go several hundred meters, obviously we don't go that deep! This is where we find the gentile and majestic Whale shark and the best time to see them is from February to September when conditions are more conducive to look for them, also we have regular encounters with Dolphins and we have recently formed our ‘AquaTerra’ conservation program at UDC, headed by one of our resident marine biologists which specializes in the study of corals and marine creatures. On the South side of Utila we have a fringing reef system with spur and groove formations where you'll find some of the more diverse creatures in the Caribbean, the EEF group that publish the 'Caribbean Fish ID' series of books have voted the Bay Islands the most diverse region in the Caribbean for aquatic life. There are Eels, turtles, Spotted Drums, Stonefish, Frogfish and a plethora of other inhabitants of the reef. The visibility here averages 20-30mt/70-100ft and water temp averages 26-28c/80-86f. How long is your course going to take? OPEN WATER 4 ½ DAYS The Open Water Diver certification is the 1st complete PADI certification you can earn. This license is the most recognized in the dive industry and will allow you to dive anywhere in the world, independent of professional supervision, to a maximum depth of 18 metres/60 feet. DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 Take your third Blow your first Bubbles in Knowledge Development Final Knowledge your shallow Confined Session while relaxing by Development Session An early morning rise to dive AM Water Session and learn the the Mango Inn Pool “The “Continuing your Utila at it’s best for your essentials to the underwater Dive Environment – Dive adventure” & Exam Open Water Dives 3 & 4 world with our experienced Planning & Problem Review team of Instructors Managment” Welcome & Introduction to Staff & Classmates; Second Knowledge Second Confined Water What to expect of your Development Session in our Session. Fun practice for A quick boat ride on one of PADI Open Water Course; Air-Conditioned Classroom the likely and unlikely Utila’s fastest dive boats to PM Introductory Theory video “Adapting to the Underwater happenings in Scuba- two different dive sites for and Knowledge World-Communication & diving including hovering your Open Water check Development “The Equipment” weightless underwater. out dives One & Two. Underwater World – Buoyancy & Pressure” ADVANCED OPEN WATER 2 DAYS This certification, which can be completed in just 2 days, allows you to dive anywhere in the world to a maximum depth of 30 metres/100 feet without professional supervision (where local laws allow). DAY 1 DAY 2 Your third and fourth adventure dives before lunch; This time you get a choice; Perhaps a visit to the serene and awesome Halliburton wreck in your Wreck Adventure Dive and a chance to improve your buoyancy and play ultimate AM Take a SCUBA Review, and refresh your skills if it has been a while nderwater Frisbee in the Peak Performance Buoyancy Adventure Dive, or since you last dived. maybe you want to improve your Fish-Identification skills or take one of our in- house cameras for some underwater photography and underwater memories. It’s up to you. Extend your depth limits and experience with the Deep Adventure PM Dive, then move site before practicing your underwater skills in your Navigation Adventure Dive Complete the theory and grab a snackin time for your Night Adventure Dive; boats leaving at dusk, the sun sets completely during your dive, so you can NIGHT watch the busy day life going to bed, as the night-life comes alive, under a spectacular rain of bio-luminescence. RESCUE DIVER 4 ½ DAYS Build your confidence and abilities as a PADI Rescue Diver with this 4 day program which improves your diving skills and has several different academic topics that teach you about recognizing diver stress, diving first aid, emergency management and dive equipment problems. Once you’ve mastered these techniques we’ll then we’ll take you to an Open Water environment and you’ll demonstrate your ability through 4 staged scenarios to manage an accident, organize a missing diver search, retrieve an unconscious diver to the boat or shoreline and provide CPR/1st aid DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 Emergency First Prepare an Emergency Chill out dive in the An exercise in First Aid Response (CPR & First Assistance Plan for the local middle of your course, for Pressure-Related Aid) Course, for those area, and then your second before continuing with Accidents, and further Final Scenarios - Putting it without training or those Knowledge responding to unconscious skill development and all together during the AM wanting a refresher, Development Session on divers at the surface and practice responding to unluckiest dive trip ever!!! - including AED Diving First Aid and different methods of egress victims from the dock This is Serious Fun. (Automated Emergency Management with them. External Defibrillator) Final Final Exam & Overview of the Rescue Knowledge Exam Review. course and Self-Rescue Water session: Development Further remedial and Diver Stress Responding to people from Session - water skill practice Knowledge Development land/boat, responding to Equipment if needed. Session, before a review of distressed divers Considerations PM your self-rescue abilities underwater, and searching & Review. in the water, and for missing divers and responding to Tired & surfacing them if Panicked unconscious. Divers DIVEMASTER 4 WEEKS The program consists of 3 separate modules, knowledge development, watermanship and practical training. During knowledge development you’ll learn about supervising both students and certified divers in addition to gaining theoretical diving knowledge about physics, physiology, skills and environment, equipment and the recreational dive planner. You’ll also put your practical training into developing an underwater map of a local dive site. The waterman ship module will develop your strength and skills in the water and develop your confidence to a strong level of comfort. With guidance and counseling from our experienced Instructors you’ll soon develop into a true dive professional. In fact many of our Divemasters go on to successfully complete PADI Instructor training. …DIVEMASTER Pre-Week (If less than 40 dives) Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Our Facility Our 3 classrooms are all modern, air-conditioned and lessons are given using the latest multimedia ‘Microsoft PowerPoint’ presentations. Every IDC candidate has their own ‘work station’ and access to the Internet. We have 4 fully equipped dive boats, , a state of the art compressors system with over 8000 cubic foot of air banked, 40 sets of ScubaPro rental equipment, private lockers, quiet study areas, the most comprehensive dive retail outlet on Utila, and a beautiful dock area constructed over the water with social amenities. Our hotel, the Mango Inn has a swimming/training pool, a restaurant, and wireless internet. What else can you do with us? Take lunch in the Mango Inn Restaurant and then chill by the pool before your afternoon of diving. Relax and Re-fuel in Utila Dive Center’s new Safety Stop Snack Bar Take a break from study at Utila Dive Center’s now legendary BarBQ Party Night. If you cannot stay away from the water, perhaps join a boat trip conducting a coral reef survey. Relax, grab a drink and take a splash in our pool at the Mango Inn. ABOUT UTILA One typical day… A typical day on Utila starts with a 7.30am cycling through the narrow streets of this traditional Caribbean island on your way to the dive centre. The journey isn’t over yet, as you travel your way to the islands north side by boat for a wall dive, and if lucky often you’ll get to stop and swim with dolphins or Whale sharks on the way. When it comes to lunch time rather than hiding from the rain indoors or rushing to find something suitable to eat in the little time you have, you’ll find that in the Caribbean lunch times can be spent for hours in one of the many island cafes, catching up with colleagues on their morning aquatic encounters whilst afternoons may involve hammock time or dive academics in the classroom to aspiring divers. In the evening most of our divers hang out at the UDC bar where a good beer or rum & coke can be drank for less than $2 as the sun sets slowly into the sea in spectacular Caribbean style and then as darkness sets in so does many of the islands night party venues. Treetanic, The Venue, Coco Locos and Tranquila have been known to host some of the best parties in this part of the Caribbean, with warm friendly smiles and great atmosphere.