Physical Education: Scuba (B)

Notes

PEAC Fee: $830; Class lecture times are R 5:30-7:30pm in Kalkin 002

Section URL

90253 FALL 2026 PEAC 1188 SCUBA

Section Description

Learning to dive brings a lifetime of adventure and opens a variety of professional opportunities. Open Water certification is the first step in a lifelong pursuit of exploration, recreation and conservation. The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) has one of the highest training standards in the diving industry and NAUI divers enjoy a worldwide reputation for being accomplished underwater explorers where each breath turns a new page in a journey into the unknown. This course is an excellent opportunity to learn to dive with confidence, whether your goal is a job in the sciences that requires certification, or whether you want to explore historical shipwrecks, or whether you just want to hang out and look at pretty fish on future vacations.

This NAUI SCUBA DIVER course is an entry-level certification course designed to give you the knowledge and skills needed for open water diving activities. Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are considered competent to engage in open water diving activities without supervision, provided the areas and activities approximate those of training. In this course you will learn about modern dive equipment, diving sciences, responsible diving practices and the environment. Diving skills will be taught and practiced first in the comfort and convenience of a confined water environment and finally during your open water training dives with your NAUI Instructor.

In this course you will learn about modern dive equipment, diving sciences, responsible diving practices and the environment. Diving skills will be taught and practiced first in the comfort and convenience of a confined water environment and finally during your open water training dives with your NAUI Instructor. This course is a semester-long 1 credit elective course requiring a time commitment of approximately 48 hours.

Section Expectation

Since PEAC classes are based on physical activity and skill development, participation is crucial to the learning process. Participation includes active presence, effort and improvement, rather than physical facility. Students must show up to class and be ready to partake in all class exercises. Students are expected to arrive on time; three (3) late arrivals will count as one absence. Students have the option to make-up one class absence by participating in the other lab(s), or in the case of a checkout dive, you must hire an instructor at a cost of $100.00 per session. It is at the instructor’s discretion to determine whether an absence shall be deemed excused or unexcused. Excused absences are defined as absences with prior notice given to the instructor. You must contact the instructor personally and notify them of the reason for your absence. Messages do not serve as notification. Examples of absences that are unexcused regardless of prior notification include meetings, work, and/or friends or relatives in town. Examples of excused absences with prior notification include death in family and/or severe illness. Students may be asked to provide verification.

Health: Some basic health requirements must be met in order to participate in this course. Read the medical questionnaire carefully and respond honestly for your personal safety. The contra-indications for diving include asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, and inability to equalize the body’s air spaces. If you have any of these conditions or answer yes to a question on the medical questionnaire, please contact the Waterfront Diving Center (WDC) to speak with a staff member before you visit your doctor. The phone number for the Waterfront Diving Center is 802-865-2771.

If you are not feeling well during the course of the class, tell the instructor and an assessment of your fitness to dive will be made. If medical approval to scuba dive is required, it must be received prior to scuba diving in the pool. Alcohol and drugs do not mix with diving. If you are suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including hangover, you will be dismissed from class and not permitted to return. No refunds will be issued.

Students are required to bring a swimsuit and towel to all water sessions. Due to COVID-19 Safety precautions, students will be required to purchase their own mask and snorkel. Waterfront Diving Center will have several options for students. If personal finances preclude you from purchasing a mask and snorkel, please contact Waterfront Diving Center to explore options. Waterfront Diving Center will provide all additionally needed SCUBA equipment for each session. The equipment will be cleaned and disinfected per COVID-19 protocols standards and requirements.

Evaluation

Course Requirements and Grading: Even if all requirements are met certification is NOT guaranteed. Your instructors will make the final determination as to whether or not certification is issued. Students must perform skills competently to participate in the open water checkouts that are required for certification. However, academic grading will not be based on mastery of performance but instead on effort and willingness to practice and learn required skills.

Attendance: Since PEAC classes are based on physical activity and skill development, participation includes active presence, effort and improvement, rather than physical facility. Students must show up to class and be ready to partake in all class exercises. NAUI standards dictate that you be present for every class. If you do not attend every class, you cannot be certified. Throughout this course, attendance will be graded on a point system. We have the discretion to award additional points based on helpfulness. Each pool session will count as 1.9 points. If you show up late for pool sessions, you may not be allowed to participate if we cannot catch you up to the group. Three late arrivals to class (including pool sessions) will count as one absence and therefore a loss of 3.33 points. If conditions absolutely prohibit you from attending a class, notify the instructor in advance. Make-ups are difficult to schedule; the cost for making up a missed class is $100. Don’t miss class and don’t be late. 3.33 points will be deducted from the final grade for each unexcused absence.

Assignments: A majority of the work outside of class consists of completing the NAUI eLearning. You will be provided with a eLearning code with your course materials and must complete the eLearning prior to the end of the semester. The eLearning is sequential, i.e., you must complete chapter 1 to go onto chapter 2. Your academic grade will be based on the eLearning, final exam, attendance and participation in the lectures and labs.

Final Exam: You must complete the eLearning exam before the final exam. A passing grade of 80% on the final is necessary for certification.

Water Skills: An overall comfort level in the water is necessary for certification. Students must show a basic competency with a series of snorkeling and SCUBA skills. The evaluation is ongoing; safety is our number one concern. Always use your best judgement and common sense. Diving is a non-competitive activity; no extra points for beating the other person, swimming the fastest, diving the deepest, etc. We are here to help. If at any time you need assistance, please ask us.

Attitude: Positive and considerate attitude along with good judgement and common sense are major attributes in a good diver. Display a positive and considerate attitude to the other divers. To demonstrate these attributes, put safety first and participate in debriefings of the water sessions. Good communication is essential. Be an active voice during the open water checkout dives, use the buddy system and cooperate with all other divers the in the class to keep safety number one.

Important Dates

Note: These dates may change before registration begins.

Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.

Resources

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• PACE Course Pricing
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