HIGHLIGHTS
Become a professional PADI Divemaster
Learn Marine Conservation techniques
Contribute to international coral and fish surveys
Swim with turtles, rays, sharks, dolphins and even whales
Only PADI Centre in Central America offering training and certification in unique marine conservation specialties
WHAT TO EXPECT
Week 1 – PADI Open Water and Advanced
On arrival in San Jose you will be met by our local staff and transferred to the laid back coastal town of Quepos on the Pacific Coast. During your first week you undertake both your Open Water and Advanced Open Water PADI dive training with experienced professional trainers from the dive school. An emphatic way to start your course!
Week 2: PADI Marine Conservation specialty and reef surveys
Armed with your new certifications, week two marks the beginning of your science training when you will learn different conservation and research techniques including fish and reef biology .You will also have the chance to put your new skills to the test this week as you help on one of the many reef surveys taking place in the local marine parks.
Week 3: PADI Nudibranch Awareness specialty and reef surveys
This week you will develop your science training further with Nudibranch awareness. Nudibranchs are some of the smallest most interesting inhabitants of the reef and you will learn about their different behaviours and identification of some local species. As part of this week you will head out onto the reef and complete dives looking for local nudibranch species, as well as continue with the reef surveys from the previous week.
Week 4: PADI AWARE Shark specialty and reef surveys
Always a favourite topic - sharks are crucial to marine ecosystems, yet are in a global decline. This course teaches you about the value of sharks and what is causing the rapid loss of shark populations. By the end of this week you will also complete your reef surveys and help input the date into the international database which collectively helps monitor the long term health of the reef and the marine life it supports!
Week 5: PADI EFR & Rescue
Knowing what to do in the event of an emergency is crucial to your dive progression and this week you will complete both your Emergency First Responder and Rescue certification. This training will complete your recreational dive training and prepare you for your first step into the world of being a professional diver!
Week 6 – 10: PADI Divemaster
The second half of your course, you will be working towards your Divemaster certification, the first professional dive qualification and an absolute must for all budding marine scientists. Your training during this phase will become much more hands-on as you learn to become a leader and take charge of activities. A large part of your training at this stage will include assisting with student divers as you develop your teaching skills. During this time you will also continue with the ongoing reef surveying and also complete two additional specialities: sponge ecology speciality and Juvenile Fish ecology.
At the end of your 10 weeks, you will have gained invaluable practical experience which you will be able to take forward with you in your chosen career path!
