Academic online training, lessons and certification for scuba diving are offered on popular websites in the U.S. One based in Orlando offers SDI (Scuba Diving International) a program focusing on the academic part of diving. By using animated pictures, diagrams and motion pictures, the key concepts of diving are graphically illustrated in this program. You can pick the time that works best for you and go through it at your own pace. Before you can go on to the next level of new material, you will get periodic quizzes on important concepts. This is followed by in-water training dives and with completion of both courses you will have earned an open Water certification from SDI.
Online courses include subjects such as planning and monitoring dives, selection of scuba equipment, the underwater environment and the effects of pressure. The program also offers a text book so the new diver can review the program information anywhere.
Scuba-training.net, based in Florida, offers online courses in dry suit diving, surface supplied air diving and other speciality courses. Nitrox and Rebreather Diver training is also available as advanced training courses. These courses are tailored to the student and personalized materials allow you to work according to your own pace. Shops and dive instructors can review online a students’ study information and their records.
Onlinescubalessons.com has their focus on the Physiology and Physics of Scuba diving. Their course include 5 modules and include: underwater sciences, physiology, equipment, planning and decompression sickness and diving environment. It is required that you score 100% on each quiz before you are allowed to proceed to the next module. When you pass the final exam, your certificate can then be used for the pool and open water dive trainings.
A note on onlinescubalessons.com… they don’t mention what agency they are affiliated with, and say ANY agency will accept their academic training. NOT TRUE.
PADI regularly publishes a note to their instructors in the Undersea Journal not to accept this program. In 2006 the memvers of the RSTC determined they could not accept this training – that’s most of the legit scuba agencies.
SDI has a legit program, PADI has a legit program, no doubt additional agencies have a legit program, but be wary of any individuals offering a scuba training program without the backing of established major agencies.