Training Assistant Course...

Course Description...

The NAUI Training Assistant course is a specialty course designed to train certified divers to help with entry level scuba courses. This is NOT a leadership level course and does NOT convey any of the benefits of NAUI membership. You need to be a certified diver who feels comfortable in the water and comfortable with your skills to enroll in the program. It is an ongoing program that has no definitive starting or ending date. You can join at any time and you will be certified when you complete all of the requirements.

The course has many benefits for those that enroll and work at the program. The first major benefit is free gear rental and free diving for all certification dives where you assist. Beyond that you will become a better diver through regular practice of your skills, seeing the typical problems new divers encounter, and learning how to solve basic gear problems. Finally and maybe the best benefit of all, you get to help new non-divers experience the joys and excitement of exploring the underwater world!

Who Can Take the Course...

This course is open to anyone age 18 and older. (NOT JUST Penn State students and faculty!)

You must be a certified scuba diver with a certification card from a recognized scuba certifying agency.

The nature of scuba diving requires those who participate to be good swimmers. Three swim tests are required to earn your certification. Multiple opportunities will be available to pass the swim tests which include:

225 yard (5 laps) non-stop swim.
- The first three laps must be overhand crawl stroke (aka freestyle).
- All strokes used must be recognizable by the instructor.
- The "doggie-paddle" is not a recognized stroke.
60 feet underwater swim on one breath with no push off.
10 minute tread water.

Notes:

A lap is defined as two lengths of the main indoor pool at the Natatorium on campus.
The 60 feet underwater swim is from one end of the main indoor pool at the Natatorium to the far set of flags hanging across the pool.

How Much Does the Course Cost...

The cost of the course is $0.00. That's right it's FREE! Well, almost free. Your only cost is the cost of admission for two days of open water diving and overnight accomidations (typically around $50). All of the other fees associated with the course including your gear rentals, all instructor and certification fees are covered by the Nittany Divers.

Participation and payment for this course
DOES NOT guarantee certification!

Refunds:

Since there is no cost for the course itself, there are no refunds. Costs associated with quarry entrances and overnight accomidations are typically not refundable and are not refunded by the club.

Where, When, and How Long is the Course...

The length of the course is as long or as short as you and your schedule will permit. We have had people complete all of the requirements in one semester, but most people take at least two semesters to complete the course. We strive to offer opportunities to complete all the requirements of the course each semester, but sometimes weather and interest in a particular requirement do not allow for an opportunity to be offered.

In order to complete the course and obtain your certification you must complete the following requirements.

Obtain your Advanced Scuba Diver certification (NAUI or equivalent).
Obtain your Scuba Rescue Diver certification (NAUI or equivalent).
Obtain and maintain your First Aid / CPR certifications.
Complete the same swim test that students in the Scuba Diver course do.
Demonstrate all of the snorkeling and scuba skills taught in the Scuba Diver course in a proficient manner.
Participate in a solo and group simulated rescue in open water.
Complete basic navigation skills in open water.
Complete two group leading exercises in open water.
Attend and assist with at least five Scuba Diver course pool sessions.
Attend both training assistant lectures.

Opportunites to complete most if not all of these requirements are offered during the spring and fall semesters. Because of limited student availablity, opportunities to complete most of these requirements are not offered during the summer semesters.

When is the next course being offered:

Parts of the training assistant course are typically being taught all year round. Check the sources below to see which parts are currently being offered.

Check the Online Schedule of Courses
Check our Online Calendar of Events

What Will I Be Learning...

You will be learning how to assist with a Scuba Diver course in a professional manner. You will be there to help insure the smooth running of the course and the safety of the students enrolled in the course. As part of the training assistant course you will learn how to communicate above and under the water with the instructor and other training assistants. You will learn how to observe students and recognize and deal with problems before and after they happen. In the open water environment you will learn how to guide and escort divers on the surface and under the water to help facilitate a safe and successful certification dive weekend. Ultimately, you will learn to be a better diver through practice and hearing the basic scuba skills being taught over and over.

How Do I Register...

To Register for the Course:

Since the course is always ongoing and there is no cost for the course itself, simplily e-mail the instructor to find out how to get involved.

You CANNOT schedule our courses through eLion.

Refunds:

Since there is no cost for the course itself, there are no refunds. For other situations and conditions see the section above on "How Much Does the Course Cost..."

Frequently Asked Questions...

No questions at this time.

Additional Questions, Comments, or Suggestions...

Do you have a comment, suggestion, or question not covered by this page? If so, please e-mail the webmaster for an answer and so it can be added to this page.


	Training Assistant Course... Course Description... The NAUI Training Assistant course is a specialty course designed to train certified divers to help with entry level scuba courses. This is NOT a leadership level course and does NOT convey any of the benefits of NAUI membership. You need to be a certified diver who feels comfortable in the water and comfortable with your skills to enroll in the program. It is an ongoing program that has no definitive starting or ending date. You can join at any time and you will be certified when you complete all of the requirements. The course has many benefits for those that enroll and work at the program. The first major benefit is free gear rental and free diving for all certification dives where you assist. Beyond that you will become a better diver through regular practice of your skills, seeing the typical problems new divers encounter, and learning how to solve basic gear problems. Finally and maybe the best benefit of all, you get to help new non-divers experience the joys and excitement of exploring the underwater world! Who Can Take the Course... This course is open to anyone age 18 and older. (NOT JUST Penn State students and faculty!) You must be a certified scuba diver with a certification card from a recognized scuba certifying agency. The nature of scuba diving requires those who participate to be good swimmers. Three swim tests are required to earn your certification. Multiple opportunities will be available to pass the swim tests which include: 225 yard (5 laps) non-stop swim. The first three laps must be overhand crawl stroke (aka freestyle). All strokes used must be recognizable by the instructor. The "doggie-paddle" is not a recognized stroke. 60 feet underwater swim on one breath with no push off. 10 minute tread water. Notes: A lap is defined as two lengths of the main indoor pool at the Natatorium on campus. The 60 feet underwater swim is from one end of the main indoor pool at the Natatorium to the far set of flags hanging across the pool. How Much Does the Course Cost... The cost of the course is $0.00. That's right it's FREE! Well, almost free. Your only cost is the cost of admission for two days of open water diving and overnight accomidations (typically around $50). All of the other fees associated with the course including your gear rentals, all instructor and certification fees are covered by the Nittany Divers. Participation and payment for this course DOES NOT guarantee certification! Refunds: Since there is no cost for the course itself, there are no refunds. Costs associated with quarry entrances and overnight accomidations are typically not refundable and are not refunded by the club. Where, When, and How Long is the Course... The length of the course is as long or as short as you and your schedule will permit. We have had people complete all of the requirements in one semester, but most people take at least two semesters to complete the course. We strive to offer opportunities to complete all the requirements of the course each semester, but sometimes weather and interest in a particular requirement do not allow for an opportunity to be offered. In order to complete the course and obtain your certification you must complete the following requirements. Obtain your Advanced Scuba Diver certification (NAUI or equivalent). Obtain your Scuba Rescue Diver certification (NAUI or equivalent). Obtain and maintain your First Aid / CPR certifications. Complete the same swim test that students in the Scuba Diver course do. Demonstrate all of the snorkeling and scuba skills taught in the Scuba Diver course in a proficient manner. Participate in a solo and group simulated rescue in open water. Complete basic navigation skills in open water. Complete two group leading exercises in open water. Attend and assist with at least five Scuba Diver course pool sessions. Attend both training assistant lectures. Opportunites to complete most if not all of these requirements are offered during the spring and fall semesters. Because of limited student availablity, opportunities to complete most of these requirements are not offered during the summer semesters. When is the next course being offered: Parts of the training assistant course are typically being taught all year round. Check the sources below to see which parts are currently being offered. Check the Online Schedule of Courses Check our Online Calendar of Events What Will I Be Learning... You will be learning how to assist with a Scuba Diver course in a professional manner. You will be there to help insure the smooth running of the course and the safety of the students enrolled in the course. As part of the training assistant course you will learn how to communicate above and under the water with the instructor and other training assistants. You will learn how to observe students and recognize and deal with problems before and after they happen. In the open water environment you will learn how to guide and escort divers on the surface and under the water to help facilitate a safe and successful certification dive weekend. Ultimately, you will learn to be a better diver through practice and hearing the basic scuba skills being taught over and over. How Do I Register... To Register for the Course: Since the course is always ongoing and there is no cost for the course itself, simplily e-mail the instructor to find out how to get involved. You CANNOT schedule our courses through eLion. Refunds: Since there is no cost for the course itself, there are no refunds. For other situations and conditions see the section above on "How Much Does the Course Cost..." Frequently Asked Questions... No questions at this time. Additional Questions, Comments, or Suggestions... Do you have a comment, suggestion, or question not covered by this page? If so, please e-mail the webmaster for an answer and so it can be added to this page.