Advanced Diver Development Program

Beaver Divers is committed to turning out the best divers possible. We believe that the only way a diver can truly be termed an advanced diver is by spending a maximum amount of time underwater guided by a qualified instructor. Under the old system, a diver could complete the beginning Openwater Class and have a total of only nine dives under the direct training of an instructor to become certified as an advanced diver. The SDI (Scuba Diving International) Advanced Diver Development Program requires a new openwater student to take four SDI specialties or equivalent, along with having a total of 25 dives.

Qualifications under the Beaver Diver and SDI program to become an Advanced Diver are the following:

Specialties that qualify a student for the Advanced Diver certification are the following:

Technical Diving Course

If you are an adventurous technical diver who wants to go beyond the limits of recreational diving, TDI (Technical Diving International) and Beaver Divers can take you to the next level of training.

Specialties that qualify a diver for a Technical Diver certification are the following:

1. TDI Nitrox Diver - for the diver wishing to choose the technical path
2. Advanced Nitrox - learn to use a Nitrox mix of more than 40%
3. Extended Range - learn to dive properly to a depth of 180 feet on air
4. Decompression Procedures - learn to do staged decompression
5. Semi-closed Rebreather - become certified to use the Draeger Dolphin Rebreather
6. Nitrox Gas Blender - become certified to mix Nitrox
7. TDI Equipment Service Technician - learn to handle O2 and clean equipment


Rescue Diver Course

The SDI/Beaver Divers Rescue Diver Course is designed to develop knowledge and the necessary skills for an individual to perform diver rescues and assists and administer first aid. A diver must hold the Advanced Openwater Diver certification prior to beginning the Rescue Diver Course. Upon completion of the Rescue Diver Course a student will be qualified to conduct rescues of distressed divers. The student will also be qualified to enroll in the SDI/Beaver Divers Divemaster Course. Students enrolled in the Rescue Diver course must be 18 years of age or 15 years of age with parental consent. Due to the seriousness of the training in this course, proficient swimming skills are required.


Divemaster Course

The Divemaster course develops the skills and knowledge necessary for an individual to lead certified divers in the openwater environment, assist an active SDI instructor during approved diving courses, and to supervise and conduct dives for certified divers provided the activities are similar to the graduate’s prior training. Divemaster candidates must be 18 years of age, have 40 logged dives and hold both the Advanced Diver and Rescue Diver certifications. Students must also hold current CPR and First Aid certification. Course duration is a minimum of 40 hours. The Divemaster candidate must give a minimum of five briefs/debriefs, show preparation, planning and control in dive management and diving activities, and to demonstrate a high degree of aquatic and classroom proficiency. Beaver Divers is committed to producing highly trained and capable divemasters.


Assistant Instructor Course

This course is designed to have students gain practical teaching experience with an active SDI Instructor. Students must be 18 years of age, must be a certified Divemaster, hold current CPR and First Aid certifications, must have a current medical examination and hold a minimum of 40 logged dives. Upon completion of the Assistant Instructor Course, a graduate may teach and certify students in the Skin Diver course, conduct the Inactive Diver/Refresher course, and conduct the Knowledge Quest review in the Openwater Scuba Diver course under the guidance of a teaching instructor. Course duration is a minimum of 12 hours.


Instructor Development Course

This course teaches current Divemasters or Assistant Instructors the knowledge to safely function as a qualified instructor. Candidates must be 18 years of age, have a current medical examination for diving, have a minimum of 100 logged dives done in a number of different environments with varying depths, be a qualified Oxygen Provider, and certified in CPR and First Aid. In order to complete the SDI Instructor Course, the candidate must satisfactorily complete the SDI Instructor written exam, complete all water requirements, and demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning class planning and execution. Beaver Divers insists on a high degree of proficiency before issuing the Instructor Certification. We will only certify an Instructor when we would trust the individual to train our own loved ones.


Instructor Evaluation Course

This course is the culmination of the Instructor Development Course. It is a two-day program that can be done locally, and will enable the graduate to become a certified dive instructor.


Local Diving

Local high altitude diving offers some very unique and adventurous diving. Beaver Divers periodically offers guided dive trips to some of the high mountain lakes in the area. Divers can observe a very interesting ecosystem viewing cutthroat trout and freshwater shrimp. Divers will enjoy the beautiful mountain settings and diverse aquatic life. Visibility ranges from 15-30 feet in most sites, and can vary widely from day to day. Local diving also provides the opportunity to participate in drysuit demo days and certifications.