Blue Horizons has designed a curriculum of courses that will enable an Open Water certified diver to become a valuable staff member of a dive center in as little as six weeks of intense study. This collection of courses is unique to Blue Horizons, and goes far beyond the basic PADI instructor courses. This program draws on expertise from throughout the dive industry – manufacturers, distributors, retailers, travel experts and technicians to produce extremely well rounded graduates ready to be productive professionals.

Blue Horizons has earned the CDC accreditation from PADI for this program, and is the only CDC in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the U.S. If you want diving to be your career, you should be here.

The initial segments of the program are designed to elevate your diving skills and knowledge to the professional level. These segments can be skipped if you already hold these certifications from PADI or an equivalent qualification from a recognized organization.

Advanced Open Water

Advanced Open Water Diver provides a more in-depth look at diving beyond Open Water, and an introduction to a variety of specialty diving activities. Upon completion you will be a more confident and comfortable diver, ready for varied diving environments both locally and abroad. The course consists of five open water dives from different specialties, including Deep, Navigation, and three electives

Emergency First Response

Emergency First Response (EFR) is the fastest-growing international CPR, Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid training organization. Dedicated to training the lay rescuer, EFR courses encompasses adult, child and infant CPR skills, provides AED and First Aid training, and features an outstanding First Aid at Work component. The company’s award-winning programs and state-of-the-art training materials make it a favorite among divers around the world .

Rescue Diver

Rewarding and fun – that best describes the PADI Rescue Diver course. This course will expand your knowledge and experience level: Rescue Divers learn to look beyond themselves and consider the safety and well being of other divers. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence. The course includes classroom, confined water, and a challenging set of open water exercises.

Following completion of the above certifications, you are ready to become a dive professional

Divemaster

Take the first step in your dive career and become a PADI Divemaster. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you'll experience what it’s like to be a Dive Professional. PADI Divemaster training develops leadership abilities by training you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers. It also increases our understanding of Dive Theory. Your underwater skills will be honed to demonstration quality through practice in front of student divers, and feedback from instructors.

Assistant Instructor

The PADI Assistant Instructor course is the first segment of the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). You'll not only gain additional experience as a PADI Professional but you'll also start learning the PADI System of diver education. As an Assistant Instructor, you will be able to assume certain teaching responsibilities, making you a valuable member of the instruction team.

Open Water Scuba Instructor

The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor program is the doorway to becoming a member of the largest scuba diving instructor team in the world. During the Instructor Development Course, you will learn to use and adapt the PADI system of diver education to individual student needs. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors conduct a broad range of PADI programs, from Discover Scuba to Divemaster. The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor rating sets you apart from the crowd, and provides the foundation for a fulfilling career in scuba diving.

Specialty Instructor

Building upon your Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) certification, you will want to teach divers specific types of diving reflective of your local area. By doing so you can heighten your students' comfort level and strengthen their underwater skills, leading to their further enjoyment and commitment to the sport. Your value to shop owners and dive operators is greatly enhanced by your ability to teach PADI Specialties.

Emergency First Response Instructor

As an Emergency First Response Instructor, you can conduct Emergency First Response Primary Care (CPR), Secondary Care (first aid), and Care for Children courses. This presents significant income producing potential beyond scuba diving – youth groups, employers, community centers, and schools are all regularly looking for first aid instruction.

DSAT Gas Blender

Enriched air diving is a booming area in diving, having moved into the mainstream. The increased demand for enriched air fills has brought with it a demand for professionals trained in gas blending, as more dive centers are installing enriched air and trimix fill stations. The DSAT Gas Blender course provides the training and qualifications to operate that equipment. Two certifications are available - DSAT Gas Blender and DSAT Trimix Blender.

Repair Technician

Instructors trained in dive equipment servicing are in high demand. In addition to providing a service to customers, it provides an additional income stream to the dive center, or reduces its expenses of sending equipment out for repairs. This program is designed for the instructor who wishes to enhance their resume with the basic requirements to overhaul and service diving equipment in a diving retail or resort establishment. A certificate from a major dive equipment manufacturer is awarded on successful completion. This is a hands-on program. You will use specialty tools, a state of the art flow test bench, and sophisticated cleaning equipment while working on both mechanical and air balanced regulators.

Tank Inspection

This practical course in the visual inspection of SCUBA cylinders prepares the graduate to professionally and thoroughly inspect breathing air cylinders. PSI training is internationally recognized by training agencies, manufacturers, the military services and by the courts as meeting the definition of "has been trained". Completion also satisfies the OSHA requirement for required hazardous material (LIAZMAT) training for all employees who fill, use or otherwise handle high pressure gas cylinders. Dive retailers and dive operations can save significant expenses in not having to send tanks to outside vendors for inspections, and it can be a profitable enhancement to a shop’s repair services.

Retail Salesmanship

A vital skill often overlooked in the dive industry, Retail Salesmanship is a certificate program that dissects the selling process into contact skills, equipment knowledge and the most crucial aspect of a sale - the close. You will take your knowledge of the mechanics of scuba equipment, and apply it in working with customers. You will learn how to identify and stress the key attributes of products, dependent on the individual client. The program includes a full training day and a workshop follow-up. The workshop is an in-store "Live" selling experience. This type of training ensures your value to a dive center.

Selling Diving in the Classroom