HSA/A-1 Scuba Dive Buddy Course

Why take this course?

Thank you for your interest in our Handicapped Scuba Association Dive Buddy course! This three-day program is filled with fun, challenges, and loaded with information. This course is a special certification for certified divers who wish to know and understand more about physical disabilities, how it relates to scuba diving and how to be a dive buddy for someone with special needs.

HSA logo

During this course, you will gain knowledge and experience in how to safely and effectively assist and scuba dive with divers with disabilities. The training you receive will be like nothing else you have done before

Day 1

We’ll begin with introductions and collect the various document (see below).  Then we’ll start digging into the many aspects of the HSA program including discussions on various disabilities, Performance Standards, classifications and the unique certification procedures of the HSA. After that, we’ll head to the pool to begin roleplaying and skills training.  You’re guaranteed to discover the meaning of trust, confidence, expectation, reliance, and dependence.

Day 2

We’ll wrap up the knowledge development portion of the course as well as the remaining pool exercises.

Day 3

Here’s your chance to apply the techniques you learned in the pool in an Open Water environment at the Denver Downtown Aquarium. Once again, you’ll be working in buddy teams and performing several of the skills learned in the swimming pool. As in the pool, you’ll be playing the role of a disabled diver and as a dive buddy.

Please note that the starting and ending times are subject to change

  • Course Prerequisites, Forms and Performance Requirements
    • Certified Open Water Scuba Diver, or above, by a recognized diver training agency
      Please bring your certification card to the first class.
    • Minimum age 15 years old
    • Be fit for diving
    • Logged a minimum of 10 open water dives within 2 years prior to the starting date of the course. Please bring your logbook to the first class.
    • Logged a total minimum of 20 open water dives to complete the course.
    • Successfully challenge HSA Air Sharing and Life Saving Skills or equivalent. You will be asked to demonstrate these skills on the first day of class.
    • Complete the required documents

    IMPORTANT – THE DIVER MEDICAL PARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRE IS CRITICAL! If you answer YES to questions 3, 5, or 10 on page 1 of the Diver Medical Questionnaire or any of the questions on page two, you will be directed to print, sign, and date page one of the questionnaire and bring all three pages to your medical professional for an evaluation. Your medical professional must approve, date, and sign the form and add their medical credentials MD, DO, NP, RN, PA, etc.

    UNFORTUNATELY, THE PARTICIPANT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE WATER UNTIL THE PROPER DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, SIGNED, AND REVIEWED FOR ACCURACY BY THE INSTRUCTOR. 

  • Attend all classroom, confined, and open water segments of the course
  • Participate in all role-playing segments in the confined and open water
  • Complete and pass the final exam (Note: this is an open-book exam and conducted as a group)

INCLUDES

  • All classroom instruction
  • All confined water training
  • HSA Dive Buddy Manual
  • HSA Registration fee
  • Use of tanks and weights
  • Tanks and weights will be provided for the pool and Aquarium dives

NOT INCLUDED            

  • Pool and Open Water (Mask, fins, snorkel, and Octopus Alternate Air Source)
  • $125 Entry fee for open water training dives at the Denver Downtown Aquarium (includes the use of ALL equipment)
  • Parking fee at the Downtown Aquarium

January 11 & 12, 2025 at A-1 Scuba and January 13th at the Denver Downtown Aquarium

Please call Scott at A-1 if you have any questions

Course Fee $370

HSA Scuba Instructor

Program Testimonials

Where to begin…I cannot express to you my gratitude for facilitating the course that we went through this past weekend. The dedication and passion that you brought to this course was amazing beyond words…I attempted to explain to my wife and family what is was that I just experienced and became very emotional upon my reflection. One cannot understand the emotion and sense of pride of accomplishing this course unless they go through it and my heartfelt thank you to each of you. Even though we have just met, I feel a special bond with each of you and hope that may continue to grow!

At work, I am attempting to get things done but cannot keep from reflecting on the whole weekend and sharing my experience with my co-workers as best as I can explain…I cannot keep thinking about the trust we placed in each other in the course and hope that someday I may be able to instill that trust in others of me.

I look forward to seeing you both again soon and would love to continue this journey that has just begun…Thank you both!

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