National Geographic
Diver Specialty Course
COURSE STANDARDS AND OVERVIEW
This course is designed to increase a diver's understanding of the importance of
the aquatic realm and broaden the diver's awareness while scuba diving.
Prerequisites
To qualify for the National Geographic Diver course, an individual must
be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver, or have
a qualifying certification from another training organization.
The National Geographic Adventure Dive conducted during the PADI Adventures
in Diving program may be counted toward this specialty at the discretion of the
instructor conducting the specialty course.
Note: Reference the "Open Water Diver Course Instructor Guide" or "National Geographic
Diver Instructor Guide" for information about combining this specialty with the PADI Open
Water Diver course.
Instructor Supervision
National Geographic Diver Specialty courses must be conducted through a
PADI National Geographic Dive Center. Any Teaching status PADI Instructor
working through the PADI National Geographic Dive Center may conduct this
course.
The maximum ratio is eight divers per instructor (8:1) during any open
water training dive, with a certified assistant for each two additional student
divers, to a maximum of 12 student divers.
Considerations for Open Water Training
The National Geographic Diver Specialty course is to include at least two open
water training dives that may be conducted in one day. The minimum number
of recommended hours is 12, with time being equally divided between knowledge
development and open water dives.
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Though one of the Americas’ smallest countries, Belize boasts a world of ecosystems, from palm-shaded beaches to rain forests and highland mountains to coral reefs. Many areas remain pristine, and given that about a third of Belize is designated as protected area, they may well have a fighting chance to stay that way. Click on image to visit our daily Blog
Are there Sharks?
Gray Carribean Reef Sharks Photographed in the Hole August 2007
The rim of the Blue Hole is circled with reef
A common inhabitant of many reef systems, the banded coral shrimp is distinguished by its long hairlike antennae and its candy-cane color scheme. One of many shrimp species known as cleaners, it perches on corals, sponges, and other animals to feed, using its pincers to “clean” parasites off the larger animals.
crystal clear waters of Belize
visability of 100'+ is common
Adventure Divers with Elbert Greer 2007
A stalactite marks an entrance to the Blue Hole’s underwater cave system. Made famous by Jacques Cousteau, the journey into the cavern is not for fainthearted or unskilled scuba divers.
Half Moon Cay, Belize
Lunch on Half Moon Caye Approximately 98 species of birds have been recorded on the tiny island, including the rare red-footed booby and the so-called magnificent frigatebird, which share a rookery here. An observation deck provides a sweeping view of the forest canopy and enables relatively close viewing of nesting birds.