NAUI Advanced Open Water Diver Program

Our NAUI Advanced Open Water program is designed for divers who want to become more capable, confident, and self-sufficient in real-world diving conditions. This is not a generic “intro to specialties” course. It is a structured training program focused on developing practical diving skills, sound judgment, and advanced diving knowledge for local Florida diving and beyond.

Launch Night & Academic Session

The course begins with a dedicated Launch Night where we complete all administrative requirements and prepare for the training schedule ahead. During this session we will:

• Complete medical history forms and waivers
• Organize student folders and course materials
• Review and schedule all training dives
• Discuss course expectations and equipment needs

We will also conduct our first academic session covering:

• Dive planning
• Gas management
• Equipment configuration
• Dive computers and accessories
• Local diving considerations and environmental factors

There is also a required eLearning component that students will complete throughout the course.

Required Equipment

During the AOW Launch session, we will discuss the equipment best suited to your diving goals, experience level, and local diving conditions. We’ll provide personalized guidance and answer your questions, with appropriate equipment options available for those interested.

Students must provide the following equipment for the course:

• DSMB (Delayed Surface Marker Buoy)
• Finger spool
• Cutting device
• Primary dive light

A dive slate is strongly recommended.

Students are also responsible for providing all standard scuba equipment required for the diving environment and conditions encountered throughout the course, including appropriate exposure protection (wetsuit) for spring, lake, and ocean dives. Rentals are available.

Dive Day 1 — Local Spring TBD

Our first training dives focus on environmental awareness, limited visibility procedures, and light communication protocols. We will also conduct dives designed to gather air consumption data and improve understanding of individual gas management.

Training objectives include:

• Night and limited visibility concepts
• Light communication and team protocols
• Buoyancy and awareness refinement
• Air consumption evaluation

Dive Day 2 — Local Spring TBD

The second training day focuses heavily on practical skill development and problem-solving underwater.

Training objectives include:

• Underwater navigation
• DSMB deployment techniques
• Rescue skill development
• Team awareness and communication

Dive Day 3 — Florida Ocean Diving

Our final training dives transition students into open ocean environments where they will apply the skills and planning concepts developed throughout the course.

Training objectives include:

• Ocean dive planning
• Advanced gas management application
• DSMB deployment in open water
• Environmental awareness and situational judgment

This program is intended for divers who want to move beyond basic certification and develop the skills, confidence, and mindset of an experienced advanced diver.