Master Diver Certification
Master Diver course is not your simple, go-through-the-motions, kind of scuba class. You'll expand your knowledge on the sport and learn valuable dive skills.
Who should take Master Diver?
Topics and Dives Includes
1. Limited Visibility Dive: If you’re from Michigan, you know limited visibility but we’re taking it to the extreme. This is great training for those who are interested in shipwreck, cavern and cave dives and for those who 'grub' for artifacts. By the end of this class, you'll be able to successfully and comfortably search for an object using a blacked-out mask.
2. Lift Bags and Reels: Lift bags have many uses in diving. They can lift/retrieve lost objects and they are used for communicating when tech diving. However, if you don't know how to properly handle a lift bag and reel, they can take you for a rapid ride to the surface. In this class, you'll learn how to properly use them.
3. Search and Light Salvage: Have you ever been asked to find an object that a friend lost in a lake? It sounds simple enough but if you don't know how to set up a search pattern, your success will be minimal. You'll learn and practice this skill and use the lift bags and reels to bring up the 'lost' object.
4. Pony Bottle: Self-sufficient divers carry pony bottles just in case they run out of air. A self-rescue is always safer than asking another diver to share air. Tech divers also sling pony bottles with a multitude of mixed gasses to speed up outgassing and mandatory decompression stops. In this class, you'll learn how to sling a pony bottle system and readjusting your buoyancy and trim. Then, you'll practice making tank switches underwater. This training will prepare you for upcoming deep dives.
5. Deep Dives In totally, you will do two deep dives, one in Lake 16 and one on a shipwreck in Lake Michigan. First, we'll head to Lake 16 in Martin to do a simulated decompression dive. Anyone whose dove this lake knows it challenging. Besides, basic deep diving techniques, you'll also practice using a pony bottle and simulating decompression stops. For the class finale', it's a 110ft dive on the Ironsides Shipwreck off of Grand Haven.
6. Rescue & Emergency Procedures: SASS teaches rescue in EVERY class because you never can be too safe. In Master Diver, you'll simulate a full-blown rescue including locating the victim using surface references, then dive down to retrieve them, start CPR (simulated) and emergency response procedures.
7. Compass Navigation: Practice advanced underwater pattern work like triangles and rectangles.
8. Two Shipwreck Dives in Lake Michigan: Apply many of the techniques that you've learned on the finale dives on the Ironside shipwreck off of Grand Haven.
2022 Schedule
Theory Work:
Dives Schedule:
Class Cost: $399
Cost Includes: All instruction, use of all specialty equipment (lift bags, reels, compass, pony bottles, etc.) NAUI registration, and certification fees.
Does Not Include: NAUI Master Diver textbook $52 plus tax or NAUI Online Kit $79. Also not included is the Gull Lake parking fees and Great Lakes shipwreck charter cost, basic scuba equipment and air fills.
Prerequisite: You must have an Advanced Diver certification (any agency like NAUI, PADI, SSI) or equivalent dive experience (dive deeper than 60ft, a night dive and some compass skill). Please call Rick at SASS to determine if you can comp. out of Advance class and move directly to Master Diver class. 269-968-8551
Important: You must have descent buoyancy control before starting this class.
Who should take Master Diver?
- Anyone who is serious about improving their dive skills
- Anyone who wants to be a dive instructor (mandatory)
- Anyone who's goal is technical diving (mandatory)
Topics and Dives Includes
1. Limited Visibility Dive: If you’re from Michigan, you know limited visibility but we’re taking it to the extreme. This is great training for those who are interested in shipwreck, cavern and cave dives and for those who 'grub' for artifacts. By the end of this class, you'll be able to successfully and comfortably search for an object using a blacked-out mask.
2. Lift Bags and Reels: Lift bags have many uses in diving. They can lift/retrieve lost objects and they are used for communicating when tech diving. However, if you don't know how to properly handle a lift bag and reel, they can take you for a rapid ride to the surface. In this class, you'll learn how to properly use them.
3. Search and Light Salvage: Have you ever been asked to find an object that a friend lost in a lake? It sounds simple enough but if you don't know how to set up a search pattern, your success will be minimal. You'll learn and practice this skill and use the lift bags and reels to bring up the 'lost' object.
4. Pony Bottle: Self-sufficient divers carry pony bottles just in case they run out of air. A self-rescue is always safer than asking another diver to share air. Tech divers also sling pony bottles with a multitude of mixed gasses to speed up outgassing and mandatory decompression stops. In this class, you'll learn how to sling a pony bottle system and readjusting your buoyancy and trim. Then, you'll practice making tank switches underwater. This training will prepare you for upcoming deep dives.
5. Deep Dives In totally, you will do two deep dives, one in Lake 16 and one on a shipwreck in Lake Michigan. First, we'll head to Lake 16 in Martin to do a simulated decompression dive. Anyone whose dove this lake knows it challenging. Besides, basic deep diving techniques, you'll also practice using a pony bottle and simulating decompression stops. For the class finale', it's a 110ft dive on the Ironsides Shipwreck off of Grand Haven.
6. Rescue & Emergency Procedures: SASS teaches rescue in EVERY class because you never can be too safe. In Master Diver, you'll simulate a full-blown rescue including locating the victim using surface references, then dive down to retrieve them, start CPR (simulated) and emergency response procedures.
7. Compass Navigation: Practice advanced underwater pattern work like triangles and rectangles.
8. Two Shipwreck Dives in Lake Michigan: Apply many of the techniques that you've learned on the finale dives on the Ironside shipwreck off of Grand Haven.
2022 Schedule
Theory Work:
- Option #1: Anytime with the Online Course
- Option #2: Classroom lectures April 6- May 25 (8 Wednesdays) from 6-9p
- Option #3: Combine both online and lectures as it fits your schedule.
Dives Schedule:
- June 4: 3 dives at Gull Lake
- June 5: 1 dive at Lake 16 and 2 dives at Gull Lake
- June 26: 2 dives on the Ironsides Shipwreck off of Grand Haven - boat charter cost additional @$139 plus a possible gas-surcharge fee. (Date: tentative)
Class Cost: $399
Cost Includes: All instruction, use of all specialty equipment (lift bags, reels, compass, pony bottles, etc.) NAUI registration, and certification fees.
Does Not Include: NAUI Master Diver textbook $52 plus tax or NAUI Online Kit $79. Also not included is the Gull Lake parking fees and Great Lakes shipwreck charter cost, basic scuba equipment and air fills.
Prerequisite: You must have an Advanced Diver certification (any agency like NAUI, PADI, SSI) or equivalent dive experience (dive deeper than 60ft, a night dive and some compass skill). Please call Rick at SASS to determine if you can comp. out of Advance class and move directly to Master Diver class. 269-968-8551
Important: You must have descent buoyancy control before starting this class.