Updated Advanced Open Water Crewpak Now Shipping

Alternative Student Kit Includes More Required Materials

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In response to member feedback, we have a new Adventures in Diving crewpak which includes a surface marker buoy (aka safety sausage) and a whistle in lieu of the Nav-Finder.

Why the new signaling devices?
PADI Standards require Adventures in Diving / AOW students carry an audible signaling device throughout their training, and visual signaling devices are recommended for divers of all levels.

Is PADI Getting Rid of the Nav-Finder?
The Nav-Finder remains a useful tool for many instructors and student divers. That said, putting safety equipment in the hands of divers is of primary importance. The Nav-Finder remains available as part of the Underwater Navigator crewpak (60023) and as an ala carte item (60051).

The Adventures in Diving crewpak with Nav-Finder (60325, and 60307) will be available until the end of 2009 or until our supply is exhausted.

Why Use a Crewpak Instead of Book & Table?
The new crewpak offers several advantages for retailers:

• Both student and retailer save money buying required materials as a package
• Safety equipment becomes a permanent addition to student's gear which they may replace or upgrade
• Increased awareness of signaling devices can drive sales of signaling devices to other divers.

The new Adventures in Diving crewpak is available in two formats: a book version and a multimedia CD-ROM version. Both ship in a water-resistant zippered pouch and include the student workslate, surface marker buoy (SMB)and whistle.

Product Info
60329 Adventures in Diving Crew-Pak w/SMB & Whistle
MSRP: $73.60

60331 Adventures in Diving Multimedia Crew-Pak w/SMB & Whistle
MSRP: $89.80

The Adventures in Diving program is offered online as an eLearning course. Student cost is $120. Read more about AOW online.

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PADI Scuba Tune-Up Guidebook Now Shipping

Newly-Revised Product Available Now

This newly-revised Scuba Tune-Up Guidebook (rev 08/09) allows your student to quickly and effectively review scuba diving fundamentals.

The self-directed learning format has been preserved in the new version - but the layout has been simplified. Each quick quiz assessment covers a different area of dive theory. safety, problem management, etc. Correct answers allow the student to finish the book quickly.

Incorrect answers direct students to an explanation of the concept. For example, a student who cannot answer, "What are the five steps in a pre-dive safety check?" will be directed to read a section on the steps of BWRAF and the importance of each.

The new version includes:

* an expanded discussion of computer diving
* eRDPML use
* and an optional review section for diving with Enriched Air Nitrox

MSRP: $20

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REMINDER: PADI Americas Closed for Labor Day

PADI Office and Warehouse Closed Monday 7 September 2009

If you need materials prior to Labor Day weekend - and want to take advantage of free shipping - please order order by Noon* Monday 31 August.

* What time is it in California right now?

After Monday, there are expedited shipping options, but please keep in mind that it's $25 to send a piece of paper via overnight delivery!

We will re-open for normal business hours on Tuesday 8 September. You can place orders online while we're closed; however, the orders will not be processed until we re-open.

The exception is PIC online. Order PIC Online from the shopping cart and the credits will post within an hour.

To order online, visit padimembers.com and click on "shop online" from the cluster of links in the top right corner.

Changes to DSAT Tec Diving Program

DSAT Chat

In September, DSAT will roll out the newly structured and revised Tec Deep Diver program.

Renamed "The Tec Diver Course," the new program consists of three separate sub-courses and certification levels: DSAT Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50. The numbers in each course name corresponds with the maximum depth limit (in metres) of that certification.

(email subscribers, click through to view the chart above)

There's also a new instructor level - Tec Instructor. Tec Instructors may teach Tec 40 only. Requirements for Tec Deep Instructor and Tec Trimix Instructor remain unchanged.

From now until the end of the year, PADI Instructors with appropriate technical diving instructor ratings can qualify for direct crossover to become DSAT Tec Instructors free of charge. Applicants must hold:

1. a qualifying technical diving certification that allows decompression dives to 45 metres/145 feet with double cylinder, open circuit scuba equipment using air, enriched air and oxygen.

2. a qualifying technical instructor rating to teach open circuit decompression diving using air and enriched air to a depth of 40 meters/130 feet.

For more info, please visit the excellent DSAT Chat blog for a complete run down of the changes to our Tec Deep program. Also, look for an article in the fourth quarter 2009 Undersea Journal / Training Bulletin.

Those of you attending DEMA may be interested in a half-day TecRec seminar on 5 November.

15% Off Seal Team and Bubblemaker Materials

Now through Wednesday September 2nd 2009, all Seal Team and Bubblemaker products are 15% off your current buying level. This offer applies to both student and pro materials and is not available through PADI's online shopping cart.

Read our Back to School promo email to view the complete list of items.

Ideas for Promoting a Bubblemaker Program
Bubblemaker birthday parties are a popular way for adult divers to get their kids involved in scuba - and a great way to grow your business. As those of you who have kids know: when one child does it, all their friends want to do it to.

Or, host a monthly Bubblemaker night. Each time a child participates, give them one item from the crewpak and a stamp in their log book. This will encourage children to participate multiple times - and give Mom and Dad a chance for date night!

You can also use Bubblemaker like a DSD before enrolling kids into a Seal Team program.

Suggestions for Starting a Seal Team Program
One of the most common questions I receive is, "how much should I charge for Seal Team?" The price can vary from city to city, but look at comparable activities such as karate lessons or basketball camp to get an idea of what parents are willing to pay. If twice-a-week-karate lessons run $250 for a six-week session, that gives you an idea what parents might be willing to pay for a Seal Team program of similar duration.

Scheduling is also key - talk to your customers who have children to identify busy times such as regional soccer tournaments. Winter break is often a great time to offer Seal Team programs. Once the glow of the holidays has worn off, kids are often bored and ready to get out of the house.

Lastly, recognition is huge with kids and parents. Posterboard with star stickers is a simple but effective way to chart each Seal's progress. If possible, host a Seal / Master Seal graduation party on the last night of class - and post a group photo to your website.

PADI Public Safety Diver Instructor Requirements

Announced earlier this summer, the PADI Public Safety Diving Specialty has been generating a TON of calls and questions. While I still don't have any info on when this program will launch, I got the list of instructor pre-req's. to tide you over.

I've heard the instructor guide is being finalized and I expect we'll have the materials on or before DEMA time.

Instructor Pre-requisites
1. Master Scuba Diver Trainer Instructor, or higher
2. Full Face Mask PADI Distinctive Instructor Certification
3. Dry Suit Instructor Certification
4. Any three of the following PADI Instructor ratings:
a. Search and Recovery
b. Night Diver
c. Limited Visibility
d. Emergency Oxygen Provider
e. Underwater Navigation
5. Current EFR Instructor or qualifying equivalent
6. Current Medical
7. Proof of related profession – Police, Fire, Paramedic, Dive Team Member etc.
8. Minimum 1 year PSD experience
9. 20 missions or 10 missions and 10 PSD certs.
10. ICS (Incident Command System) training Level II (200). It is free and available online through FEMA website (NIMS – National Incident Management System). You can simply send a copy of your diploma.
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is100a.asp
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is200a.asp


Course Materials: (release date TBA)
1. Public Safety Diver Instructor Guide
2. Lesson Guides
3. Specialized forms and Checklists for use during class and diving operations in the field.


Diver Prerequisites:
1. PADI Advanced and Rescue Diver or qualifying equivalent certification;
2. 18 years old;
3. Proof of affiliation/employment with a public safety team
4. Any ancillary courses necessary to carry out public safety diving in the local area (dry suit, full face mask, etc.)

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Back from Alaska

Sorry for the lack of posts in the last two weeks. I was traveling on vacation in Alaska and Canada. It was a great trip and I got to see humpback whales bubblenetting in Juneau. Now I'm back in the saddle and glad to be back in California where the temperature gets above 60 degrees!

A big THANK YOU to Saunya and Allen in Ketchikan for their hospitality. The photo slideshow of SE Alaska's underwater life was a highlight of my trip. Visit the Ketchikan Dive Club's webpage for a taste of what's down below... up there.

PADI at DEMA 2009: Show Schedule and Program Info

For those of you thinking about attending DEMA, here are links to our program and mini-seminar schedule. Believe! is our big showcase program this year.

Other programs of note include:

• Course Director Update (2 Nov) and IDC Staff updates (6 Nov)*
• A seminar covering PADI's new Public Safety Diver program
  (offered Nov 5th and again Nov 6th)
  
• PADI Standards and Products for 2010
  (offered on multiple dates)
  

... and recurring popular seminars:

• The path to PADI Course Director (offered on multiple dates)
  
• Starting a successful kids scuba program
  (offered Nov 4th and again on Nov 6th)
  
• and an EFR Instructor Trainer program
  

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the linked documents for complete details.

DEMA 2009 PADI Program Schedule

DEMA 2009 PADI Mini-Seminar Schedule

Believe! Program Flyer / Believe! Promotional Video (30 seconds)

DEMA Hotel Information

If you haven't booked your airfare yet, check out our guide to scoring a great deal on airfare.

* If you can't attend DEMA, PADI will host three Course Director / IDC Staff updates in the west coast / Pacific region.

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PADI Course Director Update and IDC Staff Update Schedule

PADI's IDC Evolution

PADI's revised IDC program will be unveiled on 2 November 2009 during the PADI Course Director Update at DEMA. IDC Staff Instructors can preview the program on 6 November.

After the DEMA launch, PADI will conduct live Instructor Development updates throughout the PADI Americas territory. See calendar below...

Course Directors
This program is required to maintain your Course Director rating past 30 June 2010. The one-day program costs $475 US and includes the revised PADI Course Director Manual CD-ROM, the new PADI’s Guide to Teaching (paper), the revised Instructor Development Course Lesson Guides CD-ROM and the new PADI Instructor Manual (on disc).
CD Update registration form.

IDC Staff
This program is not required to maintain your rating, however, it's strongly recommended. The IDC Staff Instructor update is a half-day program costing $299 US and includes the revised PADI Course Director Manual CD-ROM, the new PADI’s Guide to Teaching (paper) and the new PADI Instructor Manual on disc.
IDC Staff Update registration form

• Read more about the new PADI instructor manual.
• Find out what's in the revised PADI IDC crewpak.
  

Pasted below are the Course Director IDC Staff Instructor Update dates for the West Coast / Pacific region. To register, FAX in the registration form or contact Angela Rimando at: 800 729 7234 ext. 2268. Dates are subject to change so please confirm the date, time and location when you register.

California
18 November 2009 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA CD Update
19 November 2009 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA IDC Staff Update
just added!
14 June 2010 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA CD & IDC Staff Update
- use this form to register


Hawaii
7 December 2009 Honolulu, HI CD Update
8 December 2009 Honolulu, HI IDC Staff Update

Washington
21 June 2010 Seattle, WA CD Update
22 June 2010 Seattle, WA IDC Staff Update







Click the images below to view the complete schedule.

IDC Staff Update Schedule



Course Director Update Schedule

16 Nov 2009
Post-DEMA Update: we've received reports that the 2010 IDC Lesson Guides can take awhile to spin up. Please allow 7-10 minutes for the installation process to begin after inserting the disc into your PC.* Once the lesson guides are installed, they work fine.

*This problem has not been reported for Mac users.

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