Unusual scuba certifications

[knfmn]

I want to get certified in underwater cave theatrics, golf ball juggler w/split fins. Is there a cert for that???

For a limited time only, you can ALSO get the dive sword carrier sub-specialty!

Kristopher

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

IANTD have Underwater Theatrical Performer

ah ... that explains these guys ...



... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[knfmn]

Don't you know that any fish in the area were like, "WTF?????"

Kristopher

 

[MarineResearch]

The PADI Tec Cave certification is very similar to the NSS CDS full cave certification, and essentially takes a couple weeks of training to complete.

Other unusual PADI courses:

- PADI California Lobster Hunter
- PADI Polynesian Shark Diver

 

[tardmaster]

any instructor can write his own specialty guidlines and submit to padi. if padi approves, then that instructor is free to teach that specialty. I've seen, manatee, whale shark & artifact and fossile recovery.

 

[fire_diver]

any instructor can write his own specialty guidlines and submit to padi. if padi approves, then that instructor is free to teach that specialty. I've seen, manatee, whale shark & artifact and fossile recovery.

Dang, tard beat me to it.

Yep, any instructor can invent any course. If you can dream, PADI can market it!

 

[knfmn]

I'd love an underwater basket weaving cert.

Kristopher

 

[2 Big 2 Fail]

I could get certified in:

Underwater bowling. I might go pro. (Spare air?)

Underwater golf. (I had two sets of special golfing dry suits, but I got a hole in one.)

Synchronized drowning. (It was no challenge. I got it right the first time.)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

any instructor can write his own specialty guidlines and submit to padi. if padi approves, then that instructor is free to teach that specialty. I've seen, manatee, whale shark & artifact and fossile recovery.

The manatee specialty always makes me go ... mainly because you don't scuba dive with manatees ... they don't like the bubbles, so you snorkel with them.

How can you have a diving specialty that doesn't involve diving?

Dang, tard beat me to it.

Yep, any instructor can invent any course. If you can dream, PADI can market it!

To be fair, you can do the same with NAUI ... and probably at least some of the other agencies as well. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, yanno ... local environments are going to have some influence on the types of specialties people might want to take, and it's in both the agency's and the diver's best interest to allow some means to "tailor" a specialty class to what the environment has to offer ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Guba]

As far as "unusual" certifications go, this may or not qualify. It's not with any major diving agency as far as I know, but it does require training and testing. It's located at Aquarena Center, in San Marcos, Texas.

Diving for Science : Aquarena Center : Texas State University

The entire facility is built around Spring Lake, which is fed by multiple springs producing millions of gallons of crystal clear water a day. There are five endangered/protected species there, so near-perfect buoyancy is crucial, as is recognition of the species to be protected. There is also a protected archaelogical site within the lake. In fact, there is no true "recreational" diving there. ALL divers must go through the local certification program and diving is only allowed for those willing to volunteer their time to help maintain the facility. Make no mistake, however...diving there is a blast regardless of what you are doing to help out.