WHO IS THIS CLASS DESIGNED FOR?
The Recreational Diving Essentials course provides students with the fundamental knowledge of UTD philosophy, equipment configuration, and in-water techniques. This course is suitable for any diver looking to explore the advantages of UTD principles in their diving experience. While it primarily targets newly certified open water divers, even experienced divers have found that integrating UTD concepts into their practices enhances safety and enjoyment. This course places a strong emphasis on propulsion and precise buoyancy control, making it particularly beneficial for photographers and videographers striving to capture the perfect shot. Instructors will also find value in the fresh perspective on diver training and skill development that this course offers. It serves as an excellent initial step for anyone interested in embracing the Unified Team Diving approach.
WHY SHOULD I TAKE THIS CLASS?
Regardless of your experience level, UTD philosophy allows you to grow as a diver. Some divers are eager to begin incorporating the increased skill and academic demands of UTD but do not have the desire to become deep technical divers. This class is tailor made for a new open water diver who wants to know what skills they need to work on, or for the diver new to UTD who wants to learn more without the burden of passing a class. This class serves as an excellent introduction to UTD, and is perfect for someone who wants to start Recreational training in more advanced UTD classes.
WHY TRAIN WITH US?
At FlowState Divers, we proudly stand apart as an elite group of dive professionals with extensive backgrounds in Cave and Technical diving. What sets us apart from the rest is our unique approach; we don't just teach, we teach as we dive. Our unwavering commitment to excellence drives us to be the best of the best in the diving world. When you train with us, you're not just learning the skills; you're embarking on a journey to exceed industry standards. Our students emerge from our programs as self-aware and utterly badass divers, well-prepared to explore the underwater world with confidence and expertise.
Essentials Of Rec
The Essentials of Recreational Diving course serves as the foundational stepping stone for all certified divers and is a prerequisite for participation in all other recreational UTD (Unified Team Diving) classes, with the exception of Rec 1 (Open Water). This course equips divers with essential personal skills and knowledge, empowering them to evolve into thoughtful, capable divers in a unified team setting.
At the heart of this course lies the mastery of buoyancy, a skill revered as the hallmark of control in the underwater world. You will delve into the art of precise buoyancy control, paired with achieving a horizontal trim position, enabling you to effortlessly maintain your place in the water. This newfound buoyancy prowess opens the door to a range of vital skills, most notably propulsion. Within the course, you will become proficient in five distinct kicks that not only prevent silt disturbance but also enhance your control, enabling you to gracefully move both forward and backward in the water.
The curriculum goes beyond physical skills, encompassing various facets of diving, including proper air sharing procedures, team protocols, gas planning, ascent strategies, and much more. These elements collectively contribute to your comprehensive understanding of recreational diving, ensuring your readiness for safe and enjoyable underwater adventures.
Essentials of Recreational Diving is thoughtfully designed to nurture the fundamental techniques that underpin sound diving practices, irrespective of the diver's experience level or the environment they plan to explore. Moreover, this course acts as a vital bridge between conventional diving training and the more rigorous curriculum offered by UTD, providing a seamless transition for those who wish to elevate their diving expertise.
By enrolling in the Essentials of Recreational Diving course, you embark on a journey to become a "thinking diver" who not only excels in individual skills but also thrives in a collaborative team environment, ensuring that your underwater experiences are not only enjoyable but safe and fulfilling.
PREREQUISITES
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Must be a certified open water diver from a recognized training agency.
COURSE LIMITS
• Maximum depth is 60’/18m
• Standard gas is Air (21% O2)
• No stage decompression
• No overhead environments
REQUIREMENTS
• Completed UTD registration process
• Complete the Essentials Online Knowledge Base Class
• The use of prescription drugs must be authorized prior to the onset of diver training by a physician
• Must be able to swim a distance of at least 15 meters on a breath hold.
• Must be able to swim at least 275 meters in less than 14 minutes without stopping.
6 IN-WATER
SESSIONS
3 DAYS OF
TRAINING
MAX. 18M
OF DEPTH
What You Learn
• UTD/DIR Philosophy & Equipment Configuration
• Correct Buoyancy control, Trim and Propulsion techniques
• Extensive Dive Planning & Execution
• Team Diving Mentality & Situational Awareness
• Underwater Problem Solving
What You Earn
✓ UTD Essentials of Rec certification
✓ Confidence & Knowledge
✓ Exceptional foundational skills
✓ FlowState Membership
✓ Continuous education at discounted prices
Day I
Typically the class begins with an initial session consisting of introductions, a presentation including video review of the skills to be introduced in the class.
After that, we continue with hands-on equipment fitting, review of gear configuration and a discussion of the pros and cons of various equipment choices. Once the gear is properly fit and configured the class then focuses on the “dry runs” of the basic skills and some practice before entering the water. Dry runs allow the student to practice the skills on land under the watchful eye of the instructor(s).
We will then conduct the first in-w ...
Day II
The second day starts with a review and dry run of skills include improving diver trim, proficiency in precision buoyancy control, perfecting propulsion techniques (including learning how to kick backwards), fine-tuning equipment configurations, refining underwater communication, utilising a team diving approach, and effective dive planning. Students will then conduct two (2) dives putting the skills and concepts learned in the morning session into actual practice while we capture the in-water session for review after lunch.
We conclude the day with a complete video review.
Day III
The third day will commence with practicing additional skills and improving on the prior days performance, during two (2) more dives which will again be videotaped for subsequent review.
After lunch the class will conclude with the video review, final lecture session and student performance review.
Master Series
Introducing our Master Series on YouTube, a comprehensive collection of videos meticulously crafted to empower divers with the tools and knowledge they need to enhance their underwater skills. Whether you're an aspiring diver or a seasoned enthusiast, our Master Series is your gateway to honing your abilities beneath the surface.
TRAIN
WITH
US
