Your upcoming Open Water Dives will be an exciting, fun-filled learning experience. In order to insure that your diving is as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible, we ask that you take a few moments to review the following information and suggestions.

Plan and Prepare in Advance! A list of the required diving equipment is attached. Please check and adjust all of your gear BEFORE you arrive at the dive site. This will insure that everything is "just right" for you and will prevent delays and inconvenience to your fellow divers. If you are not properly equipped, it may be necessary to ask you to abort the dive.

Please be Prompt! The dive training begins at 10:00 AM on both days. Please plan to arrive at the quarry by 9:50 AM. This will allow you a few minutes to get settled before we begin. DO NOT put on your equipment until instructed to do so.

Where to meet! Your entire day of diving will take place at either GILBOA QUARRY, PORTAGE QUARRY, or WHITE STAR QUARRY. Directions to the quarries are available. The driving times are approximate and are calculated from Aqua Specialists. Plan to be finished about 4:00 PM each day.

Where to Stay for GILBOA, WHITE STAR, & PORTAGE QUARRIES! Primitive camping is available at the quarries for approximately $4-10 per night. Several motels are located nearby the quarries offering a variety of price ranges. Ask for motel fact sheet. Reservations are highly recommended. Identify yourself as a diver at the quarry and receive a discount rate.

Where to Eat! Plan to eat lunch at the quarry both days. Snack bars for hot dogs, burgers and beverages are available. Please remember to bring snacks and lots on non-carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages to replace the fluid lost during a day of diving.

Air Fills and Quarry Admissions! GILBOA QUARRY is $12.00 per day payable at the quarry on admission. PORTAGE QUARRY & WHITE STAR is $10 per day payable at the quarry on admission. White Star requires exact amount in cash. Air fills at GILBOA, WHITE STAR & PORTAGE are $7.00 for 3,000 psi 80 cu ft tank. PORTAGE air fill is $6.00

Rental Equipment! If you are renting equipment from Aqua Specialists, it is your responsibility to insure that you return EXACTLY the same equipment that you rented. Please note that all rental gear is marked with a rental number and this number MUST match the ones on your rental receipt. We suggest that you make a note of the numbers or bring your rental receipt with you. Failure to return the proper equipment may result in additional rental charges. Please also note that it is YOUR responsibility to check your rental equipment before it leaves the store to insure that you have everything and that everything works correctly. This applies to you no matter where you rent or borrow your equipment. Rental equipment is available for pick-up at Aqua Specialists after 4:00 PM on Friday unless reservations are made in advance for an earlier pick up. Rental equipment returned to Aqua Specialists after 7:00 PM on the due date will result in additional charges.

Certification! Your dives must be recorded in a proper scuba diving log book and signed by the instructor. After your last certification dive, your instructor will issue you a temporary certification card and provide you a certification envelope(s) which you must complete and mail along with a picture to the scuba certification agency to receive your permanent scuba certification. Your permanent scuba certification card(s) will be returned to Aqua Specialists by the certification agency four to six weeks after you mail it. Aqua Specialists will record your certification information and provide you with a wall certificate(s) suitable for framing. Contact Aqua Specialists in about six weeks after you have mailed the certification envelope to determine if your certification card(s) have arrived and if your wall certificate(s) are ready for you to pick up. It is important to keep your Temporary Certification Card until you receive your permanent Certification Card even if it is out of date.

We suggest that you record the sizes of your rental equipment along with the amount of weights that you needed for your dives in your log book for your future reference in renting equipment.

Plan to have FUN! The Open Water Dives are designed to be a fun-filled learning experience. By the time the dives are over you will be a better, more comfortable diver, ready and eager to enjoy and explore more of the beautiful underwater world. We look forward to diving and sharing it with you!

OW/Rev: 05/05