Recreational Training with Reef Encounters

NAUI Scuba Diver Course

Y74,250 includes online login codes, dive log, use of all gear needed, confined and open water dives
Upon completion of this entry level diving course, students will receive a lifetime internationally recognized SCUBA diving licence. At Reef Encounters we specialize in offering the most complete and comprehensive training possible and this is why we endorse and recommend the NAUI system of training. There are numerous certification agencies available to get certified from: NAUI, PADI, SSI, BSAC, CMAS, PDIC, SDI, and the alphabet soup goes on and on. After years of teaching we have found that the NAUI system of teaching is the best fit for divers that truly want to enjoy there diving and master the skills necessary to be safe competent divers. This assures that upon certification you are comfortable in the water and can enjoy your diving. We recommend completing the NAUI certification course as it is the most complete course offered at this level to include training in free diving and rescue skills not covered by other agencies. NAUI is also recognized in every country in the world so no problem taking your NAUI card and diving anywhere. All of our staff are certified NAUI instructors and have passed the most rigorous instructor training offered and attend updates and retraining throughout the year to keep their skills at the highest level.
If you have started your training with another shop we are a universal referral location and our staff can complete your training from any agency and we also employ PADI instructors to offer training from this agency also if you insist upon it (extra fees for books, elearning and registrations may apply for other agency certifications).

Coupled with the in-water training and equipment instruction, divers will learn the basic knowledge on the physics and physiology of diving and how to be a safe and responsible diver. Courses are conducted mainly from beach locations, but they can also be conducted on the boat. Check out the different courses to see what is right for you.
The Scuba Diver/Open Water certification course consists of
1. Knowledge Development sessions – Classroom work including Quizzes and a Final Exam plus homework! Most of this work can be completed before you arrival in Okinawa, on line at no extra charge!
2. Confined Water Dives – Underwater skill practice in shallow water (Ocean or Pool sessions).
3. Open Water Dives – Skill performance in the open ocean (max depth 18m/60 ft)

Shortly after making a reservation with us, we will send you a e-learning code so that you can get started on the required reading and chapter reviews before arriving in Okinawa. COMPLETION OF E-LEARNING QUIZZES AND TESTS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BEFORE ARRIVAL. E-learning which is available at no extra cost for the most classes at Reef Encounters allows students to complete most academics on-line, including the final exam before arrival.
Apart from all the classroom work and dive theory, the main point of diving is to have fun in the ocean! With diving locations just 30 seconds away from our shop, students will be introduced to a fabulous underwater dive site filled with tropical fish, colorful soft corals, and crystal clear water. If students excel in the confined water skill sessions, we can complete the remainder of the course in the Kerama or Chiibishi Island groups.
At Reef Encounters, we have a truly international team of instructors who are fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese. All courses can be completed in any of these languages. Course material is also available in many other languages also. (Currently the elearning is only available in English and Spanish)(Mandarin and Cantonese expected summer of 2017)
3 Day Open Water course (*4 days are recommended Learning to dive is a commitment and should not be rushed.) For those students who are good swimmers or have experience snorkeling and are very comfortable in the water already, completing a 3 day course is possible but still an intensive very busy three days. If you are not a good swimmer or are not comfortable in the water we recommend a longer course with more dives to make sure you get to a comfort level that will allow you to enjoy your diving after completing your certification. Adding an extra day of diving after completing the course is highly recommended for all divers but especially for those with limited experience in the water before attending a course. You may schedule your course to complete over four days with the normal number of dives or schedule a 4 or 5 day course with extra dives to practice your new skills under the supervision of one of Reef Encounters professional staff that will give you tips and pointers to improve your skills and the extra dives will increase your confidence in the water. Please discuss with one of our professional staff the best course for you based on your experience.
Note well that all Scuba Diver certification courses have a basic swim test that all students must pass to get certified. You must know how to swim before arriving on Okinawa if you want to get certified. Certain medical conditions such as asthma or other disorders with your lungs or respiratory system may disqualify you from diving, also conditions which result in convulsions or loss of consciousness may disqualify you from scuba training. If you have any questions or concerns please contact one of our staff directly or a medical professional.

Rescue Scuba Diver

Y74,250 *Includes elearning codes and gear needed for the course.
This course trains divers in the knowledge and skills needed to manage risks and effectively handle limited in-water problems and diving emergencies. Must be certified as a Scuba Diver and have certification in First Aid and CPR. If First AID and CPR certification is not held, it can be added to the course by your instructor. Much of the academics for this course may be completed on line before arriving in Okinawa. There are numerous hands on exercises to be completed both in water and on land to complete the course. We suggest scheduling a minimum of 2 days to complete the course and 3 days if first aid and CPR is needed.

Nitrox Diver

Y31,900
This course is to provide the diver with the information necessary to utilize EAN as a breathing medium. The course may be taught as a stand-alone specialty course or combined with other general certification courses. We can complete this course in one day or as part of another course. Most of the academics for this course can be completed via online before arriving on Okinawa.

Deep Diving

Y57,750
This course is to provide the diver with the knowledge and skills to plan and make deep dives while minimizing risks and avoiding the need for stage decompression. Training dives are not to be conducted beyond 130 feet (40m). We need at least 3 days for this course and it has a minimum of 4 dives.

SEARCH AND RECOVERY

This course is to provide the diver with the skills and knowledge to do those underwater tasks commonly needed by the experienced recreational diver to minimize the risks of such tasks. Academic areas covered are Underwater Navigation, Limited Visibility Diving, Search Methods and Light Salvage and Recovery.

WRECK DIVER

(External Survey) This course provides the diver with the skills and knowledge to gain experience and minimize risks in wreck diving. Wreck Diving (External Survey) is defined as diving around a sunken vessel, aircraft or debris field.

FREE DIVING

This course is to provide the skin diver with the skills and knowledge to gain experience and minimize risks in breath-hold diving.

NIGHT DIVING

Y35,000 This course is to provide the diver with the skills and knowledge needed to minimize the risks of diving at night. (may be for skin or scuba divers) .

CORAL REEF ECOLOGY

This course is to expose the diver to the physical and biological aspects of the diving environment with emphasis on coral reefs in the local area. This course will draw much of the subject material from related sciences, e.g., oceanography, climatology, geology, biology and ecology.

TRAINING ASSISTANT

This course is to qualify the diver in the skills and knowledge necessary to perform as a training assistant during diver training sessions. This course is to enhance the diver’s general skills and abilities and is not a substitute for specific leadership courses.

CPR/FIRST AID

American Safety & Health Institute CPR and First Aid. This training is recognized by all agencies as fulfilling the requirements for CPR and First Aid training. Can be combined with RESCUE and ADVANCED RESCUE courses. This is a prerequisite for all leadership training.

OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION FOR DIVING ACCIDENTS

Oxygen is the divers best chance of full recovery after a diving accident. This course provides the diver and non-diver the skills and knowledge necessary to administer oxygen in the event of a diving accident. Course will cover physiology as related to diving injuries, oxygen delivery systems, oxygen safe handling practices and and oxygen administration. This course is a prerequisite for all leadership courses.