A ScubaFit® Diver Instructor Certification Course is being held at the Texas Dive Show at the Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, Texas, on February 22 and 23, 2013.
A show special rate of $199.00 which includes all materials and specialty teaching kit is being offered. Instructors are encouraged to register to reserve a place in advance. The certification will be conducted in two sessions on Friday, February 22, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 23, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., allowing ample time to enjoy the show and other seminars.
For more information contact gretchen@scubafit.com
Instructors also have the option of distance learning and can begin the course immediately by registering online at Diver Course, www.scubafit.com.
The first and only fitness certification for diving, the ScubaFit® Diver Course, which has been approved by both dive and fitness agencies, is now available to the entire diving community. “Launching this program industry-wide is the natural next step for ScubaFit®, said Gretchen M. Ashton of ScubaFit LLC.
“We are founded in the belief that good health and physical fitness are profoundly beneficial to dive safety by preventing and reversing illness and disease, reducing the physiological risks associated with the underwater environment, and improving overall diving performance. Fit divers are more likely to dive more often and advance their dive training. 
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The course is co-authored by Ashton and Stephen C. Mendel, a multi-agency instructor trainer. “As instructors we developed this course with instructors in mind. We considered the value of time and experience for professional services. The logistics of a classroom setting have been carefully planned to make the program successful in a wide variety of locations and settings. “
To qualify to teach the ScubaFit® Diver Course an individual must be a teaching status dive professional (or fitness professional) who has completed the ScubaFit® Diver Instructor Course with a ScubaFit® Instructor Trainer.
Once certified, Instructors will be able to teach the ScubaFit® Diver Course to student divers utilizing a teaching kit and student materials developed by ScubaFit®. ScubaFit® issues certification cards for Instructors and student divers. Instructors, course directors and dive centers interested in developing a new fitness- for-diving profit center can get it started with a one-time cost of $245.00, (the regular fee for the Instructor Course).
The ScubaFit® Diver Course includes approximately four hours of classroom sessions and three hours of physical fitness assessment and exercise. The course may be taught in one day or in two or three shorter sessions. By the start of the course a diver must be in good health or have a physician’s approval for the physical demands of fitness training and be at least 14 years of age. The ratio for exercise instruction is eight student divers per instructor. Students must attend and participate in all sessions. The course must be taught exactly as written, however instructors are encouraged to interject their unique personality, presentation style and diving experiences. The course does not include water, diving or pool activities. Instructors have the option of providing equipment or may ask students to bring small exercise apparatus such as free weights, bands, balls and mats. If arranged, access to a fitness center may require an additional fee. These fees are determined by the instructor and specific logistics of the class.
An important aspect of business is effective and responsible risk management. ScubaFit® has arranged for Dive Instructors to purchase professional liability insurance with a ScubaFit® Diver Endorsement, or purchase a ScubaFit® Diver supplement to their existing professional liability policy. The coverage is affordable, meets industry standards, provides additional insured, and is appropriate to the course. In addition to the ScubaFit® Diver Certification Card, all dive agencies may acknowledge their instructors who have completed this specialty with additional recognition and an agency certification card.
For additional questions or to set up agency recognition, contact gretchen@scubafit.com or call (760) 271-6069.
