Specialties

Much of the world’s best scuba diving is accessible only by boat. Whether you’ve never made a boat dive or you’ve logged dozens, the PADI Boat Diver Specialty course will benefit you because boats in various parts of the world do things differently. Scuba diving from a boat is fun and relatively easy because you usually descend directly onto your dive site.

The Boat Diver course will expand your knowledge about boats from small inflatables to large liveaboards. You’ll gain experience scuba diving by completing two dives from a boat in your local area and learn:

• Boat terminology.

• Boat diving procedures and etiquette, including how to enter and exit, and where to stow your gear.

• Boating safety, including how to locate safety equipment.

Equipment: In additional to basic scuba equipment, you will need a surface signaling device, such as an inflatable signal tube.

Number of required dives: 2

Course fee: $100

Materials: PADI Boat Diver Crew Pak $50.40

Prerequisites: Minimum age 10 (Junior) Open Water Diver

Crystal Blue Diving, Lake In The Hills, SCUBA Specialties

Exploring at depths beyond 60 feet down to 130 feet is exciting, but it takes PADI Deep Diver training to help develop your personal limits to dive with confidence at these depths.

Your training starts by reviewing reasons for deep diving and how important it is to know your personal limits. During four deep dives with your instructor, you’ll go over:

• Specialized deep diving equipment.

• Deep dive planning, buddy contact procedures and buoyancy control.

• Managing your gas supply, dealing with gas narcosis and safety considerations.

Equipment: In addition to basic scuba equipment, you will need a dive computer, it is also recommended that you have a dive light, dive slate.

Number of required dives: 4

Course fee: $170

Materials: PADI Deep Diver Crew Pak $50.40

Prerequisites: 15 years old PADI Adventure Diver rating or higher.

The PADI Digital Underwater Photography course is one of the most popular diving specialties, and nothing captures the underwater realm like an awesome photo. From point-and-shoot for the beginner ,to dSLR like the pros, this course will get you up and running ready to capture the underwater world.

Through hands-on training during two scuba dives and guidance from your PADI Professional, you’ll discover:

• How to choose the right underwater camera system for you.

• The best method for getting great shots quickly.

• Principles for good composition of underwater images.

Practical techniques to take great photos with your digital camera.

Equipment: You will need basic scuba equipment appropriate for the dive environment. You can also rent a full set of basic scuba equipment from Crystal Blue Diving for the class at a discounted rate of $25 for the class. You will need a digital underwater camera and a computer to download and view your images. Crystal Blue Diving can provide you with an Olympus TG-6 camera and housing for the class. 

Number of required dives: 2

Course fee: $100

Materials: PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Crew Pak $72.20

Prerequisites: 10 years old PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver rating or higher.

The PADI Drift Diver Specialty course teaches you how to enjoy going with the flow as you use the ocean currents to glide along. It feels like flying – except that you’re underwater using scuba equipment. Drift diving can be relaxing and exhilarating at the same time. If this sound like fun, then the Drift Diver course is for you.

Along with drift diving techniques and procedures, you’ll:

• Get an introduction to drift diving equipment – floats, lines and reels.

• Get an overview of aquatic currents – causes and effects.

• Practice with buoyancy control, navigation and communication during two drift dives.

• Learn techniques for staying close to a buddy or together as a group as you float with the current.

Equipment: In addition to basic scuba equipment, you’ll learn to use various surface marker buoys and floats with lines and reels.

Number of required dives: 2

Course fee: $100

Materials: PADI Drift Diver Crew Pak $50.40

Prerequisites: 12 years old PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver rating or higher. 

Stay warm, extend your diving season are just a few reasons to dive dry. Dry suits seal out the water and keeps you warn, letting you explore colder dive environments Becoming a PADI Dry Suit Diver gives you the tools to learn this method of diving.

You’ll learn which dry suit style and undergarments are right for you and then you’ll learn how to take care of your dry suit. During two dives, in addition to a confined water dive, you’ll practice:

• Putting on and taking off your dry suit with minimal assistance.

• Buoyancy control using your dry suit.

• Safety procedures when using a dry suit.

Equipment: In addition to basic scuba equipment, you’ll of course need a dry suit.

Number of required dives: 2

Course fee: $100

Materials: PADI Dry Suit Diver Crew Pak $50.40

Prerequisites: 10 years old PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver rating or higher.

Knowing how and when to use emergency oxygen is a great skill to have and means you're ready to help others should the need arise. Becoming a PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider lets you breathe easy knowing that you can recognize scuba diving illnesses treatable with emergency oxygen, and are prepared to offer aid.  There are no prerequisites, age restrictions or water sessions required for this course - it's open to everyone. Scuba divers, snorkelers and anyone who is around divers - boat crew, lifeguards, etc. - will benefit from having this training. 

You'll learn about dive injuries, different types of emergency oxygen equipment and safety considerations when using oxygen. T

hen you'll practice:      

Assembling and disassembling emergency oxygen equipment.     

Deploying a non-rebreather mask and a demand inhalator valve on a breathing diver.     Using a pocket mask on a non-breathing diver. 

Number of required dives: Non-diving Specialty

Course fee: $65 

Materials: PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Crew Pak $57.20

Prerequisites: None

The  PADI Enriched Air Diver course is PADI’s most popular specialty scuba  course. Scuba diving with enriched air nitrox gives you more no  decompression time, especially on repetitive scuba dives. If staying  down longer and getting back in the water sooner sounds appealing, then  enriched air diver is for you.

You’ll  learn why diving with air that has higher oxygen and lower nitrogen  content gives you more bottom time. Enriched air equipment  considerations. During a practical session you will learn more about:

• Managing oxygen exposure.

• Practice analyzing oxygen percentage in your scuba tank.

• Setup your dive computer for diving with enriched air nitrox.

Equipment: In addition to basic scuba equipment, you will need a nitrox compatible dive 

 computer.

There are two ways to complete the course, The traditional in-store and PADI eLearning.

Traditional in-store:

Pickup course materials at Crystal Blue Diving and complete the independent study at home. Schedule your classroom to review, learn to analyze your Nitrox mixture and take a final exam.

Number of required dives: Non-diving Specialty

Course Fee: $65

Materials: PADI Enriched Air Diver Crew Pak $91.50

PADI eLearning:

Complete the independent learning portion of the Enriched Air Nitrox course on-line, anytime, anywhere, when it’s convenient for you. After completing the  on-line course, call Crystal Blue Diving to schedule a time to come to come in and take  the final exam and we will show you how to properly analyze your Nitrox  gas mix. You should be able to complete this in under an hour. t's that easy to earn your Enriched Air Nitrox certification. 

eLearning course fee: $186.00 paid directly to PADI. Includes the on-line training materials for up to one year, with unlimited access to the Enriched Air on-line manual. Certification fee is included. No additional fees paid to Crystal Blue Diving. 

Prerequisites: 12 years old PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver rating or higher. 

You will need: A nitrox compatible dive computer to complete the eLearing on-line course.If you don't have a nitrox compatible dive computer, you would have to take the Traditional in-store course with Crystal Blue Diving. We offer nitrox compatible dive computers to fit every budget.

A missing o-ring, wetsuit tear, a broken fin strap, or a broken clip, don’t miss a dive due to minor equipment issues. The PADI Equipment Specialist course teaches you to manage basic repairs and adjustments. 

Learn about routine care and maintenance as well as equipment storage recommendations. Your instructor will show you how to overcome some common equipment problems and offer equipment configuration suggestions and how to build a save-a-dive kit.

Equipment: Bring your basic scuba equipment.

Number of required dives: Non-diving Specialty

Course Fee: $75

Materials: PADI Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving Crew $73.40

Prerequisites: 10 years old PADI (Junior) Scuba Diver rating or higher. 

Take the PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty course and you’ll see new things, even on the most familiar scuba diving sites. Why? Because when know more about symbioses, underwater ecology, and aquatic plant and animal habitats, you notice behaviors and see creatures you may have previously missed. Learn more about the local ecosystem and take a closer look on your next scuba diving adventure.

Equipment: Bring your basic scuba equipment.

Number of required dives: 2

Course Fee: $100

Materials: Materials: PADI Underwater Naturalist Crew Pak $50.40

Prerequisites: 10 years old PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver rating or higher.

Be the scu PADI Underwater Navigator Crew Pak $50.40 you know where you are and where you’re going. The PADI Underwater Navigator course fine-tunes your observation skills and teaches you to more accurately use your compass underwater. 

You’ll learn the tools of the trade, including navigation using natural clues and by following compass headings. During three scuba dives, you’ll practice:

• Methods to estimate distance underwater.

• Compass navigation while making at least five turns.

• Marking or relocating a submerged object or position from the surface.

• Underwater map making.

Equipment: In addition to basic scuba equipment, you will need a compass and a dive slate.

Number of required dives: 3

Course Fee: $135

Materials: PADI Underwater Navigator Crew Pak $50.40

Prerequisites: 10 years old PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver rating or higher.

Does night diving seems mysterious, yet so intriguing? Diving on a familiar site at night drops you into a whole new world, just watch it come alive under the glow of your dive light. The scene changes from daytime life to nightlife.  If you have always wondered… the PADI Night Diver Specialty course is for you.

Diving at night teaches you to focus on what you can see in your light’s beam, on controlling your buoyancy by feel, on staying with your buddy and on paying attention to details you may overlook during the day. During three night dives, you’ll practice:

• Light handling and communication techniques.

• Entering, exiting and navigating in the dark.

• Identifying how plants and animals differ or change behavior at night.

Equipment: In addition to basic scuba equipment, you will need a primary dive light and a  

 backup dive light.

Number of required dives: 3

Course Fee: $135

Materials: Materials: PADI Night Diver Crew Pak $50.40

Prerequisites: 12 years old PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver rating or higher.

$100 Student materials Included.

Buoyancy control is what defines skilled scuba divers. You’ve seen them underwater. They glide effortlessly, use less air and descend, ascend, or hover effortlessly. They observe aquatic life without disturbing their surroundings. This can be you, too. The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course improves the buoyancy skills you learned as a new diver and takes them to the next level.

During two scuba dives, you’ll learn how to:

• Determine the exact weight you need.

• Trim your weight system and scuba gear so you’re balanced in the water.

• Streamline to use air more efficiently and move more smoothly through the water.

• Hover effortlessly in any position.

Equipment: Basic scuba equipment.

Number of required dives: 2

Course Fee: $100

Materials: PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Crew Pak $50.40

Prerequisites: 12 years old PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver rating or higher.

People accidentally drop things from docks, off boats or even while scuba diving. If you’ve ever lost something in the water and wanted to go find it, then the PADI Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course is for you. There are effective ways to search for objects underwater that increase your chances of success. And there are good and better methods to bring up small, large or just awkward items. Search and recovery can be challenging, but a whole lot of fun.

Gathering information and resources, then carefully planning a search are the first important steps you learn. During four scuba dives you’ll practice:

• Swimming search patterns using your compass and natural navigation.

• Locating large and small objects using various search patterns.

• Using a lift bag for large or heavy objects, plus other recovery methods.

• Planning a search operation based on facts gathered about a lost object prior to the dive.

Equipment: In addition to basic scuba equipment, you will need a compass and a dive slate.

Number of required dives: 4

Course Fee: $170

Materials: PADI Search & Recovery DIver Crew Pak $50.40

Prerequisites: 12 years old PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Diver rating or higher.

Video is the best way to capture the sounds and motion of the underwater world. If you want to get the best clips and also learn to edit your scuba diving stories to share with friends through ScubaEarth® and other social media, then the PADI Underwater Videographer Specialty course is for you. Learn to create underwater videos that are interesting, entertaining and worth watching again and again.

Your PADI Instructor will explain how to select, maintain and care for your underwater video equipment, whether it’s a housed unit with external lights, or your underwater camera that also shoots video. You'll cover fundamentals such as exposure, focus, story line and sequencing. Post dive, you’ll learn about the editing process and how to produce a video that truly captures your scuba adventures

Equipment: In addition to basic scuba equipment, you will need an underwater video camera. To  

 edit your video, you’ll need access to video editing equipment, which usually 

 includes a computer with editing software. 

Number of required dives: 3

Course Fee: $135

Materials:  PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Crew Pak $72.20

Prerequisites: 10 years old PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Diver rating or higher.

Whether purpose-sunk as an artificial reef, or lost as the result of an accident, wrecks are fascinating windows to the past. Ships, airplanes and even cars are fascinating to explore and usually attract beautiful aquatic life. Each wreck dive offers a chance for discovery, potentially solving a mystery or seeing something others have overlooked. The PADI Wreck Diver Specialty course is popular because it offers rewarding adventures while observing responsible wreck diving practices.

There are many different types of wrecks. Training starts by reviewing guidelines for researching and respecting wrecks. During four dives you’ll learn:

• Safety considerations for navigating and exploring wrecks.

• Surveying and mapping.

• Using penetration lines and reels to guide .

Finning techniques to avoid kicking up silt or disturbing the wreck.

Equipment: In addition to basic scuba equipment, you will need a redundant air supply, dive  

 light, primary and backup, dive slate, compass for mapping and navigation, and a  

 line and reel for practicing wreck penetration. 

Number of required dives: 4

Course Fee: $170

Materials: PADI Wreck Diver Crew Pak $50.40.

Prerequisites: 15 years old PADI (Junior) Adventure Diver rating or higher.

Crystal Blue Diving serves the scuba diving community of Lake In The Hills, Crystal Lake, Algonquin and surrounding areas, scuba classes, diving specialties