Advanced Scuba Courses 2025
Are you ready to expand your skills and knowledge as a diver? You’re in luck: Boston SCUBA has some exciting courses for you. Learn some new skills, increase your diving knowledge, and expand your diving abilities to new levels. Scroll down the page for more information on the classes we offer.
Prerequisites for all courses below:
1. Current diving experience – A log book showing dives within the past 6 months.
2. Local cold water diving experience – A minimum of 2 logged local dives.
3. Minimum of 15 logged dives.
Advanced Open Water Course
Prerequisite: Open Water Diver Certification
The AOW course is your next step after certification as an open water diver. This course consists of one (1) evening academic session and six (6) open water training dives. Your first dive will be an introduction dive, basically a “fun” dive to get use to diving with any new equipment and the local environment. Two core dives are necessary: Deep and Navigation, along with three elective dives chosen from the following: U/W Photography, Search & Recovery, Wreck, Multilevel/Computer, Boat, Drift, or U/W Naturalist.
Students can sign up for the advanced course at the dive shop, and pick up the academic materials and videos. Students complete all the reading and watch all the videos at home on their own pace before the classroom session. Then attend one of the scheduled evening classroom sessions at the dive shop listed below.
2025 Schedule will be posted in a few months.
Classroom sessions run from 6pm to 8pm.
Students will need a minimum of 3 days of 2 tank diving charters (total of 6 dives) to complete the advanced open water course. All training dives will take place on our dive boat – no shore diving!
Our charters run 3 days a week- Friday thru Sunday. You choose the different dates you’d like to dive. Check the dive calendar to see what dives are coming up. Although there is no minimum dive requirements to enter the program, you will find the course most beneficial if you have 15 – 20 or more dives completed before the course.
Rates: $600.00 + Massachusetts sales tax on student materials. This includes all the student materials for the course, 3 days of 2 tank boat diving, all specialty gear for different style dives (lights, computers, slates, timers, buoys, wreck reels, etc.). Rental gear, if needed, will be discounted 40% from normal rates while taking the course.
The Rescue Diver Course
Prerequisite: Advanced Open Water Diver Certification & Current CPR and First Aid Certification
Although SCUBA diving emergencies are relatively rare, are you able to assist a diver confidently in an emergency? The rescue diver course covers both academic sessions & open water training to make sure your prepared to lend a hand when things go wrong. Or better yet, prevent emergencies before they happen in the first place.
Students can sign up for the rescue diver course at the dive shop, and pick up the academic materials and videos. Students complete all the reading and watch all the videos at home on their own pace before the classroom session. Then attend one of the scheduled evening classroom sessions at the dive shop listed below.
2025 Schedule will be posted in a few months.
Classroom sessions run from 6pm to 8pm.
The evening academic session lasts about 3 hours. Open water training involves 12 rescue scenarios completed over a 3-day period off the dive boat.
Our charters run 3 days a week- Friday thru Sunday. You can choose the different dates you’d like to dive. Check the dive calendar to see what dives are coming up.
Rates: $600.00 + Mass sales tax on student materials. This includes all the student materials for the course, 3 days of 2 tank boat diving. Rental gear if needed, will be discounted 40% from normal rates while taking the course.
Emergency First Response: Primary & Secondary Care
Winter Classes listed Below
Prerequisite: None
The Emergency First Response Course satisfies the CPR & first aid requirement for the rescue diver course.
This course teaches you how to respond to life threatening emergencies. Topics include adult CPR, AED use, choking response, treating falls & cuts, medical emergencies, and more.
Check out the Emergency First Response website for more information.
Students can register for the Emergency First Response course at the dive shop in East Boston, or over the phone. Once the registration process is finished, you will be emailed student codes for the PADI e-learning course to to complete on your own time.
Students need to complete the e-learning course and print out a completion form, and then join one of the in person classroom sessions at the dive shop listed below for hands on training.
2024 – November 12th, November 26th, December 10th, 2025 January 7th, January 21st, February 11th, February 25th, March 11th, March 25th, April 8th, April 22nd
This course involves, an e-learning online class, and 1 in person classroom session.
Classroom sessions run from 6pm to 8pm.
Rates: $240.00. This includes the PADI e-learning course, and 1 evening training session.
PADI Divemaster
Prerequisites: Advanced Open Water Diver Certification, Rescue Diver Certification, Current Emergency First Response Primary & Secondary Care, 40 Logged Dives
The Divemaster Course consists of 3 broad areas of learning. First, there are the dive theory exams – twelve exams that test your knowledge of the following categories: physics, physiology, equipment, skills & environment, decompression theory & the RDP, Divemaster conducted programs, supervising certified divers, and assisting with student divers in training. To prepare for the Divemaster exam we have students sign up online for the PADI e-Learning Divemaster course & dive theory course on the PADI website. Once students have completed the e-learning courses online we can schedule a evening academic session at the dive shop to finish up the academic portion of the Divemaster course.
Second is the water skills & stamina module: A 400-yard swim; a 15-minute tread; an 800-yard mask, snorkel, and fins swim; and a 100-yard tired diver tow. SCUBA skills are practiced and then judged. A divemaster’s skills must be demonstration-quality so student divers may learn from watching him/her.
The final part of the course is an internship with your instructor. You will be assisting an instructor with student divers during 5 confined water (pool) sessions, and 5 open water dive sessions.
Due to the more time-consuming scheduling of the Divemaster course, times and dates are usually worked out on a week-to-week basis. The student will also be given notice of confined water (pool) training sessions and open water training well in advance.
Rates: $1,250.00 + Mass sales tax on student materials. This cost includes the 2 PADI e-learning online courses, a digital copy of the PADI instructor manual, all academic, pool & open water training. Three days of 2 tank boat diving. A membership fee must also be paid to PADI (which is not included in the course).
Diving Specialties
Drysuit Diver Course
Prerequisite: Open Water Diver Certification
Tired of being cold and wet? Then it’s time to learn how to use a drysuit. Drysuit diving is truly the best way to SCUBA dive in New England. No more rush of cold water into the wetsuit, no pulling and tugging to get the suit on or off, and no wet skin exposed to cooling breezes. A drysuit will allow you to enjoy SCUBA diving a lot longer than the best wet suits, either on a single dive, or during an extended dive season. If you are a serious New England diver it will only be a matter of time. This course entails one class session done in the evening. One confined water session, usually a very sheltered & shallow dive site. Then 2 open water training dives.
Students can sign up for the drysuit diver course at the dive shop, and pick up the academic materials and videos. Students complete all the reading and watch all the videos at home on their own pace before the classroom session. Then attend one of the scheduled evening classroom sessions at the dive shop listed below.
2025 Schedule will be posted in a few months.
Classroom sessions run from 6pm to 8pm.
Our charters run 3 days a week- Friday through Sundays. You pick and choose the different dates you’d like to dive. Check the dive calendar to see what dives are coming up.
Students will earn the PADI Drysuit Diver specialty upon completion of the course.
Special: Purchase a drysuit from Boston SCUBA, and receive a FREE Drysuit Diver Course.
Rates: $425.00 + Mass sales tax on student materials. This cost includes all academic materials needed for the course. One evening of academic training & 1 day of 2 tank boat diving. Drysuit rental is also included.
Enriched Air (Nitrox) Course
Prerequisite: Open Water Diver Certification
Enriched air or nitrox as it is often called in the industry is a breathing mixture a little different than the air SCUBA divers normally breathe. From your open water class, you learned that nitrogen is the problem gas when diving- it can cause decompression sickness if divers are not careful. Enriched air carries a higher amount of oxygen and a lower amount of nitrogen than air does. Because this mixture has less nitrogen, we are allowed to safely extend bottom time at depth. Of course in life…. we don’t get something for nothing, now we have to keep track of elevated oxygen levels in the mixture we are breathing. This course will show divers how to use nitrox safely, extend bottom time, safe handling procedures, and more.
PADI now has a convenient online course for Enriched Air training. Open water training dives are not needed for this course. Once the online course is completed, there is a brief in person academic session to complete at the dive shop. Once you have completed the online course, call the shop to schedule your academic session at Boston SCUBA.
Take the PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Course here.
Students will earn the PADI Enriched Air Diver specialty upon completion of the online course & in-shop academic session.
Rates: Cost of PADI E-learning Course + $75.00 for the dive shop academic session.
Wreck Diver
Prerequisites: Advanced Open Water Diver Certification
This course is for those divers that have a fair amount of diving experience, and are looking for some new challenges in their diving. Learn how to safely navigate around the remains of sunken shipwrecks, learn to watch for hazards particular to diving shipwrecks, wreck diving tips & techniques, and much more. This course entails one class session done in the evening, then 4 open water training dives completed over a 2 day period.
Students can sign up for the wreck diver course at the dive shop, and pick up the academic materials and videos. Students complete all the reading and watch all the videos at home on their own pace before the classroom session. Then attend one of the scheduled evening classroom sessions at the dive shop listed below.
This course will be available upon request. Please email or call the shop if your interested.
Classroom sessions run from 6pm to 8pm.
Our charters run 4 days a week- Thursdays thru Sundays. You pick and choose the different dates you’d like to dive. Check the dive calendar to see what dives are coming up.
Students will earn the PADI Wreck Diver specialty upon completion of the course.
Rates: $425.00 + Mass sales tax on student materials. This cost includes all academic materials needed for the course. One evening of academic training & 2 days of 2 tank boat diving.
Lobster Hunter Course
Prerequisite: Open Water Diver Certification
Are you a resident of Massachusetts? Do you enjoy lobster dinners? Then it is time to learn how to catch your own meal. This course explains all that a divers needs to know to be successful hunting lobster underwater. Course topic include: legal requirements, techniques, tips, and strategy for lobster hunting. Both new and experienced lobster hunters will gain from this course. Learn where to look- but also where not to look, how to avoid ripping off claws, air consumption tips, and much more. This course entails one class session, then 2 open water training dives.
Students can sign up for the lobster hunter course at the dive shop. Please note although no PADI materials exist for this dive specialty, there is one book students are required to purchase for this course. “The Secret Life of Lobsters” by Trevor Corson. Then attend one of the scheduled evening classroom sessions at the dive shop listed below.
2025 Schedule will be posted in a few months.
Classroom sessions run from 6pm to 7pm.
Our charters run 3 days a week- Friday thru Sunday. You pick and choose the different dates you’d like to dive. Check the dive calendar to see what dives are coming up.
A lobster permit is recommended but not needed for the course. Students will earn the PADI Lobster Hunter Diver specialty upon completion of the course.
Links:
Learn About Recreational Lobstering in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts residents can purchase a non-commercial permit online here.
Rates: $200.00 This cost includes one evening of academic training & 1 day of 2 tank boat diving.
PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Course
Winter Classes listed Below
Prerequisite: None
This course will teach you how to set up and deliver emergency oxygen to an injured diver. 100% Oxygen is a key first aid treatment to prevent long term damage from decompression sickness. The quicker an injured diver is placed on 100% Oxygen, the better his/her chances will be for a full recovery. This course will teach you the benefits and safe handling procedures for 100% Oxygen. The course will also cover set up of a few different delivery methods, breakdown, and maintenance of your oxygen units.
Students can register for the Emergency Oxygen Provider course at the dive shop in East Boston, or over the phone. Once the registration process is finished, you will be emailed student codes for the PADI e-learning course to to complete on your own time.
Students need to complete the e-learning course and print out a completion form, and then join one of the in person classroom sessions at the dive shop listed below for hands on training.
2024 November 21st, December 19th, 2025 January 16th, February 13, March 13th, April 17th
Classroom sessions run from 6pm to 8pm.
Rates: $240.00. This includes the PADI e-learning course, and 1 evening training session.
Equipment Specialist Course
Winter Classes listed Below
Prerequisite: None
This is a fun course to help learn some of the basics about your SCUBA equipment. While this course is not designed to make you a SCUBA equipment repair technician, it will help give you knowledge to make some basic equipment repairs yourself. The course will cover regulator functions, BCD inspections, tanks & valves, drysuits, wetsuits, and more.
Students can register for the Equipment Specialist course at the dive shop in East Boston, or over the phone. Once the registration process is finished, you will be emailed student codes for the PADI e-learning course to to complete on your own time.
Students need to complete the e-learning course and print out a completion form, and then join one of the in person classroom sessions at the dive shop listed below for hands on training.
2024 November 11th, November 25th, December 16th, 2025 January 6th, January 20th, February 10th, February 24th, March 10th, March 24th, April 7th, April 21st
Classroom sessions run from 6pm to 8pm
Rates: $185.00. This includes the PADI e-learning course, and 1 evening training session.
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If you do not see a specialty you’d like to take, send over an email- and we may be able to put a class together for you.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to call us or send an email.
