Getting back in the water after a long hiatus can seem daunting. A great way to boost your confidence and brush up on important skills is to sign up for a refresher/ReActivate Program before returning to the water. In as little as half a day, a certified professional will take you through the five steps below, and you’ll be prepared to dive, dive, dive!

Predive Assessment

This program is completely customizable based on your needs. During a predive interview your instructor will have you complete and review a knowledge assessment. Next, you’ll review your dive history and a list of skills to determine your comfort level and needs before practicing in the water.

Equipment Preparation

Whether you are diving with new or unfamiliar equipment, or just can’t remember in what order it all goes together, you will get some hands-on practice setting it up and breaking it down. Then you’ll review and complete a predive safety check before taking the plunge in either a pool or open water.

Weight Check

Your instructor can help you conduct a buoyancy check at the surface to determine how much weight you need. Changes in BMI, equipment, wetsuit, tank and other environmental factors will affect how much weight you use.

Skills Practice

You’ll review the basic skills learned in your open water course: clearing a flooded mask, alternate-air-source use, and buoyancy control. Additionally, you’ll review any skills specified during your predive interview, so ask questions and practice whatever makes you nervous.

Buoyancy Practice

Use this time with a professional to get comfortable with your buoyancy skills, such as hovering, using your lungs to make small adjustments, efficient fin kicking and proper trim. Perfecting these skills helps extend your dive time and makes for a more enjoyable experience.