Interested in diving or earning new certifications? Let us help. Tradewind Diver provides a quality, personal and economical choice in dive instruction. We offer the basics you'll need to enjoy your trip to the islands and numerous specialties for the more adventurous diver. You will appreciate the one on one instruction you'll receive with Tradewind Diver!

Take a look at the NAUI Recreational andLeadership courses we offer and begin your adventures with us!

• Skindiver/Jr. Skindiver
• SCUBA Diver/Jr. SCUBA Diver 

• Advanced SCUBA/Jr. Advanced SCUBA
• Master SCUBA Diver
• Deep Diver
• Dry Suit Diver
• Enriched Air Nitrox Diver
• Rescue Diver
• Search & Recovery Diver
• Training Assistant
• Underwater Archeologist
• Underwater Ecologist: Coral Reef
• Underwater Environment
• Underwater Photography
• Underwater Hunter & Collector
• Wreck Diver (External Survey)

Skindiver/Jr. Skindiver :

Fun for the whole family, this certification class is for 8 year-olds and older whether you are an accomplished swimmer or someone who has never spent time in the water. (Even the younger family members can share the fun: 5-year olds and older can enjoy a “Snorkeling for Kids of All Ages” non-certification class.)

Once you’ve completed your training and two open water dives, you will have the skills you need to be a comfortable and safe Skin Diver. And, you can use what you’ve learned towards the next step of becoming a NAUI Scuba Diver.
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SCUBA Diver/Jr. SCUBA Diver:
Scuba Diver is our entry level scuba certification course during which you will learn the fundamental knowledge and skills to safely scuba dive in open water. When you complete your class you and your buddy will be free to explore and discover the many wonders of the underwater world…and, you will have earned a NAUI Scuba Diver certification card – the most respected diver certification card in the world!
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Advanced SCUBA/Jr. Advanced SCUBA:
Let your underwater adventure continue! Apply your scuba skills as you explore new dive sites and activities under the supervision and training of your NAUI Instructor. Learn which diving specialties interest you, and what type of diving you enjoy most. Gain more confidence and capability. Begin to consider the direction diving will take you, as you go for everything it has to offer.

The Advanced Scuba Diver course is an enjoyable certification course for 10-year-old (or older) certified divers who desire additional training, have moved from one diving area to another and desire local orientation, do not have, but wish to obtain, NAUI certification, or who desire orientation to a variety of diving sites and conditions.

As part of your certification, you will complete a minimum of six open water dives including three separate dives for navigation, night or low visibility diving and deep diving (130 feet/40 meters maximum depth), plus three different dives. Some of the many different dives you can do include:

• Search and recovery
• Boat diving
• Light salvage
• Hunting and collecting
• Exploration and underwater mapping
• Wreck diving (non-penetration)
• Observation and data collection
• Diving in surf or currents
• Altitude diving
• Salt water diving (in areas where most diving is in fresh water)
• Fresh water diving (in areas where most diving is in salt water)
• Shore diving
• Diving for photos or video
• Using dive computers
• Night Diving

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Master SCUBA Diver:
Gain the in-depth knowledge that will establish you as a recognized authority in your diving club or group. Thrill to the adventure of open water dives in settings that will test your abilities to their limit while expanding your diving capabilities and experience. Then proudly carry the most coveted and respected certification card in recreational diving - that of the NAUI Master Scuba Diver.

The Master Scuba Diver course is a continuing education certification course for divers who wish to increase their understanding and enjoyment of diving. This course is an excellent progression toward NAUI Leadership roles.

During your training, you will engage in a minimum of eight open water dives including the following required dives:

• Emergency procedures and rescue
• Deep/simulated decompression diving
• Limited visibility or night diving
• Underwater navigation
• Search and recovery – light salvage

You can also choose from many different dives for your elective dives such as:

• Skin diving
• Environmental study or survey
• Air consumption (practical application)
• Boat diving
• Shore diving
• Hunting and collecting
• Or other special interest dives

If you are 15 years old and have a NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver certification or its equivalent, you may be ready for the Master Scuba Diver class. Ready, set, learn! 
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Deep Diver:
Although this is not a decompression techniques course, you will learn about decompression procedures including nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness, and the use of dive computers including avoiding the need for stage decompression. Your course will also include teachings on the purpose, problems, hazards, planning, preparation, equipment, air supplies, personnel, techniques, gas management, emergency procedures, and depth limits for recreational diving. Deep diving is defined as dives made between 60 feet / 18 meters and 130 feet / 40 meters.
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Dry Suit Diver:
While dry suits were once used almost exclusively for situations such as ice diving or deep wreck diving, many sport divers are now using dry suits regularly for every day recreational dives all over the world. Perhaps you live in a cold-water climate or want to travel to one? If so, the Dry Suit Diver course is for you!

The Dry Suit Diver course will give you a basic knowledge and skills needed to minimize risks and gain experience in dry suit diving, as well as train you to properly use and maintain your dry suit.

NAUI Scuba Diver certification or the equivalent is required for enrollment - or your NAUI instructor can teach you both courses in combination so you can be comfortable and warm from your very first open water dive.
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Enriched Air Nitrox Diver:
Want to extend your bottom time, lessen your surface interval, and maximize every dive? Become an Enriched Air Nitrox diver!

You will learn how to choose the proper blend of Nitrox for your dive profile, determine maximum depth limits for your Nitrox mixture, analyze your breathing mixture, and plan and safely execute each dive. Your instructor will teach you about the physiology of oxygen and nitrogen; advantages, disadvantages, and risks of nitrox; oxygen toxicity; hazards and precautions of handling oxygen; the concept of Equivalent Air Depth; use of EANx with standard Air Dive Tables; common gas mixing procedures; and more.

After your exam, you can qualify for the Nitrox recognition card, or go ahead and complete two dives to receive your Nitrox Diver certification card. And, your NAUI instructor can integrate your Nitrox course into your Scuba Diver course!
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Rescue Diver:
Once you are 15 years of age and a certified scuba diver, you can expand your diving knowledge with a Scuba Rescue Diver course. Learn how to manage risks and effectively handle limited in-water problems and diving emergencies, how to assist and transport divers, and how to perform surface rescues and rescues from depth involving both boat and shore based skin and scuba divers.

CPR and First Aid certifications are required to complete this course. Your Scuba Rescue Diver training moves you on your pathway to becoming a NAUI Leader: Skin Diving Instructor, Assistant Instructor, Divemaster, or Instructor.
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Search & Recovery Diver:
At some point in your diving career, you or your buddy will either loose or find something underwater and the knowledge and skills you gain in the Search and Recovery Diver course will help you when you do!

In your Search and Recovery Diver course you'll learn about underwater navigation using natural and compass techniques; the problems, methods, equipment, hazards, and safety procedures regarding limited visibility diving; proper search methods and techniques; and how to handle light salvage or recovery, including rigging and knot tying. 
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Training Assistant:
If you possess the desire to assist in the training of other divers, a Training Assistant specialty course might be for you. This course will qualify you in the skills and knowledge necessary to perform as a training assistant during diver training courses overseen by an active-status NAUI Instructor.

As a certified NAUI Training Assistant, you will be qualified to temporarily directly supervise students while an instructor conducts skills with other students; escort students on the surface or on underwater tours; and assist an active-status NAUI Instructor with other tasks, all under the direction of a NAUI instructor.

Compass navigation; underwater communications; assisting divers with cramps, anxiety, breathing difficulties, and signs of pre-panic; escorting a diver to safety; escorting divers during an open water dive; and performing a scuba diver rescue are just some of the techniques and skills you will learn during your course.

To enroll in a Training Assistant course, you must be at least 18 years old, have the training and experience equivalent to at least NAUI Advanced Diver, have certification in NAUI Scuba Rescue Diver or equivalent, and have current CPR and First Aid certifications.

While certification as a Training Assistant does not confer any NAUI Leadership certification, the experience, knowledge and confidence you gain working as a Training Assistant can help you achieve your goal of becoming a NAUI member!
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Underwater Hunter and Collector:
If spearfishing or collecting underwater specimens interests you, the Underwater Hunter and Collector course may be just right for you. You'll learn about skin diving techniques, hazards and cautions, safety concerns, spear-fishing and collection equipment, and specific techniques on how to hunt and collect responsibly, while minimizing the diving risks of such activities.

Your instructor will also teach you about conservation, fishing laws and regulations, sportsmanship, utilizing your catch, selecting specimens, preservation, shell collecting, aquaria, and hunting and collecting dive locations.
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Wreck Diver (External Survey):
If you are at least 18 years old and have a NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver certification or the equivalent thereof, you can take a Wreck Diver (External Survey) course and start exploring sunken vessels, aircraft, and other amazing wrecks in the underwater world.

Your NAUI Wreck Diver (External Survey) instructor will teach you about safety, hazards and cautions, special risks of overhead environments, entanglement, limited visibility, deep diving, equipment, location of wrecks, sources of information, search methods, underwater navigation, legal aspects, artifacts, treasure, salvage, archaeology, and much more. Get ready to start exploring!
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NAUI Progression of Leadership Training:
The leadership and instructor levels of certification are:

• Assistant Instructor
• Divemaster
• Instructor

The Skin Diving Instructor certification (formerly Skin Diving Leader) has long been unique to NAUI. It qualifies individuals to train and certify skin divers and conduct snorkeling experience programs.

Both the Assistant Instructor and Divemaster ratings allow individuals to attend an Instructor Training Course (ITC) to be trained and qualified as NAUI Instructors. Completion of an Instructor Preparatory Course (IPC) is recommended prior to participation in an ITC.

NOTES:

• For details on the various certifications and programs, refer to the standards for the specific course or program.
• Active status NAUI scuba instructors are authorized to teach skin and scuba diving and authorize the issuance of certifications. Active status NAUI skin diving instructors are authorized to teach skin diving and authorize skin diving certification. Active status divemasters are authorized to organize and conduct open water diving activities for certified divers, including Diver Recognition Programs. Assistant instructors are authorized to assist NAUI scuba instructors, but may not teach, guide or certify independently.  

Policies Applying to All Leadership & Instructor Courses

Prerequisites and Requirements:

• Age - Minimum is 18 years.
• Experience - Specified for each Leadership course. Required logged dives shall be varied in environment and depth.
• Rescue Certification - At a minimum, Scuba Rescue Diver certification is required except for Skin Diving Instructor, for which a lifeguarding certification is adequate.
• CPR & First Aid Certification - Current certification or verified competency in CPR and First Aid is required for registration. Certification training shall include one person adult CPR, infant/child CPR, two person CPR and the use of rescue breathing barrier devices, e.g. pocket mask®, face shield.
• Medical Approval - Verification of good physical condition as documented by a medical examination and unconditional approval for diving by a licensed physician within the
• preceding 12 months.
• Administrative Requirements - Submit a complete course application, provide and be responsible for dive gear suitable for open water and provide all required texts and materials.

Assistant Instructor (AI)
As an AI, you will be authorized to teach all aspects of skin and scuba diving under the supervision of a NAUI Instructor. This is the best possible way to develop your instructional skills. The rating can be a step toward full Instructor, or an end in itself. Match your time, talent and interests with the NAUI programs near you, and enjoy the adventure of personal and professional enhancement as a NAUI leader.

Overview: The NAUI Assistant Instructor rating is a NAUI leadership-level certification. The program is designed to introduce students to diving instruction basics. It also tests individuals in fundamental water skills needed to be capable assistants. Certification authorizes individuals to assist active-status NAUI Instructors in the conduct of dive training. NAUI Assistant Instructor certification is a highly recommended step in the progression to NAUI Instructor.

Qualifications of Graduates

• A current NAUI Assistant Instructor is qualified to assist active-status NAUI Instructors in teaching skin and scuba diving during sanctioned diving courses provided the activities and locale are similar to those of the training. Additional training or experience is to be obtained by the Assistant Instructor who desires to assist in highly specialized training activities, such as deep, wreck penetration, cavern or ice dives.
• A NAUI Assistant Instructor and can be counted toward student-instructor ratios.
• After assisting an active-status NAUI Instructor with at least one complete, NAUI Scuba Diver course a current NAUI Assistant Instructor is qualified, if all other prerequisites are met, to enter a NAUI Instructor Training Course (ITC). (Attending a NAUI Instructor Preparatory (PREP) Program and certification as a NAUI Divemaster are recommended prior to attending an ITC.)

Divemaster (DM)
Would you like to lead dives and dive trips; take certified divers on vacations to the world's best dive sites? Many Divemasters are employed full-time or work independently supervising certified divers during club, store, resort or charter tour and travel activities. As a NAUI Divemaster you enjoy again and again adventures to which you introduce your clients. Another option leading to NAUI Instructor qualification.

Overview: The NAUI Divemaster rating is the highest NAUI leadership-level certification with the exception of Instructor. The program is designed to train experienced and knowledgeable divers to organize and conduct enjoyable open water dives for certified divers.

Qualifications of Graduates

• An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to organize and conduct dives for certified divers if the diving activities and locale approximate those in which the Divemaster is trained. Additional training, knowledge or experience is necessary for the Divemaster who desires to organize highly specialized activities, such as wreck penetration, cavern or ice dives or enter a new locale.
• An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to organize and conduct NAUI Recognition (such as International Diver) and Experience Programs (such as Stingray Experience) and award appropriate recognition materials to participants.
• An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to assist an active-status NAUI Instructor in diving courses.
• If all other prerequisites are met, a current NAUI Divemaster is qualified to enter a NAUI Instructor Training Course (ITC). [Attending a NAUI Instructor Preparatory Program (PREP) and NAUI Assistant Instructor certification are recommended prior to attending an ITC.]  

Instructor Training Course (ITC)
The NAUI Instructor Training Course (ITC) is designed to train and qualify NAUI Instructor members. During the course future instructors learn effective methods to teach skin and scuba diving in compliance with NAUI Diving Course Standards.

The ITC may be presented in two phases. If done so, Phase One, called an Instructor Training Program (ITP), contains all developmental training except for the final evaluations. During an ITP, candidate practice performances must be evaluated by at least two qualified evaluators, one of whom may be a STW completer and the other an IT or CD. The ITP can be conducted in many formats, ranging in length from a week to an internship over an extended period.

The second or final phase of an ITC so organized is called the IQP, during which a Course Director must be in residence and all final evaluations will be made.

The course assures the NAUI membership that candidates who receive certification as NAUI Instructors have the knowledge, skills, fitness and proper attitude to do so.

Prerequisites for Entering the Course

• General - Meet prerequisites applying to all Leadership courses.
• Dive Certification - Be a currently certified NAUI Assistant Instructor or NAUI Divemaster; or a NAUI PREP Course graduate within the past 12 months.
• Equipment - Provide and be responsible for own instructor-level diving equipment suitable for teaching in open water.
• Experience - Have at least 50 logged dives. Dives shall be varied in environment, depth and activities.
• Materials - See current Guide to NAUI Membership. A detailed and current list of necessary materials shall be provided each candidate in a supplemental fact sheet for specific ITCs.

 

Instructor Crossover Course (ICC)
OVERVIEW
The NAUI Instructor Crossover Course (ICC) is designed to train and qualify current non-NAUI recreational scuba instructors to train diving students and register them for NAUI certification. During the course, candidate instructors learn effective methods to teach skin and scuba diving in compliance with NAUI Diving Course Standards.

The ICC may be presented in two phases. If done so, Phase One called an Instructor Crossover Program (ICP), contains all preparatory training except for the final evaluations. During an ICP, candidate practice performances must be evaluated by at least two qualified evaluators, one of whom may be a STW completer and the other an IT or CD. The ICP can be conducted in many formats, ranging in length from a day to an internship over an extended period.

The second or final phase of an ICC so organized is called the IQP, during which a Course Director must be in residence and all final evaluations will be made.

Prerequisites for Entering the Course

• General - Meet the requirements applying to all Leadership courses.
• Instructor Certification - Be a currently certified Instructor in good standing with a NAUI recognized diving organization.
• Instructor Training - Have 80 or more hours of underwater instructor-level training as a candidate or course staff member.
• Equipment - Provide and be responsible for own instructor-level diving equipment suitable for teaching in open water.
• Experience - Have at least 50 logged dives. Dives shall be varied in environment, depth and activities.
• Teaching Activity - Have taught or assisted in diving instruction for two or more courses.
• Continuing Education - Have attended one or more diving related activities per year since certification as a scuba instructor.
• Materials - See current guide to NAUI membership.

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