Key West Scuba Diving Refresher Course & Dive
Overview
The Cool Destinations Scuba Refresher course is a safe, fun skills review perfect for Open Water divers who have been out of the water for a while and are ready to dive again.
Highlights
- Pool session only or pool session + complete dive package
- The morning pool session includes 24 skill circuit
- 2 x afternoon reef dives, guide & top-of-the-line gear
- Full-time professional dive instructors
- Owner-operated custom dive boats
Description
Key West scuba diving is legendary, and the Cool Destinations Scuba Refresher course is key to confidently enjoying all the action if you are a certified diver who has not had the chance to get in the water for a while. PADI®, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, recommends a refresher course if you have not been diving in the last 6 months. It is solid dive safety strategy for rusty divers to review the basic skills, and a good warm-up session in the pool will make your Key West reef and wreck dives a lot more fun.
Your scuba certification never expires, but experienced divers know what a long dry spell can do to important skill sets. A quick pool session works wonders for getting the gear dialed in again, finding your buoyancy balance, and getting used to breathing underwater again so you can make the tanks last longer when you are out on boat dives. Surveys show that almost 35% of scuba divers have not been in the water for a year or more. If you are on that list, consider a Dive Refresher course as a safety necessity that protects you and anyone you dive with.
Setting up your dive gear and getting into and out of it on the boat, descending to and maintaining depth without wasting air, working your dive computer, clearing a fogged mask, switching to a backup regulator, dealing with minor problems—all vital, second-nature skills for safe, enjoyable diving. And they all unfortunately fade away with shocking speed after a few months with no dives logged.
Get in the pool with a professional instructor for a brush up, or put together a full package that includes equipment rental, an extended dive refresher course that combines a dryland skills review with a pool session, and two reef dives. And a Cool Destinations Dive Refresher course is the perfect preview if you are getting ready to do a new PADI certification.
Cool Destinations is your Key West scuba diving connection to the best dive trips in Key West, with professional instructors and divemasters on comfortable custom dive boats that make exploring Key West dive spots an unforgettable adventure. With family ride-alongs and afternoon snorkeling sessions, it is easy for everyone to join in the fun. If you would like more training, a full range of PADI courses can take you from a Dive Refresher course in the pool to advanced specialties like Rescue Diver, Nitrox, or Deep Diver in a matter of days.
Been away from diving a while and want to take advantage of world-class scuba diving in Key West? Cool Destinations offers simple and secure online booking for your Dive Refresher course and an entire range of great scuba diving trips and training courses to follow. Plan your return to the adventure of scuba diving with Cool Destinations now!
What's Included
- Morning pool session with 24-skill circuit
- Top-of-the-line gear
- Two afternoon reef dives
- Fresh water showers
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
- Gratuities
What To Expect
Are you already Open Water certified, but it has been a while since you’ve been diving? This course is for you.
Morning Pool Session
You’ll have a confined water session in the morning, including a 24 dive skills review. Depending on your individual needs, the instructor may focus on some areas more than others.
Pool Instruction Included • Gear Included
Getting Started
You will begin the session with a discussion with your PADI Pro, who may ask questions like:
- How many dives have you made, and in what conditions and environments?
- What skills do you want to practice?
- How did your last dives go?
- What would help you to improve them?
- What are you hoping to accomplish during the Refresher course?
Pre-Dive Safety Checks
Pre-Dive Safety Checks (a.k.a. buddy checks) come next. Can you remember BWRAF (BCD, Weights, Releases, Air and Final okay)? Try using the saying “Breakfast With Rice And Fish” or “Big Whales Really Are Fast” as an easy way to recall the correct order. Your PADI Professional may also have some other examples to help you!
Ascents & Descents
During the review session on ascents and descents, you’ll be reminded of the procedures for both the five-point descent (S-O-R-T-E-D = Signal, Orientation, Regulator, Time, Elevate the BCD hose and Descend) and the five-point ascent (S-T-E-L-A = Signal, Time, Elevate the BCD hose, Look up, and Ascend) over deeper water.
Mask Clearing, Removal & Replacement
Next up is mask clearing and mask removal and replacement. Even the best-fitting masks will leak from time to time. It only takes a stray hair underneath the silicone seal, or even just smiling to cause water to enter your mask. For this reason, you’ll review the mask skills that you covered during your PADI Open Water Diver course, including a partial mask flood and clear, full flood and clear, and finally mask removal and replacement.
Buoyancy Control
Buoyancy control is essential for diver safety and comfort, so you’ll review your buoyancy skills, including neutral buoyancy, hovering, and swimming underwater while maintaining your buoyancy. If you are unsure how much weight you need, this is a great opportunity to ask your PADI Professional to assess your weights and weight placement.
Emergency Weight Drop
Emergency Weight Drop practice is an important skill for divers to review to ensure they can obtain positive buoyancy at the surface in an emergency. You’ll practice, at the surface in water too deep to stand, with a deflated BCD, using the weight system’s quick release to pull clear and drop sufficient weight to become positively buoyant.
Alternate Air Source Ascents
The final skill set you’ll cover is Alternate Air Source Ascents. This ensures that you are well prepared should an out-of-air situation occur. During this skill, you will take your buddy’s or PADI Professional’s alternate air source during this skill and ascend. You will also act as a donor with your buddy or PADI Professional, taking your alternate air source and ascending.
Wrapping Up
Based on the pre-dive discussions and your PADI’s Pro’s observation of how you complete the skills above, he or she may have you practice additional skills. Don’t hesitate to use this time to ask for more practice or review if you feel you would benefit from it.
Afternoon Reef Dives
After your morning pool refresher, head out in the open ocean to explore two different dive sites on the pristine coral reef system of the Florida Keys.
Two Reef Dives Included • Gear Included
Western Dry Rocks
Explore North America’s only living coral reef, “Western Dry Rocks,” a thriving habitat for colorful tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, and various coral species. Each day, the Captain selects the specific reef location based on current conditions to ensure optimal visibility and the best possible sea state for your dive.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- What to bringCamera, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, food and drinks, and a smile!
- This course will have a maximum of 6 students for pool session and 20-25 for dives
Frequently Asked Questions
(12)Q: What entails the refresher course?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-291575
Reviews
Average 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 21 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (12)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.
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The refresher course includes a pool session in the morning and 2 tank reef dives in the afternoon. All gear and equipment are included.
May 2024A refresher course is necessary if it has been over 12 months since your last logged dive.
Oct 2022All divers must complete a Medical Questionnaire (PDF ⧉) form before participating in the Key West Scuba Diving Refresher Course & Dive.
Please answer your past and present medical history questions with a YES or NO. If you are not sure, answer YES.
If you answer YES to any question, you must consult a physician before participating in scuba diving.
Oct 2022There are no lockers at the shop. However, there is a section on the boat that won’t get wet where you can leave your belongings, or you can ask the staff at check-in to keep them for you while you dive.
Dec 2021Yes. Morning Wreck Dives, Afternoon Reef Dives, Refreshers, and Open Water Advanced Certification require PADI or equivalent diving certification.
Our Dive in a Day Resort Course is a fantastic alternative if you are not certified. This course is designed specifically for first-time divers.
Oct 2023If you’re having issues filling out your waiver online, fear not; you may do so at check-in.
Apr 2021We do not provide lunch. We do provide fresh water for drinking and a big cooler for anything you’d like to bring. And yes, alcohol is allowed but only after you are finished diving or snorkeling.
Jul 2021Yes, alcohol is allowed but only after you are finished diving or snorkeling.
Mar 2021- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 3 days before the course start time.
- If you cancel less than 3 days before the course start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 3 days before the course start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the course local time (EDT).
- Morning pool session with 24-skill circuit.
- Top-of-the-line gear.
- Two afternoon reef dives.
- Fresh water showers.
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own).
- Gratuities.
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Key West Scuba Diving Refresher Course & Dive will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Morning pool session with 24-skill circuit
- Top-of-the-line gear
- Two afternoon reef dives
- Fresh water showers
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- What to bringCamera, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, food and drinks, and a smile!
- This course will have a maximum of 6 students for pool session and 20-25 for dives
