programs eligible for veterans benefits

We have 6 Professional Career Level Packages at Pura Vida Divers that are eligible for Veterans Benefits through the GI BILL® (Chapter 33) or VR&E (Chapter 31).  Each program is designed to streamline the process of building your career in diving. There is a program for everyone, from non-divers who dream of becoming scuba pros to current pros who want to level up..

If you wish to take courses a-la-carte, we offer that option as well. You can learn more about taking individual classes in our a-la-carte course section. Please note that a-la-carte courses are not eligible for Veterans benefits.

fast track program

NON-DIVER TO DIVEMASTER

Our Fast Track program takes you all the way from a non-diver to a pro diver. Once you’ve finished the program, you’ll be able to work as a PADI Divemaster.

COURSES INCLUDED
The Fast Track Program includes the following PADI courses:

  • Open Water Diver
  • Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Enriched Air Diver
  • Emergency First Response/CFC
  • Rescue Diver
  • Peak Performance Buoyancy
  • Fish Identification
  • Deep Diver
  • Underwater Navigator
  • Search and Recovery Diver
  • Master Scuba Diver
  • Divemaster

It also includes:

  • DAN Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries Provider
  • Open water dives necessary to complete the divemaster program

PREREQUISITES
To begin the Fast Track Program, students must meet these entrance requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • PADI Diving Medical form signed by a doctor (an MD or DO) stating fitness to dive and dated within the last 12 months

 

dive professional career level 1

RESCUE DIVER TO DIVEMASTER

The Dive Professional Career Level 1 program is for certified divers who are ready to go pro. Once you complete the program, you’ll be a PADI Divemaster. From there, you can work as a pro in the dive industry or take the next step and become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

COURSES INCLUDED
The DPCL 1 Program includes the following PADI courses:

  • Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox)
  • Emergency First Response/CFC
  • Rescue Diver
  • Divemaster

It also includes the DAN Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries Provider Course.

PREREQUISITES

To begin the DPCL 1 Program, students must meet these entrance requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • PADI Diving Medical form signed by a doctor (MD or DO) stating fitness to dive and dated within the last 12 months
  • Certified PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or PADI recognized equivalent)
  • PADI EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within the last 24 months (or PADI recognized equivalent)
  • At least 40 logged dives are required to start the Rescue and Divemaster components. Note: 60 dives are required before you can be certified as a Divemaster (must also have certifications in Deep, Night and Search & Recovery)
  • Diving Accident Insurance (DAN is recommended)

dive professional career level 2

PADI INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT COURSE (IDC)

Our Career Level 2 Program is for current divemasters who want to become PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors. You’ll learn the PADI method of teaching during your Instructor Development Course (IDC). Then you’ll take a 2-Day Instructor Exam. Upon passing the exam, you’ll be able to certify divers in core PADI courses, all the way up through Divemaster. All PADI OWSI Instructors must also be certified as PADI Emergency First Response Instructors.

COURSES INCLUDED
The DPCL 2 Program includes the following PADI courses:

  • Emergency First Response Instructor/CFCI
  • Instructor Development Course
  • 2-Day Instructor Examination 

PREREQUISITES
To begin the DPCL 2 Program, students must meet these entrance requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • PADI Diving Medical form signed by a doctor (specifically an MD or DO) stating fitness to dive and dated within the last12 months
  • Divers Accident Insurance (DAN is recommended)
  • PADI Open Water Diver for at least 6 months (or Equivalent Certification)
  • Certified as PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Rescue Diver and PADI Divemaster (or PADI recognized equivalents)
  • PADI EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within the last 24 months (or PADI recognized equivalent)
  • Proof of 100 logged dives and showing experience in Deep, Night and Navigation

dive professional career level 3

RESORT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Our Resort Operations training package is the ultimate program for the well-rounded dive pro. It will make you even more desirable to employers through a combination of PADI and DAN Instructor Courses. Once you complete the program, you’ll have all the PADI instructor specialties you need to apply for your MSDT Rating. You’ll also be certified as a DAN Instructor for 5 Courses. The amount you can offer as a dive pro grows tremendously during this program.

COURSES INCLUDED
The Career Level 3 Program includes the following courses:

  • Diving First Aid for Professional Divers Instructor
  • PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
  • Resort Operations Instructor

PREREQUISITES
To begin the DPCL 3 Program, Candidates must meet these entrance requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • PADI Diving Medical form signed by a doctor (specifically an MD or DO) stating fitness to dive and dated within the last 12 months
  • DAN Membership
  • Active Status Open Water Scuba Instructor with CPR & First Aid Instructor ratings
  • Certified as a PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox)

dive professional career level 4

TEC DEEP

Pura Vida Divers Career level 4 is the Tec Deep program. This program begins with the PADI Tec 40 course, which bridges the gap between recreational diving and technical diving. The program then covers the PADI Tec 45 and the PADI Tec 50 courses. This level can be entered at any point once meeting the entry requirements.

COURSES INCLUDED
The Career Level 4 Program includes the following courses:

  • PADI Tec 40
  • PADI Tec 45
  • PADI Tec 50

PREREQUISITES
To begin the DPCL 4 Program, Candidates must meet these entrance requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • PADI Diving Medical form signed by a doctor (specifically an MD or DO) stating fitness to dive and dated within the last 12 months
  • DAN Membership
  • Certified as a PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) and PADI Rescue Diver (or PADI recognized equivalents)
  • Proof of a minimum of 100 logged dives with 20 dives on EANx deeper than 60ft and 15 dives deeper than 100ft

dive professional career level 5

TEC DEEP SIDEMOUNT

This program begins with the PADI Tec Sidemount course. The program then covers the PADI Tec 40, PADI Tec 45 and the PADI Tec 50 courses, all of which are conducted in sidemount. This level can be entered at any point once meeting the entry requirements.

COURSES INCLUDED
The Career Level 5 Program includes the following courses:

  • PADI Tec Sidemount
  • PADI Tec 40
  • PADI Tec 45
  • PADI Tec 50

PREREQUISITES
To begin the DPCL 5 Program, Candidates must meet these entrance requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • PADI Diving Medical form signed by a doctor (specifically an MD or DO) stating fitness to dive and dated within the last 12 months
  • DAN Membership
  • Certified as a PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) and PADI Rescue Diver (or PADI recognized equivalents)
  • Proof of a minimum of 100 logged dives with 20 dives on EANx deeper than 60ft and 15 dives deeper than 100ft

professional program 1-sheets

FAST TRACK

CAREER LEVEL 1

CAREER LEVEL 2

CAREER LEVEL 3