2011 Update: Cal School of Diving has been open almost 30 years. Many Instructors, store personnel, but mostly we have learned almost ALL about teaching safe, fun, SCUBA, and almost ALL about the gear for these sports. We have watched the Internet explode and retail stores plummet to the void. We are still here - because we have adapted, AND have 9000 water type people on our emailer list. VERY loyal....
Retail store hours & and contacting us! We almost closed in 2009, but we are again growing. As of may, retail store hours are Sat. only 12-3. Our phone , (510) 5243248 is on 12-3 everyday; and you can easily make appointments to meet us at the store most anytime. Call to schedule yourself in a class. I live in front of our pool - about 400 meters from the store. This is EASY for us - way easier than opening the store Mon-Sat 10-6. So call to start getting what you want - especially when it concerns SNORLELING or SCUBA.
lMost people who contemplate learning to scuba dive already are fairly comfortable in water, like fish, and are looking for something to do on vacations that's exciting, yet safe. Some come with the idea that it is VERY easy to learn. This information generally comes from friends who dive, or a dive store sales person. Well, it is easy, but it takes three or four pool sessions spaced apart so you can reflect on what you learn each class. Also a minimum of two or three lectures (on physics and ocean environment) is a good idea! This is an important concept nowadays as many dive stores and instructors try to teach diving in two days. This can work for some folks who already can descend to 20 feet or so with mask, fins, and snorkel and equalize the pressure of the water on their ears. Learning to do this equalization is easy if you have enough pool sessions to practice. Some folks are just a bit intimidated by all the gear - tanks hose, valves, weight belts, wet suits, breathing regulators, masks etc. It takes some time to get used to swimming around with all this gear on.
The good part is if you are not feeling rushed, it is serious fun to zoom around underwater in the pool till you reach a point where the plastic fish and the drain become a bit boring and you start craving to see living animals and plants in the ocean. This is the proper time to visit and dive in the ocean -- after you have built up your confidence in your abilities and knowledge of the basic equipment. Again, to all who are reading this, wherever you are; to not take weekend "quickie" courses. The last three years have been tough on the scuba industry . Do not sacrifice good education. Scuba is an extremely safe, enjoyable sport UNLESS it is taught TOO quickly and you are rushed to the ocean. The dive resorts around the world are totally outraged by the quality of skills of many divers the last 2 years. Plus you will look bad - no style points.
WARM WATER OPTION (referral)
If you are not ready for the rigors of California diving and don't wish to dive in the Monterey waters you may take your certification dives in the Caribbean, Hawaii, or any other warm water location. Your initial stages of training are done at our warm pool and your ocean dives wherever you choose. To help you with your final certification we are affiliated with many dive operations around the world. Expect a $100 - $225.00 charge from the resort for your referral.
The basic requirements for entrance to beginning Scuba are 12 years of age, swim test 200 yards non-stop, float/tread 10 minutes and a stable personality!
The most common course is 4 weeks long , meeting Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:15 - 9:15 p.m. After completion of pools and lectures, training can be finished with a weekend trip to Monterey. There are 4or 5 ocean dives starting around 7:45 Saturday morning. We usually finish our final dives and lecture by 1:00 PM on Sunday. If we ave 5 or more students in a class, there is little or no charge for this weekend.
If you have a friend that wants to update their skills. They can take a refresher class with you while you take your beginning class. Ask about this option at the store.
We have our own warm water pool specifically designed for SCUBA instruction where instructors will be closely monitoring and helping you through all phases of your training. We at Cal Dive & Travel are proud of the reputation we have established in the 15 years we've been open. What started as a hobby has turned into the Bay Area's finest full service dive facility. We hope to introduce you to the sport of Scuba diving.
Logistics
Our Scuba education courses include 4 pool sessions of 3 full hours each. Many Dive stores these days have gone to a "quickie" 2-day course. This is not good training. It is important you get comfortable with SCUBA gear and practice your skills until you are as comfortable underwater as you are driving your car, or bicycle! The cost of your training including lectures, pool skill training, the use of our SCUBA gear, and a textbook, and certification card is:
$575.00
PS.. Please be skeptical of $150 courses - they do not include many of services and products listed above.
SCHEDULE: 6:15PM - 9:30 Tues./ Wed./ Thurs. for 2 weeks
OCEAN DIVES:
You have many basic choices on where you do your ocean dives. Such as:
Monterey, California
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Anywhere there is water (and diving facilities)
Obviously the ocean dives are more expensive abroad, but the water is much warmer and it includes 4 boat dives rather than 4 shore dives in Monterey. This can appeal to those over 50 or those not in the greatest physical shape, or those who just want to go abroad and like to travel to rich beautiful coral environments. We have set up our remote locations carefully with safety, price and comfort as the important parameters.
Our travel department can quote you current lodging, airfare and lengthof your stay prices.
There are 3 basic parts to SCUBA education:
1. Academics. The physics of using compressed air, the knowledge concerning nitrogen absorption underwater, marine and environmental conditions, assembling and understanding of SCUBA apparatus, and pre-pool overviews: these are best taught in the lecture room.
2. Pool work: This is where you learn to SCUBA dive. Practicing with your mask, snorkel, fins, and scuba gear. Learning entries and exits from boats or shore, learning and practicing safe ascents and descents, practicing over and over mask clearing, ear pressure equalization and monitoring one's air supply. (Sounds important yes?)
3. Ocean dives: You cannot become a SCUBA diver just in a pool. You need to demonstrate your learned pool skills in the ocean with an Instructor doing 4 dives over 2 days. This is an industry standard and should not be compromised.
Additional costs: Snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, boots, fins and possibly gloves. SCUBA divers own their own mask, fins and snorkels. It is much more important than surface snorkeling. You cannot have gear problems 80 feet down. Costco quality mask/fin/snorkel kits won't do the job.
The first night of class is an orientation lecture including info on snorkeling gear; orientation to SCUBA gear, and all pertinent physics for your first pool session. By the time you finish your first pool, your Instructor will give you an honest appraisal whether you are going to be a SCUBA diver.
What it is like to learn to Dive
Most people who walk in our store are a little intimidated by the gear involved and the creatures in the ocean. Or even a little shy about the ocean. Well, don't be! The gear is less complex than your car, by a lot, and the only dangerous animal in the sea is mankind. Sharks won't eat your head, and you won't run out of air and drown because like in an airplane, there are important gauges (air, depth, etc.) to keep track of.
The first class is an orientation class to give you an outline of what's to come including your ocean diving. We will teach you a few VERY important rules of physics that are easy to understand but you must be constantly aware of. If you drive a car at 60 mph on a 2-lane road and swerve into the traffic on your left, well, you're toast. We all understand this and drive without fear paying attention to which way the car is going. New laws of physics in diving must be understood and in the same way.
You're first pool session is fun! A swim test is a reality check to see if you should participate in water sports. We use wet suits in our warm outdoor pool because even though the water can be 85 degrees, we talk a bunch and stand around in the shallow (4.5 ft.) end of the pool a lot.
The hardest skill to master is mask clearing - purposely flooding your mask underwater and clearing the water out by exhaling through your nose.
The next few pools are mostly about safety procedures. You will have been taught all possible trouble scenarios, two or three times. By the 4th pool you most likely will be sick of seeing the drain, the fake plastic fish, etc., and will be craving to see something alive in a bigger environment. Your first ocean dive will be like your first pool - a little intimidating.. A lot more water and getting in and out of the water and it's deeper and a bit darker so you will probably listen and stay close to your Instructors. But after 4 dives over 2 days again you will probably want to get away from these silly skills and go DIVING.....
We (all Cal Diving SCUBA Instructors) want you to enjoy yourselves and NOT get hurt. If this all sounds tough or scary, you're wrong. It's easy and VERY safe. Television documentaries always play up the drama of big fish and big storms: why else would people watch. Think more like "Finding Nemo" without the 12 stepping sharks. Big fish stay far awayfrom humans! We Homo Sapiens are the dangerous ones.
If you like sports, seawater, fish, assorted sea animals, quiet and adventure like none other SCUBA is probably for you.
THE SCHEDULE
Lecture 1
An overview of you complete training scenario.
Discussions of: The compression of gases as you go deeper in water.
Effects of pressure on wetsuits and buoyancy compensators.
Effects and importance of expanding air on ascents and time limits underwater.
Effects of holding one's breath while ascending.
General explanation of the varieties of snorkeling gear as to pricing, quality and needs.
Hands on description of Scuba gear including wetsuits, weight systems, tanks breathing regulators, back-up breathing systems, buoyancy compensators, air supply gauges, nitrogen absorption computers and compasses.
Assembling the Scuba gear yourselves.
Pool 1
Over view on the evenings activities.
Putting on wetsuits (Oh what fun it is the first time!!)
Assembling your Scuba unit.
Practicing:
Putting your face in the water and breathing from your Scuba tank.
Going to the bottom (4.5 feet) and breathing on Scuba.
Taking the Scuba mouth piece out of your mouth and replacing it while underwater.
Recovery of your mouth piece after dropping it.
Clearing water from your mask while underwater.
Using your fins for propulsion.
Discussion on ear equalization to water pressure as you descend.
First trip to the deep end (IF you are comfortable about it!)
Free time for practice and zooming around (WITH the Instructors permission!)
Pool 2
Deep end entry into the pool.
Practice: Review time for mask clearing and regulator recovery.
Descents in the deep end (another reminder about ear clearing.
Buoyancy control (shallow end)
Discussion on ascents.
Ascents in the deep end and filling your Buoyancy compensator upon surfacing.
Out of air situations using buddy's extra mouthpiece.
Lecture 2
Lectures on:
Review of pools skills.
Review physics from Lecture 1.
All emergency situations possible in water.
Computation of nitrogen absorption using Dive tables and mathematics.
Use and parts of a compass.
Underwater navigation.
Description of Scuba gear: its differences, needs and pricing for future reference (in case you really get into the sport.)
Description of future dive courses and their relevance to you.
Pool 3
A different deep water entry.
Review of all skills learned before.
Taking off you weight belt underwater and replacing it.
Taking of your Scuba underwater and replacing it.
Same as above 2 skills but at the surface.
Emergency ascents.
