Classes
Deep Blue offers PADI certification and training ranging from basic to advanced. PADI is the world's largest scuba certification agency, with over 5800 dive shops worldwide; over 1 million divers a year certify with PADI. We encourage you to browse through not only our site, but also the PADI website to better identify what specific areas of diving interest you. If you're looking to get certified for a trip or vacation, keep in mind that New Mexico (specifically Blue Hole) is a great place to get certified, even during the winter! It's not unusual to find divers from as far away as Utah or Wyoming at Blue Hole.
If you know what class you're interested in, the links to the left provide information about specific classes. But if you're looking for a place to get started, reading this page will give you an overview of the training and certification process starting with the basic Open Water Diver certification.
Not sure scuba's for you? Give it a try in a Discover Scuba class!
Discover scuba provides uncertified individuals who are interested in scuba (but not quite ready to plunge into certification classes) the chance to experience scuba in a contained, controlled environment under the supervision of a PADI certified scuba instructor. Participants get to use all of the scuba equipment certified divers use.
Getting Started: Open Water Diver (OWD)
If you're new to SCUBA diving (or perhaps returning after a substantial break), the OWD certification place is the right place to start.
This class introduces the basic principles of SCUBA diving, provides the training to enable the mastery of fundamental SCUBA skills, and provides students with (often) their first dives in open water. Click here for more detailed information about the Open Water Diver certification.
Building knowledge, building skills: Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD)
If you're already an OWD or hold a qualifying certification from another organization, the AOWD provides students the knowledge and skills to tackle more advanced diving safely. Students refine their technique, build existing skills, and learn about several specialized diving modalities. Click here for more detailed information about the Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
Beyond AOWD
Although it is not required, it is recommended that Open Water divers obtain their AOWD before venturing into the various specialty diving modalities. The AOWD certification provides the foundation upon which the Rescue Diver and Divemaster certifications are built; the Divemaster certification is the first professional-grade certification offered by PADI.
