Diveheart Courses
Diveheart Buddy Courses empower certified scuba divers to work within Adaptive Dive Teams, allowing Adaptive Divers—Individuals with disabilities or who might require additional assistance —to experience the weightless freedom of underwater exploration. Enrolling in a Diveheart Buddy Course is the first step toward joining a Diveheart Adaptive Dive Team, composed of an Adaptive Diver and at least two Adaptive Dive Buddies.
Each Diveheart Buddy certification level builds on the previous one, demanding greater experience, skill, and responsibility from each buddy candidate.
Diveheart Pool Buddy Training consists of:
Reading Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor and Dive Buddy book
Completing eLearning
The equivalent of one full day of land-based training and exercises
The equivalent of two full days of confined water training
Diveheart Dive Buddy Training is the above plus:
The equivalent of one full day of open water training
Diveheart Advanced Dive Buddy Training is all of the above plus:
A series of advanced challenge skills
*30 Diveheart Experiences,15 in open water are also required before certification, but not necessarily included in coursework
Diveheart Scuba Instructor Training is all of the above plus:
Co teach a Diveheart Buddy course with a Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor Trainer
Diveheart is committed to rigorous, total-immersion training, ensuring every Buddy is thoroughly prepared. Guided by a duty to the Adaptive Diver, Diveheart equips candidates with the knowledge, training, and hands-on experience necessary to create the safest and most effective Adaptive Dive Teams. Certification isn’t given; it’s earned through a deep commitment to empathy, learning, skills, and mastery.
Have questions? Email training@diveheart.org for more information!
All Diveheart Buddy Courses can be divided up into three basic components
- Diveheart Manual: Diveheart offers two separate manuals—one for adaptive divers and another for buddies and instructors. These manuals can be purchased as either physical or digital copies through Amazon or directly from the dive shop or instructor providing the course. Manual costs vary depending on the chosen format. All candidates should read the Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor and Dive Buddy manual prior to attending the practical portion of training. Adaptive Scuba Instructors candidates also read the Diveheart Adaptive Diver manual.
- Diveheart eLearning Course: Candidates independently register and pay for the eLearning course aligned with course prerequisites, their current recreational scuba certification level, and the candidate’s training goals.
For example, the Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy Course prerequisite is Rescue Diver. A candidate with a Rescue Diver certification, depending on training goals, would register for Adaptive Pool Buddy, Adaptive Dive Buddy, or Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy. Completion of eLearning is required before starting the practical portion. The eLearning course has a set fee with Diveheart. Course prerequisite is Rescue Diver. A candidate with a Rescue Diver certification, depending on training goals, would register for Adaptive Pool Buddy, Adaptive Dive Buddy, or Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy. Completion of eLearning is required before starting the practical portion. The eLearning course has a set fee with Diveheart.
- Practical Portion: This in-person training includes land-based clinics, confined water practice, and open water scenarios. Diveheart instructors operate independently as non-agents and non-employees; pricing and scheduling for this component are determined by the instructor or training facility, not by Diveheart.
Why be a Diveheart Buddy?
DESCRIPTION
This course introduces Adaptive Diving to certified divers interested in working with adaptive divers (Individuals with disabilities or who might require additional assistance)! This Diveheart entry-level Course is for those interested in confined water (pool) support.
The Diveheart Adaptive Pool Buddy certification can also be used for candidates that do not have access to facilities to complete the open water portion of the Diveheart Adaptive Dive Buddy Training. The candidate has the option to complete the open water portion of training within 12 months for their Diveheart Adaptive Dive Buddy Certification.
Upon earning their certification, Adaptive Pool Buddies will have the ability to support Diveheart Adaptive Dive Teams in pool settings!
PREREQUISITES
Minimum of 15 years old
Certified Open Water diver, or equivalent, with at least 20 logged dives
Been diving, or taken a refresher course, in the past two years
Have current CPR/First Aid/AED training (must be good through the entire course)
Comfortable performing all of Diveheart’s Buddy Tune-Up Skills PRIOR to attending the practical portion of the course
Proficient in scuba skills including buoyancy control (RECOMMENDED that candidate has completed a Buoyancy Control Course)
COURSE FEES
Diveheart Adaptive Dive Buddy eLearning Course: $215
Diveheart Buddy/Instructor Manual: $70
Practical Water Training: Price Varies
Download Preliminary Paperwork
DESCRIPTION
This course introduces Adaptive Diving to certified divers interested in working with adaptive divers (Individuals with disabilities or who might require additional assistance) in open water settings! This is Diveheart’s entry-level Buddy Course and the building block for all Diveheart Buddy and Instructor Courses.
Upon earning their certification, Adaptive Dive Buddies will have the ability to participate on Diveheart Adaptive Dive Teams in a pool setting or open water!
PREREQUISITES
– Minimum of 15 years old
– Certified Open Water diver, or equivalent, with at least 20 logged dives
– Been diving, or taken a refresher course, in the past two years
– Have current CPR/First Aid/AED training (must be good through the entire course)
– Comfortable performing all of Diveheart’s Buddy Tune-Up Skills PRIOR to attending the practical portion of the course
– Proficient in scuba skills including buoyancy control (RECOMMENDED that candidate has completed a Buoyancy Control Course)
COURSE FEES
Diveheart Adaptive Dive Buddy eLearning Course: $215
Diveheart Buddy/Instructor Manual: $70
Practical Water Training: Price Varies
Download Preliminary Paperwork
DESCRIPTION
This course builds on Diveheart’s Adaptive Dive Buddy Course, introducing advanced skills, techniques, and protocols used when working with adaptive divers that require a higher degree of assistance while diving. Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy candidates will also use and become familiar with more specialized adaptive diving equipment, such as full face masks.
To qualify for a Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy certification a candidate is required to have at least 30 Diveheart Experiences diving with adaptive divers.
If a Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy candidate meets the prerequisites and completes all eLearning and water skills, but does not have 30 Diveheart Experiences they will be certified as a Diveheart Adaptive Dive Buddy until they complete their 30 Diveheart Experiences.
Upon earning their certification, Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddies will have the ability to lead Diveheart Adaptive Dive Teams!
PREREQUISITES
– Minimum of 18 years old
– Minimum of Certified Rescue Diver, or equivalent, with at least 40 logged dives
– Been diving, or taken a refresher course, in the past two years
-Have current CPR/First Aid/AED training (must be good through the entire course)
– Comfortable performing all of Diveheart’s Buddy Tune-Up Skills PRIOR to attending the practical portion of the course
– RECOMMENDED that candidate has a Full Face Mask Certification
*Pre-requisite to certification: 30 experiences working with adaptive divers underwater, a minimum of 15 having taken place in open water environments. See Above for more information.
COURSE FEES
Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy eLearning Course: $265
Diveheart Buddy/Instructor Manual: $70
Practical Water Training: Price Varies
*Please Note: If you are already a Diveheart certified Adaptive Dive Buddy, and would like to take this eLearning course to upgrade your certification level, please email training@diveheart.org before registering for your next eLearning course! You may qualify for an upgrade promo code!
Download Preliminary Paperwork
DESCRIPTION
This course is for certified instructors, in active status, who want to learn how to teach Diveheart courses.
A candidate seeking to be a Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor will have completed all requirements for Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy and then works with a Diveheart Instructor Trainer or Diveheart Instructor Trainer Examiner to learn to teach Diveheart courses.
Upon earning this certification, Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructors will have the ability to teach and certify Adaptive Pool Buddies, Adaptive Dive Buddies, Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddies, and Diveheart Adaptive Divers.
PREREQUISITES
– Minimum of 18 years old
– Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy certification, which can be taken at the same time as this course
– Minimum certification of an active, teaching status instructor with a recognized recreational agency
– Have current professional Liability Insurance
– Been teaching scuba courses, or diving, or taken a refresher course in the past two years
– Have current CPR/First Aid/AED training (must be good through the entire course) OR be certified and in teaching status as an instructor for these certifications
– Comfortable performing all of Diveheart’s Buddy Tune-Up Skills PRIOR to attending the practical portion of the course
– RECOMMENDED that candidate has a Full Face Mask Certification or Specialty Instructor Certification
*Pre-requisite to Certification: 30 experiences working with adaptive divers underwater, a minimum of 15 having taken place in open water environments. If candidate already earned a Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy certification, this pre-requisite has been met. See Above for more information.
COURSE FEES
Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor eLearning Course: $400
Diveheart Buddy/Instructor Manual: $70
Diveheart Adaptive Diver Manual: $40
Diveheart Adaptive Diver Profile Slate: $20
Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor Slates: $60
Practical Water Training: Price Varies
*Please Note: If you are already have a Diveheart certification, and would like to take this eLearning course to upgrade your certification level, please email training@diveheart.org before registering for your next eLearning course! You may qualify for an upgrade promo code!
Download Preliminary Paperwork
How Do Diveheart Adaptive Diver Courses Work?
Diveheart collaborates with certified scuba instructors worldwide across all recognized recreational scuba agencies (PADI, NAUI, SDI, etc.) to help adaptive divers (Individuals with disabilities or who might require additional assistance) experience the freedom of underwater exploration in zero gravity!
Adaptive Diver candidates seeking certification partner with a Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor who provides training aligned with their agency’s curriculum. Through this, adaptive diver candidates learn all the essential open water scuba knowledge: physics, physiology, equipment, environment, and more. If the adaptive diver candidate can complete the necessary skills according to agency standards, they’ll earn a certification through that respective agency.
For those who may not fully meet recreational agency standards, Diveheart offers a unique solution. Adaptive diver candidates complete Diveheart’s Adaptive Diver eLearning and read the Diveheart Adaptive Diver manual to learn Adaptive Dive Team concepts. Together with a Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor and other team members, adaptive divers work through skills and develop tailored roles, forming a cohesive team dedicated to safely exploring the underwater world.
Got questions? Contact us at training@diveheart.org for more information!
DESCRIPTION
The Diveheart Adaptive Diver certification course is designed for children, adults, and veterans with disabilities who aim to achieve an internationally recognized scuba diving certification. This course is completed alongside the traditional open-water scuba training required by the Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor’s certifying agency. Tailored to individual needs, these courses are often conducted one-on-one and at a customized pace.
Adaptive Diver candidates pursuing certification must complete this eLearning course and review the Diveheart Adaptive Diver Manual as part of their training journey.
For those interested in learning more about adaptive diving, the Diveheart Adaptive Diver eLearning course provides an excellent introduction to diving with a disability—no exam is required, and it’s open to everyone!
PREREQUISITES
– Minimum of 10 years old
– A current RSTC approved Medical, signed by the candidate’s primary physician, clearing them to dive
COURSE FEES
Diveheart Adaptive Diver eLearning Course: $115
Diveheart Adaptive Diver Manual: $40
Diveheart Adaptive Diver Profile Slate: $20
Practical Water Training: Price Varies
*Please Note: Diveheart has several scholarships available for application to adaptive diver candidates to help offset costs. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, or in supporting an adaptive diver candidate, please email info@diveheart.org. If you have questions about the course, please email training@diveheart.org.
Download Preliminary Paperwork
DIVEHEART LOGS
To earn a Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy or Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor certification, candidates must gain hands-on experience diving with adaptive divers. Diveheart provides an Experience Log, with page two detailing what qualifies as a “Diveheart Experience.” This log enables candidates to track their experiences, ensuring they reach the required 30 dives necessary to qualify for the Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy Certification.
Diveheart has developed easy-to-use log pages for both buddy and adaptive diver candidates to document their scuba diving experiences. The Adaptive Diver Log Book Page is available for anyone to log their dives, providing a simple and effective way to keep track of their scuba journey!
