Key West Scuba Diving Refresher Course & Dive
Overview
A Dive Refresher course from Key West Scuba Diving is a safe, fun pool session review of basic scuba skills. Certified divers who have been out of the water for a while can take a scuba refresher course led by professional instructors in the pool, then dive with confidence in the open water. Choose a pool-only Dive Refresher course or a full package with dive gear, dryland and pool review work, plus two reef dives.
Highlights
- Choose pool session only or skills review + pool + dive package
- Enjoy top-of-the-line rental equipment
- Practice with full-time professional dive instructors
- Prep for Key West reef and wreck diving
- Review basics before your next PADI course
Description
The Key West Scuba Diving Dive Refresher course is the best way for certified divers to get back in the water with confidence after time away from diving. If you are a PADI Junior, Open Water, or other entry-level scuba diver who would like to review the basics and sharpen your skills before enjoying some great Key West scuba diving, our Dive Refresher course is the fun, safe and easy way to return to the sport.
There is an incredible selection of amazing dives in the waters around Key West, with everything from living coral reefs to legendary wreck dives all within easy reach. Most Key West dive sites are accessible to divers with entry-level certifications, but if you have not had a chance to go diving for 6 months or more, doing a scuba refresher course first will make your dives far more fun and much safer. You will be more comfortable in the water, have an easier time with your dive gear, and actually burn air slower so you get the most out of every dive.
Scuba diving is one of the world’s best sports, but we can’t all live in Key West. Family, work, and life gets in the way of getting in the water as much as we would like. The facts are clear in research carried out with 24,000 scuba divers by the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association: almost 35% of divers have not been diving in over a year. But 97% of divers want to go diving again — a finding that is very easy to believe!
There is no better way to get back into the sport than going scuba diving in Key West, and Key West Scuba Diving can get you out with the best Key West scuba diving instructors and divemasters, on the coolest custom dive boats, to the best dive spots in Key West. But PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, suggests a refresher course for divers who have not been diving in the last 6 months. It is better to be prepared than risk a problem on a dive trip because an important skill has been forgotten.
If you already have a PADI Scuba Diver, Open Water, Junior or other basic certification that includes 4 training dives, then a morning pool session is a simple way to review basics, practice with the gear, make some ascents and descents, and just get comfortable in the water again.
Key West Scuba Diving offers a range of options, from a simple pool session to prepare for an afternoon dive or as practice before starting your next PADI certification course, to a full package that includes dive gear rental, online skills review, and the pool session followed by reef dives. If you are an Advanced Open Water diver, combine a morning pool session with an afternoon reef dive, then a morning dive on the amazing General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, a 522-foot former Navy missile tracking ship lying at 140–40 feet, 7 miles south of Key West.
Don’t miss the chance to dive Key West just because you have been out of the water for a while. The Key West Scuba Diving Dive Refresher course is the quick and easy way to knock the dry land rust off and get ready for some exciting Key West scuba diving. Book your scuba refresher course right here and get all the necessary details delivered to your smart phone. Get back into scuba diving with the Key West Scuba Diving Dive Refresher course!
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
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Vessel has a toilet
- Near public transportation
- Paid parking nearby
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- 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
(13)Q: What entails the refresher course?
A: The refresher course includes a pool session in the morning and 2 tank reef dives in the afternoon. All gear and equipment are included. Read more May 2024
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 17 diver reviews collected by Key West Scuba Diving and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Scuba Dives
Key West PADI® Advanced Open Water Diver Scuba Certification
$659
Key West Afternoon 2-Tank Reef Scuba Dive
$99
Key West PADI® Open Water Scuba Certification
$499
Key West Morning 2-Tank Vandenberg Wreck SCUBA Dive
$99
Divers Who Booked This Key West Scuba Dive Also Booked
Key West Dive in a Day PADI® Discover Scuba Resort Course
$229
Key West Afternoon 2-Tank Reef Scuba Dive
$99
Key West Morning 2-Tank Vandenberg Wreck SCUBA Dive
$99
Key West PADI® Open Water Scuba Certification
$499
Frequently Asked Questions (13)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Key West Scuba Diving customers.
Filter by:
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 48 hours before the course start time.
- If you cancel less than 48 hours before the course start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 48 hours 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 2025Accessibility information for the Key West Scuba Diving Refresher Course & Dive is as follows:
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
Detailed 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 Key West Scuba Diving. 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
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Vessel has a toilet
- Near public transportation
- Paid parking nearby
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- 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
Report Product Issue
