Dive California operates as an independent HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association) diving training facility and is proud to offer HSA’s prestigious diver education programs and Instructor Training Course (ITC). HSA's diver education programs are internationally recognized and unequaled by any other programs in the industry. These programs were developed in conjunction with two major certifying agencies, PADI and NAUI. In cooperation with the HSA, Dive Open Water Certification
Founded in 1981 by Jim Gatacre, the HSA has dedicated itself to improving the physical and social well being of people with disabilities through the sport of scuba diving, and in doing so has become the worldwide leading authority in this field.
Because water greatly reduces or even eliminates mobility problems for people with disabilities, scuba diving can be taught with virtually no modifications.
Available Courses/Programs
Advanced Open Water Certification
The Dive Buddy Program
Instructor Training Course (ITC)
Open Water Diver Certification
Either from accident or disease, about 15% of the population is statistically classified as "handicapped". In the
HSA's multilevel certification training is so exacting and sensitive it enables us to train people with a wide range of disabilities, including paraplegia, quadriplegia, the blind or those with high-functioning brain injuries or mild retardation. HSA Open Water Divers are certified as Level A, B or C according to the diver's particular disability.
The HSA System in use at Dive California bases a student's diving proficiency on their ability to assist another diver in the water. For instance, if you're a Level A diver, you're certified to dive with one other person; a Level B diver must dive with two other able-bodied divers and a Level C diver not only requires two dive buddies, but one must be trained in diver rescue.
After meeting the requirements for Basic “Open Water Diver”, some of our A, B, and C divers go on to obtain an “Advanced Open Water Diver” level of certification.
Many of us know someone, a friend or family member, we'd like to involve in scuba diving. Or, we'd welcome the challenge of learning about disabilities, accessibility issues and how to dive with people who have disabilities. The HSA"Dive Buddy Program" offers able-bodied divers this opportunity to expand their underwater world to include sharing it with a handicapped partner. An HSA certified Dive Buddy receives nearly as much information and skill training as an Instructor, except the training focuses on recreation, not instruction.
Instructor Training Course (ITC)
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Dive
1273 Scott Street,
Phone (619) 222-0060 / Fax (619) 222-4130
Last Update: Tuesday, August 05, 2008
