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National Geographic PADI Open Water Course

Mermaids CDC (Career Development Center) Pattaya, Thailand is now an official National Geographic PADI affiliated Scuba Dive Center. National Geographic Scuba Divers are adventurers, explorers, and conservationists. You have an interest in scuba diving and underwater sciences that goes beyond that of the average diver - you'll be much more aware diver.

In addition, National Geographic divers have demonstrated skills and completed underwater tasks that broaden your awareness while scuba diving. Increased buoyancy skill mastery than required of a newly certified PADI Open Water Diver (regular PADI open Water Course) fine tunes your ability to interact appropriately with aquatic creatures and underwater structures. Excellent buoyancy control is also a foundation skill for specialty diving activities such as underwater Photography (analogue and digital photography) and underwater Videography - essential for reef and marine conservation also.

Practicing marine information-gathering techniques and heightening dive navigation skills further increases your ability to explore and take critical note of each dive site you choose to visit. You'll be much more aware of navigation techniques by using compasses and also natural navigation points.

Your enhanced knowledge and skill level makes your and other National Geographic Divers true stewards and ambassadors for the underwater world.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Here are a few additional skills that will be taught and mastered during your National Geographic Diver Course.

• Exploration Project: Because exploration and underwater sciences encompass a wide range of physical and biological disciplines, we focus on the unique and interesting aspects of the dive sites. Noting the animal life, plant life, topography, geology, human-made structures and sketching it on a slate.
• Aquatic Life Identification: Discuss, identify and record aquatic plants, invertebrate and vertebrates at a fresh water or salt water environment. Predominantly where we are this will be salt water but you'll understand much more than the average diver of fresh water marine life also.
• Navigation Skills: Good underwater navigation is the key to enjoyable diving experiences and precise navigation using a compass is a fun challenge for all divers. Combining compass navigation with keen observation skills increases a National Geographic diver’s awareness and builds confidence in your diving skills. You'll learn many skills for natural navigation also.
• Hovering & Buoyancy skills: Good buoyancy skills are very important to observing marine life and not coming into contact with the creatures ensures no damage is done during this observation. Three types of hovering will be taught and mastered. Hovering horizontally helps divers stop while swimming over a fragile bottom to observe and record what is below them. Hovering with feet slightly elevated allow divers to peer into crevices without touching the sides. Hovering with head slightly elevated is a comfortable position to look at the aquatic life along a reef wall or piling. 

These are just a few of the exciting differences in becoming a PADI National Geographic Diver. Mermaids CDC (Dive Career Development Center) is the first Dive Center to receive the National Geographic Dive Center designation on the eastern seaboard of Thailand. All of our instructors have been trained as National Geographic Dive Instructors to offer you the most flexibility when choosing a dive education program.

The cost is is at "Scuba costs" and all inclusive of the PADI Open Water Diver Manual and all National Geographic Diver materials. The duration is 4 days (same as the PADI Open Water Course) with one additional dive included for a total of 5 dives.

National Geographic and PADI Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the difference between the National Geographic Diver Certification and the PADI Open Water Diver Certification?

A. As a National Geographic Diver, your certification signifies you have all the abilities of a PADI Open Water Diver plus additional knowledge that broadens your awareness of the aquatic realm and new skills to better explore underwater. The PADI Open Water Diver course is the foundation for the National Geographic Diver program.

Q. Who is eligible to become a Nat Geo Diver?

A. The program is open to beginners as well as the experienced diving enthusiast. Experienced divers can become National Geographic Divers by enrolling in the National Geographic Portal.

Q. Who developed the National Geographic Diver Program?

A. National Geographic partnered with PADI, the world’s leader in dive education, to jointly create the National Geographic Diver Program. Both organizations have the common goal of encouraging public interest in recreational diving worldwide and exposing people to the aquatic environment to help them gain a better appreciation of our underwater cultural heritage.

Q. What does the National Geographic Diver Program Include?

A. The National Geographic Diver program allows individuals to become certified scuba divers or, if already certified, the opportunity to increase their diving skills. The program promotes adventure, discovery, exploration and aquatic conservation. Along with learning basic dive skills and mastering safety information, National Geographic Divers complete a National Geographic Knowledge Review based on information gained by interacting with the National Geographic Diver Almanac and DVD. They also demonstrate the ability to hover in at least three different positions. During an open water dive, divers participate in an Exploration Project that includes gathering information and creating a visual representation of the dive site detailing specific features. They also may practice navigating a square or rectangle pattern using a compass and natural references or participate in an aquatic life identification exercise.

Q. What recognition do I get as a National Geographic Diver?

A. You’ll receive a distinctive National Geographic Diver certification card. This card signifies that you have completed the program’s knowledge and skill requirements, joining an elite group of divers. You will show this certification card any time you need dive services as you travel around seeking new dive adventures.

Q. How does the National Geographic Diver Program support aquatic education and conservation of underwater environments?

A. The National Geographic Society’s contributions to inspiring underwater exploration date back to 1926 when NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine published the first underwater color photographs taken by photographer Charles Martin. In the 1950s, National Geographic began a long-standing relationship with Jacques Cousteau, supporting his undersea explorations and sharing his dive adventures with the world. Today, the National Geographic Society continues to support underwater expeditions and showcase the underwater photography of David Doubilet and Emory Kristof, among others, in various National Geographic publications. National Geographic television programs and films document new technologies such as Greg Marshall’s Crittercam, and allow us to learn about the research and expeditions of National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Bob Ballard and Sylvia Earle.

As part of a growing commitment to fund the Society’s initiatives, all of National Geographic’s net proceeds from the PADI National Geographic Diver program will support exploration, conservation, research, and education. National Geographic supports a wide array of aquatic initiatives, including expeditions to reveal and share unique underwater environments around the globe. Other projects will include preservation of national marine sanctuaries and protection of endangered aquatic animals and plants.

Project AWARE, in conjunction with PADI, introduces more than a million divers and nondivers each year to aquatic conservation and environmental issues. The National Geographic Diver program curriculum further encourages understanding of and respect for the aquatic world’s delicate ecosystems. Project AWARE and PADI have also developed additional courses about the aquatic environment. For more information about this training, contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort to enroll in one of the many AWARE specialty programs offered.

Q. Will there be additional diving courses?

A. There’s a possibility that the PADI National Geographic program will expand in the future. Currently, there are many PADI courses available to continue your dive education and enhance your specialty diving interests.

Q. How did National Geographic choose PADI?

A. National Geographic chooses partners who share their mission of exploration and conservation of our planet. PADI shares that philosophy and those values in promoting awareness of the aquatic environment and advocating education about the underwater world through increased participation in the sport of scuba diving.

Begin your PADI Open Water Divers Course online. PADI eLearning allows for you to begin dive education on the Internet. Check here for details of the PADI open water online diver course

To be able to learn diving online at home allows you to learn at your own pace. Review the videos and knowledge reviews time and time again to ensure you have the knowledge. You shall also avoid a day in the dive classroom here when on your holiday! This will allow you more time by the pool relaxing or ... another days scuba diving:)