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SCUBA Classes at Eastfield

Welcome to a magical underwater world and the beginning of a life changing experience. All dive classes offer certification through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and may be taken for credit, or as continuing education. Classes meet once per week, and focus on knowledge and skill development in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Upon completion of all classroom and pool work, students will enjoy additional open water training dives at Lake Travis, located north of Austin, Texas.

All courses are taught by Ken Balvin, who is completing his 25^th year as professor at Eastfield College. He holds the distinguished rating of "Master Scuba Diver Trainer", has nine specialty ratings, and is a nitrox instructor for those interested in technical diving. He takes great pride in the large number of divemasters and instructors he has trained over the years, and feels their continued assistance with classes is an important reason his courses are so highly recommended.

Since certification is just the beginning of the journey, Professor Balvin organizes and leads groups to some of the best dive locations around the world. Dive travel is not part of the regular curriculum, so is therefore open to anyone in the community who seeks the many advantages of group travel. Come join him as he explores the vast oceans of liquid heaven

PHED 1270 PADI Divemaster is designed for the diver who seeks additional training as instructional assistant, responsible for the organization, teaching, and safety of students enjoying PADI Scuba Diving courses. Using the textbooks: PADI Divemaster Manual, the PADI Rescue Diver Manual, and Scuba Equipment Care and Maintenance, the PADI Divemaster training fulfills these instructional goals: (1) enable the candidate to organize, conduct and supervise recreational diving activities, both land and boat based; (2) enable the candidate to effectively act as an instructional assistant to teaching status PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor(or higher); (3) develop the theoretical diving knowledge and practical diving skill of candidates to a level sufficient to become an instructor; and, (4) encourage and prepare candidates for instructor level training and/or employment in the diving community. The divemaster training consists of three phases or modules that include watermanship and skills assessment; knowledge development; and, practical application-internship.

PHED 1251 Scuba Diving provides the students with the knowledge and skills to safely enjoy, and gain limited experience in the diving environment under normal open water diving conditions. This course prepares students for Open Water Scuba Diving Certification by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. The major categories of subject material and skills include diving equipment, diving physics, medical aspects of diving, diving emergencies, the diving environment, diving practices (safety), diving activities, and scuba diving skills. The students perform four training dives at Lake Travis, located north of Austin, Texas.

PHED 1252 Advanced open Water Scuba continues the diver's training where the Open Water Certification ends. This course seeks to develop a diver who is confident, safe, relaxed, aware, and more able to enjoy the underwater world. Advanced Open Water Scuba permits the student to be safely supervised, as he reviews and learns new skills to allow him a greater freedom underwater: (1) confidence to dive to deeper depths; (2) night diving experience; (3) boat diving techniques; (4) river diving; (5) ocean diving, currents, and marine environment; (6) underwater navigation; and,(7) search and recovery techniques. This class is an excellent choice for certified divers who have not been diving for a while, and need to regain confidence.

Take a look a some photographs from previous classes.

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