Aqua Ventures School of Scuba
Aqua Ventures School of Scuba, located in Timonium, Maryland, near Towson, offers instructions for beginning and experienced scuba divers seeking certification. The Dive Center features scuba Instructors, beginning open water diver class, snorkeling and advanced and refresher classes. After filling out Aqua Ventures' online forms, interested applicants mail or fax the forms and a deposit to hold a space. Most classes require reading before the class begins. Aqua Ventures' classes are small (averaging eight to 10 students, max 12 ). Any class with more than six students has one or two certified and experienced assistant instructors helping students with the pool and open water dives, providing personalized attention and safety to each diver. Students complete the required open water evaluation locally near Towson or through a universal student referral program at another dive destination in the world. Scuba certification will then be issued through Scuba Schools International. Students who successfully certify receive worldwide certification and recognition. Aqua Ventures' open water course even exceeds the minimum requirements of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council, so qualifying students automatically join this international organization.
Aqua Ventures School of Scuba
9731 York Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
(410) 66-OCEAN or (410) 666-2326
aquaventuresonline.com/index.html
Atlantic Edge Dive Center
The Atlantic Edge Dive Center, headquartered in Annapolis and Gaithersburg Maryland, offers diving classes and certification courses in Towson and other nearby locations. The schedule for each class location is different. Most classes meet at 7:30 or 8 a.m., including classes like "Learn to Dive," "Rescue Diver," "Scuba Refresher," CPR/First Aid (EFR), and an instructor course. The courses encourage self-study, reading and homework assignments before each class. Atlantic Edge will provides all students with gear, including mask, fins and snorkel, for this course, or students can bring their own gear. Prior to beginning classes, students muct complete knowledge reviews (assessing skills and goals), as well as medical and liability releases. Field trips include Ocean City Dive Charters, coral restoration, underwater archaelogy, local field trips, and annual trips to Hawaii or Africa for underwater exploration. After certification, students are invited to go diving at the National Aquarium of Baltimore. Classes start from $300 per session.
Atlantic Edge Dive Center
Atlantic Edge Annapolis
64 Old South River Road
Edgewater, MD 21037
410-224-9750
atlanticedge.com/training_schedule.shtml
Mislak Diving
Mislak Diving offers open water certification for scuba divers near Towson, and has scuba charters in the Chesapeake Bay and Ocean City. Students receive certifications from the the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers. The Mislak staff is experienced; each instructor has 12 to 30-plus years of diving experience and five to 15-plus years of technical diving experience. Students may take group or private lessons and receive certification in a few weeks or longer if a student feels they want more expert instruction and dive supervision. Mislak features courses in Baltimore for scuba divers of all ages and abilities, from a first time diver to ones seeking refresher courses. The first course to take is the "Open Water Diver" course. By filling out the online form, instructors respond to students about suggested courses to take. Courses include "Rescue Diver," first aid, "Open Water Nitrox Diver" and deep diver classes. Students need to supply their own mask, fins, snorkel and gas supply unit. Course fees start from $325 per session.
Mislak Diving
mislakdiving.com
