NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver + Nitrox | NREC Training Program

Train With Purpose. Dive With Confidence.

Your underwater adventure begins with the right training, the right equipment, and the confidence to explore the world beneath the surface.

At Scuba Connection, we believe becoming a certified scuba diver should be about more than simply learning the minimum required skills. Our goal is to develop capable, confident, and environmentally responsible divers who understand their equipment, demonstrate sound diving techniques, and possess the knowledge to make informed decisions underwater.

Our NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver – NREC Training Program combines comprehensive academic instruction, personalized pool training, and modern equipment techniques to establish a strong foundation for a lifetime of diving.

Built around the principles of NAUI Recreational Equipment Configuration (NREC), this program introduces students to streamlined backplate and wing systems, proper buoyancy and trim, efficient propulsion techniques, and team-oriented diving practices.

Whether your interests include exploring tropical reefs, discovering historic shipwrecks, traveling to exciting dive destinations, or eventually pursuing advanced and technical diving, Scuba Connection provides the foundation to progress with confidence.

A Different Approach to Learning Scuba

Not all scuba training programs are the same.

At Scuba Connection, we emphasize developing strong foundational skills from the beginning. Rather than simply completing a checklist of exercises, students learn why proper techniques matter and how those skills contribute to safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable diving.

Our experienced NAUI Instructors focus on equipment familiarity, controlled movement, situational awareness, and effective communication throughout the training process.

Students train using a modern backplate and wing configuration designed to promote stability, balance, and streamlined equipment management. This approach helps establish consistent diving habits while introducing equipment concepts that support future recreational and technical training.

With small class sizes and individualized coaching, students receive the attention and practice time needed to develop their skills with confidence.

Course Highlights

• Comprehensive NAUI Open Water Training: Develop essential diving knowledge and practical skills, including dive planning, diving sciences, equipment operation, underwater communication, safety procedures, and emergency management.

• NREC Equipment Configuration: Learn to dive using a backplate and wing system that promotes streamlined equipment management, proper weighting, and long-term equipment familiarity.

• Trim and Buoyancy Development: Learn to maintain neutral buoyancy, horizontal body positioning, and controlled movement underwater to improve comfort, reduce fatigue, and minimize environmental impact.

• Advanced Finning Fundamentals: Develop efficient propulsion and maneuvering techniques, including modified frog kicks, helicopter turns, and controlled backward movement as your skills progress.

• Safety and Team Awareness: Build confidence through buddy procedures, underwater communication, situational awareness, problem-solving exercises, and emergency drills.

• Environmental Stewardship: Understand how proper diving techniques and responsible decision-making help protect sensitive underwater environments.

• Enriched Air Nitrox Training: Learn the benefits, limitations, and safe use of enriched air nitrox, including oxygen exposure management, gas analysis, and dive planning considerations.

Two NAUI Certifications Included

Your enrollment includes the training required for two internationally recognized NAUI certifications.

NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver

Develop the knowledge, equipment familiarity, and practical skills necessary to become a certified recreational scuba diver.

Your academic and confined water training prepares you for the final phase of certification: completing your required Open Water Certification Dives.

NAUI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver

Expand your diving knowledge from the beginning by learning how to plan and conduct dives using enriched air nitrox.

Nitrox training introduces important concepts related to oxygen exposure, breathing gas mixtures, equipment considerations, and dive planning.

Understanding these principles provides additional flexibility for recreational diving, particularly during repetitive diving and dive travel adventures.

All required NAUI eLearning components for both courses are included in your enrollment.

Certifications are awarded upon successful completion of their respective training and evaluation requirements. Open Water Certification Dives are completed separately.

Your Path to Certification

Becoming a certified scuba diver involves three essential steps.

Step 1 – Academic Training

Begin your training with the included NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver and Enriched Air Nitrox eLearning programs.

These programs introduce the knowledge needed to understand diving equipment, diving sciences, safe diving practices, environmental awareness, and dive planning.

Your instructor will provide additional guidance to help you connect academic concepts with practical diving applications.

Step 2 – Confined Water Training

Develop and practice your diving skills in a controlled pool environment under the direct supervision of your NAUI Instructor.

Training begins with equipment familiarization and progresses through essential scuba skills, buoyancy and trim development, propulsion techniques, underwater communication, and emergency procedures.

Our emphasis is on helping students become comfortable and capable underwater through progressive instruction, repetition, and individualized feedback.

Step 3 – Open Water Certification Dives

Once your academic and confined water requirements are complete, you'll be ready to demonstrate your skills in an actual open water environment.

Complete your required four Open Water Certification Dives locally or during one of Scuba Connection's hosted dive travel adventures.

This flexibility allows you to select a certification experience that best fits your schedule, interests, and travel goals.

Important: Open Water Certification Dives are not included in the $475 pool training course price. Separate enrollment and payment are required. Costs vary depending on the selected training location and certification option.

$250 Premium Equipment Credit Included

We believe learning with properly fitted, high-quality equipment is an important part of developing confidence and good diving habits.

That's why your enrollment includes a $250 Premium Equipment Credit to help you begin building your personal scuba equipment collection.

$100 Toward Dive Rite or Halcyon Fins

Choose from premium Dive Rite or Halcyon fins designed to support efficient propulsion, precise maneuvering, and the finning techniques emphasized throughout your training.

$150 Toward a Shearwater Dive Computer

Apply your credit toward the purchase of a qualifying Shearwater dive computer, including:

• Shearwater Peregrine

• Shearwater Tern

• Shearwater Perdix 3

• Shearwater Teric

Shearwater dive computers offer intuitive operation, reliable dive information, and features designed to support your diving as your experience and training progress.

Flexible Equipment Credit Redemption

Your equipment credit is available upon enrollment and remains valid for 12 months from your enrollment date, subject to applicable law.

The $100 fin credit and $150 computer credit may be redeemed separately, allowing you to purchase equipment when you're ready.

No minimum purchase is required. Credits apply only to their designated equipment categories, cannot be transferred between categories, and cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions.

Each category credit is limited to one redemption. Credits are nontransferable and have no cash redemption value.

This benefit helps you invest in equipment selected for long-term performance rather than purchasing equipment you may quickly outgrow.

Pre-Course Orientation and Equipment Fitting

Before beginning your pool training, you'll meet with your NAUI Instructor for a course orientation and equipment fitting session.

During this meeting, you'll review the training process, discuss course expectations, and become familiar with the equipment you'll be using.

Your instructor will help ensure your equipment is properly sized and adjusted for comfort, safety, and performance.

You'll also receive guidance on selecting personal diving equipment, including proper mask fitting, equipment care, and the advantages of different fin and dive computer options.

This preparation helps ensure you're comfortable with your equipment and ready to focus on skill development when you enter the water.

What's Included in Your $475 Enrollment?

• NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver academic and confined water training

• NAUI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver training

• All required NAUI eLearning materials for both courses

• Professional instruction from experienced NAUI Instructors

• Use of required scuba equipment throughout pool training

• NREC backplate and wing equipment familiarization

• Professional equipment sizing, fitting, and configuration guidance

• Structured buoyancy, trim, propulsion, and team-awareness training

• Small-group instruction with individualized coaching

• $100 equipment credit toward qualifying Dive Rite or Halcyon fins

• $150 equipment credit toward a qualifying Shearwater dive computer

• Guidance on completing your Open Water Certification Dives locally or through Scuba Connection's dive travel program

Open Water Certification Dives, associated travel expenses, and any applicable dive-site fees are not included.

Prerequisites

Skill Level: Beginner

No previous scuba diving experience is required.

Students should be comfortable in the water and possess basic swimming ability.

As part of their training, students must successfully complete the applicable NAUI watermanship requirements, including swimming and a 10-minute survival swim or float evaluation.

All participants must also satisfy applicable medical screening and course participation requirements.

Why Train with Scuba Connection?

Your first scuba training experience establishes the foundation for everything that follows.

At Scuba Connection, our commitment is to provide comprehensive instruction that emphasizes skill development, equipment knowledge, safety awareness, and responsible diving.

By combining NAUI Open Water and Enriched Air Nitrox training with NREC equipment techniques, personalized coaching, and a premium equipment purchasing benefit, we offer more than an introduction to scuba diving.

We provide a pathway for continued development, from your first underwater experience to advanced recreational diving, international travel, and future technical or professional training.

Our goal is simple: help you become a better diver from the very beginning.

Build the Skills. Understand Your Equipment. Develop Confidence.

Train With Purpose. Dive With Confidence.

Start your underwater adventure with Scuba Connection.