Does the YMCA scuba program offer any additional courses?
We periodically offer Advanced Open Water Diver, Scuba Lifesaving and Accident Management and Dive Refresher Courses. We also offer courses in First Aid and DAN Oxygen Provider. Other Chicagoland YMCA's also offer advanced courses.
What if my YMCA certification is not recognized where I go diving? Will I have any problems?
Members of our dive club have literally dived all over the world, on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. No one has ever had a problem in this regard. However, for people who might be concerned about this, a cross over certification to CMAS is offered. In 1980 YMCA SCUBA became a member of the World Underwater Federation (C.M.A.S.), thus allowing our instructors and certified divers the distinct designation of this international certification. Due to our high standards, YMCA SCUBA remains the only SCUBA certification organization in the United States to offer the C.M.A.S. international certification card.
What if I don't pass the course? Is there a guarantee that I'll pass?
While we cannot guarantee that everyone will pass the course, we can guarantee that if a student makes an honest attempt to learn the course material and cannot complete the course requirements in the 10 weeks allotted to the course, the student will be allowed to continue taking scuba lessons during the following course period(s) at no additional fee, until the course requirements are fulfilled.
What if I don't want to wait until spring for the check out dive? Can I check out anywhere else?
Students taking our classes have the option of performing their check out dives in a warm water location, such as Florida or the Caribbean. For check outs to be performed with other instructors and/or agencies, we issue a referral letter, which is universally accepted by all scuba accrediting agencies. Upon successful completion of the check out dives, the check out instructor would sign the referral letter, and we could then issue the YMCA Open Water certification. The student may also exercise their option of being certified in the agency of the check-out instructor.
Where can I obtain additional information about the national YMCA scuba program?
