Training FAQ
Where will my training take place? Most of our training takes place at Looe Key Reef Resort located at mile marker 27.5 (27340 Overseas Highway, Ramrod Key, FL 33042). On occasion we may hold some training sessions in Key West if the practical factor and/or weather requires us to.
What scuba equipment is required for training? If you are training to become a dive professional (Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, or Instructor), a complete diving system is required. This includes: Mask, fins, snorkel, BC, appropriate weight system, regulator, appropriate exposure protection, emergency signaling devices (audible and visual), DSMB, cutting device, computer, and compass. Addidtional dive accessories may be required based on the level of certification you are pursuing.
What if I hold a required prerequisite certification from a non-SSI agency? Any required prerequisite certifications have to be from an internationally recognised training agency (e.g. PADI, NAUI, SSI, SDI, DAN, Red Cross, etc.). If there are any concerns about if a required prerequisite certification you have meets these requirements, please contact us.
- What do I need to have complete to start my professional level training on day 1? You will need to have the following complete prior to day 1: 1. Current (within the past 12 months) "Diver Medical Questionnaire" completed and signed by a physician (a physician signature is required even if you answer "no" to all questions). 2. Proof of personal dive accident insurance.
- 3. All assigned online academic materials complete including any applicable reviews, quizzes, and tests complete. 4. Current (within the past 24 months) 1st Aid and CPR certification. 5. Completed and uploaded the "Responsible Diver Code", "Assumption of Risk, Liability Release, & Hold Harmless Agreement", and any applicable "Professional Agreement".
Why is the Instructor Training Course so expensive? At Paragon Diving, we belive that the advertised price should be the price you pay. Our prices include everything you need to complete your training (e.g. training materials, classroom time, pool time, boat trips, and in the case of the instructor course, your final evaluation). There are a large number of scuba facilities that advertise lower prices, only for the student to find out the pricing does not include materials or the final evaluation or that the course has some other hidden fees.
Do I need to alot additional time before or after my course to ensure certification? The timeframe listed for our courses is what most students will need for completion. Professional level scuba courses are demanding and there is a high scuba diving skill level assumed before your arrival for the course.
What if the water conditions are too rough for training? We have alternate open water training sites in the Big Pine Key area (roughly 5 minutes north) or at the training lagoon at the College of the Florida Keys on Stock Island (roughly 40 minutes south).
Will I have a single instructor for my course or will I be handed off between multiple staff members? At Paragon Diving, we think that the best training and mentoring occurs when you have a single instructor leading your training. We will not conduct training with whatever staff member happens to be available at that moment like some other facilities do.
Will I have time to explore Key West or conduct fun dives when I am not in class? All of our professional level scuba courses are extremely intensive. It is common to have class run from 8:00am until 6:00pm or 7:00pm. Depending upon the course you are completing, there may also be significant homework that will need to be completed prior to the next day of class. If you would like to take the time to dive or explore the other activities the keys have to offer, we would recommend arriving before or staying after your course to do so.
I'm ready to book my course, how does this work? Once you have decided on a specific course, you may book directly online through the training page or by contacting us via email. A deposit will be paid at the time of booking with the remaining balance being due no later than the 1st day of face-to-face training.
Water and Diving FAQ
What water conditions can I expect for open water training and what do you recommend for exposure protection? The water temperature here in the Florida Keys can be as low as 68F-70F (20C-21C) in January and as high as 88F-90F (31C-32C) in July and August. We typically will dive 3mm or 5mm full suits in the winter and rash guard and swim suit or 1mm lycra full in the summer. Visibility at the reef is driven by the wind and waves and will typically be in the 30ft-50ft (10m-15m) range.
What dive sites are used for training and what is their max depth? Most training dives will be conducted on the reef at the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. A majority of the reef is in the 33ft (10m) range, but if greater depths are required for training we can move to the southern edge of the reef where it terminates into the sand around 100ft (30.5m). If we need depths >100ft (30.5m) for training, we will go to Key West to conduct training dives on the USNS Vandenberg which has a maximum training dive depth of 130ft (40m) (this site is 165ft (50m) to the sand).
How rough is the ocean at the training dive sites? The ocean tends to be fairly calm (1.0ft-2.0ft or 0.3-0.7m) for diving in the Florida Keys, but due to our unique underwater topography, 3.0ft-5.0ft (1.0m-1.7m) seas here are much rougher than 3.0ft-5.0ft (1.0m-1.7m) seas in California or Washington or New Jersey. When the waves get like this we will not go out for safety reasons. We constantly evaluate the weather and will never place a student in a questionable situation. We will simple opt to conduct training at an alternate, weather protected open water training site.
Where is confined water training conducted? We have access to a 8ft deep pool at Looe Key Reef Resort that will be used for any required confined water training. The pool is temperature controlled to 82F (27.8C).
What marine hazards should I be concered with in the Florida Keys? Jellyfish can be of concern in the fall to spring (August to April). The jellyfish we see are brought in with the tides and are typically only in the top 10ft-12ft (3.3m-4.0m) of water. Underwater we have lionfish (venomous), stonefish (venomous), and fire coral. All of these creatures are slow or non-moving and as such are super easy to avoid. Barracudas, Sharks, and Groupers are usually only a concern when you are spearfishing. Since we conduct our training inside a National Marine Sanctuary, this is not a concern as there is no fishing of any kind allowed.
Lodging and Local Area FAQ
How do I get there? If you chooose to fly, most people elect to arrive at either Miami International Airport (MIA) or Ft Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) and rent a car to drive south to our training center. The drive from Miami or Ft Lauderdale is roughly 3 hours depending on time of day. Many of our students prefer not to fly into Key West (EYW) due to the much higher flight and car rental prices.
How far away is Key West and Marathon from the training center? Key West is located roughly 27mi (44km) south of us on US-1 and Marathon is located roughly 18mi (29km) north.
What options are there for lodging in the area? Looe Key Reef Resort does maintain a block of rooms for Instructor Training Course students that are available at a reduced rate. Please contact Looe Key Reef Resort for additional information and availability. Some other housing options include:
1. Big Pine Key Motel
2. Old Wooden Bridge
3. Parmer's
4. If you have access, NAS Key West Vacaction rentals through MWR.
5. There are also multiple Airbnb and VRBO possibilites in the area.
Do I need to rent a car? Due to our relatively isolated location (check out google maps), we would recommend a rental car for the duration of your course. Public transportation (e.g. taxis, ubers, lyfts, buses, etc.) are readily available in Key West, but once you head north out of Key West these options disappear.
Are there places to eat in the area? There is a Tiki Bar on site at the training center which is open for lunch and dinner. The food type is Americana. The closest fast food locations are either in Key West or Marathon. There are a number of restraunts north on Big Pine Key (5min drive) and a couple south on Summerland Key (5min drive). We can provide recommendations during your training.