02 OCT 2006

You collectively have earned over $1400 gross towards the scuba training with the TNOTS fundraiser booth. Each participant will be notified as to the exact percentage and amount, based on their participation at the fundraiser, that will be credited towards their class fees. Your balance will be due by the pool dive dates so the instructor can be reimbursed the rest of the PADI materials prchased.

The instuctor will be providing us with semi-personal classes at an EXTREMELY reduced rate over other commercial dive schools. This is PADI certification, which you can keep active the rest of your life.

STUDY MATERIAL
We have multiple copies of the scuba instructional materials, which is good for 3 - 5 students. The last group used these discs, but ther should be some space left on them for additional registrants. Mr Hofbauer will see about getting another, if we need it - just ask! It is available from multiple resources - so no excuses!

GROUP STUDY DATE
We have the first group training date on 22 October is being co-ordinated by S/M LePage. Contact her for specifics re time and place.

SELF STUDY PROGRAM
Everyone needs to take the initiative and arrange their personal time to read the material and do the review quizzes. You can - and should - work together or share the pre-class material on the CD. You are responsible for reading the Home Study material and completing the self quizzes before the actual classroom training sessions with the instructor. It is imperative to study the stuff in order to complete the classroom in the allotted sessions and to be able to pass the written test before moving on to the pool.

We have uploaded the manuals and reference material (see the links) as PDF files, so you can download them or look at them on-line using Adobe. We'll have some hard copies, too. Get started now!

CLASSROOM SESSIONS
The classroom sessions with the Instructor will be set up following your completion of the Knowledge Reviews.

PAPERWORK
Your medical forms, medical treatment authorizations and parental authorization forms will be needed by the 1st classroom session. Important - look over the medical form and if you have any YES answers, it must be signed off by a doctor that you are OK to dive before you can get in the pool! If you did not get one, the Skipper will have extra copies for you.

PERSONAL GEAR
Each student should have their own personal gear. Start checking around with friends, relatives, e-bay, etc for personal fins and snorkels and masks. The instuctor has some - but may not have enough of a variety of sizes for everybody. Wet suits are optional for the pool dive as the pool is heated.

POOL DIVES
We cannot commit the instuctor until we make satisfactory progress on the Knowledge Reviews. He has other paying students to train

It is not realistic to schedule Pool or Beach Dives until we make more progress. Everyone must e-mail me with your availabilty and progress and we'll fill in the slots.

BEACH DIVES
Beach Dives will be scheduled after the Pool Dives and completion though Chapter 5 and successfuly passing the Final Exam. You will need a wet suit for the beach dive, but you can rent one from Sport Chalet for about $25.