Course Descriptions

SES 110 Introduction to Diving Science, Technology and Management (2)
Provides a history of diving and an overview of recreational, scientific, public safety, commercial, military diving, and career opportunities within each area.

SES 226 Seamanship and Lab (3)
Introduction to small boat operation for support of diving activities. Topics include basic boat operation, boat maintenance, boating safety, safety equipment requirements, rules of the road, marine navigation, marine radio operation, captain and crew responsibilities, requirements for U.S. Coast Guard licensing, and practical exercises.

SES 230 Recreational Diving Theory (3)
Provides certified SCUBA divers with knowledge of diving theory. Examines physics, physiology of SCUBA diving, diver stress, stress management and prevention, decompression theory, diving tables and computers, aquatic/marine environment, dive operation planning and management (fresh water, wreck, reef, night, limited visibility, boat), extended depth diving, technical diving, cold water diving, tropical diving, and underwater search and light salvage. Prerequisites: acceptance into SMDI Track, and SES 110.

SES 240 Dive Accident Management & Rescue and Lab (3)
Trains divers and dive leaders in procedures and techniques for the emergency management of injuries encountered in diving and the aquatic environment. Examines primary, secondary, and illness assessment, field neurological tests, first aid for pressure related accidents with emphasis on decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism, use of oxygen and oxygen equipment, care of marine life injuries, accident-related diving equipment problems, diving accident analysis, statistical review of diving injuries and fatalities, and the role of divers and dive leaders in accident prevention. Includes laboratory exercises in dealing with distressed divers, watermanship and self-rescue techniques, panicked divers, missing divers, underwater problems, in-water artificial respiration, pressure-related accidents, and diving accident scenarios. Students successfully completing the course are eligible for certification as Advanced Rescue Diver and DAN Oxygen Provider. Special course and certification fees apply. Prerequisite: SES 230.

SES 311 Tropical Diving Environments (3)
Examines selected environments commonly associated with recreational diving in Florida and the Tropics. Includes intensive field trip and theory reviewing site selection. Topics selected for individual diver projects chosen for integration and environment. Special course and certification fees apply. Prerequisites: ISR 255 or equivalent and instructor approval.

SES 351 Diving Leadership Practicum and Lab (3)
Prepares students for career opportunities as a dive master or dive guide and diving instructor. Includes dive planning, dive management and control, diver problem-solving, diver rescue (review), teaching confined water skills, teaching open water skills, tutoring entry level diving students, role of dive masters in confined water and open water training and non-training activities, diver buoyancy control, dive site survey, analysis, and mapping, and responsibilities and techniques of dive guides. Reviews selected topics from SES 230 and 240. Practical experience is acquired by serving as an instructor aide in ISR 155 and/or ISR 255 (confined-water and open-water sessions) as well as tutoring entry-level students. Additional open water training sessions will be scheduled. Students successfully completing this course are eligible for certification as Dive Master. Special course and certification fees apply. Prerequisite: SES 240.

SES 362 Diving Business Management, Retailing & Practicum (3)
Provides the information and strategies necessary to research, establish, and operate a diving-related business. Topics include recreational diving business opportunities, the diving consumer, the diving market and its evolution, typical retail business profiles, dive instruction, dive travel, and the interactions of various dive training/certifying agencies. Prerequisites: MGT 305, MKT 306.

SES 365 Hyperbaric Physiology & Decompression Theory (3)
Provides in-depth study of decompression illness, arterial gas embolism, and therapeutic applications of hyperbaric chambers. Topics include decompression illness, arterial gas embolism, CNS and pulmonary oxygen toxicity, hyperbaric chambers and support systems, treatment protocol and tables, application of hyperbaric oxygen in treatment of non-diving related illness and injury, and hyperbaric chambers. Prerequisites: BIO 220/230, SES 360 or 361.

SES 421 Methods of Instruction in SCUBA Diving and Lab (3)
Develops the student's ability to teach SCUBA diving in courses such as open water, advanced open water, rescue diver, dive master, and assistant instructor courses. Examines teaching theory and methods, oral communication, lesson preparation, teaching aids, confined and open water instruction planning, methods, and student evaluation, organizing and scheduling courses, skill problem solving, legal aspects of diving instruction, review of key academic material and skills, and presentations by participants. Students successfully completing this course are eligible to participate in SES 424 as necessary to complete the requirements for certification as a SCUBA Instructor. Prerequisite: SES 351.