Skip to main content

National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

New York City Fire Department | Evaluated Learning Experience

Return to New York City Fire Department

Open Water Diver (SOC 251)

Course Category: 
Special Operations Command (SOC): Rescue
Length: 

Version 1 and 2: 40 Hours (5 days). Version 3 and 4: 50 hours (10 days). 

Location: 
New York City Fire Academy, Randalls Island.
Dates: 

Version 1: January 2001 - August 2007.  Version 2:  September 2007 -  June 2016. Version 3: July 2016 - May 2018. Version 4: June 2018 - Present. 

Instructional delivery format: 
Traditional classroom model
Learner Outcomes: 

Version 1 and 2: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: engage in entry-level scuba activities; ditch, don and properly use scuba equipment; control buoyancy; and conduct a buddy rescue and a self rescue. Version 3 and 4: All outcomes in Version 1 and 2, additionally, engage in open water activities independently, provided those diving activities and areas dived are similar to training excercises. 

Instruction: 

Version 1, 2, 3, and 4: Open Water Diver is the entry level scuba certification course that provides the fundamental knowledge and skills to scuba dive. Major topics include: equipment adjustment, watermanship evaluation, mask clearing (surface), snorkel clearing (surface), proper weighting, locating the weight system, surface, entries, snorkel breathing (no mask, optional), and expansion clearing.  

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1, 2, and 3:  In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Fire Science or Physical Education or Health (05/06 - review conducted by the American Council on Education) (10/08) (6/11 revalidation) (7/16 revalidation). Version 4:  In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Fire Science or Physical Education or Health (6/18) (6/21 revalidation). 

Top