## What is Scuba Diving at the University of North Dakota?
Scuba diving is an underwater sport that involves using a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) to explore the underwater world. At the University of North Dakota (UND), scuba diving is offered as a physical education course through the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science. The course is designed to teach students the basics of scuba diving, including safety procedures, diving equipment, and underwater navigation.
### Course Objectives
Upon completion of the scuba diving course at UND, students will be able to:
– Describe the basic principles of scuba diving.
– Identify and use scuba diving equipment.
– Demonstrate safe diving practices.
– Plan and execute underwater dives.
– Communicate effectively underwater.
– Recognize and respond to underwater emergencies.
### Course Content
The scuba diving course at UND consists of both classroom and pool instruction. Classroom instruction covers the following topics:
– History of scuba diving
– Basic scuba diving equipment
– Scuba diving safety procedures
– Underwater navigation
– Dive planning and execution
– Underwater communication
– Underwater emergencies
Pool instruction provides students with the opportunity to practice the skills they learn in the classroom. Pool sessions include:
– Equipment assembly and disassembly
– Buoyancy control
– Underwater navigation
– Dive planning and execution
– Underwater communication
– Underwater emergencies
### Course Requirements
To enroll in the scuba diving course at UND, students must be at least 18 years old and have successfully completed the following courses:
– CPR and first aid certification
– Swimming test
Students must also provide their own scuba diving equipment. The required equipment includes:
– Wetsuit or drysuit
– Buoyancy compensator device (BCD)
– Regulator
– Dive computer
– Mask
– Fins
– Weight belt
### Course Schedule
The scuba diving course at UND is typically offered once per semester. The course meets once per week for two hours of classroom instruction and one hour of pool instruction. The course schedule is as follows:
– Classroom instruction: Tuesdays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
– Pool instruction: Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
### Course Evaluation
Students are evaluated on their performance in the classroom, pool, and final exam. The grading scale is as follows:
– A: 90-100%
– B: 80-89%
– C: 70-79%
– D: 60-69%
– F: Below 60%
### Benefits of Taking the Scuba Diving Course
There are many benefits to taking the scuba diving course at UND. These benefits include:
– Learning a new skill. Scuba diving is a fun and challenging activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
– Getting in shape. Scuba diving is a great way to get in shape and improve your overall health.
– Exploring the underwater world. Scuba diving gives you the opportunity to explore the underwater world and see amazing creatures up close.
– Making new friends. Scuba diving is a great way to meet new people and make lifelong friends.
### Conclusion
The scuba diving course at UND is a great way to learn a new skill, get in shape, explore the underwater world, and make new friends. If you are interested in learning more about scuba diving, I encourage you to contact the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science at UND.