About Us

Imagine Scuba provides beginner to entry-level professional scuba diving instruction with safety as a first priority. Keeping class sizes small, we provide personalized attention that allows students to quickly master skills, enjoy the experience and develop a life-long love for this unique sport.

Our core curriculum offers instruction and lessons from Snorkeling and Basic Scuba Diver through Divemaster and Assistant Instructor. For those interested in pursuing their training further, Imagine Scuba offers instruction to Open Water Instructor as well as Specialty Instructor ratings.

Imagine Scuba is proud to be a veteran-owned business.

BREAKING DOWN YOUR BUDDY CHECKS

There is a well-known quote in aviation: “A superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid situations which require the use of his superior skill.” …

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Five Ways to Become a Better Diver

Once you take up diving you soon realise that it is an activity rich in improvement potential. What you learn while getting certified is only …

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THE AWE FACTOR IN DIVING

By Daniel Xerri with photography by Jon Borg Given that 71% of the planet is covered in water, divers get to see far more than …

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7 AMAZING SEA ANIMALS ONLY DIVERS CAN SEE

Introducing seven amazing sea animals that are best seen by scuba divers in their natural environment. Scuba diving is an incredible thrill all on its …

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FIVE REASONS WHY FISH IDENTIFICATION IS AN IMPORTANT SKILL

WHY IS FISH IDENTIFICATION IMPORTANT? If you surveyed 100 recreational divers about the top ten most important skills for a diver, I don’t think fish …

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STAYING CONNECTED – A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO LINES IN CAVE DIVING

Spooling up to start overhead training?  Reely confused on all the guideline terminology?  (See what I did there?). Let’s spend a few moments clearing up …

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WHAT DOES A FIRST AID COURSE INVOLVE?

Taking a First Response Training International First Aid course could end up being one of the most important things you ever do. You will have the knowledge, …

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SKILLS WORKSHOP: HOVERING NEUTRALLY BUOYANT

I’ve recently been coaching some divers on ways to improve their neutral buoyancy hover when in the water. A common thing I’ve seen is a …

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INTO THE EARTH: MY JOURNEY TO FULL CAVE DIVER

Perhaps you are cave-curious, looking for the next adventure, or wanting to try something new to broaden your tech diving skills. Whatever your reason may …

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Why Lay Rescuers Are Important

There’s no question that when an accident happens, no matter how small, the best and first action you should take is to call the professionals. …

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MOST ICONIC DIVE SITES

The ocean is a beautiful, vast underwater territory. Narrowing down the best diving sites is difficult, considering every dive offers something new and unique. Whether …

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WHAT FIRST AID COURSE DO I NEED?

First aid and CPR classes can look slightly intimidating at first. Lots of options with plenty of training. But which one is the best bang …

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6 REASONS YOU NEED CPR TRAINING

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 475,000 Americans suffer fatal heart attacks each year. Roughly 90 percent of those occurring outside a hospital are …

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NEW TO TECH DIVING: GAIN INSPIRATION FROM PROFESSIONAL DIVERS’ FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCES

When it comes to any activity, hobby or work-related, often the best way to learn is to go straight to the source and ask those …

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NEW GEAR FEVER

You read about a new piece of gear that you just have to have. It would be so much fun. You do some internet searches. …

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BOAT DIVING ETIQUETTE

I learned to dive many years ago (before dirt I think). My instructor at the time, Scott, insisted on our final two checkout dives being …

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THERE’S MORE TO SCUBA THAN JUST DIVING

I start each and every Open Water class by introducing myself and telling everyone a little about myself and when and how I got into …

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SIDEMOUNT: NOT JUST FOR TECHNICAL DIVERS

In the 1960’s, dry cave explorers in the UK became the first “sidemount divers” when they began clipping scuba cylinders to their caving harnesses as …

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CAN WE GO DIVING YET?

After an unprecedented year, it finally looks like we are getting into the final phase of the coronavirus pandemic. Vaccines are starting to be rolled …

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4 Things I Wish Someone Told Me About Buoyancy

Imagine yourself at a nice restaurant. Everyone is well-dressed, there are linen napkins on the tables, mood lighting, decorative flowers, the whole bit. Now imagine …

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ASK DAN: What do divers need to know about cardiac health?

The heart’s importance and the inherent hazards of the underwater environment make it really important for divers to be aware of their cardiovascular health.

Divers Alert Network

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RESUSCITATION OF THE DROWNING VICTIM

Drowning events are becoming more common in today’s society. According to the CDC, drowning ranks as the fifth leading cause of unintentional deaths in the …

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Best places to dive with Manta Rays

Diving with Manta Rays Diving with Manta Rays has to be on most divers wish list, and with good reason. These majestic creatures, a member of the …

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What to Keep in your First Aid Kit for Babies

When a new baby joins your family, there will be a ton of things on your mind. You’ll go over everything again and again — …

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LIFTBAG OR SMB?

A surface marker and guideline are an essential part of a tech diver’s kit. Most people use either a lift bag or an SMB (surface …

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CONTINUING EDUCATION

After years of dreaming about it, you have succeeded! You’ve completed your training… and have your scuba certification card. Congratulations! Now what??  For some of …

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Practical Guide to Nitrox Diving

There are many benefits to enriched air scuba diving, with the right training. On today’s dive boats, you’d be hard-pressed not to see one or …

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THE BIGGEST AND MOST UNEXPECTED THING I LEARNED IN TECHNICAL DIVE TRAINING

I recently fulfilled my long time wish to become a technical diver. Being a dive instructor, becoming a tech diver had been on my bucket …

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ALL THE REASONS YOU SHOULD (PROUDLY) PEE IN YOUR WETSUIT

They say there are two types of divers: those who pee in their wetsuits and those who lie about it. Most people who have been …

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THE ABCD’s OF TECHNICAL DIVING

The foundational ABCDs of technical diving — Awareness, Buoyancy control, Communications and Discipline — are vitally important on every dive. Every technical dive is different, …

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Untrained and Unprepared | Lessons for Life

Deception spells doom for divers who enter a cave system. After they made their way past the narrow opening in the freshwater spring, the cave …

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5 Excellent Reasons to Learn Cavern Diving

The majority of recreational scuba divers are not ready to be exposed to an overhead environment,  such as the cavern portion of a flooded cave. …

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How to Photograph Over/Under Split Shots

Pro photography tips for photographing over/under split shots. The destinations we visit as scuba divers are some of the most beautiful in the world. We …

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RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE WITH CONFIDENCE

We doubt we’re the first to tell you, 2020 was different. Last March sent millions of people to work from home for what we thought …

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TO REEL OR NOT TO REEL

To reel, or not to reel, that is the question. Sometimes it can be fun, Tho it can be a pain to run. Sometimes it …

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THAT TIME I THOUGHT I WANTED TO TECH DIVE

Everybody wants to go tech now. I thought about it a couple of times. It sounds great, in theory. Carry more gas, learn proper decompression …

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SKILLS WORKSHOP: HOVERING NEUTRALLY BUOYANT

I’ve recently been coaching some divers on ways to improve their neutral buoyancy hover when in the water. A common thing I’ve seen is a …

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DO NOT CONDEMN A GOOD CYLINDER – WHAT DIFFERENTIATES A TAP STOP FROM A CRACK?

During the cylinder inspection process, inspecting the threads is often considered the most difficult to view and assess. Common approved procedures allow for a light …

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5 Diving Tips for Saving Air

Diving Tips: Saving AirDo you breathe your tank down faster than your buddy? Here are 5 diving tips to help conserve your oxygen and extend …

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HEART-HEALTHY FOODS

t is a well-known fact that eating healthy foods can have many positive effects on your body. In addition to boosting your immune system, a …

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AN UPDATED APPROACH BAILOUT PLANNING

This is a step-by-step process that takes you through ‘old school’ to ‘new school’ approaches and offers an alternative. The Basic Info  For the purposes …

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THE RECIPE FOR THE PERFECT DIVE

When the idea came up to do an article on the recipe for a perfect dive I knew that it was something I wanted to …

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COVID-19: THE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Like you, those of us at First Response Training International are monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus worldwide.  We want all of you to know …

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Helpful Resources for Disabled Divers

Divers and their buddies each have a key role to play in adapting standard diving practices to a diver’s specific needs. Adaptations can make scuba …

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Five Dream Destinations for Scuba Photographers

Bucket list destinations and how to capture them at their best. Few things have made me value my dive trips more than our recent inability …

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SWIMMING TOWARDS MY DREAM

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a Marine Biologist. My dream is to go to UNC Wilmington and eventually earn …

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DON’T FORGET YOUR ROOTS

I still remember my earliest dives like they were yesterday. My checkout dives for Open Water were completed at Devil’s Den and Ginnie Springs in …

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3 Tips for GoPro Underwater Video

Underwater video helps share our ocean experiences with the rest of the world. GoPro cameras make it really easy to capture these spectacular scenes, putting …

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GETTING BACK TO DIVING: KNOWING YOUR HEALTH BASELINE

As we navigate through these crazy times and try to figure out what we can and cannot do, I figured I would write down some …

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How to Use Slow Shutter Speeds Underwater

There are many techniques you can use to add more creativity to your underwater photography portfolio. One of the easiest is incorporating slow shutter speeds …

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Get Wet, Dive Dry

Understanding the basics of drysuit technology Drysuits have long been standard dress for many technical divers, underwater photographers, instructors and other professionals who spend a …

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ASK DAN: What do I need to know about choosing a drysuit?

When purchasing a new or replacement drysuit, there are some important considerations that can affect your safety underwater. Skin conditions, constriction, buoyancy and other potential …

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DETERIORATING SKILLS – THE LAY RESPONDER

Two years ago, I was attending an event with various professional peers and took part in a training session for educators who taught layperson responder …

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FIRST AID: HYPOTHERMIA

I began writing this and then had the unfortunate, unique experience of becoming hypothermic. Hypothermia is a condition that is caused by cold. The body …

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TRAINING FUNDAMENTALS: TASK LOADING

We often hear the phrase ‘task loading’ in dive training. What exactly is task loading, and how do you avoid it? It’s illegal to drive …

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THE TRICK TO GETTING MORE TIME OUT OF YOUR TANKS

We hear the question all the time from new divers and in some cases seasoned divers as well – How do I get more time out …

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5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU START TECH DIVING

Here are 5 things that people who are interested in tech diving need to know Feel comfortable in the water. In tech diving, you are going …

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DETERIORATING SKILLS AND THE RECREATIONAL DIVER

Recently, I met a diver who had been out of the sport for several years. He had a medical condition that took his focus away …

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9 REASONS TECH GEAR IS REC GEAR

There’s an old mindset that all technical diving gear is unsuitable for a new diver or student. I’m here to give you 9 reasons why …

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4 REASONS TECH DIVERS MAKE THE BEST DIVEMASTERS

When you think back to the dive training you’ve done over the years, no doubt there’s that one instructor who stands out to you. The …

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HOW TO BECOME A TRAVELING DIVER: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Marine life is one of the most amazing things to see in the world. Beneath the sea, there are many species of life, coral, and …

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THE 6 BEST DESTINATIONS FOR NEWLY CERTIFIED DIVERS

From my first underwater breaths in a cloudy municipality swimming pool, through four chilly open water dives in a Scottish sea loch, why I persevered …

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The Vaquita, a critically endangered porpoise

With an estimated population of no more than 19, the world’s smallest marine mammal, the Vaquita, is listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. The …

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HOSELESS AIR INTEGRATION?

Starting out, many divers are wary of the complications of adding a dive computer into the mix. Although beneficial in the long run, new technologies …

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CONSIDERING THE WHATS, WHERES, AND WHYS OF TECHNICAL TRAINING

Patience is a virtue. In diving, patience is the difference between calmly addressing an issue and safely moving on or panicking and causing a domino …

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I’VE EARNED AN OPEN WATER, NOW WHAT?

Congratulations! You just earned your Open Water Scuba Diver Certification, but now what do you do with it? Well to answer your question in the …

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LARGEST UNDERWATER TREASURES THAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT

The underwater world has fascinated humans since antiquity. It is a mysterious world where we can find amazing beauty and experience unforgettable adventures. It is …

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THE PERFECT FIRST AID KIT

Creating the perfect first aid kit is not only important, it’s also pretty easy. It just takes a little thought. The way I start a …

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“THEN AND NOW” IN TECHNICAL DIVING

“Have you got a light, guys?” Many years ago, surfacing from a cave or sump dive and hearing the cry “have you got a light, …

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YOUR BUDDY – YOUR GEAR?

Many years ago, I was busy working on some sort of essential task while a colleague taught an Open Water Scuba Diver academic session in …

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HOW TO BE A GOOD BUDDY

We all want to be good divers, and part of being a good diver is being a good buddy. If you’re looking to brush up …

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5 Reasons to Dive a Rebreather

Have you ever thought about diving a closed-circuit rebreather (CCR)? While there are many different options on the market to choose from, you may have …

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Can I Dive With a Disability?

What exactly is a disability? Is it something that makes one person different from another? I am sure every day you see people different from …

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How Congress Can Step Up and Finally Protect Sharks

IS this not something we can ALL agree to? Shark fin fishing is illegal in U.S. waters, but those caught outside of U.S. waters can …

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Don’t Just Go Through The Motions

Be a responsible diver. Don’t just go through the motions! One of my biggest pet peeves is hearing someone say, “scuba diving is a safe …

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Sharks ‘Functionally Extinct’ From 20% Of The World’s Reefs

A worldwide study with a team of international scientists came to some alarming conclusions regarding shark populations on the world’s reefs. The Global FinPrint survey found that …

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The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving for Beginners & Non-Divers

“Being divers makes us different. It makes us special. As divers, we see and do things few can even imagine (and fewer still experience). We …

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Top 3 Things to do After Getting Dive Certified

As a newly certified Open Water diver, figuring out the next step may seem a bit daunting or overwhelming. You just finished your class, which …

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How to Build a Community of Dive Buddies

Diving is a team sport. As much as we might like to believe our favorite activity is a deeply personal, solitary experience, marked by introspection …

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Ready To Dive In?

Contact us to schedule your scuba diving class or book your next diving destination trip! 

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