Florida Springs Trip 2020
Florida Springs Trip 2020 Week Long Training Opportunities for divers looking to improve their foundational skills through our amazing NAUI Intro to Tech Course as well as to hone their cavern and cave skills with Cave & Technical Diving Instructor/Explorer Matt Mandziuk. If you want to be the best diver possible, this trip is life changing and will improve every aspect of your diving.
Don’t miss out on our SIGNATURE TRAINING TRIP in Florida’s beautiful aquifer in the heart of cave country. Spend an exciting week with us earning your Intro to Tech and Cavern certifications. It’s an intense but incredibly rewarding week filled with lots of diving in some of the most spectacular and unique dive spots in the world.
Read testimonials from past graduates in our Testimonials page and see just how monumental this trip is!
Participate in our NAUI Intro to Tech Class and see that this course is not just for tech divers – it is a foundational skills refinement course that will dial up your control, problem solving and finesse as you dive in any situation. Our Cavern course will build on your Intro to tech skills dovetailing seamlessly into one another, while exposing you to a magic that few divers experience – the cavern zone of beautiful caves.
And if you’re looking for greater challenges, CHECK OUT OUR CAVE 1 AND CAVE 2 courses the following weeks. Call or email the shop for more details and make training with us in Florida next February the best decision of your diving adventures!
Divers can enrol in NAUI Cave 1 after graduating NAUI Intro to Tech and Caver.
NAUI Cave 2 requires Technical Decompression certification and 20 logged cave 1 dives above and beyond certification.
Lodging and food is only $550 US (based on a group of 6) Course package is only $650 for Intro to Tech and Cavern Diver Combination Courses. Sign up today for the most progressive, high skills training experience of your dive career and challenge yourself today. Cave 1 $799. Cave 2 $1200.
Non-Cavern Certified Divers may participate in Cave 1 if the NAUI Intro to Tech requirement has been met. Add $150/per person.
Dates:
Week 1 NAUI Cave 1 February 9-15, 2019
NAUI Cave 2 February 16-22, 2019
NAUI Intro to Tech/Cavern February 23-29, 2019
For more course information check out our Cave & Technical diving courses section.
NAUI NTEC – Progressive Skills & Gear Configuration (Singles or Doubles)
Join us Wednesday March 25, 2020 for a NAUI NTEC workshop program that outlines the benefits of diving with a more streamlined, simple, safe and comfortable equipment configuration. It is a hands on opportunity for recreational divers to rig their gear using the most modern method of diving equipment configuration.
NTECH is a great warm-up for divers looking to move towards our NAUI Intro to Tech Course
The NAUI NTEC Experience Program helps the diver increase their comfort, awareness and competence in the water through a hands on classroom portion, intensive equipment rigging session that allows the diver the opportunity to rig their equipment under the direct supervision of our NAUI Tec Instructor, followed by a Pool Session. While at the pool, you’ll learn the benefits of proper diving techniques, fin techniques, improved knowledge on trim and buoyancy, while shedding massive amounts of excess weight, bulk and drag versus a traditional equipment setup.
Our NAUI NTEC Course offers the diver the perfect introduction to more progressive diving techniques and knowledge for divers beginning their journey down a path of better diving techniques, buoyancy, trim and equipment streamlining in single or double tanks over an evening workshop.
Diving is something that is always evolving, improving and changing through new technology, training and experiences. The concepts we implement and the way we think of posture, trim and technique gets taken to a new level of excellence as the average recreational diver has typically not been taught anything about trim, posture, streamlining themselves in water, or simplifying the equipment configuration.
NTEC introduces divers to streamlining gear for example how to clean up your existing equipment configuration, re-routing hoses that are too long or too short, as well as providing the diver with knowledge as to why this gear needs to be reconfigured or streamlined.
With NTEC, we utilize the use of a longer primary regulator hose, which is given in an out of air emergency to the out of air diver, while retaining the alternate air source quickly and easily because its located on a necklace around your neck. Through additional streamlining we start removing all the “danglies” off the divers equipment, thus creating a sleeker, more efficient diver profile.

The “Traditional” equipment configuration that is commonly used in diving has become dated and obsolete and needs revision, this is where the NAUI Technical Equipment Configuration has truly become “Today’s Equipment Configuration” for divers of all skill level from Open Water to Technical, Extreme Exposure Trimix, DPV, and Cave Diver. It really is a multi-purpose, uniformed way to dive.
Who should take this course?
This course is for Divers of ALL Skill Levels beginner to Instructor.
NAUI NTEC (NAUI TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT CONFIGURATION) is A Modern Equipment Configuration and Introductory Course for the diver who wants the benefit of utilizing today’s most modern equipment configuration.
Everyone should take this mini course and it’s a great warm-up for divers looking to move towards our NAUI Intro to Tech Course which is an Essentials of Recreational Diving Skills Rudimentary Elements of Diving Course.
Training Agency:
Additional Details:
Cost $100+HST Pool/Class Only
Date March 25, 2020
Time 4pm – 10pm
NAUI NTEC – Progressive Skills & Gear Configuration (Singles or Doubles)
Join us Wednesday April 29, 2020 for a NAUI NTEC workshop program that outlines the benefits of diving with a more streamlined, simple, safe and comfortable equipment configuration. It is a hands on opportunity for recreational divers to rig their gear using the most modern method of diving equipment configuration.
NTECH is a great warm-up for divers looking to move towards our NAUI Intro to Tech Course
The NAUI NTEC Experience Program helps the diver increase their comfort, awareness and competence in the water through a hands on classroom portion, intensive equipment rigging session that allows the diver the opportunity to rig their equipment under the direct supervision of our NAUI Tec Instructor, followed by a Pool Session. While at the pool, you’ll learn the benefits of proper diving techniques, fin techniques, improved knowledge on trim and buoyancy, while shedding massive amounts of excess weight, bulk and drag versus a traditional equipment setup.
Our NAUI NTEC Course offers the diver the perfect introduction to more progressive diving techniques and knowledge for divers beginning their journey down a path of better diving techniques, buoyancy, trim and equipment streamlining in single or double tanks over an evening workshop.
Diving is something that is always evolving, improving and changing through new technology, training and experiences. The concepts we implement and the way we think of posture, trim and technique gets taken to a new level of excellence as the average recreational diver has typically not been taught anything about trim, posture, streamlining themselves in water, or simplifying the equipment configuration.
NTEC introduces divers to streamlining gear for example how to clean up your existing equipment configuration, re-routing hoses that are too long or too short, as well as providing the diver with knowledge as to why this gear needs to be reconfigured or streamlined.
With NTEC, we utilize the use of a longer primary regulator hose, which is given in an out of air emergency to the out of air diver, while retaining the alternate air source quickly and easily because its located on a necklace around your neck. Through additional streamlining we start removing all the “danglies” off the divers equipment, thus creating a sleeker, more efficient diver profile.

The “Traditional” equipment configuration that is commonly used in diving has become dated and obsolete and needs revision, this is where the NAUI Technical Equipment Configuration has truly become “Today’s Equipment Configuration” for divers of all skill level from Open Water to Technical, Extreme Exposure Trimix, DPV, and Cave Diver. It really is a multi-purpose, uniformed way to dive.
Who should take this course?
This course is for Divers of ALL Skill Levels beginner to Instructor.
NAUI NTEC (NAUI TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT CONFIGURATION) is A Modern Equipment Configuration and Introductory Course for the diver who wants the benefit of utilizing today’s most modern equipment configuration.
Everyone should take this mini course and it’s a great warm-up for divers looking to move towards our NAUI Intro to Tech Course which is an Essentials of Recreational Diving Skills Rudimentary Elements of Diving Course.
Training Agency:
Additional Details:
Cost $100+HST Pool/Class Only
Date April 29, 2020
Time 4pm – 10pm
PADI Rescue Diver Course Spring 2020
Join us for what many of our students call their most favourite PADI Scuba Course, the PADI Rescue Diver Course. Let us take you through the most exciting core PADI scuba diving course and help prepare you better mentally, physically and emotionally for what can be some of the most serious, rewarding and smartest way to scuba dive.
Join us Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24 for the classroom, pool and Open Water Dives training sessions.
The PADI Rescue Diver Course is the most essential scuba diving course and the minimum level we would recommend all divers achieve, and rest assured that after we’ve added a little bit of our own insight and experience you’ll have a new outlook on diving.
Most dive accidents are a direct result of human error, and many accidents that happen often happen to the least experienced or less aware divers, learn more about prevention, anticipation, rescue techniques and much more.
What will you learn?
You will learn how to prevent, assess and control problems above and below the water.
You should know how to handle a situation when things go wrong underwater or on the surface.

This is the one dive course that many graduates would call their favourite and most Memorable PADI dive course.
If you’ve got the Advanced Open Water Program under your belt, this is your next step towards your PADI Master Scuba Diver Rating.
Students will gain life saving skills that will help them to save themselves and other divers from a potentially dangerous situation and test their own personal limits and comfort.
Training Agency:
Details of what you’ll learn:
Dan’s Rescue program encompasses advanced dive theory, rescue techniques such as prevention, readiness to respond, First Aid, CPR, decompression injuries, underwater search and recovery, specialized equipment, equipment care and maintenance, and open water sessions.
There will be a weekend of Open Water Training Scenarios where Divers will experience simulated “real life” situations that they could encounter in a real diving situation such as out of air divers, missing divers, a panic diver, diver with a pressure related injury, diver requiring immediate first aid, unconscious diver and many other scenarios.
What gear do you need?
You will need your personal scuba equipment, along with a surface marker, safety reel or spool 100′-150′ of line, waterproof notebook or dive slate, cutting tools, CPR/O2 pocket mask, audible surface signalling device.
DDS will supply all oxygen related first aid equipment, rescue throw bags, etc.
Prerequisites:
Divers need to be certified Advanced Open Water, and have current First Aid/CPR training (within 2 years). Emergency First Response and Oxygen Provider Courses are available near course date. Minimum age is 15 years old.
Cost is only $350 + HST and includes PADI Rescue Diver Crewpak, Certification Fee.
If you’re interested in this course come in and get your books and start your journey to safer diving today.
Where can I go from here?
Here are some popular examples of courses commonly taken by graduates of this course:
- Master Scuba Diver
- PADI Divemaster
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Intro To Tech
- Solo Diver

Dive Thousand Islands June 2020
June 5 – 7, 2020
Dive the Thousands Islands with DDS! Great trip for June in the Brockville/Rockport/Ivy Lea area diving the USA and Canadian shipwrecks.
Join the fun with DDS as we take the plunge to the epic shipwrecks and wall dives of the Thousand Islands region this season.
This Trip will be featuring the many great American based shipwrecks including Keystorm, Vickery, America, and more. Passports Required.
Warm, clear water awaits you, as we dive some of the largest fresh water shipwrecks in the Thousand Islands Region.
We’ll be based out of the Canadian Side of the Saint Lawrence. The Seaway is constantly moving water, which mixes the water top to bottom giving even temperatures even past recreational dive depth limits.
Join us for 2 nights accommodations and 2 days of diving Saturday and Sunday diving from Ivy Lea to the US area wrecks near Alexandria Bay, NY, Departing from right across the street with Wayne Green and Thousand Island Pleasure Diving to Bolt Castle and then to the awesome wrecks in the area.
Technical and Recreational Diving activities will be permitted during this trip. Minimun Advanced certification to join.
Cost is only $350 + HST. Trip price includes 2 days of 2 tank boat charters, and shared accommodation Friday & Saturday night.
Not included: gear, gas fills, meals & gratuities.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL DIVERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AND BRING A VALID PASSPORT OR NEXUS CARD. We will be going through US Customs prior to diving. If you do not have one and you sign up for this trip and are denied entry to the US wrecks there will be no refunds.
DDS TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY ALL TRIP PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. If the trip goes full, or you are able to fill your spot, you will be reimbursed for everything except your non-refundable trip deposit of $100. To protect yourself against pre-trip cancellation or travel emergencies, we highly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance. Travel Insurance is available from our Flight Independent Travel Consultant. Contact fawn.messer@fcitravel.ca for a quote.
Tobermory Dive Extravaganza with Dan’s Dive Shop
Join us in Canada’s Dive Capital for one of our most popular dive trips, the Tobermory Dive Extravaganza! Nestled in the Northern Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory is known as one of the most beautiful places in the world- above and below the water.
Explore Fathom 5 Marine Park and the many beautiful shipwrecks, rich walls and drop-offs that only Tobermory’s crystal clear deep blue waters can offer. Dan’s Dive Shop hosts dives for the Advanced Open Water Diver to Technical, Trimix or Rebreather diver on each of these trips.
Popular sites include but are not limited to: Arabia, Forest City, Dufferin Wall, Niagara 2, Grotto, James C. King, Philo Scoville, Wetmore, Bad Neighbour Rock, Flower Pot Island Wall and many more.
Included: 2 nights shared accommodations, 2 days of boat diving to some of Tobermory’s best known sites and some maybe not so well known, as well as a meal plan with continental breakfasts, bagged lunches and a bbq dinner (usually steaks the size of your head) Saturday night.
Not included: Gear, training, gas fills & gratuities.
Students can complete their PADI Advanced Open Water Course, Dive Specialty Courses or request a course and we’ll see if we can fit a specialty class of your choosing in.
Join Us:
July 10 – 12, 2020 at Trails End Lodge.
Add your PADI Advanced Open Water to your Tobermory Trip!
Boat dives begin Saturday morning. DDS divers will be there and diving from shore on the Friday so contact us if you would like to join the fun.
Cost is only $375+HST based on double occupancy.
DDS TRIP POLICY To reserve your spot all guests are required to fill out a DDS Reservation & Liability Form and pay a $100 non-refundable deposit. Final payment is due 60 days prior to trip departure.
DDS TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY ALL TRIP PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. If the trip goes full, or you are able to fill your spot, you will be reimbursed for everything except your non-refundable trip deposit of $100. To protect yourself against pre-trip cancellation or travel emergencies, we highly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance. Travel Insurance is available from Flight Centre Independent.
PADI Rescue Diver Course Summer 2020
Join us for what many of our students call their most favourite PADI Scuba Course, the PADI Rescue Diver Course. Let us take you through the most exciting core PADI scuba diving course and help prepare you better mentally, physically and emotionally for what can be some of the most serious, rewarding and smartest way to scuba dive.
Join us Saturday July 18 and Sunday July 19 for the classroom, pool and Open Water Dives training sessions.
The PADI Rescue Diver Course is the most essential scuba diving course and the minimum level we would recommend all divers achieve, and rest assured that after we’ve added a little bit of our own insight and experience you’ll have a new outlook on diving.
Most dive accidents are a direct result of human error, and many accidents that happen often happen to the least experienced or less aware divers, learn more about prevention, anticipation, rescue techniques and much more.
What will you learn?
You will learn how to prevent, assess and control problems above and below the water.
You should know how to handle a situation when things go wrong underwater or on the surface.

This is the one dive course that many graduates would call their favourite and most Memorable PADI dive course.
If you’ve got the Advanced Open Water Program under your belt, this is your next step towards your PADI Master Scuba Diver Rating.
Students will gain life saving skills that will help them to save themselves and other divers from a potentially dangerous situation and test their own personal limits and comfort.
Training Agency:
Details of what you’ll learn:
Dan’s Rescue program encompasses advanced dive theory, rescue techniques such as prevention, readiness to respond, First Aid, CPR, decompression injuries, underwater search and recovery, specialized equipment, equipment care and maintenance, and open water sessions.
There will be a weekend of Open Water Training Scenarios where Divers will experience simulated “real life” situations that they could encounter in a real diving situation such as out of air divers, missing divers, a panic diver, diver with a pressure related injury, diver requiring immediate first aid, unconscious diver and many other scenarios.
What gear do you need?
You will need your personal scuba equipment, along with a surface marker, safety reel or spool 100′-150′ of line, waterproof notebook or dive slate, cutting tools, CPR/O2 pocket mask, audible surface signalling device.
DDS will supply all oxygen related first aid equipment, rescue throw bags, etc.
Prerequisites:
Divers need to be certified Advanced Open Water, and have current First Aid/CPR training (within 2 years). Emergency First Response and Oxygen Provider Courses are available near course date. Minimum age is 15 years old.
Cost is only $350 + HST and includes PADI Rescue Diver Crewpak, Certification Fee.
If you’re interested in this course come in and get your books and start your journey to safer diving today.
Where can I go from here?
Here are some popular examples of courses commonly taken by graduates of this course:
- Master Scuba Diver
- PADI Divemaster
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Intro To Tech
- Solo Diver
Tobermory Dive Extravaganza with Dan’s Dive Shop
Join us in Canada’s Dive Capital for one of our most popular dive trips, the Tobermory Dive Extravaganza! Nestled in the Northern Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory is known as one of the most beautiful places in the world- above and below the water.
Explore Fathom 5 Marine Park and the many beautiful shipwrecks, rich walls and drop-offs that only Tobermory’s crystal clear deep blue waters can offer. Dan’s Dive Shop hosts dives for the Advanced Open Water Diver to Technical, Trimix or Rebreather diver on each of these trips.
Popular sites include but are not limited to: Arabia, Forest City, Dufferin Wall, Niagara 2, Grotto, James C. King, Philo Scoville, Wetmore, Bad Neighbour Rock, Flower Pot Island Wall and many more.
Included: 2 nights shared accommodations , 2 days of boat diving to some of Tobermory’s best known sites and some maybe not so well known, as well as a meal plan with continental breakfasts, bagged lunches and a bbq dinner (usually steaks the size of your head) Saturday night.
Not included: Gear, training, gas fills & gratuities.
Join Us:
September 18 -20, 2020 at Trails End Lodge.
Boat dives begin Saturday morning. DDS divers will be there and diving from shore on the Friday so contact us if you would like to join the fun.
Cost is only $375+HST based on double occupancy.
DDS TRIP POLICY To reserve your spot all guests are required to fill out a DDS Reservation & Liability Form and pay a $100 non-refundable deposit. Final payment is due 60 days prior to trip departure.
DDS TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY ALL TRIP PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. If the trip goes full, or you are able to fill your spot, you will be reimbursed for everything except your non-refundable trip deposit of $100. To protect yourself against pre-trip cancellation or travel emergencies, we highly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance. Travel Insurance is available from Flight Centre Independent.
PADI Rescue Diver Course Fall 2020
Join us for what many of our students call their most favourite PADI Scuba Course, the PADI Rescue Diver Course. Let us take you through the most exciting core PADI scuba diving course and help prepare you better mentally, physically and emotionally for what can be some of the most serious, rewarding and smartest way to scuba dive.
Join us Saturday September 26 and Sunday September 27 for the classroom, pool and Open Water Dives training sessions.
The PADI Rescue Diver Course is the most essential scuba diving course and the minimum level we would recommend all divers achieve, and rest assured that after we’ve added a little bit of our own insight and experience you’ll have a new outlook on diving.
Most dive accidents are a direct result of human error, and many accidents that happen often happen to the least experienced or less aware divers, learn more about prevention, anticipation, rescue techniques and much more.
What will you learn?
You will learn how to prevent, assess and control problems above and below the water.
You should know how to handle a situation when things go wrong underwater or on the surface.

This is the one dive course that many graduates would call their favourite and most Memorable PADI dive course.
If you’ve got the Advanced Open Water Program under your belt, this is your next step towards your PADI Master Scuba Diver Rating.
Students will gain life saving skills that will help them to save themselves and other divers from a potentially dangerous situation and test their own personal limits and comfort.
Training Agency:
Details of what you’ll learn:
Dan’s Rescue program encompasses advanced dive theory, rescue techniques such as prevention, readiness to respond, First Aid, CPR, decompression injuries, underwater search and recovery, specialized equipment, equipment care and maintenance, and open water sessions.
There will be a weekend of Open Water Training Scenarios where Divers will experience simulated “real life” situations that they could encounter in a real diving situation such as out of air divers, missing divers, a panic diver, diver with a pressure related injury, diver requiring immediate first aid, unconscious diver and many other scenarios.
What gear do you need?
You will need your personal scuba equipment, along with a surface marker, safety reel or spool 100′-150′ of line, waterproof notebook or dive slate, cutting tools, CPR/O2 pocket mask, audible surface signalling device.
DDS will supply all oxygen related first aid equipment, rescue throw bags, etc.
Prerequisites:
Divers need to be certified Advanced Open Water, and have current First Aid/CPR training (within 2 years). Emergency First Response and Oxygen Provider Courses are available near course date. Minimum age is 15 years old.
Cost is only $350 + HST and includes PADI Rescue Diver Crewpak, Certification Fee.
If you’re interested in this course come in and get your books and start your journey to safer diving today.
Where can I go from here?
Here are some popular examples of courses commonly taken by graduates of this course:
- Master Scuba Diver
- PADI Divemaster
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Intro To Tech
- Solo Diver

Dive Thousand Islands October 2020
October 16-18, 2020
Dive the Thousands Islands with DDS! Great trip for October in the Brockville/Rockport/Ivy Lea area diving the USA and Canadian shipwrecks.
Join the fun with DDS as we take the plunge to the epic shipwrecks and wall dives of the Thousand Islands region this season.
This Trip will be featuring the many great American based shipwrecks including Keystorm, Vickery, America, and more. Passports Required.
Warm, clear water awaits you, as we dive some of the largest fresh water shipwrecks in the Thousand Islands Region.
We’ll be based out of the Canadian Side of the Saint Lawrence. The Seaway is constantly moving water, which mixes the water top to bottom giving even temperatures even past recreational dive depth limits.
Join us for 2 nights accommodations and 2 days of diving Saturday and Sunday diving from Ivy Lea to the US area wrecks near Alexandria Bay, NY, Departing from right across the street with Wayne Green and Thousand Island Pleasure Diving to Bolt Castle and then to the awesome wrecks in the area.
Technical and Recreational Diving activities will be permitted during this trip. Minimun Advanced certification to join.
Cost is only $350 + HST. Trip price includes 2 days of 2 tank boat charters, and shared accommodation Friday & Saturday night.
Not included: gear, gas fills, meals & gratuities.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL DIVERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AND BRING A VALID PASSPORT OR NEXUS CARD. We will be going through US Customs prior to diving. If you do not have one and you sign up for this trip and are denied entry to the US wrecks there will be no refunds.
DDS TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY ALL TRIP PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. If the trip goes full, or you are able to fill your spot, you will be reimbursed for everything except your non-refundable trip deposit of $100. To protect yourself against pre-trip cancellation or travel emergencies, we highly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance. Travel Insurance is available from our Flight Independent Travel Consultant. Contact fawn.messer@fcitravel.ca for a quote.