Love yourrous life adventu
NEW ZEALAND LEVEL 3
CERTIFICATE IN DIVING
GET YOUR CERTIFICATE IN DIVING Train from beginner level to PADI Rescue Diver and develop your skills in and out of the water. You will make new friends and set yourself up for an exciting career
full of adventure
PROGRAM OVERVIEW The New Zealand Certificate in Diving is an awesome way to learn to dive, gain confidence as a recreational diver and develop skills to assist other divers. It comprises of 4 main components:
1.
Learn to SCUBA dive (PADI Open Water Diver Certification).
2.
Undertake adventure-based dives such as Deep, Boat, Night, Search & Recovery, Buoyancy control and Altitude Diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Certification).
3.
Complete 5 PADI specialty courses.
4.
Learn how to deal with a number of surface and underwater situations (PADI Rescue Diver Certification).
Competence: The program trains you to be a competant diver and prepares you for aquaculture, underwater film, underwater photography, and scientific and dive tourism.
PADI Certification:
PADI Open Water Diver
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
EFR First Aid
PADI Rescue Diver
5 PADI Specialty Courses 40 Dives will be completed Exit Dive Qualification - PADI Rescue Diver Entry Requirements - Completed RSTC Medical Certificate
Student loans and allowances are available for qualifying students. Academy of Diving Trust is registered as a Private Training Establishment by NZQA and has approval to sub-contract to Dive HQ Christchurch.
PATHWAYS TO YOUR DREAM JOB ALLOWING YOU TO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO WORK IN THE DIVE INDUSTRY A Dive HQ Christchurch, New Zealand Certificate in Scuba Diving is a nationally recognised credential allowing you to dive anywhere in the world, pursue advanced dive training, and begin a career in the global dive industry. Dive HQ Christchurch graduates are highly sought after dive professionals both in New Zealand and overseas. Due to the high quality of our training, we are often approached by companies seeking to employ recent graduates.
Our courses will prepare you so you can take the next step in your journey. This offers you pathways into the following fields: Underwater Photography and Videographer
Marine Biologist
Navy Diver
Police Dive Squad
Marine Science and Research Diver
DOC Conservation
Commercial Diver
PADI SCUBA Diving Instructor
Dive Shop Retail Assistant
Mussel Farming
Salmon Farming
Marine Aquaculture Diver
Underwater Actor and Stunt Diver Resort Operator
PADI Dive Master
Seaweed Farming
LEADER OF THE PACK Our Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in broken into four modules, which is made up of PADI qualifications, and other practical requirements: 2
1 PADI Open Water Diver
PADI Adventure
New Zealand Certificate in Diving
Level 3 Rescue
(Full-Time) or (Part-Time) PADI Open Water to PADI Rescue Diver
3
4
PADI Advanced Open Water
PADI First Aid & CPR Training
5 PADI Rescue Course
Our Summer School intake offers a fast-tracked way to complete the full Level 3 Certificate in Scuba Diving over the summer break. This is a great option for school leavers, university students, gap year students, or anyone aged 16+ who wants to dive into something meaningful before the year begins. STUDY OPTIONS AVAILABLE:
Summer School GET EXPERIENCE IN: • Team Building • Rescue Diving • Boat Diving • Deep Diving • Search and Recovery • Night Diving • Underwater Navigation • Wreck Diving • Altitude Diving • Hunting and Collecting • First Aid & CPR
Condensed, full-time course delivered between December and February. Ideal for those wanting to complete their qualification before the academic year starts.
Full-Time Delivered over 15 weeks with a consistent weekly schedule. This option offers a structured and comprehensive program, spread across four days a week.
Part-Time Spread over evenings and weekends – this option is perfect for those working full time or studying elsewhere. There is a little more flexibility with this learning option for someone with other commitments.
SO WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? The New Zealand Certificate will take you from a beginner diver to gaining the following certifications: PADI OPEN WATER DIVER This course is your first step into the world of scuba diving, teaching you how to use scuba gear safely and confidently. Through theory lessons, pool training, and open water dives, you’ll develop essential skills like buoyancy control, underwater communication, and emergency procedures. Upon certification, you’ll be qualified to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 metres anywhere in the world. It’s a globally recognised certification and a great foundation for further dive training or a diving career.
PADI ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVER This course takes your diving to the next level through five exciting adventure dives, including Deep and Underwater Navigation. You can also explore specialties like Night Diving, Wreck Diving, and Search and Recovery. It’s a hands-on course designed to build confidence and experience in different dive environments. Upon certification, you’ll be qualified to dive to a maximum depth of 30 metres.
EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE FIRST AID This course teaches you essential skills to respond effectively to life-threatening emergencies and common first aid situations. You’ll learn how to assess a patient, perform CPR, manage bleeding, and handle choking incidents. The training is hands-on and designed to build your confidence in providing urgent care. Completing this course equips you with practical knowledge that can save lives in everyday and emergency situations.
PADI RESCUE DIVER This rewarding and enjoyable course teaches you how to anticipate and prevent potential dive accidents. You’ll practice managing emergency situations through realistic, lifelike simulations. The skills you learn will help you stay calm and effective if an underwater emergency occurs. Completing this course greatly improves your safety and confidence as a diver.
COMPARING COURSES Here’s how it compares to other qualifications we provide: PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE NZ CERTIFICATE RESCUE
NZ CERTIFICATE DIVEMASTER
DIPLOMA
Duration: Full-time
14 Weeks
18 Weeks
42 Weeks
Duration: Part-time
Min 36 Weeks
Min 36 Weeks
n/a
NZ Certificate Level 3 or Equivalent
Dive Medical
Prerequisite Diving Qualification Dive Medical Minimum Age
16
18
17 1/2
Logged dives during course
40
20
100+
Student Loans available*
✓
✓
✓
PADI Open Water Diver
✓
✗
✓
PADI Advanced Diver
✓
✗
✓
PADI First Aid
✓
✗
✓
PADI Rescue Diver
✓
✗
✓
PADI Divemaster
✗
✓
✓
PADI Assistant Instructor
✗
✗
✓
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
✗
✗
✓
PADI First Aid Instructor
✗
✗
✓
PADI Instructor with 5 Specialties
✗
✗
✓
* Student allowances available for full-time study.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS DO I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SCUBA DIVE? You can start our course having never been scuba diving. We will teach you right from the beginning, starting with basic snorkelling and scuba skills. we will refresh your skills if already a diver.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS? Full time study is normally Monday to Thursday 9am – 4pm with some days finishing earlier There are some evening and overnight sessions to complete night dive training. Part-time courses are usually run over one evening a week with every second weekend diving. When we dive in Kaikoura we will normally try and get some night dives in as well.
WHAT IF I WANT TO DO A PART TIME COURSE? We do provide National Certificate Programmes on a full time or part time basis.
DO I NEED TO BE A GOOD SWIMMER? Students need to be able to swim 200m or snorkel 300m non-stop and float/tread water for 10mins. For our Level 4 & 5 New Zealand Professional courses, divers will need to be relatively strong swimmers.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED? Students are required to own their own snorkelling package; this includes a suitable wetsuit/drysuit, mask/ snorkel/fins, weight belt, gloves/boots, surface signalling device, compass, torch and line cutting tool. We also recommend purchasing your own hardware and we offer great package deals and finance options.
WHAT ARE THE MEDICAL CRITERIA? Our student divers are required to complete and answer dive mediacl questions. Your answers will determine if this needs to be signed off by a Doctor or Physician. This medical must remain valid for the duration of the course of study.
IF I HAVE ASTHMA CAN I DIVE? This depends on your situation and needs to be discussed and signed off with a Registered Doctor.
WHERE DO YOU DIVE? At some of the New Zealand’s best dive sites including Banks Peninsula, Kaikoura, Lake Coleridge and the Marlborough Sounds.
HOW DO I ENROL? It’s easy, all you need to do is complete an application and organise a time to meet and chat about the course.
IS IT EASY TO GET A JOB AS A DIVE INSTRUCTOR? Our graduates are sought after and usually find their dream position with ease. Dive HQ Christchurch prides itself on getting you job-ready, so you can easily move onto your next adventure.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? The fees change slightly each year. Many of our students use student loans or student allowance facilities. Please contact Study Link regarding this.
LIVE A LIFE FILLED WITH ADVENTURE AND ENROL IN ONE OF NEW ZEALAND’S BEST SCUBA DIVING COURSES. Our PADI aligned programme will teach you how to dive and develop your skills both in and out of the water, and the great thing is that you can study while you work. Based around the dynamic city of Christchurch, our enthusiastic team will ensure you have fun preparing for your next big adventure.
HOW DO I ENROL? 0800 DIVE HQ (0800 348 347) richard@divehqscuba.co.nz We make it easy for you, just give us a call and we can arrange a meeting with one of our friendly Instructors. We will answer any questions you have, show you around and assist you with the enrolment forms.