Professional Diving Resources
7976 Broadview RD, Broadview Hts., OH, USA
About the Center
Professional Diving Resources (PDR), located in Broadview Heights, USA, is a dive center with a rich history dating back to 1993. Having certified over 10,000 recreational and professional divers, PDR offers a comprehensive range of scuba diving courses, from Discover Scuba Diving to advanced levels and Instructor Development Courses, all certified by SSI and TDI. Their dedication to providing the best possible instruction is evident in their personalized attention, highest safety concerns, and quality equipment.
PDR's facilities are well-equipped to support divers, featuring showers, lockers, a restaurant, and a bar, along with accommodation options for guests. Divers can benefit from equipment rental, a fully stocked dive shop, and nitrox air fills. The center facilitates both boat diving and shore diving experiences. For international travelers, PDR also provides airport transfers, ensuring a smooth arrival and easy access to their services and diving adventures.
Beyond training, PDR excels in organizing worldwide diving excursions and offers expert repair services for both recreational and commercial diving equipment. This holistic approach makes them a true "one-stop shop" for all diving needs, from initial certification to gear maintenance and global exploration. The PDR team is proficient in Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, and Russian, ensuring clear communication with a diverse international clientele.
The core philosophy at Professional Diving Resources emphasizes value through personal attention, paramount safety, and excellent equipment. With nearly 50 years in the business, PDR is committed to delivering an outstanding diving experience, encouraging newcomers to start their journey with the best available training. They foster a sense of belonging, inviting everyone to join the "Professional Diving family."
Available Courses
9 cursosOpen Water Diver
The SSI Open Water Diver certification course at Professional Diving Resources (PDR Ohio) is your foundational step into the underwater world, recognized globally for its comprehensive training. This program is structured into two key phases, ensuring you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for safe and confident diving. You will cover essential dive theory, understand your equipment, and master crucial safety procedures within a supportive learning environment. The initial phase involves approximately 18-20 hours dedicated to classroom instruction and pool sessions. Here, you'll engage with digital training materials, practice fundamental scuba skills in a controlled pool setting, and complete knowledge reviews and exams. Mastering skills like mask clearing, regulator recovery, and buoyancy control in the pool is paramount before progressing to open water. Following the pool training, the course culminates in four open water certification dives, typically spread over two days. These dives allow you to apply the skills you've learned in a real-world diving environment. Depending on the season, these certification dives are often conducted locally at White Star Quarry, taking advantage of conditions that allow for comfortable practice. Alternatively, you can arrange for referral dives during a vacation or join one of PDR Ohio's scheduled trips. Your SSI Open Water Diver certification is valid for 12 months from the completion of your pool training, providing ample time to plan your next underwater adventure. During the warmer months, such as July and August, the local water temperatures can reach up to 22.5°C (72.5°F), making for pleasant diving conditions. While specific visibility data for White Star Quarry is not provided, the training structure emphasizes building comfort and competence, which are key regardless of the conditions. PDR Ohio's approach ensures that by the end of the course, you are not just certified but also prepared to continue your diving journey. The center encourages new divers to consider investing in their own equipment after their initial dives to enhance comfort and enjoyment. Upon successful completion of this SSI program, you will be a certified diver, opening up possibilities for exploring reefs, wrecks, and marine life across the globe. PDR Ohio highlights that the initial 25-50 dives are critical for developing true comfort and proficiency underwater. This Open Water Diver course is the essential first step in that progression, setting you on a path to becoming a skilled and safe diver for life. The center is committed to providing the highest standard of training available.
Dive Guide
The Dive Guide professional development course at Professional Diving Resources (PDR Ohio) is your foundational step into a career in the dive industry. This program is designed to equip you with the essential leadership and supervisory skills needed to assist instructors and guide certified divers. You will learn to manage dive sites effectively, provide excellent customer service, and ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants during dive activities. The curriculum emphasizes practical application, preparing you for real-world scenarios. This course delves into advanced dive planning, risk assessment, and emergency procedures, crucial for managing groups and potential situations. You'll gain a deeper understanding of dive theory, physics, and physiology, vital for leading dives confidently. PDR Ohio's experienced instructors provide personalized guidance, ensuring each student develops the competence required for this role. The training environment is supportive yet challenging, fostering growth for the demands of the dive industry. Upon completion, you will be proficient in identifying hazards, managing diver groups, and assisting instructors during training dives. The skills acquired are transferable, making Dive Guides indispensable to any dive operation. This program is ideal for enthusiastic divers eager to share their passion and begin a professional journey. It builds upon existing diving knowledge, introducing the responsibilities and rewards of being a dive professional. While specific dive site details and water temperatures are not provided in the input data, the course structure at PDR Ohio focuses on developing the core competencies of a dive guide. The curriculum is structured to build confidence and practical skills, preparing graduates for diverse diving environments. The cost for this professional-level certification is $350.00 USD, representing a significant investment in your future diving career. PDR Ohio offers certification through SDI and SSI, recognized agencies within the dive community.
Advanced Open Water
The Advanced Open Water Diver course at Professional Diving Resources is designed to build upon the skills and knowledge gained in your Open Water Diver certification. This program introduces you to a variety of diving activities and techniques, helping you to become a more confident and capable diver. The course typically includes five adventure dives, covering areas such as deep diving, underwater navigation, and night diving, among others. It's an opportunity to explore new facets of diving under the guidance of an experienced instructor. Through these adventure dives, you'll learn practical skills relevant to each specialty. For instance, the deep dive will teach you how to plan and execute dives to depths beyond 60 feet, while the navigation dive will hone your ability to use a compass and natural references to find your way underwater. These dives are designed to be educational and exhilarating, pushing your boundaries in a safe and controlled manner. The course structure at Professional Diving Resources ensures a progression towards greater underwater competence. This course is crucial for divers looking to gain more experience and explore different types of diving environments. It enhances your understanding of dive planning, risk management, and equipment use in varied conditions. PDR Ohio's instructors are committed to providing a challenging yet rewarding learning experience, ensuring you develop advanced diving competencies. The center's commitment to diver development is evident in the structured approach to each adventure dive. Completing the Advanced Open Water Diver course opens up more diving opportunities, including access to deeper sites and more complex dive planning. It's a significant step towards becoming a well-rounded and experienced diver, preparing you for further training and more adventurous underwater explorations. The skills acquired will serve you well on future diving trips and expeditions, allowing for a broader range of dive site selection and exploration.
Try Scuba Diving
Professional Diving Resources in Ohio offers the Try Scuba Diving program, an ideal introduction for those curious about exploring the underwater world. This experience is designed to provide a safe and controlled environment where participants can discover the fundamental skills of scuba diving under the direct supervision of a certified instructor. You will learn essential techniques such as breathing underwater, clearing your mask, and basic buoyancy control within a pool setting. It serves as an excellent first step to gauge your interest in scuba diving and offers a preview of the adventures that await in this fascinating activity. During this introductory session, the focus is on familiarizing you with scuba equipment and understanding how it feels to move through the water while wearing it. You'll gain knowledge about the gear you'll be using and its functions, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident before entering the water. The program is structured to be both engaging and informative, allowing you to experience the unique sensation of breathing underwater and exploring a controlled aquatic environment. While not a formal certification, this experience can often be credited towards the Open Water Diver certification should you decide to pursue further training. The Try Scuba Diving program at Professional Diving Resources emphasizes hands-on learning and safety. Instructors guide participants through simple skills and movements that demonstrate the core principles of scuba diving. The primary goal is to ensure that every moment spent underwater is both thrilling and secure, allowing you to experience the weightlessness and wonder of the underwater realm firsthand. This program is a fantastic way to build confidence and excitement for future diving adventures, with instructors dedicated to making your initial dive a memorable and positive experience. While this introductory program does not include open water dives, it lays the groundwork for potential future certifications. The skills learned, such as mask clearing and buoyancy control, are foundational for any scuba diving course. Professional Diving Resources, with its experienced instructors, aims to ignite a passion for the underwater world, making this initial foray into scuba diving an encouraging and enjoyable one. It's a chance to explore a new dimension and see if the underwater realm is a place you'd like to explore further.
Scuba Refresher
The Scuba Refresher course at Professional Diving Resources (PDR Ohio) is meticulously crafted for certified divers seeking to rekindle their underwater confidence and skills. This program offers a thorough review of essential scuba diving knowledge and techniques, ensuring you feel proficient and at ease before embarking on your next dive. It serves as an excellent opportunity to polish your abilities in a secure, controlled setting, typically beginning with a pool session. During this refresher, you will revisit fundamental skills such as mask clearing, regulator recovery, buoyancy control, and emergency procedures. PDR Ohio's instructors will assess your current skill level, providing personalized feedback and targeted practice to reinforce your abilities. This course is adapted to individual needs, guaranteeing you feel fully prepared for open water diving once more. This program is particularly beneficial for divers who may have taken a break from the sport due to work, travel, or other commitments. It effectively reacquaints you with your equipment and the sensation of diving, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable return to the water. PDR Ohio fosters a relaxed learning atmosphere, allowing you to practice at your own pace. By participating in the Scuba Refresher course, you ensure your diving skills remain current and that you adhere to the highest safety standards. It's a proactive step towards maintaining your diving proficiency and rediscovering the joy of exploring the underwater world with renewed confidence. The experienced team at PDR Ohio is dedicated to helping you achieve this.
Specialty Diver
Professional Diving Resources Ohio offers the Specialty Diver course, designed for certified divers aiming to deepen their expertise in specific diving disciplines. This program allows you to tailor your education to areas of particular interest, such as wreck exploration, underwater photography, or advanced buoyancy control. The curriculum focuses on providing in-depth knowledge and practical skills, ensuring you are well-prepared for diverse underwater environments and activities. By completing these specialties, divers significantly enhance their capabilities and confidence, opening doors to more complex dives and advanced training pathways. The Specialty Diver course at PDR Ohio is an excellent step for those looking to build upon their foundational certifications. It often serves as a prerequisite for higher-level ratings, including Master Diver and professional certifications. The hands-on training is guided by experienced instructors who share their passion and expertise, helping you achieve your personal diving goals. This course is structured to provide practical, applicable skills that directly translate to more fulfilling and versatile diving experiences, making every outing more rewarding and safe. While specific dive site details are not provided, the curriculum is designed to cover the unique techniques, equipment considerations, and safety protocols relevant to each chosen specialty. For instance, a Deep Diver specialty would meticulously cover planning and executing dives to greater depths, while a Wreck Diver specialty would emphasize safe penetration and exploration techniques for submerged structures. The training emphasizes practical application under expert supervision, ensuring a thorough understanding of specialized diving. This program is offered in conjunction with leading certification agencies like SDI and SSI, ensuring globally recognized standards. The center supports a multilingual environment, with staff fluent in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Russian, facilitating a comfortable learning experience for a diverse clientele. This commitment to accessibility ensures that divers from various linguistic backgrounds can fully engage with the course material and instructor guidance.
Master Diver
The Master Diver rating at Professional Diving Resources signifies a high level of diving proficiency and experience, representing the pinnacle of recreational diving achievement. This rating is typically earned after completing advanced training, accumulating significant dive experience, and demonstrating mastery of various diving skills and knowledge areas. It indicates a diver who is comfortable and competent in a wide range of diving conditions and situations. Achieving Master Diver status involves completing advanced courses, such as Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver, along with several specialty certifications. It also requires logging a substantial number of dives, proving consistent practice and exposure to different environments. This comprehensive training ensures that Master Divers possess a deep understanding of dive theory, emergency procedures, and equipment management. Divers who attain this level are recognized for their expertise and commitment to safe diving practices. They often serve as mentors to less experienced divers and are well-equipped to handle challenging dive scenarios. PDR Ohio guides students through the necessary steps to reach this esteemed level, providing expert instruction and support throughout their journey. This rating is a testament to a diver's dedication and passion for the sport. It opens doors to more advanced diving opportunities and signifies a level of skill and confidence that allows for exploration of the most rewarding underwater environments. Earning the Master Diver rating is a significant accomplishment for any scuba enthusiast.
Assistant Instructor
The Assistant Instructor course at Professional Diving Resources (PDR Ohio) is a pivotal step for those aspiring to a career in dive education. This program focuses on developing essential leadership skills and a deep understanding of instructional techniques required to assist certified instructors. Participants will learn to effectively supervise divers, support training activities, and gain practical experience in demonstrating skills and providing constructive feedback. The curriculum covers critical areas such as dive theory, comprehensive risk management, and proven teaching methodologies, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the responsibilities ahead. This course is designed to build confidence and competence in managing dive operations and contributing to the educational mission of a dive center. You will gain hands-on experience in assisting with certification courses, potentially conducting certain training sessions independently, and guiding students through their learning process. PDR Ohio's experienced staff provide dedicated mentorship, offering insights and practical training to prepare you for the challenges and rewards of teaching diving. The goal is to equip you with the foundational knowledge and practical abilities needed to excel in this role. Upon successful completion, Assistant Instructors are qualified to play a vital role in a dive center's operations. This includes assisting with classroom presentations, in-water skill development, and ensuring students receive high-quality instruction and a positive learning experience. This program is ideal for individuals who are passionate about diving and wish to share that passion by teaching others. It serves as a challenging yet highly rewarding pathway, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling career in the dive industry. While specific dive site details and water temperatures are not provided in the course data, PDR Ohio operates with SDI and SSI certifications, indicating a commitment to recognized industry standards. The center also supports a multilingual environment, offering instruction in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Russian, catering to a diverse range of students. This inclusive approach ensures that more individuals can access professional dive training and advance their diving careers.
Open Water Instructor
The Open Water Instructor course at Professional Diving Resources (PDR Ohio) is the definitive pathway for experienced divers aspiring to become certified scuba instructors. This intensive program, accredited by SSI, meticulously prepares you to teach diving courses and certify new divers. You will master the art of presenting academic material, conducting confined water training, and managing open water dives, all while adhering to the highest safety protocols. The curriculum delves into advanced instructional techniques, dive theory, comprehensive risk management, and the specific standards of SSI. Practical application includes demonstrating skills, evaluating student performance, and delivering constructive feedback, culminating in a rigorous Instructor Examination (IE). This professional-level certification unlocks the ability to share your passion for diving and shape the next generation of scuba enthusiasts. It represents a rewarding career path offering flexibility and global travel opportunities. PDR Ohio's seasoned instructor trainers provide personalized coaching, ensuring you are exceptionally prepared for the demands of teaching diving. The course is designed for divers with a strong foundation in skills and a commitment to excellence in diver education, enabling you to contribute significantly to the diving community. While specific dive site details for the practical components are not provided, the program's structure emphasizes real-world application. The training focuses on developing your ability to effectively manage students in various environments, from controlled pool sessions to dynamic open water scenarios. This ensures graduates are confident and competent in certifying divers across a range of conditions. The intensive nature of the course demands dedication, preparing you not just to teach, but to inspire and lead future divers. Upon successful completion, you will be qualified to certify divers through SSI, a globally recognized agency. This opens doors to working with dive centers worldwide. The program's focus on instructional methodology and safety standards ensures that PDR Ohio graduates are highly sought after. The commitment to personalized coaching means you receive individual attention, addressing your specific learning needs and building confidence in your teaching abilities. This is more than just a certification; it's the beginning of a fulfilling career in dive education.
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What people ask before booking
Professional Diving Resources evolved from Buckeye Diving School, which was opened in 1964 by Paul and Sandy Reynolds. Steve Bowles (Scuba Steve) started working there in 1993 and purchased the dive shop in 2000, later establishing PDR Ohio in 2015. The center has been certifying divers for nearly 50 years, with over 10,000 divers certified.
PDR Ohio offers a wide range of courses, including Try Scuba Diving, Dive Guide, Scuba Refresher, Open Water Diver, Specialty Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Master Diver, Assistant Instructor, and Open Water Instructor. They also offer private scuba lessons for a more personalized experience.
Pool training is conducted year-round in indoor facilities, and PDR Ohio can even come to your home if you have a pool. Open water certification dives are typically done at White Star Quarry, about 1.5 hours west of the center, during warmer months. They also offer the option to complete certification dives on vacation or during their scheduled trips.
The base cost for Open Water Diver certification includes class/pool training (18-20 hours) with equipment rental (~$275), course materials (~$175), core diving equipment (~$295), and open water certification dives/equipment rental for two days (~$250), totaling approximately $995. Additional costs may include accommodations, entry fees to White Star Quarry, and optional equipment like gloves or wetsuits.
Yes, PDR Ohio is an authorized Kirby Morgan dealer and service center for commercial diving equipment, with over 30 years of experience. They also provide specialized service and support for over 55 public safety dive teams, understanding the critical need for reliable, mission-ready equipment.
The Seastar rating system (Levels 1-5) helps divers choose trips based on their experience and the expected diving conditions. Level 1 is for super easy dives (40ft or less, no currents), while Level 5 is for hardcore divers with hundreds of dives who can brave any condition. This system ensures divers are matched with appropriate and safe dive experiences.