Zero to Hero — Professional
From your very first breath underwater to becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor. Turn your passion for diving into a profession!
What if your next adventure could become your career?
Our Zero to Hero Professional package takes you from a complete beginner all the way through the training pathway to becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.
Whether your dream is to teach scuba diving in tropical destinations, work aboard dive boats, introduce new divers to the underwater world, or simply take your passion for diving to the highest level, this program is designed to get you there.
You'll progress through Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Instructor Development with the support of Eco Dive Center's experienced instructional team.
One comprehensive training package. One incredible journey. A whole new world of opportunities.
Your Complete Professional Certification Pathway
01. PADI Open Water Diver
Your introduction to scuba diving. Learn the fundamentals of underwater exploration, equipment operation, dive planning, safety, and essential diving skills. Includes four ocean certification dives.
02. PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
Expand your capabilities through five Adventure Dives, including navigation and deeper diving. Improve your buoyancy, develop underwater confidence, and experience new diving environments.
03. PADI Rescue Diver
Learn to recognize, prevent, and respond to diving emergencies. Develop problem-solving, situational awareness, rescue techniques, and emergency management skills that prepare you for professional-level training.
04. FREE Emergency First Response (EFR)
Learn essential CPR, first aid, and emergency-response techniques. This training is an important prerequisite for Rescue Diver and professional certification. Your EFR course is included FREE with this package!
05. PADI Divemaster
Take your first step into professional diving! Develop leadership skills, assist instructors, supervise diving activities, and learn the operational responsibilities of a dive professional.
06. PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)
Take your knowledge and experience to the next level. Learn how to teach scuba courses, deliver academic presentations, demonstrate diving skills, conduct training sessions, and prepare for the PADI Instructor Examination. EFR Instructor (EFRI) classroom materials are also included.
Completing the Instructor Development Course prepares you for the PADI Instructor Examination. Instructor certification requires successfully completing all PADI prerequisites, training, examinations, and applicable certification requirements. PADI agency fees are separate from the package price.
From Beginner to Professional
This isn't just a collection of scuba classes. It's a progressive training experience designed to develop you into a capable, knowledgeable, and confident dive professional.
Phase 1 — Learn to Dive
Your Open Water course introduces you to scuba equipment, dive theory, pool training, and your first ocean dives. You'll establish the foundation for everything that follows.
Phase 2 — Become an Experienced Diver
Through Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver, you'll improve your diving ability, expand your underwater experience, and develop the confidence to recognize and manage challenging situations.
Phase 3 — Become a Dive Leader
During Divemaster training, you'll gain practical experience assisting instructors, developing professional-level dive skills, organizing diving activities, and working with real students.
Phase 4 — Learn to Teach
Your Instructor Development Course prepares you to introduce other people to the underwater world. You'll develop teaching presentations, refine your demonstrations, learn instructional standards, and prepare for your Instructor Examination.
By the end of your journey, you'll have developed far more than diving skills. You'll have the foundation for a professional career built around something you love.
What's Included in Your $6,999 Package
We've combined your entire professional scuba training pathway into one comprehensive package at an exceptional value.
- PADI Open Water Diver course
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course
- PADI Rescue Diver course
- FREE Emergency First Response (EFR) course
- PADI Divemaster training program
- PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)
- All required eLearning and training materials for the included courses
- EFR Instructor (EFRI) classroom materials included
- Professional instruction and academic training sessions
- Scheduled pool training and supervised ocean-training activities
- Standard boat tickets required for scheduled Open Water and Advanced Open Water training
- Standard scuba rental equipment for included recreational training courses
- Practical Divemaster workshops and professional skill development
- Instructor Development Course presentations, workshops, and instructional training
- Training support and guidance throughout your professional development
The tuition, required instructional materials, eLearning, EFRI classroom materials, standard recreational training rentals, and scheduled core-course boat tickets listed above are covered by your package.
Important: PADI certification, application, examination, and professional membership fees are not included. Personal equipment, additional experience dives, and optional upgrades are also separate.
Required Personal Equipment — Not Included
Personal scuba equipment is required for your Open Water course.
Every student must have their own:
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Dive boots
- Dive gloves
These items must be properly fitted and purchased before your first class. Our team will help you select equipment appropriate for your needs and Southern California diving conditions.
Continuing-Education Equipment
As you progress into Advanced Open Water, Rescue, and professional-level training, additional equipment will be required, including:
- Surface marker buoy (SMB) and reel
- Primary dive flashlight
- Underwater writing slate
- Cutting tool
- Additional rescue and professional training accessories
Professional Diving Equipment
By the time you reach Divemaster and Instructor training, you'll need access to a complete, reliable scuba equipment setup suitable for professional diving activities.
This typically includes a BCD, regulator system, dive computer, appropriate exposure protection, and all necessary personal and safety equipment.
Our staff will help you plan equipment purchases throughout your certification journey so you can build a complete setup that makes sense for your long-term diving goals.
Personal equipment purchases, additional recreational dives, optional boat upgrades, transportation, parking, meals, and other personal expenses are separate from the package price.
Your Training Schedule
Open Water: Two Saturdays of classroom and pool training, paired with two Sunday ocean-training boat days, normally completed over two weekends.
Advanced Open Water: Friday pool training, Saturday shore diving, and Sunday Catalina boat diving.
Rescue Diver: Classroom instruction, practical rescue exercises, and supervised open-water rescue training.
Emergency First Response: CPR, first aid, and emergency-response training coordinated with your Rescue Diver course.
Divemaster: A combination of academic training, practical workshops, skill development, and real-world experience assisting with dive operations and instructional activities.
Instructor Development Course: Professional instructor training scheduled after completing your Divemaster certification and meeting PADI's instructor training prerequisites.
Unlike a single-weekend certification course, professional development takes place over an extended period. Our team will help you plan a progression based on course schedules, your experience, and the time you can commit to training.
Professional Training Prerequisites
You can enroll in this package as a complete beginner! However, each certification level has prerequisites that must be met before advancing.
Open Water:
Complete the required eLearning, medical questionnaire, paperwork, and swimming-related prerequisites before participating in training.
Rescue Diver:
Hold the required prerequisite diving certification and have current CPR and first aid training. Your FREE EFR course covers the relevant CPR and first aid training requirements.
Divemaster:
Minimum age 18, Rescue Diver certification, current CPR and first aid training, appropriate medical clearance, and at least 40 logged dives before beginning Divemaster training. A minimum of 60 logged dives is required for Divemaster certification.
Instructor Development Course:
Minimum age 18, a qualifying Divemaster certification, at least six months as a certified diver, and a minimum of 60 logged dives to begin the IDC. You must have at least 100 logged dives to attend the PADI Instructor Examination, along with current CPR and first aid training and required medical clearance.
Important: Additional recreational diving will be necessary to meet the logged-dive requirements throughout this program. These additional experience dives and associated expenses are not included unless specifically listed as part of your scheduled training.
Emergency First Response Instructor certification is required before teaching EFR courses and to meet the applicable instructor-level teaching requirements. EFRI classroom materials are included in your package; separate EFR Instructor training and PADI/EFR fees are not included unless specifically identified in your enrollment agreement.
Getting Ready for Your First Class
Before beginning your Open Water training:
- Complete your assigned PADI Open Water eLearning, typically 7–8 hours, before your first class.
- Complete your medical questionnaire and required waivers. Physician clearance is required when indicated by your medical questionnaire.
- Visit Eco Dive Center to purchase your required personal equipment and complete your rental fitting.
- Pick up rental equipment Monday through Friday before your scheduled course. Saturday rental pickup is not available.
- Arrive prepared for your scheduled training and ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dive professional!
Your Goal: PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Completing your Instructor Development Course is the final training stage before the PADI Instructor Examination.
The Instructor Examination is conducted by PADI and evaluates your knowledge, teaching presentations, skill demonstrations, understanding of instructional standards, and readiness to become an instructor.
After meeting all professional certification requirements and successfully passing your Instructor Examination, you'll be eligible for the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor rating.
This opens the door to teaching scuba diving, introducing new divers to the underwater world, working in the dive industry, and continuing your development through additional instructor specialties.
The diving industry is worldwide. Your classroom could be Southern California, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, or just about anywhere else your adventures take you.
PADI Fees & Additional Expenses
We've designed this program to include your complete training pathway, but there are some additional expenses to plan for as you progress toward becoming an instructor.
PADI Fees: PADI fees are not included in the Zero to Hero Professional package price. This includes applicable certification fees, application fees, Instructor Examination fees, Divemaster and Instructor professional fees, and professional membership fees.
EFR Instructor Materials: EFR Instructor (EFRI) classroom materials are included in the package at no additional charge. Any separate EFR Instructor training, examination, application, or certification fees are not included unless specifically stated in your enrollment agreement.
Additional Experience Dives: Students must meet all PADI logged-dive requirements before advancing through the professional training pathway. Additional recreational dives and their associated expenses are not included unless specifically identified as part of the scheduled training program.
Personal Equipment: Required personal gear, professional diving equipment, optional boat upgrades, transportation, parking, meals, and other personal expenses are purchased separately.
Enrollment, Rescheduling & Important Policies
Certification: Certification is performance-based. All students must successfully complete the required academic, confined-water, open-water, and professional-level evaluations for each course. Enrollment does not guarantee professional certification or successful completion of the PADI Instructor Examination.
Rescheduling: At least seven days' notice is required to avoid standard late-rescheduling charges. Changes within seven days may incur an $85 rescheduling fee, plus $219 for a reserved boat ticket if the original seat cannot be filled or transferred.
Cancellations: The initial $100 Open Water registration deposit is nonrefundable. The PADI Open Water eLearning portion, valued at $246, is nonrefundable once started. Additional cancellation terms and remaining refunds are governed by the package enrollment agreement.
Professional Fees: PADI certification, examination, application, and professional membership fees are separate from the package price. Any required additional professional-level fees will be identified in your enrollment agreement.
Additional Training: Extra instruction, training sessions, or experience dives beyond the included program may involve separate charges. Professional certification requires meeting all applicable PADI standards and logged-dive requirements.
Training schedules and dive locations are subject to weather, ocean conditions, instructor evaluation, course availability, and safety considerations. Missing required homework, personal equipment, medical clearance, or rental pickup may require rescheduling and applicable fees.
The Eco Dive Center Experience
At Eco Dive Center, we don't just train divers. We help develop the next generation of dive professionals.
Our instructor-led staff will guide you throughout your journey, from selecting your first mask and learning your first skills to developing the leadership and teaching abilities needed for a professional diving career.
As a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center, we're passionate about developing capable, confident, and knowledgeable instructors who represent the best of the diving community.
You'll become part of an active diving community with opportunities to gain experience, meet dive buddies, participate in real-world diving activities, and continue building your skills long after your first certification.
Take Your Savings Even Deeper!
You're already saving $420 with your Zero to Hero Professional training package. But when you're planning a future as a dive professional, having your own complete scuba setup is one of the most important investments you can make.
When you purchase a qualifying full set of scuba equipment, you'll unlock even more savings through our separate full-kit promotion.
Purchase a qualifying full scuba kit and receive an additional $500 off your already-discounted Zero to Hero Professional package price!
Your Open Water training is on us, with boat tickets excluded from the free-course promotion. Gear is purchased separately.
A qualifying full equipment package includes a BCD, regulator, dive computer, wetsuit, and gear bag.
Our experienced staff will help you put together a professional-quality scuba setup that's ready for your training today and your future career tomorrow.
Build your skills. Build your gear. Build your future in diving — and save even more along the way!
Full kit promotions are calculated separately. Ask us for details.
