The Blue Hole Dive Training Center, warm room and showers are open to divers and dive classes during winter and spring of 2012 and always open on weekends. Please call or email in advance if you are planning your dive on a weekday or if you plan a night dive.

The Blue Hole Conference Center is available to citizens, businesses, User audiences are welcome to view and walk through the recently completed facility. Please call (575) 472-3763 to schedule your visit.
The Conference Center is now scheduling special events, social gatherings, community meetings, reception facility for weddings, graduations, family reunions, public and private business meetings, board retreats, and to local and non-local agencies and organizations. Please call (575) 472-3763 for more information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

SCUBA - Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

- I just want to "give scuba a try." Can I do that?
Yes, this is normally in the first session of an Open Water Diver certification class for this very reason. This is called Discover Scuba Certified Scuba Diving shops usually allows for interested parties to Discover Scuba at no charge and with no obligation. Please check your local Yellow Pages for listings under SCUBA Diving Instruction, SCUBA Shops, or SCUBA Diving Equipment. Although classes are usually scheduled on "back-to-back" weekends, you will find they will work with you to find a schedule that suits your needs.

- I'm not comfortable with a given technique or skill, and I'm nervous about the open water dives. Can I do another round of pool sessions first?
Absolutely! In the OWD class, you will learn that as a diver, you never do anything you're not comforable with. Being nervous takes the fun out of diving and nervous divers are more prone to panic. We prefer you have a second (or third or fourth, for that matter) round of pool sessions to prepare you for the open water dives. When you're ready, you'll let us know.

- I'm not good at a certain skill or technique ... is one-on-one instruction available?
Yes, it is. Private classes are definitely one way to get very detailed and thorough instruction. However, Divemasters take great care to engage students and provide them tips, tricks, and training to master skills and techniques during each part of the Open Water Diver class. Each class typically has four (4) to eight (8) students.

In most cases, everything you need to complete the Open Water Diver class will be provided by the Dive Shop in packages may or may not include the rental fee for these items (or the City of Santa Rosa diving permit for Blue Hole), so be sure to ask!

- I want to go diving, but don't have anyone to go with ... can I "tag along" with a class?
Sure! We welcome all of our prevous students to "tag along" to a pool session or to open water dive sessions. Our instructors and Divemasters love diving, and probably won't hesitate to have an extra dive or two with you once current students are taken care of. Do be certain to speak with the class instructor or divemaster before the session in question, though.

- How deep can I dive once I'm certified?
Recreational diving guidelines limit divers to a maximum of 132 feet at sea level. During at altitude decreases this maximum. While "deep diving" can be fun, it is our experience that the funnest dives are usually at depths shallower than sixty (60) feet. There's often more to be seen at shallower depths. Shallower dives also provide for longer dive times.

- Can I wear contact lenses when I dive?
Yes. Generally speaking, if you can shower or swim with your lenses, you can wear them without too much trouble while diving. Soft lenses are preferable (at least to our Divemasters) since hard lenses tend to "pop out" more frequently and aren't as comfortable when water gets in the eyes.

- Does ANYONE look good in a wetsuit?
Hey, looks aren't everything! But ... no, not really.

**It is important students understand that elevation changes between Santa Rosa and Albuquerque can adversely impact student safety. Dive Shops and Dive Instructors strongly advises students stay the night in Santa Rosa at the end of the first day of diving. Students are advised that they should allow themselves several hours after the end of diving on the second day to out-gas before driving home.