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Scuba Courses
Scuba Courses
Learn about our features that are made to make your work easy
Peak Performance BuoyancyDeep DiverWreck DiverReef Renewal USA DiverDrift DiverSearch & Recovery Diver
Boat Diver
Night Diver 
Digital U/W Photographer
Emergency Oxygen Provider
Underwater Navigator
Equipment Specialist
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Underwater Naturalist
Delayed Surface Marker Buoy Diver
Coral Reef Conservation
AWARE Shark Conservation
Fish Identification
Full Face Mask Diver
Dry Suit Diver
PADI AWARE Specialty
Resources
About Us
Get to know the people behind the code and the mission behind the work

PADI Reef Renewal USA Level I Specialty

Do you have a desire to participate in global efforts to preserve, protect, and restore endangered
coral reefs? Coral reefs around the world are threatened with extinction. Key Largo Dive Center has
partnered with Reef Renewal USA and PADI to bring an exciting conservation opportunity to you and
your dive buddies! You can get “hands on” experience cleaning, working with, and preserving live
corals at the nearshore coral nursery in Key Largo. Coral reefs are delicate and sensitive to changes
in the environment including changes to water chemistry, temperature, and pollution. You can make a
difference. Join us to help save our coral reefs so that future generations can enjoy them.

The Reef Renewal USA Level I program is an opportunity for volunteer divers to serve as citizen
scientists and help benefit Reef Renewal, PADI, and Key Largo Dive Center in our objective to
restore and maintain the coral reef.

Course Description:

The Reef Renewal USA Level I Certification Course consists of the following elements:

  1. E-learning provided by Reef Renewal USA which provides basic knowledge on topics such as
    coral biology and species identification, coral life-cycle, reef preservation efforts, coral cleaning
    techniques, coral nursery layout and navigation, nursery dive protocols.2.
  2.  Classroom training and practice using specialized cleaning tools to remove algae and
    unwanted growth from the “baby” corals in the nursery to preserve their health and ability to
    grow to transplant size.
  3. One boat trip consisting of two training/working dives at the Reef Renewal USA nearshore
    nursery. Under the guidance and supervision of the Key Largo Dive Center Instructors,
    Divemasters, and the Reef Renewal USA dive staff you will be cleaning and assisting with
    basic maintenance, monitoring, and documentation of the coral nursery.
  4. Successful completion of the above requirements, including the two nursery dives, will result in
    the issuance of the PADI Reef Renewal USA Level I certification by Key Largo Dive Center.
  5. The Discover Reef Renewal requires that you complete the classroom training at least once
    prior to any in-water participation. Once you complete the classroom training and pass the
    quiz, you don’t have to re-take the classroom portion to participate in additional future dives.

After The Course: 

Upon successful completion of the PADI Reef Renewal USA Level 1 Certification you will be qualified
to participate in Key Largo Dive Center’s regularly scheduled boat trips to the Coral Nursery to put
your new coral preservation and care skills to use. Once you are issued your Reef Renewal Level 1
certification card, you are not required

Additional Details:

The dive takes place in the Reef Renewal USA Coral Nursery which is about a 20-30 minute boat ride
from Key Largo. All dives are under the supervision of a Key Largo Dive Center Instructor or
Divemaster staff members who are qualified as PADI Reef Renewal USA Dive Professionals.
You will be assigned a set of loaner cleaning tools to use during your training dives. The tools must be
properly used as described in the classroom training session and returned upon completion of the
dives.
The nursery consists of several different sections, each containing a different species of coral. These
include staghorn, elkhorn, brain, and other varying species. As part of your training you will be
assigned a “coral tree” to clean. This includes the removal of any algae, crustations, bivalves, and
other biological contaminants that inhibit coral growth. This ensures that the corals have a chance to
grow up healthy and attain a size suitable for future transplant onto the reef. After the dive we will
return to Key Largo.

Certification:

Upon successful completion of the E-learning, classroom briefing, and in-water dive you will receive
the PADI Reef Renewal USA Level 1 specialty certification. This certification is accepted by PADI
towards your Master Diver training specialties.

Click on the Book Now button for pricing and availability.

Enroll Now!

Book Online Now
Age Requirement

10 Years or Older

Course Prerequisites:

1. Must be a certified Open Water Scuba Diver from any approved agency.
2. Minimum age is 10 years old. (All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian).
3. Must be able to demonstrate acceptable neutral buoyancy skills.
4. Must complete the E-learning and the short classroom portion prior to the training dives.

Required Equipment:
  • Mask
  • Snorkel
  • Fins
  • Cutting Tool
  • Dive Computer
  • Dive Lights
  • Compass
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)

The remaining gear required can be rented from Key Largo Dive Center. View our rental gear.

Availability: 

The PADI Reef Renewal USA Level 1 specialty course is offered once a month at the present time. Usually on the 4 th Saturday of the month. E-learning must be completed prior to attending. Check-in time for the classroom training session is 11:00 AM on the day of your training. You will select your training date when you click the “Book Now” button.

PaDI Reef renewal usa level 1 certification

Get Started Today!

Call or email the Key Largo Dive Center to get additional information. Book online to sign up for your PADI Reef Renewal USA Level 1 certification 
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