Dive Certifications
on Lake Michigan
PADI Open Water through Instructor Development — plus wreck, scientific, and specialty certifications for Great Lakes diving out of Hammond Marina.
Recreational Certifications
PADI Open Water Diver
Entry
The world's most recognized scuba certification. Qualifies you to dive independently to 60 feet with a similarly certified buddy. Start here.
PADI Advanced Open Water
Intermediate
Five adventure dives including deep (100 ft) and underwater navigation. Builds confidence and unlocks access to deeper, more challenging dive sites like the J.D. Marshall.
PADI Rescue Diver
Advanced Recreational
The most transformative course in recreational diving. Trains you to prevent and manage dive emergencies. Required before Divemaster.
PADI Master Scuba Diver
Recreational Pinnacle
The highest non-professional recreational rating. Requires Rescue Diver + 5 specialty certifications + 50 logged dives. A meaningful achievement in the dive community.
Professional Certifications
PADI Divemaster
First Professional Rating
Your entry into the dive industry. Divemasters can lead certified divers, assist instructors, and work at dive operations worldwide. First step toward becoming an instructor.
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
Instructor
Earned through the Instructor Development Course (IDC) and Instructor Examination (IE). Authorizes you to independently certify new divers from Open Water through advanced recreational levels.
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)
Senior Instructor
An OWSI who has certified 25+ divers and earned 5 or more specialty instructor ratings. Recognized as an elite teaching credential in the PADI system.
Specialty Certifications
Add specialties to your Advanced Open Water or work toward Master Scuba Diver. These are the certifications most relevant to Great Lakes and scientific diving.
Wreck Diver
Penetration techniques and safe navigation of shipwrecks. Directly applicable to the J.D. Marshall and Muskegon in Indiana Waters.
Deep Diver
Planned dives to 130 feet. Narcosis recognition, gas management, and deep site protocols.
Dry Suit Diver
Essential for Great Lakes diving. Extends your season from April through November.
Underwater Navigator
Natural and compass navigation. Precision dive planning for structured research sites.
Underwater Photographer
Camera systems, buoyancy for photographers, and composition underwater.
Search & Recovery
Grid patterns, lift bags, and object recovery. Used in scientific and archaeological dive operations.
Scientific Diver (AAUS)
American Academy of Underwater Sciences certification for institutional research — the credential IU's Center for Underwater Science uses.
Night Diver
Dive light techniques, navigation in low visibility, and nocturnal marine behavior.
Put your certification to use
The J.D. Marshall and Muskegon shipwrecks in Indiana Waters are accessible to certified recreational divers. Double Action Dive Charters runs trips out of Hammond Marina — the same boat and crew that supported Indiana University’s Center for Underwater Science.
Book a Wreck Dive Charter →Going professional on the water?
If you’re also pursuing a USCG captain’s license, Sail Shop Chicago has a captain development program that supports both paths simultaneously.