What prerequisites are required for this course?

You must be 18+ with Open Water certification and specialty certifications in Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility, and Diver Stress & Rescue.

How many dives are included in the course?

The course includes four boat dives: two on shallow reefs and two on a deep reef or wreck.

Do I need to bring my own dive gear?

You will need specialty equipment specific to independent diving; details will be provided by your instructor before the course.

Is this course suitable for beginners?

No, it is intended for experienced divers who want to dive independently and safely.

What is the duration of the course?

The course runs over three days, combining online academic work and practical dive sessions.

Can I book this course without a dive buddy?

Yes, this course is designed to give you the skills to dive safely on your own.

Independent Diving Skills with Paragon Diving in Big Pine Key | Water Activities

Big Pine Key, Florida, offers a unique gateway for divers to push their boundaries beyond typical buddy diving. Paragon Diving’s Independent Diving course is designed for experienced divers ready to take full responsibility for their underwater adventures. Not just a skill upgrade, this three-day program trains certified Open Water divers to confidently plan, conduct, and finish solo dives using critical thinking and risk management techniques.

Situated in the heart of the Florida Keys, Big Pine Key’s waters are rich with coral reefs, vibrant marine life, and intriguing wreck sites. Paragon Diving leverages these features to provide hands-on experience during four boat dives: two on shallow reefs and two at deeper reefs or wrecks. The terrain features extensive coral formations, sponges, and fish species like parrotfish and grouper, giving divers a rewarding, varied underwater landscape.

What sets Paragon Diving apart is their focus on responsible solo diving education. This course is not for beginners—it requires prior certifications in specialties such as Deep Diving, Navigation, and Diver Stress & Rescue, ensuring participants are well-prepared. The program includes specialty equipment tailored to independent diving, emphasizing safety and precision. Upon booking, students receive timely access to online academic materials and a detailed course schedule.

Paragon Diving’s approach dedicates attention to refining existing skills, encouraging divers to self-assess conditions and react calmly to challenges. The company acts as an anchor in Big Pine Key’s dive community, fostering a culture of autonomy balanced with safety awareness. For divers ready to elevate their practice and embrace independent adventure, this course transforms the way they engage with underwater exploration while honoring the unique ecology of the Keys.

About Paragon Diving

Paragon Diving in Big Pine Key, Florida, operates as a dive center offering a range of training courses and guided trips focused on technical and recreational scuba diving. The operation provides SSI specialty training and certifications, with offerings that include Decompression Diving, Deep Diving, Enriched Air Nitrox, Gas Blender, Search & Recovery, Wreck Diving, and React Right emergency first response.

Instruction combines classroom study, confined water practice, and open water boat dives where required by each program. Course formats range from one-day workshops such as Gas Blender and React Right to multi-day programs like the four-day Decompression Diver Bundle and two-day Deep Diving specialty. Several programs include scheduled boat trips and multiple dives to meet certification requirements.

Paragon Diving lists professional development pathways including Assistant Instructor, Divemaster, Specialty Instructor bundles, and guide training that prepare divers to lead or assist in supervised diving activities. Recreational courses such as Open Water Diver, Perfect Buoyancy, Navigation, and Equipment Techniques are also available for developing foundational skills.

The center emphasizes structured syllabi tied to SSI standards and provides online materials and detailed schedules for instructor-led experiences. Course descriptions specify practical skill sessions, hands-on exercises, and certification outcomes where provided. Interested divers should consult the Paragon Diving experience listings for exact itineraries, prerequisites, and required equipment before booking.

Contact information and booking details are available through the Paragon Diving listing on The Adventure Collective, where schedules, pricing, and reservation steps are published for each course and trip to help divers plan their trips effectively.