You're Certified! Your Next Steps: Advanced and Nitrox
Mac Garrabrants Oct 19, 2026
Congratulations. You have your card, and you can dive.
Now what? Most new divers feel the same thing: excited, a little unsure, and not certain what to do next. Here are the two classes we recommend most.
Step 1: Advanced Diver
Open Water gives you the basics. The SDI Advanced Diver course helps you dive with real confidence.
Think of it as your second round of training, with more practice and more variety. You get more time with an instructor and more experience in different kinds of dives, so you feel steadier when conditions are not perfect.
It also opens doors. Some dive trips and sites are better suited to divers with more experience. Our Raja Ampat trip, for example, has strong currents in places, and we suggest Advanced training first if you are newer.
Step 2: Nitrox
The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. Nitrox is a blend with more oxygen in it, which means less nitrogen.
In plain terms, that can give you more time underwater and shorter waits between dives. For anyone who loves being down there, that is a big deal.
We teach two options:
- SDI Computer Nitrox Diver. Built for recreational divers who want more time underwater and shorter waits between dives.
- TDI Nitrox Diver. A good fit if you want to dive longer and think you might want technical diving down the road.
Not sure which one fits? Ask us. We will point you to the right class.
One more thing. To dive nitrox, your gear needs to be rated for it. Many regulators are fine up to a certain oxygen level, so check before you assume. If you are shopping, ask us.
Other classes worth a look
- Advanced Buoyancy. Good buoyancy is what separates comfortable divers from struggling ones. This class helps you get it.
- Dry Suit Diver. Utah water gets cold. A dry suit lets you keep diving when everyone else has packed up for the season.
- Rescue Diver. Learn to be the solution when less experienced divers get in over their heads.
- Underwater Photographer / Videographer. Bring your dives home with you.
So which one first?
If you only do one thing, start with Advanced Diver. Add Nitrox when you know you want longer dives, or when you book a trip that includes it.
Speaking of which, our Raja Ampat liveaboard in March 2027 includes nitrox for up to four guided dives a day. If you want to make the most of it, Nitrox is a smart class to have under your belt.
Take the next step
See all of our courses or call us at (801) 295-5445. Tell us what you want to dive, and we will help you figure out what to take.
