https://parks.lacounty.gov/underwater-unit/

Use the QR Code below to register for UICC 68

County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation
Underwater Unit

UICC – Underwater Instructor Certification Course

UICC 68 Flyer

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OUR CHALLENGE

The greatest challenge facing the diving community today is the “under trained diver” and their deteriorating effect on our sport.  A vital need continues to exist for highly trained professional educators in this sport to aid all participants toward better realization of individual limitations and increased confidence levels in diving skills, diving safety, enjoyment and knowledge.  The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation was the first to recognize the need for a highly skilled and dedicated underwater program to effectively teach proper and safe practices in recreational Freediving & SCUBA diving and developed the first recreational Skin (Freediving) & SCUBA certification program whose influence can be observed in the certification standards adopted by many other modern day SCUBA certification agencies.  During the past sixty years, over 250,000 safe Skin & SCUBA divers have been trained by professional L. A. County Underwater Instructors.  The most potent of all influences in the development of any citizenry is the influence of a good teacher, therefore, a critical influence in the positive development of diving is effective underwater instruction.  The Los Angeles Underwater Instructor Certification Course invites you to accept this challenge. The goals will be higher than ever this year reflecting a return to the highly demanding watermanship and academic standards of the past.  We invite you to share these goals with us and meet the challenge.

 THE COURSE

This is the renowned Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Certification Course, also known as “UICC”; a tax-supported, non-profit public program committed to training and developing the highest caliber diving instructors anywhere. The primary objective of this program is to promote and encourage, through top instructors, the training of the general public in the safe techniques of participating in underwater recreation activity.  UICC is a non partisan, demanding three month curriculum of weekend training in the Greater Los Angeles County area and surrounding coastal waters.  More than 150 hours are involved in this total effort, including extensive personal research and study.  The curriculum is highly concentrated to include the most current information and the most up-to-date teaching applications on Recreational Freediving and SCUBA that is available.  Since 1954, Los Angeles County has maintained an international focus by offering the most intensive training curriculum for professional underwater instructors.  We accept only the best and graduate only the most qualified into the public instruction field.  A proud tradition.

Be a part of the History – REQUIREMENTS

    • Candidate must be 21 years of age
    • Current satisfactory SCUBA diving medical exam
    • Basic SCUBA and Rescue certification
    • Current CPR and First Aid
    • Actively SCUBA diving (40 logged dives) for at least
      one year prior to the beginning of UICC
    • Letter of recommendation by two active SCUBA Instructors
    • Knowledgeable in the science of underwater activities
    • Possess diving skills that exhibit a high level of proficiency
  • Ability to communicate effectively

ENTRANCE EXAM

The L. A. County’s Instructors Course can afford to remain highly selective in accepting qualified applicants. Two full days of exams will determine the selection of candidates, and only the most qualified applicants will be accepted.  In order to be admitted to the program, candidates must satisfy
the following minimum requirements during entrance exam :

SWIMMING AND WATERMANSHIP EXAM

  • 400 yard swim within 11 minutes
  • 50 yard swim demonstrating good proficiency in a 2nd swim stroke (other than crawl)
  • 25 yard underwater swim, surfacing with a 10 lb. weight from 12 ft. depth
  • 15 min survival float
  • 50 yard buddy tow
  • Skin diving ditch and recovery

SCUBA HANDLING EXAM

  • Full ocean gear bail-out immediately followed by 300 yard snorkel swim with extra 10 lbs and no added buoyancy
  • 100 yard buddy breathing w/o mask

ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE EXAM

INITERVIEW AND 5 MINUTE PRESENTATION

PRACTICAL OCEAN EXAM

  • Skin diving entries and exits
  • Surface dives
  • Weight belt ditch and recovery 10-15 ft.
  • Demonstrate recognized safety procedures in scuba diving including buddy checks and dive planning
  • SCUBA entries and exits
  • Bottom checks
  • Stationary buddy breathing
  • 33 ft. emergency swimming ascent

FEES INCLUDE

  • NOAA Diving Manual
  • Professional lectures from top dive industry experts
  • 75 hours of pool and ocean training
  • Catalina Casino Point dive
  • Boat dive
  • Graduation and awards banquet

INFORMATION & WORKSHOP (Optional)

September TBD 2023

Class 8:00 a.m.— 9:30 a.m.

Pool 10:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.

October TBD 2023

Class 8:00 a.m.— 9:30 a.m.

Pool 10:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.

November TBD 2023

Class 8:00 a.m.— 9:30 a.m.

Pool 10:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.

ENTRANCE EXAM (Mandatory)

December 2nd & 3rd 2023

Saturday Pool 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Class 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Ocean 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

INFORMATION SESSIONS, WORKSHOP AND EXAM LOCATION:

Belvedere Aquatic Center 5035 East 1st Street

Los Angeles, CA 90022

COURSE DATES

January 6, 2024— April 20, 2024

Congratulations to the UICC 67 graduates and staff on successful completion of the longest class in history!