Issued by:
National Association of
underwater Instruction (NAUI)
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Outdoor Training & Certifications
Outward Bound Costa Rica offers a variety of outdoor training and certifications for individuals who seek to enhance their knowledge and skills in the outdoors.
In addition to our courses, we frequently offer trainings for local Costa Ricans (Girl Guides of Costa Rica, Park Guides, and more) if you or your group is interested in earning a certification, please submit an inquiry below.
National Association of
Scuba Diver
Location: Bocas del Toro, Panama
Length of Time to Earn: 5-7 days
Requirements to Earn: Complete a minimum of four open water dives, pass a practical test underwater, and a written test
Certification Valid For: Lifetime
Overview:
A basic NAUI Scuba Diver course provides essential knowledge of dive equipment, dive science, dive safety, responsible diving practices, and the environment. Much of this information is covered in textbook/video format, but you will also practice many skills in the water. This certification course consists of technical and academic portions on land and time in the water to practice skills for your safety and comfort.
Once certified, the NAUI Diver Card lasts a lifetime, so individuals will be able to scuba dive in future travels. Almost anyone can participate in a scuba diving course, but if you have asthma or select other medical conditions, you should consult your physician before signing up for a scuba course.
If you have already earned the basic scuba certification, you are eligible to further your training on any of our scuba courses to earn an Advanced Scuba Diver certification.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Girl Scout Destination: Sea Turtle, Service & Scuba Adventure
Advanced Scuba Diver
Location: Bocas del Toro, Panama
Length of Time to Earn: 3-6 days
Requirements to Earn: Scuba Diver certification, complete one deep dive, a night dive and four additional advanced level dives
Certification Valid For: Lifetime
Overview:
Individuals who have already earned their Basic Scuba Diver certification are eligible to try for their advanced certification on any of our scuba courses. An advanced certification is a great jumping-off point for earning specialty, technical, and/or leadership certification courses.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Girl Scout Destination: Sea Turtle, Service & Scuba Adventure
Specialist Certifications
If you have already achieved your advanced scuba certification, we can offer specialist certifications such as NAUI Underwater Environment and NAUI Underwater Ecologist.
Issued by:
AMERICAN SAFETY & HEALTH
INSTITUTE (ASHI)
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Basic First Aid & CPR/AED
Location: Outward Bound Costa Rica rainforest base, Pacific Coast beach
Length of Time to Earn: 16-20 hours
Requirements to Earn: Must pass a written exam and interactive skills evaluation competently and without assistance.
Certification Valid For: 3 years
Overview:
This course teaches individuals basic but critical skills needed to respond to and manage an emergency until medical services arrive. This course is intended for individuals who are not healthcare providers or professional rescuers but desire, or are required, to be certified in basic emergency medical care.
The course covers three segments: First Aid response, CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator). First Aid covers assessment and action for recognizing common illnesses, heart attacks, difficulty breathing, choking, severe bleeding, shock, stroke, splints and slings for breaks or sprains. CPR covers how to respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies, and the AED segment covers how to use an AED in response to cardiac arrest.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Sea Turtle & Service Expedition
Basic Life Support (CPR for the Professional Rescuer)
Location: Outward Bound Costa Rica rainforest base; any water activity area
Length of Time to Earn: 1 day
Requirements to Earn: Must perform and complete a written and interactive skills evaluation competently and without assistance.
Certification Valid For: 2 years
Overview:
This course is intended for individuals who are looking to become lifeguards, are required to complete this course for professional purposes or are interested in possessing the skills to confidently respond in emergency situations.
This course is included in Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), as well as Lifeguarding courses. It is oriented to the professional rescuer and covers how to respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Wilderness Advanced First Aid
Location: Outward Bound Costa Rica rainforest base
Length of Time to Earn: 4-6 days
Requirements to Earn: Must pass a written exam and practical exam in scenarios that mimic real-life rescue situations.
Certification Valid For: 3 years
Overview:
This course is similar to the Wilderness First Responder course but is less in-depth. It teaches individuals advanced medical response in an outdoor emergency setting. Learn to stabilize, treat, and make evacuation decisions for patients in backcountry environments, with an emphasis on long-term patient care management, and specific injury evaluation. In addition to more time practicing skills and engaging in scenarios, you’ll work in small teams and practice leadership.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Wilderness First Responder
Location: Outward Bound Costa Rica rainforest base; Pacific Coast beach; river location; Bocas del Toro, Panama
Length of Time to Earn: 8-10 days, 72-80 hours
Requirements to Earn: Must pass a written exam and practical exam in scenarios that mimic real-life rescue situations.
Certification Valid For: 3 years
Overview:
This certification course teaches individuals how to react in emergency situations when a major medical facility is not within close proximity, especially outdoors. It is a necessary and useful credential for outdoor enthusiasts, industry professionals and those who are simply interested in knowing more about how to help others while in remote settings.
Some of the topics that are covered in this course include CPR, dislocations, heat illness, altitude sickness, cardiac emergencies, shock, chest injuries, burn treatment, search & rescue, anaphylaxis, head injuries, medical decision-making and First Aid kits. One aspect that makes the WFR certification course unique is participants are taught to use materials available to them in an expedition or backcountry setting.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Issued by:
AMERICAN RED CROSS
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Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module
Location: Outward Bound Costa Rica rainforest base; Manuel Antonio beach base; Bocas del Toro, Panama and/or Pacific Coast beach
Length of Time to Earn: 21 hours
Requirements to Earn: Pre-course swim test, must pass written exams and practical skill evaluations
Certification Valid For: 2 years
Overview:
Whether you are hoping to get a summer job or have a lifelong career as a lifeguard, the Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module certification course is a great place to start. While a basic Lifeguarding certification (in addition to First Aid and CPR/AED certifications) will get you a job at a swimming pool, you will also need Waterfront Lifeguarding certifications if you are interested in working at a beach. This is a great course for those hoping to work in outdoor leadership.
Participants will learn the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies in both pools and waterfront settings such as non-surf, open water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps, on backpacking trips and campgrounds. By the end of course, participants are prepared to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, prevent drowning, and injuries.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Issued by:
International water sports federation
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Whitewater Rescue Technician
Location: Sarapiqui River, Pacuare River, and/or Pejibaye River
Length of Time to Earn: 3-4 days
Requirements to Earn: Must pass a written theory exam and practical skills done on in a river setting
Certification Valid For: 3 years
Overview:
Whitewater Rescue Technician training is required for individuals looking to become river professionals, such as raft guides or safety kayakers. This certification is essential for these outdoor professionals as it addresses all major aspects of water rescue and provides a standardization of training on topics including rescue techniques, training standards, operational policies, safety guidelines and professional rescue qualifications.
Topics covered in this course include rescue introduction philosophy, size-up at a water rescue, the rules of swift water rescue, search in a water rescue incident, self-rescue and personal safety, hydrology and river dynamics, personal and team equipment, water rescue skills and techniques overview, rope rescue skills and techniques, advanced techniques and high risk scenarios, and medical considerations. Please note students must be 18+ to be eligible to earn the Whitewater Rescue Technician certification.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Recreational Rappel Operator
Location: Outward Bound Costa Rica rainforest base
Length of Time to Earn: 3-5 days
Requirements to Earn: Must pass a written and practical skills evaluations.
Certification Valid For: 3 years
Overview:
Recreational Rappel Operator is oriented towards people who want to be able to setup and safely operate a rappel/abseil for themselves, friends, or a group of participants. We also cover top-roping for single pitch climbing on rock, trees or other settings. This is a great introductory course for those wishing to pursue climbing and rappelling recreationally or as outdoor leaders. Please note students must be 18+ to be eligible to earn the Recreational Rappel Operator certification.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Issued by:
World RAFTING
FEDERATION
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Whitewater Raft Guide License Level 2 or 3
Location: Sarapiqui River, Pacuare River and others
Length of Time to Earn: 12-16 days
Requirements to Earn: 30 runs/60 hours on Class I-II or III rapids or above
Certification Valid For: 3 years
Overview:
The Raft Guide course provides future guides with the skills and knowledge needed to competently guide a whitewater raft and its occupants through a designated class of rapids. A Standard Raft is an inflatable multi-passenger self-draining craft specially designed for whitewater. This certification is not just for professional Raft Guides, it is for whitewater enthusiasts, competitive rafters or kayakers, and anyone who enjoys spending time on the river.
The course covers the following skills and topics: rafting techniques, crew training and management, emergency and rescue techniques, and knowledge of equipment, safety and emergency procedures, rapid theory, leadership, and signals.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Whitewater Raft Guide License Level 2 or 3
Location: Sarapiqui River, Pacuare River and others
Length of Time to Earn: 12-16 days
Requirements to Earn: 30 runs/60 hours on Class I-II or III rapids or above
Certification Valid For: 3 years
Overview:
The Raft Guide course provides future guides with the skills and knowledge needed to competently guide a whitewater raft and its occupants through a designated class of rapids. A Standard Raft is an inflatable multi-passenger self-draining craft specially designed for whitewater. This certification is not just for professional Raft Guides, it is for whitewater enthusiasts, competitive rafters or kayakers, and anyone who enjoys spending time on the river.
The course covers the following skills and topics: rafting techniques, crew training and management, emergency and rescue techniques, and knowledge of equipment, safety and emergency procedures, rapid theory, leadership, and signals.
Courses Offering this Certification:
Coast to Coast Expedition
Outdoor Leader Semester
Custom Courses