Sections and topics include:
- Dive Physics – heat, light, and sound in water, water pressure, buoyancy, and gases underwater
- Physiology – circulatory and respiratory systems, responses to nitrogen, thermal change, and pressure changes on body air spaces
- Equipment – scuba systems, cylinders, valves, regulators, gauges, and dive computers
- Dive Skills – buoyancy control, problem management and emergency first aid, navigation, search and recovery, communications, night and altitude diving skills
- Environment – physical oceanography, current, waves, tides, aquatic life, and responsible diving practices
- Recreational Dive Planner (RDP) – decompression models, dive tables, dive computer use, and special rules, recommendations, and considerations