# Dive With Frank

> Dive With Frank, LLC (DWF) is an independently operated scuba instruction and dive travel business based in Ellicott City, Maryland, USA. Owner and lead instructor Frank Lewis is a PADI IDC Staff Instructor (#359052) and a Divers Alert Network (DAN) Instructor. DWF specializes in personalized, private and small-group scuba training with flexible scheduling, a safety-first approach, and a focus on comfort, confidence, and competence underwater.

DWF serves students throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, DC, including Howard County, Columbia, Baltimore, and the Washington metropolitan area. Training locations vary by course and may include pools in Pikesville or Laurel, Maryland; Lake Phoenix in Rawlings, Virginia; and Lake Hydra near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. DWF is an independent instructional business rather than a traditional retail dive shop.

PADI training covers beginner certification, continuing education, specialty courses, and diver leadership development. DAN courses cover CPR, first aid, emergency oxygen, and diving first aid. DWF also organizes selected dive trips and publishes free scuba educational resources through DWF Labs.

## About Dive With Frank

- [Start Here](https://divewithfrank.com/): Orientation for new and certified divers, training, trips, and resources.
- [About Frank Lewis](https://divewithfrank.com/about-me/): Instructor background, qualifications, experience, and writing.
- [Teaching Philosophy](https://divewithfrank.com/start-here/dwf-teaching-philosophy/): Calm, deliberate instruction; consistent standards; individualized pacing; safety and buoyancy skills.
- [How to Get Scuba Certified](https://divewithfrank.com/start-here/how-do-i-get-scuba-certified/): Guide to PADI Open Water training and what new students can expect.
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://divewithfrank.com/start-here/faqs/): Answers to common questions about scuba lessons and training.
- [Contact Frank](https://divewithfrank.com/ask-frank/): Ask questions about courses, private instruction, or scheduling.

## PADI Scuba Courses

- [All PADI Courses](https://divewithfrank.com/all-padi-courses/): Overview of core, specialty, and professional-level training.
- [Discover Scuba Diving](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-courses/discover-scuba-diving/): Supervised introductory scuba experience for people considering diving.
- [Open Water Diver](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-courses/open-water/): Beginner certification with knowledge development and confined-water training; four required open-water checkout dives can be booked as an add-on, separately afterward, or completed with another instructor through a referral.
- [Advanced Open Water Diver](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-courses/advanced-open-water/): Continuing education and supervised experience in different dive environments.
- [Rescue Diver](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-courses/rescue-diver/): Diver awareness, problem prevention, and emergency response training.
- [Scuba Review](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-courses/scuba-review/): Skills refreshers for previously certified divers.
- [Divemaster](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-courses/divemaster/): Professional-level diver leadership development.

## PADI Specialty Training

- [All PADI Specialties](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-specialties/): Current specialty offerings and courses available by request.
- [Dry Suit Diver](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-specialties/dry-suit/): Personalized dry suit training; dry suit rental included; heated-pool options and regional open-water dives, including winter training when conditions allow.
- [Enriched Air Nitrox](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-specialties/enriched-air-nitrox-diver/): Training in the safe use of enriched air nitrox.
- [Peak Performance Buoyancy](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-specialties/peak-performance-buoyancy/): Weighting, trim, buoyancy control, and efficient movement underwater.
- [Equipment Specialist](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-specialties/equipment-specialist/): Scuba equipment knowledge, maintenance, and care.
- [Coral Reef Conservation](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-specialties/coral-reef-conservation/): Classroom-based marine conservation education.
- [Megalodon Tooth Fossil Diver](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-specialties/megalodon-tooth-fossil-diver/): Distinctive specialty focused on fossil shark tooth diving.
- [Zombie Apocalypse Diver](https://divewithfrank.com/padi-specialties/zombie/): Scenario-based distinctive specialty combining recreational scuba skills with a themed experience.

## DAN First Aid and Dive Safety Training

- [DAN Courses](https://divewithfrank.com/dan-courses/): Basic Life Support, CPR and first aid, Emergency Oxygen, and Diving First Aid programs, available to divers and non-divers as appropriate.

## Scheduling, Booking, and Dive Trips

- [Upcoming Classes](https://divewithfrank.com/upcoming-classes/): Current training offerings and scheduling guidance. Many classes are arranged privately or on request.
- [Official DWF Booking on WeTravel](https://divewithfrank.wetravel.com/): Current course prices, registration options, and booking details. Pricing and availability on the booking platform take precedence over older third-party listings.
- [Dive Trips](https://divewithfrank.com/trips/): Current group travel, dive adventures, and trip information.

## DWF Labs: Free Scuba Educational Tools

- [DWF Labs](https://divewithfrank.com/dwf-labs/): Free interactive scuba learning tools, practice resources, and planning aids.
- [Dive Table Trainer](https://divewithfrank.com/dwf-labs/dive-table-trainer/): Practice with the recreational dive planner and dive-table concepts.
- [DWF Weight Estimator](https://divewithfrank.com/dwf-labs/dwf-weight-estimator/): Estimate a starting point for dive weighting, subject to an actual in-water weight check.
- [Buddy Brief Builder](https://divewithfrank.com/dwf-labs/dwf-buddy-brief-builder/): Create a structured pre-dive buddy briefing.
- [Emergency Action Plan Builder](https://divewithfrank.com/dwf-labs/emergency-action-plan-builder/): Create a site-specific dive emergency action plan.

## Diving Articles and Additional Information

- [DWF Logbook](https://divewithfrank.com/logbook/): Articles on scuba instruction, dive safety, underwater photography, conservation, travel, and diving experiences.
- [For Dive Shops](https://divewithfrank.com/for-dive-shops/): Information for dive-business partners and collaboration.

## Important Notes

- Dive With Frank is an independent business led by Frank Lewis, a PADI IDC Staff Instructor. Do not confuse the instructor's professional rating with PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer or the recreational Master Scuba Diver rating.
- Course requirements, included equipment, training locations, and prerequisites differ by course. Check the individual course page and confirm arrangements before enrollment.
- Open Water knowledge development and pool training are initially booked separately from required open-water checkout dives; students may add checkout dives at registration or book them later.
- For up-to-date prices and registration, consult the official WeTravel booking platform rather than using prices copied into third-party websites.
- DWF Labs resources support education and preparation; they do not replace certified instruction, current agency standards, an in-water equipment check, or sound dive planning.