PADI Open water diver course
The PADI Open Water Diver Course is aimed at anybody wanting to begin their scuba diving journey. It consists of a combination of theory, confined water (swimming pool) practice and open water dives in the ocean, lakes or somewhere similar depending upon your location.
Prerequisites
- 10 years old
- Completion of medical statement
Course Overview
You will be immersed into lots of new information on this beginner level scuba diving course. There is a lot of information to take in and it can become overwhelming.
Rest assured that the aim is to guide you through all aspects of the course at your pace while allowing you time to learn. Many people have questions around their anxiety about open water dives. You wont be rushed into this and you can take as long as you need to prepare for this.
Feel free to ask a question before your course if there is something that is not covered in this post.
Read on to get an idea of what to expect from your PADI Open Water Diver Course.
Dive Theory
As part of your course, in order to familiarize yourself with how scuba diving actually works in action and why we follow certain rules, you will complete E-Learning self study.
This is designed to give you a deeper understanding of what you are about to embark on. I will be available to coach you through this study either in person or via email/video call if we are not in the same location just yet.
On the E-Learning, you a guided through the hows and the whys of scuba diving with five Knowledge development chapters that prepare you for the next stage, the final exam.
To complete the theory portion of your course, you will complete a series of quizzes and then a final exam of fifty questions. This can all be done before you even touch a piece of dive gear, or can be done after your confined water sessions.
Confined Water Training
In this portion of the course, you will get a taste for scuba diving in a controlled and as the name suggests, a confined environment.
This is usually and in most cases preferably a swimming pool. Although sometimes if conditions are perfect, you can complete this section in a small bay or other suitable controlled body of water.
In order to progress to diving in open water, you must demonstrate the ability to master a number of skills that are essential to know as a scuba diver.
There are 24 core skills and lots of general good habits and practices you will go through in this section.
Many people would consider their confined water session the toughest part of the course and it can be an intensive day if you do it all in one. I would recommend taking two or three days to complete this if you have the time to get the most out of your course and be the best possible diver.
Open Water Training Dives
Once I am satisfied that you are competent enough to move onto the next stage, you will embark on four open water dives. These dives will slowly progress in depth and responsibility for you as the student.
Each dive will have a series of skills for you to complete. These skills will be the same ones that you have already mastered in confined water so you will be ready to take them on.
Both dives one and two will be to a depth of 12 Metres maximum (39 feet). You will then progress deeper on dives three and four to 18 Metres maximum (60 feet). This will be the depth that you are then qualified to dive to upon certification.
In order to receive PADI Open Water Diver Course certification, the main attributes that I am looking for in you is that you are competent in all of the necessary skills and have the ability to communicate calmly and efficiently with other divers you may be diving with.
You should also show a basic respect for the environment you are diving in and have a cautious and safety first attitude. No bravado allowed.
What Can I Do With This Certification?
Congratulations, you have passed your PADI Open Water Diver Course! Your open water diver card now gives you access to the first 18 Metres of the underwater world.
You can dive anywhere in the world using your certification and begin to build up your experience. I would personally recommend diving with a guide (i am available). Although you can in some areas, dive of your own accord with another certified diver.
You Are Responsible For Your Safety!
Once you have passed your PADI Open Water Diver Course, you are now classed as an autonomous diver in the eyes of the international organization for standardization (ISO). Let’s focus on the word ‘autonomous’ for a second. As an Open Water Diver you will be responsible for your diving activities going forward.
Although you may have a guide with you most of the time they are responsible for showing you the best areas of a particular dive site.
Your air supply, buddy contact and alertness to danger is still your job. I aim to leave you as a competent enough diver by the end of your course for you to make decisions for yourself based on keeping you and those around you safe.