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SDI open Water Diver Course

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SDI open water diver Course

Unlock the door to the underwater world with the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver certification, your first step into scuba diving freedom. Learn online at your pace, develop skills in the pool, and experience the thrill of open-water dives, as you earn a passport to dive the globe.

During the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course, you will gain knowledge and experience in:

 

 

  • Understanding the Aquatic Environment: Learn how vision, light, sound, and heat loss differ underwater and how tides, currents, waves, and surge affect diving.
  • Physics and Physiology: Grasp the principles of buoyancy, pressure, air spaces, and the implications of breathing compressed air.
  • Equipment Mastery: From selection and assembly to maintenance, learn how to handle dive gear responsibly.
  • Dive Planning and Safety: Develop the skills necessary for basic scuba skills, underwater navigation, buddy systems, emergency procedures, and basic rescue techniques.
Diving the bottom of the sea

SDI open water Diver Course description

Step 1

 

Get Smart: Master all of the important academic requirements online, at your own pace. All eLearning courses are accessible via desktop, mobile, and tablet devices, giving you the flexibility to complete this step wherever you choose!

Once you have completed the eLearning material we will have an on-line (or face to face) study session to go through the exam questions and a talk to extend your understanding and knowledge of scuba diving.

 

Step 2

 

Get Wet: Complete your in-water skill-development training in a controlled environment. This training takes place under the supervision of our professional SDI instructors at Ynysawdre Swimming Pool, Bridgend. You will need to attend four Monday evening sessions between 7pm and 9.30pm to complete all the skills necessary to move onto the open water training.

 

Step 3

 

Go Diving: The final step is to complete the 4 open-water training dives over 2 days. These dives will take place at Spring Valley Lakes, Neath, or West Wales; weather and conditions permitting.

Here you will apply the eLearning and pool session training to the open water under the supervision of our trained instructors.

Course dates

  • September - Full
  • October - 2 spaces
  • January - 4 Spaces
  • February - 4 Spaces
Booking Enquiry

SDI Open water Diver Course Prerequisites :

  • Minimum age to enrol is 10 years old, under 18’s need parental consent.
  • Be able to swim 200m (or 300 meters with mask, fins, and snorkel) There is no time limit.
  • Be able to tread water / float for 10 minutes
  • Complete a fit to dive medical. Downloadable PDF
  • Junior Open Water Scuba Course (10 – 14 years old with parental consent.)

Upon completion, you’ll be equipped to conduct open-water dives, continue your education, and join the ranks of certified recreational divers worldwide.

Course duration

Course beginning to completion is spread over one month:

 

  • eLearning to be done in your own time
  • Online / in person theory review (2-3 hours)
  • 4 pool sessions of 6 hours total in water time (Mondays 7 till 9.30)
  • 4 Open water dives over 2 days (3-5 hours)

SDI open water diver Course

Price £550

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This price includes:

 

  • SDI eLearning Open Water Diver materials
  • Theory tuition & course instruction
  • SDI eCertification
  • Full scuba kit hire
  • Air fills
  • 4 Pool sessions (6 hours min)
  • 4 Open water dives
  • Log book

Not Included:

 

  • Site entry to open water site
  • Transport / Accommodation
  • Food

Frequently Asked Questions

The course price includes the following:

 

  • SDI eLearning Open Water Diver materials
  • Theory tuition & course instruction
  • SDI eCertification
  • Full scuba kit hire
  • Air fills
  • 4 Pool sessions (6 hours min)
  • 4 Open water dives
  • Log book

Before receiving your SDI Open Water Diver certification, you will need to successfully complete a water skills assessment, which includes the following requirements.

 

  • Swim 200 meters/yards without stopping: You can use any swimming stroke you are comfortable with, and there is no time limit for this requirement. Alternatively, you have the option to swim 300 meters/yards continuously using a mask, fins, and snorkel.  
  • Float and tread water for 10 minutes: You will need to demonstrate your ability to stay at the surface of the water without using any swimming aids. You can use any method that allows you to comfortably remain afloat.  

The minimum age to participate in a PADI Junior Open Water Diver course is 10 years old.

 

  • For children aged 10-11: They can earn the Junior Open Water Diver certification, which allows them to dive to a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet). However, they must dive with a certified SDI Professional or a certified parent/guardian.
  • For teenagers aged 12-14: They can also achieve the Junior Open Water Diver certification and are allowed to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet). They may dive with any certified adult as their dive buddy. 
  • Once the student turns 15 years old they will need to upgrade to a full SDI Open Water Diver certification free of charge. 

It depends on the severity of the medical condition;

 

Unfortunately there are some medical conditions that would prevent you from taking part in scuba diving activities, but not all medical issues would stop you from pursuing scuba diving.

 

Before taking part in any scuba training you will be asked to complete a Medical Questionnaire.

If you answer ‘Yes’ to any of the listed conditions, you would need to take all three parts of the medical to your GP to get signed approval or alternatively go to a specific diving physician.

To gain the SDI Open Water Diver certification with DivExplore, it will take around a month.

 

  • We only offer high quality training with safety being our number one priority. 
  • Our aim is to give every student the knowledge, skills and confidence to dive safely with a high understanding of dive theory to keep them and there dive buddies as safe as possible whilst enjoying the under water world.

To enrol on the SDI Open Water Diver course you must:

 

  • Be at least 10 years old.
  • Be in good physical health and complete a fit to dive medical. Downloadable PDF
  • Demonstrate adequate swimming skills (swim 200m), and be able to float or tread water for 10 minutes. 
  • Be comfortable in water.

YES, absolutely! – There are 3 ways in which you are able to enjoy the vibrant under water world.

 

  • Contact Lenses: You are able to wear contacts during diving but be careful they don’t float away if your mask floods. During mask skills on the open water course you are able to close your eyes and the instructor will signal you once you have cleared your mask.
  • Prescription Dive Masks: Investing in a dive mask with prescription lenses that are specifically tailored to your vision needs is another excellent and reliable solution. This is the best option if you have astigmatism or a more complex prescription. This can also be an expensive option so be sure you will get use out of them; and try not to lose them.
  • Stick-on Magnifying Lenses: If your primary need for vision correction is for close-up viewing, such as reading your dive gauges, you can utilize stick-on magnifying lenses that can be easily applied to the inside of a standard dive mask.

 

Upon completion of the SDI Open Water Diver Course specific depth limits will apply depending on the age of the diver.

 

  • Aged 10 & 11 – Depth limit of 12 metres with either a parent/guardian or a Dive Professional.
  • Aged 12 to 14 – Depth limit of 18 metres with a certified adult diver.
  • Aged 15+ – Depth limit of 18 metres with another certified diver.

Your SDI certification will last a lifetime so once you’ve completed the course you’ll never have to do it again.

 

However, if you go a period of 6 months or longer without diving it is recommended that you take a refresher session with a dive professional. After long periods of diving inactivity your diving skills and knowledge can become rusty, so this is a great way to polish up on those potentially life saving skills.

Everyone forgets things when not done in a while, so best be safe.

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Give us a call on 07522 493132 Or email us at info@divexplore.co.uk