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PADI open Water Scuba Diver Course

PADI open water diver Course

During a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Open Water Scuba Diver course, participants learn the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for safe recreational scuba diving. Here’s what typically happens during the course:

 

eLearning: Participants begin with being sent their open water eLearning where they learn about diving theory, equipment, safety procedures, and dive planning. This includes watching videos, completing knowledge reviews and quizzes.

 

Confined Water Training: In a pool students will learn the essential scuba skills under the guidance of a certified instructor. They will practice tasks such as setting up equipment, buoyancy control, regulator recovery, mask clearing, and emergency procedures. This phase allows students to become comfortable with diving equipment and basic techniques in a controlled environment.

 

Open Water Dives: Students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom and confined water sessions during open water dives. These dives typically take place either Spring valley Lakes or West Wales. (weather depending). 

Under the supervision of an instructor, students will demonstrate their skills and gain experience diving in real-world conditions. 

Two divers sea diving

Skill Assessment: Throughout the course, students are evaluated on their mastery of diving skills and understanding of dive theory. They must demonstrate competence in skills such as buoyancy control, mask clearing, regulator recovery, and emergency procedures to pass the course.

 

Certification: Upon successful completion of the course requirements, including eLearning, confined water sessions, and open water dives, students receive a PADI Open Water Diver certification. This certification allows them to dive independently (with a buddy, adhering to dive limits and safety protocols) to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet) in conditions similar to or better than those in which they were trained.

Overall, the PADI Open Water course provides a comprehensive introduction to scuba diving, equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and certification necessary to explore the underwater world safely and responsibly

Course dates

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

PADI Open Water Diver Course Prerequisites :

  • Be 10 or more years old.
  • 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

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)

Continue your education

Upon course completion, you’ll be equipped to conduct open water dives anywhere in the world to a maximum depth of 18m.

To extend the adventure why not continue your education and enrol on one of our Advanced Open Water Courses.

pADI open water diver Course

Price £575

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This price includes:

 

  • PADI e-Learning Open Water Diver materials
  • Theory tuition & course instruction
  • PADI 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
  • transport / Accommodation
  • Food

Continue your education

Upon course completion, you’ll be equipped to conduct open water dives anywhere in the world to a maximum depth of 18m.

To extend the adventure why not continue your education and enrol on one of our Advanced Open Water Courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

The course price includes the following:

 

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

Before receiving your PADI 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 PADI 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 upgrade to a full PADI Open Water Diver certification. 

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 PADI 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 PADI 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 their dive buddies as safe as possible whilst enjoying the underwater world.

To enrol on the PADI 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 PADI 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 PADI 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 PADI 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 PADI 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.

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