what does a padi open water course involve

Full Answer

How to pass the PADI Open Water Diver course?

You'll have loads of fun and adventure on the way as you cover three main course components:

• Knowledge Development to understand basic principles of scuba diving.
• Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills.
• Open Water Dives to use your skills and explore.

How to get PADI certified?

What You’ll Have to do to Get Scuba Certified?

• Coursework. You’ll also have to complete coursework, including reading, watching videos and taking tests. ...
• Scuba Diver Skills. Next, you’ll complete the skills needed to get your PADI scuba diver certification in a closed environment like a pool.
• Open Water Diving Skills. Next, you’ll complete four dives to get your PADI open water diver certification. ...

How to get your PADI open water scuba diving certification?

There are some important factors to consider when choosing where to get your certification:

• PADI 5 Star Dive Center: PADI is the world’s leading scuba diving training organization so you’ll want to find a 5 Star rated dive center. ...
• The Quality and Care of Dive Equipment: Always put your safety first. ...
• Well-Organized Dives: Getting certified should be fun! ...

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What are the Padi certification levels?

WHAT ARE THE LEVELS OF PADI CERTIFICATION?

• The PADI flowchart. This flow chart shows all of the available levels of PADI certification… there's sooooo many! ...
• Recreational levels of PADI certification. Where to start? Aaaah yes… right at the beginning! ...
• Pro levels of PADI certification. YAY, you're considering making your passion into your job. Let me tell you, you won't look back. ...

What is involved in PADI Open Water?

There are four components to the PADI Open Water Diver course: theory, confined water work, waterskills asessement, and open water dives. The PADI Open Water Diver course normally takes 3-5 days to complete. This course certifies you to dive to a maximum depth of 18 m/60 feet.

How difficult is PADI Open Water?

So, to answer the question, "Is the PADI Open Water certification hard?", the answer is that realistically, it is not hard at all. The average person can easily learn to dive but on the way, they will have to address psychological issues.

How long does it take to do PADI Open Water?

PADI Open Water You can typically gain your Open Water qualification in three to four days. This course involves elements of theoretical study, practice dives in a pool or pool-like environment, and four dives in open water.

What can PADI Open Water Divers do?

PADI Open Water Diver is the first scuba certification level and allows you to:Obtain air fills.Rent dive equipment.Dive on your own with a buddy up to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet.Book boat dives.Take additional classes, such as underwater photography and videography.More items...•

How many questions is the PADI Open Water exam?

50 questionsThe quizzes have 10 questions each and the PADI Open Water Exam has 50 questions.

How many questions is the PADI exam?

The PADI Open Water Diver (OWD) final exam consists of 50 questions, so we have included these practice questions (and answers) to help you study for this test.

How long is the PADI written exam?

90 minsWritten Exams Standards and Procedures – An open book exam with 50 multiple choice questions. You can use your instructor manual and guide to teaching to find the answers. You have 90 mins. The pass mark is 75%.

How much is an open water PADI course?

PADI Open Water Completion: Cost: £300.00 or £395.00 if you by the same token completed the referral section with another dive school.

Is scuba certification hard?

Is it hard to learn to scuba dive? As active recreational pastimes go, scuba diving is one of the easiest to learn. While you're gliding around enjoying the underwater sights, you're engaged in only three basic skills: floating, kicking and breathing.

What happens if you fail your PADI exam?

All PADI courses comprise the following: Knowledge development: theory work to help you understand the basic principles of scuba diving. This is reviewed in a final test in which you must score 75% or higher. If you fail, you can retake the test.

What happens at first Open Water dive?

The first session is all about getting used to the SCUBA equipment, taking your first breath, getting in and out the water, remaining calm, buoyancy setting a foundation that many more tasks are slowly built upon with each objective met.

Can you night dive with Open Water?

Can Open Water Divers night dive? Yes, but proper training will make your first night dive more enjoyable. You'll learn how to navigate in the dark, where the most interesting creatures hang out, and gain night diving tips from your instructor.

How long does it take to swim in PADI Open Water Diver?

You will complete a 200 meter swim and a 10 minute survival float early in your course, as well as practice skin diving skills.

How many chapters are there in the PADI Open Water Diver Manual?

There are five chapters in the PADI Open Water Diver manual, with five Knowledge Reviews (one per chapter), four quizzes and one final exam. You will watch the PADI Open Water Diver video during your course, which works in conjunction with the PADI Open Water Diver manual. Everything in the PADI Open Water Diver course is about reinforcement - the video reinforces the knowledge you learn in the manual, which is reinforced by the Knowledge Reviews, which is reinforced by the quizzes, which is reinforced by the final exam. We like to spread the theory out so that your in-water work will then reinforce everything you learn in theory.

Why is the PADI Open Water Diver course taught the same way?

​The PADI Open Water Diver Course is taught the same way all around the world because of the PADI Standards. This means that to be able to get a PADI Certification you need to meet the PADI performance requirements of the PADI Open Water Course that is standardised for any PADI Dive Centre, PADI Dive Instructor or PADI Divemaster worldwide.

How many dives do you need to do in a PADI Open Water Diver course?

During the PADI Open Water Diver course you need to complete 4 open water dives. This can be done in a lake, sea or ocean.

What is the most popular scuba diving course in the world?

The PADI Open Water is by far the most popular scuba diving course in the world. During the PADI Open Water you learn all the necessary skills and knowledge to scuba dive around the world safely.

How long does it take to get a PADI diver certification?

In some places the PADI Open Water Diver Course can take between 2 to 10 weeks, while in other places it can be as short as 3 days. Some people say that taking a shorter PADI Open Water course is bad for quality, but that is not always true.

What is confined water?

What is confined water? Is that a pool? This is a very common question. Confined water is a general term that refers to either a swimming pool or confined open water. Confined open water is an open water site that offers swimming pool-like conditions with respect to clarity, calmness and depth. It has both shallow water and water sufficiently deep to allow student divers to meet all skill performance requirements.

Is PADI open water good for life?

The PADI Open Water certification is good for life! That means that when you get your PADI Open Water certification card you can enjoy scuba diving for the rest of your life, worldwide. What is important to remember, though, is that any skills you learn can sometimes fade over time.

Can you dive in cold water?

But if you dive in colder water, we highly recommend thicker wetsuits or even a good dry suit.

What score do you need to take the PADI test?

This is reviewed in a final test in which you must score 75% or higher . If you fail, you can retake the test. See ‘PADI test questions’ below for more.

How to choose a dive course?

In choosing a course, firstly, make sure your dive centre is certified by PADI . There are centres all over the world that advertise the PADI Open Water Diver course but which aren’t actually certified. They will happily take your money and while you probably will learn to dive, you won’t be certified. Secondly, if you’re a nervous diver, try ...

What is the difference between dive 1 and dive 4?

Dive 1 will orientate you , get you comfortable with the scuba gear and test a few of the above skills. Dives 2 and 3 will rigorously test the above skills while Dive 4 is usually a more relaxed affair allowing you to use and enjoy your newly developed skills.

What is confined water diving?

Confined water dives: this is usually done in a pool or shallow water in the sea with the aim of teaching you basic scuba skills. See ‘PADI confined water tests’ below for more. Open water dives: you must complete four open water dives in which you demonstrate your skills. See ‘PADI open water tests’ below for more.

How to recognize hand signals underwater?

Recognise and respond to hand signals underwater. Clear a partially flooded mask. Clear a fully flooded mask. Remove mask and breathe for one minute while stationary, replace and clear mask. Remove mask and swim for at least 15 metres, replace and clear mask.

How many yards do you need to swim in PADI?

Your PADI Instructor will assess this by having you: Swim 200 metres/yards (or 300 metres/yards in mask, fins and snorkel). There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want.

How old do you have to be to become a PADI diver?

The minimum age is 10 years old (in most areas). Student divers who are younger than 15 earn the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification, which they may upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver certification upon reaching 15. Children under the age of 13 require parent or guardian permission to register for PADI eLearning.

What are the phases of scuba certification?

Scuba certification includes three phases: 1. Knowledge Development. During the first phase of your scuba lessons, you'll learn the basic principles of scuba diving such as. What to consider when planning dives. How to choose the right scuba gear for you. Underwater signals and other diving procedures.

What are the problems that divers face?

Sunburn, seasickness and dehydration, all of which are preventable, are the most common problems divers face. Injuries caused by marine life, such as scrapes and stings, do occur, but these can be avoided by wearing an exposure suit, staying off the bottom and watching where you put your hands and feet.

How long can you swim without stopping?

Swim 200 metres/yards (or 300 metres/yards in mask, fins and snorkel) without stopping. There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want. Float and tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods you want.

Where do you learn scuba?

You'll develop basic scuba skills in a pool or in confined water – a body of water with pool-like conditions, such as off a calm beach. The basic scuba skills you learn during your certification course will help you become familiar with your scuba gear and become an underwater explorer.

Is it expensive to scuba dive?

Compared with other popular adventure sports and outdoor activities, learning to scuba dive isn’t expensive. For example, you can expect to pay about the same as you would for: a full day of surfing lessons. a weekend of rock climbing lessons. a weekend of kayaking lessons. a weekend of fly-fishing lessons.

What is the PADI Advanced Open Water Course?

The PADI Advanced Open Water course consists of five dives, which are typically completed over two to three days. Two dives (deep and navigation) are required. The other three dives are up to you and your instructor to decide. These can be done consecutively or spread out at different times and/or locations.

Why choose to do the Advanced Open Water Course?

Here is Richard showing off his epic buoyancy control after finishing his Advanced Open Water course.

What are the pre-requisites of the Advanced Open Water Course?

To begin the PADI Advanced Open Water course, you must already have your Open Water certification. You can do the PADI Advanced Open Water course immediately following the PADI Open Water course or you can start later.

How to get the most out of your Advanced Open Water Course

If you are interested in doing the PADI Advanced Open Water course, my bet is that you like diving. This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn as much as you can about the different types of diving and discover what it is you can do to increase your skills above and under the water.

The Five-Dive Course breakdown

The order in which you do the five adventure dives is very dependent on the dive center you choose, their dive schedule and the conditions for each dive site. Remember, you have two required dives and three elective dives. I will break them all down here.

PADI Specialties

Here is an extensive list of PADI Specialties. Availability is dependent on the dive center and area you choose. So, if you are particularly interested in one of these specialties, make sure you research where you may be able to do that dive.

How to choose which elective dives you want to do

The dives recommended for your PADI Advanced Open Water course depends on the area you are diving in. For example, you would not do a wreck dive if there were no wrecks in the area. Some dive centers have the three optional dives already planned out for you, as they may only be able to offer those three. Other places may be more flexible.

1. Build on and Practice the Skills You Learned in the Open Water Diver Course

The first thing to address, and dispel, is the myth that you need to be advanced or have advanced skills to take the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course.

2. Develop New Skills

The five dives required to become a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver include two compulsory dives: an Underwater Navigation dive and a Deep Dive (up to 30meters/100feet) as well as three other dives of your choosing.

3. Improve Your Air Consumption Rates

Many new divers will find that after their Open Water course they are using their air faster than more experienced divers. The Advanced dives (particularly the Peak Performance Buoyancy dive) go a long way toward solving this problem.

4. Discover New Marine Life

Marine life is the main reason most divers learn, and continue, to dive. There are multiple options within the Advanced Open Water Diver Course to increase your opportunities to see a wider range of marine life.

5. Discover New Places and Travel Opportunities

Your PADI Advanced Open Water certification card is literally your passport to a world of diving adventures. You’ll no longer be limited to areas that are considered suitable for Open Water Divers (although you can still explore those, too!). You’ll be able to explore new areas that offer deeper dive sites, drifts and different conditions.

6. Build Confidence Underwater (and on Land)

By completing a further five dives under the guidance of a PADI Instructor, your confidence underwater, and your confidence in your abilities underwater, will grow exponentially.

What are the parts of a PADI Open Water Diver course?

Parts of the course: The PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main portions: Knowledge Development, Confined Water Dives, and Open Water Dives. You can either complete your knowledge development online with PADI eLearning (desktop, mobile, or tablet) or in a classroom.

What is an open water diver?

In summary, Open Water Diver is an entry into the world of scuba; it teaches you the essential knowledge and practical skills to become a diver and start exploring the underwater world. Advanced Open Water Diver is a great way to continue that scuba journey; you’ll discover new interests and develop your abilities to get even more out of your time beneath the surface.

What is an adventure dive?

An Adventure Dive concentrates on a particular activity or skill within the realm of scuba – it is the first dive of a Specialty Diver course. While you’re doing your Advanced Open Water dives, you’ll be accompanied by a PADI Professional. They are there to answer questions and help you fine-tune your technique and learn new skills.

How far can I dive in a scuba dive?

After completing the course, you will be able to dive down to 18 metres (60 feet) and hold a certification that’s recognised worldwide. TAKE THE PADI OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE.