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Open Water Diver

PADI Open Water Diver is the first scuba certification level. A highly-trained PADI Instructor will teach you how to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment.

 

Open Water Diver is the entry level scuba certification, which allows you to rent gear and air cylinders in most locations around the world. It opens the door to unique underwater sites and experiences. It includes academic training (book; learning), confined water sessions held in the pool, and open water diving, usually conducted at Lake Phoenix Scuba Park. In contrast to many training facilities that require students to purchase ‘personal’ gear – diving mask, fins, neoprene boots, and snorkel – prior to beginning their training, we do not require the student to own any equipment prior to starting. We have ‘personal’ equipment available for student use during the confined water portion of training to rent for a small additional fee. We certainly encourage gear ownership, but recognize that individuals may wish to defer that purchase until they have a better ‘feel’ what best suits them.

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Generally, an Open Water Diver class is planned for two weekends of training in the pool and one weekend is spent completing the open water sessions. Because of our individualized approach, we work to accommodate students that may need more time and instruction to be fully comfortable, competent, and safe divers. We are able to accommodate student that have a non-traditional schedule and are unable to take the course on weekend days.

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If you have any questions about the Open Water Diver course, reach out and speak with one of our instructors who would be happy to talk you through the process. If you still are not sure this is for you, consider participating in a Discover Scuba Diving class to give it a try before you commit to a full Open Water Diver course.

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Skills you will learn: 

  • Be a confident and skilled diver

  • Assemble and use scuba gear

  • Manage your buoyancy

  • Respectfully approach marine life

  • Handle common problems

  • Remove and replace a scuba mask underwater

  • Use hand signals to communicate underwater

  • Plan a dive

  • And more!

Scuba Open Water Instruction

Prerequisites:

  • Ability to swim. You will be asked to do the following tasks:

    • Float or tread water without aids for 10 minutes​

    • Swim 200 metres/yards with no aids or 300 metres/yards with mask, fins and snorkel

  • At least 10 years old

  • Completed Diver Medical Form

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Course Requirements:

  • Knowledge Development - This can be either in the classroom with us (our preferred method), or through eLearning. There will be quizzes to complete after each section and a final exam at the end. Contact us to discuss what option works best for you.

  • Confined Water Dives - In our private dive pool, you will complete at least 5 "mini-dives" to work on various skills so you can be safe and comfortable prior to the Open Water Dives.

  • Open Water Dives - This course requires a minimum of 4 dives over at least 2 days. 

Cost: $750

     -- This cost includes in-classroom learning. If you prefer eLearning, there is an additional fee.

     -- This cost also includes use of scuba equipment (BCD, regulator, wetsuit), however does not include the rental of "personal" equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, boots).

     -- We recommend purchasing your own mask, snorkel, fins, and boots for the best comfort and fit, however they are available for rent for $25. If you do intend to purchase your own personal equipment, we recommend you speak to us first as certain types of equipment is not suited for scuba diving (for example, most snorkeling fins).

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