The Open Water CourseEarns Your Scuba LicenseObtaining your PADI Open Water Diver certification is just the beginning. As a PADI certified diver, fabulous warm and cool water dive destinations (like here in British Columbia), exciting people, awesome adventures and uncommon tranquility await you. And as you continue your scuba diving adventures and gain experience through more PADI training courses, your opportunity to explore new worlds expands. In this PADI course, your PADI instructor takes you through the basics of learning how to scuba dive. You start in a pool or pool-like conditions and progress to the open water (ocean, lake, quarry, etc.), getting the necessary background knowledge along the way. Most PADI dive shops offer different options for completing this scuba diving course, including group sessions, semi-private and private lessons. While the cost increases as the number of student divers decreases, the benefit of fitting the lessons around your busy schedule is usually worth the extra money. Some shops still teach the knowledge component at their own facility as part of the course, while others offer the more flexible option of completing the knowledge development portion of this course online with PADI elearning. General Information About The Course• involves five confined water dives and four open water dives and five knowledge development sessions • prerequisites - good health, reasonable fitness and comfort level in the water • you’ll need: PADI Crew-Pak, PADI Video or DVD, and a log book (check to see what’s included in your PADI course fee) • Equipment you’ll use during the course includes: mask, fins, snorkel, tank, regulator, buoyancy compensator, submersible pressure gauge and exposure protection as required by the local environment (wet or dry suit) • Cost – usually around $300 - $400, more for semi-private or private lessons. Ensure you find a reputable dive shop and don’t just look for the cheapest price. Once you successfully complete this basic scuba diving course, you are able to enjoy entry level diving at scuba diving destinations around the world. By presenting your Certification Card, you can book charters, rent equipment, and get your air tanks filled at any PADI or NAUI certified dive shop. |