Dive with a buddy independent of supervision while applying the knowledge and skills learnt during the course, within the limits of their training and experience.Why PADI Open Water?
As a certified PADI Open Water Diver, the most widely recognized and respected
rating in the world, you have the freedom to dive with a buddy independent of
a professional to 18 meters if over 12 years old. If you already tried a PADI
Discover Scuba Diving experience or are PADI Scuba Diver certified, check with
your instructor to see how credit from these courses may apply to the open water
program.
Open Water Divers are qualified to ...
Dive with a buddy independent of supervision while applying the knowledge and skills learnt during the course, within the limits of their training and experience.What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the
water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification. If you are between 10
and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Open Water
Diver program available.
A PADI Jr Open Water Diver between the ages of 10 and 12 years may only dive with a PADI Professional, a certified parent or certified guardian to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet.
Like to try before booking a course, then why not enrol on one of our Discover Scuba sessions. We also offer a similar discovery session for 8 to 10 year olds with the PADI Bubblemaker program.
What will I do?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You earn this rating by completing five pool dives and knowledge development sessions and by making five open water dives.
Five Open Water Dives – Here at Adventure Divers we like to give you just that little bit more on your Open Water weekend by giving you a 5th dive, this not only makes it a full weekend but gives you just that little more experience and comfort for all your future diving. There is, also, the opportunity of an optional sixth dive on the same weekend.
If you would prefer to complete your Open Water Dives on holiday why not enrol on the Open Water Referral Course.
Alternatively why not enquire about qualifying on one of our many scheduled holidays, for groups we may be able to schedule a holiday to meet your requirements.
Course Structure
5 Knowledge Development Sections
The Knowledge Development
portion establishes a foundation of principles, procedures and general
information that divers need. There are five sections, each of which is normally
accomplished through independent study with the PADI Open Water Diver Manual and
Open Water Diver Video/DVD, or with the Open Water Diver
Multimedia CD-Rom. You then answer exercise questions within the reading,
complete a Knowledge Review for each section and finally you demonstrate mastery
of the materials by completing a short PADI Quiz after each of the first 4
sections and a Final Exam after the 5th section.
5 Confined Water Dives
Confined water training
serves two purposes. First, it establishes the basic skills that all divers need
(or may need in the unlikely event of a problem) in a low stress environment.
Second, it reinforces and supplements the Knowledge Development training by
having you practice and apply what you learn from reading the manual and
watching the videos. There are five Confined Water Dives that correspond to the
five Knowledge Development sections. Confined Water training is fun and
exciting, skills are introduced gradually, from simple to complex, so that you
build upon previous learning as you progress. The goal of Confined Water
training is to provide the skills base for making the transition to Open Water
Dives.
5 Open Water Dives
By combining and applying
what you have learnt in the Knowledge Development sections and the Confined
Water Dives, the Open Water Dives introduce you to the open water environment.
Although you will have already practiced the skills that you’ll be performing,
the presence of new variables and conditions makes the Open Water Dives the most
important part of the course. Besides
being a fantastic learning experience, this will also be your first real taste
of the adventure and excitement that diving offers. After you have completed
five Open Water Dives you will become a fully certified PADI Open Water
Diver, qualified to dive to a maximum depth of 18 metres.
Your Training
Our PADI Open Water courses usually run one evening a week over 5 weeks, with the qualifying open water dives taking places over a weekend. You can choose which evening and location is the most convenient:
Wednesday Evenings - Waltham Abbey Swimming Pool
Thursday Evenings - Walthamstow Track & Pool
Alternatively you can choose one of our more intensive courses, run over 2 weeks or 2 weekends. We also run executive and one-on-one courses.
If you don't fancy diving in the UK but would like to dive when you go on holiday, why not consider our PADI Open Water Referral program. With this course you will complete all of the Knowledge Development Sections and the Confined Water Dives here in the UK and then we will give you a referral form that is recognised at PADI Dive Centres throughout the world. When you arrive at your holiday destination you can complete the final Open Water Dives and earn your PADI Open Water Diver certification.
BCD, Regulators, Tank and Weights are all supplied. However,
you are required to purchase your own mask and snorkel before you start the
course and we recommend that you purchase your own fins, gloves and boots before
the Open Water Dives. This ensures a perfect
fit and greater comfort. In addition, you will also be supplied with your own
copy of the PADI Open Water Diver Manual and DVD or Video allowing you to study
at a time, pace and place that suits you. All of our classes are deliberately
small to ensure that you receive the maximum attention from your instructor
and less time waiting for your turn. The course starts with a full orientation
covering the important areas and requirements of your course. During each
Knowledge Development Section your instructor will review and expand upon the
information that you have read to ensure your in depth understanding.
Signing Up For The Course
If you wish to enrol on one of our PADI Open Water Courses please call or e-mail to check availability and start dates. You will be required to pay a deposit of £50, the balance being due before the course start date. At this time we would recommend that you start working through the PADI Open Water Diver Manual and DVD or Video to ensure that you are fully up to speed prior to the course commencing. When enrolling, you must also fill in and sign a Medical Statement to say that you are fit to dive, do not take regular prescription medication and that you do not suffer from conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes etc. If you answer yes to any of the questions on the Medical Statement you will be required to obtain a doctor's permission to dive. If you have any concerns regarding the Medical Statement you can preview this by downloading the form from the link below.>
What will I need?
A completed and signed PADI Medical Statement
PADI Open Water Crew-Pak
PADI Open Water Video or DVD
Log Book
Where can I go from here?
Continue the adventure with PADI’s Adventures in diving program, your
next step in exploring the underwater world.