Are you curious about the time it takes to become certified as a diver? There are many options available depending on your level of experience. PADI offers a beginner class that teaches the fundamentals of diving. The PADI Open Water Diver certification program is also available.
PADI's entry-level diver course
The PADI entry-level diver course consists of five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews and a final exam. Although it takes three to four working days, the majority of the course can be completed within three to five days. You can also take the online version. This course covers all aspects of diving, and also includes open-water dives.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual provides a guide to diving basics. It includes information on proper equipment, terminology, safety procedures, and more. Five videos are included to explain each topic and answer your questions.
Open water certification dives
Open water certification requires a few steps. Get your training. You will be spending several sessions in the water or in a shallow area before you start open water diving. These sessions will be used to refresh your skills in the water. The orientation dive focuses on the water, while the second dive focuses on scuba skills. The third dive focuses on relaxation and consolidating all you have learnt.
A local dive center can help you complete your certification in just a few days. If you decide to train at a different location, it may be necessary to adjust to the instructor's schedule. It takes approximately three to four working days to become open water certified.
Next-level certification dives
For beginners, you can start by trying out a few dives at the pool. Then, you can move on to the next level. You can usually do try-dives in shallow water (less 6 feet). Open water diving is a way to improve your confidence in the underwater environment. Open water diving occurs in water bodies such as lakes, oceans, and even flooded pits.
While the actual time to become certified can vary, it typically takes four days. The entire process can be completed online in a matter of days or two if you are taking an online course. Online courses do not have a set deadline, although waiting periods might be necessary for professional ranks.
Prerequisites for next-level certification
First, get some experience in the water before you apply for your next-level scuba certification. You can start by taking a few dives in a pool to get familiar with the sport. Divers can also take to the water in lakes or flooded pits. Open water diving takes more practice than a "try-dive".
For those who want to further their scuba training, the SDI open-water course is ideal. This course will help you to master basic scuba skills as well as problem-solving skills. The course also teaches you how to do a self rescue, which is used by rescue divers. Open water training will be required to access many dive sites, including those with more difficult dives.