Are you curious about the time it takes to become certified as a diver? There are several options that you can choose from depending on your experience. PADI offers a beginner course which teaches you the basics of diving. PADI Open Water Divers allows you to become certified.
PADI's entry-level diver course
The PADI entry-level diver course consists of five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews and a final exam. The entire course takes approximately three to four hours. However, you can do it online. This course covers the basics of diving and includes open-water dives.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual - This manual will teach you the basics of diving. It contains information about equipment, terminology, safety protocols, and other important topics. It also contains five videos that explain each topic and answer any questions you might have.
Open water certification dives
There are several steps that you need to complete in order to be certified open water. Your training is the first step. You will spend several sessions in the pool or a shallow area before you begin your open water diving. During these sessions you will redemonstrate your skills in the water. The orientation dive is the first, and the scuba skills dive is second. The third dive is designed to relax and consolidate what you have learned.
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. Generally, it takes three to four days to get open water certified.
Next-level certification dives
Beginning scuba divers can start out with some pool-side practice dives before moving onto the next level. Most try-dives are done in shallow water (6 feet or less). Open water diving requires you to be more confident in all aspects of the aquatic environment, from navigating the waters to staying safe. Open water diving occurs in water bodies such as lakes, oceans, and even flooded pits.
The time it takes to get certified varies, but usually takes about four days. An online course can take you through the entire process in less than a week. Online courses do not have a set deadline, although waiting periods might be necessary for professional ranks.
Prerequisites to next-level certification
You should get some water experience before you can get your next-level certification. You can start by taking a few dives in a pool to get familiar with the sport. You can also dive in lakes or flooded quarry pits. Open water diving requires more experience than a try-dive.
The SDI open-water training course is designed for those who want to continue their scuba training. It will teach you basic scuba skills and problem-solving skills. You will learn how to self-rescue, which is a technique used by rescue divers. Open water training is required for divers who wish to dive at more difficult sites and liveaboards.