It doesn't take long to become a certified scuba diver. There are a few different options, depending on the level of experience you want to achieve. PADI offers a beginner class that teaches the fundamentals of diving. PADI Open Water Divers allows you to become certified.
PADI's entry-level diver course
PADI entry level diver course comprises five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews as well as a final test. It is generally completed over three to four days, though it can be faster if you can take the online course instead. This course teaches the basics of diving. It also covers open-water diving.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual is your basic guide to diving. This manual covers proper equipment, terminology and safety procedures. It also has five videos to help you understand each topic better and answer any queries.
Open water certification dives
There are several steps that you need to complete in order to be certified open water. Start by getting your training. You will spend several sessions in the pool or a shallow area before you begin your open water diving. These sessions will allow you to re-examine your diving skills. The orientation portion of the first dive is focused on scuba skills, while that of the second is for orientation. The third dive focuses on relaxation and consolidating all you have learnt.
Your certification can be completed in one weekend if your local dive center is available. To complete your training, however, you might need to adapt to the schedule of the instructor or dive centre if the location you chose is not available. Generally, it takes three to four days to get open water certified.
Next-level certification dives
An instructor can give a beginner scuba diver a few try-dives in a pool before moving 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 is performed in bodies of water such the ocean, lakes or even flooded quarry holes.
You can get certified in a few days, although it may take longer. If you take an online course, you can complete the entire process within a week or two. There are no pre-set deadlines for entry-level courses, though waiting periods can be required for some professional ranks.
Prerequisites needed for next-level certification
It is important to get some experience with scuba diving before you are able to obtain your next-level certification. It is a great way to learn the sport. Dive in lakes and flooded pits is also possible. Open water diving takes more practice than a "try-dive".
The SDI Open-Water Training Course is designed for people who want to continue their diving training. 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 is a prerequisite for many liveaboards and more challenging dive sites.