An introductory course can be a great way to get started if you are keen to dive but not sure where you should start. Also known as a buceo (or baptism of water), this course is a great choice for those with little or no experience and those who are short on time. To begin diving at 12 metres or more, you'll need to be accompanied by a professional instructor. If you want to take more classes, you can upgrade your certification to Rescue or Advanced open water.
PADI Scuba Diver
There are many PADI Scuba Diver levels. If you are just starting out, you can begin with the introductory course. After achieving certain levels of competency, you can progress to a higher degree. The PADI Scuba Diver course consists of 14 modules, which are broken into three sections. The course takes three days to complete, but you can also upgrade the course in as little at 1/1.5 days. This course is very popular and allows you to dive up to 18 metres.
Advanced Open Water Diver
Open water divers who have completed the Open Water Diver Course have an AOW certification. AOW divers are able to dive at deeper depths than the recommended 60 feet. They can also improve their buoyancy and air consumption. Open water divers with advanced skills can do specialty dives like wreck diving. There are several levels of AOW certificates. Below are the differences among these levels. Continue reading to learn more about the different levels.
Rescue diver
There are three levels to your Rescue Diver certificate: the technical, recreational, and the dive leader. International Standards Organisation, (ISO), establishes the standards. The levels of this training are based on BS EN 14413-2:2004 and ISO 24801-1:2004, respectively. Instructors who are level-one can instruct recreational divers and assess their knowledge to the level of a diver. They also have the ability to plan and conduct dives. They are also certified to instruct rescue and lead other divers in open sea.
Cave-1 class
The minimum amount of experience required to become a cave diver certified instructor is 40 hours. This course covers the basics of cave diving, standard procedures, emergency procedures, as well as information about the dangers and challenges that the environment presents. The cave course consists of two parts. One is academic and the other is water-based. Students are evaluated on their skills. The students must pass a quiz, take an exam, and prove their skill and proficiency. Students will need to read and complete a cave diving manual.
Master Scuba Diver
Master Scuba Diver certification comes in five levels. The first level is the Open Water dive, which is where you learn how to dive, and manage yourself and your scuba gear. You can choose electives from the next two levels. Master Scuba Divers have the option to dive alongside other divers, provided they are also certified. The Master Scuba Diver level comes with a 10% discount for the five courses.