You're not the only one wondering about how long it takes for a scuba certification. There are many options available depending on your level of experience. PADI offers a beginner program that teaches the basics of diving. PADI Open Water Diver allows you to be certified.
PADI's entry-level diver course
The PADI entry-level diver course consists of five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews and a final exam. You can complete the course in 3-4 days. If you prefer to take the online course, it may take less time. This course covers all aspects of diving, and also includes open-water dives.
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
You need to take a few steps before you can get your open water certification. First, you need to complete your training. Before you go open water diving, there will be several sessions in the swimming pool. These sessions will be used to refresh your skills in the water. The first dive is dedicated to orientation, while the second dive is devoted to scuba skills. The third dive is for relaxation, while the last dive is for consolidating everything you have learned.
If you have a local dive center, you can complete your certification within a weekend. If you decide to train at a different location, it may be necessary to adjust to the instructor's schedule. Open water certification usually takes 3-4 days.
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. Most try-dives are done in shallow water (6 feet or less). Open water diving requires that you are more confident in all aspects. Open water diving occurs in water bodies such as lakes, oceans, and even flooded pits.
It takes approximately four days to get certified. However, the process can vary. If you take an online course, you can complete the entire process within a week or two. Entry-level courses have no deadlines, but waiting periods may be necessary for professionals.
Prerequisites required for certification at the next level
Get some experience in the pool before you start to earn your next-level diving certification. A pool is a great place to start learning the sport. Also, you can dive in lakes and flooded quarry pits. Open water diving requires more training than a first dive.
The SDI Open-Water Training Course is designed for people who want to continue their diving training. You will learn basic skills in scuba diving and problem solving. It will also teach you how to perform a self-rescue, a technique used by rescue divers. Open water training can be a prerequisite to many liveaboards or more difficult dive sites.