Scuba
Classes
Open Water Diver / Scuba Diver
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the first
step into the exciting underwater world. The course has three main parts.
Knowledge Development to
understand the basic principles of scuba diving
Confined Water Dives to learn
the basic scuba skills
Open Water Dives to review
your skills and explore!
The knowledge development portion of the class can be done online thru PADI eLearning, thru home study, and/or in a classroom. The confined water dives are done in a pool or similar environment with a certified PADI instructor. The open water dives are completed at local dive sites or at alternate dive locations of your choosing with a PADI instructor.
The Knowledge Development and Confined Water Dives (classroom & pool) can be done over two days when eLearning or home study are utilized. For those who choose home study it is important to view the PADI DVD, read your PADI Open Water Diver Manual, and complete the knowledge reviews before you go to class. Home study and eLearning allow you to learn at your own pace in a relaxed atmosphere. Be sure to call the store to schedule times for class and/or pool. Class sizes are limited.
You need to do four Open Water Dives to get certified as an Open Water Diver. You can do up to two dives per day. The open water dives are a practical test of the scuba skills you learned to do in the pool. Nothing new, you are just showing the instructor that you know how to do the skills you learned in the pool. Each open water dive has some time for FUN - a relaxing tour of the underwater world.
Swimming Skills - You do not need to be an Olympic swimmer to be a scuba diver but you do need to complete a 200 yard continuous swim (any stroke you want with no time limit) and a 10 minute float/tread in water too deep to stand up in.
Minimum Age - Students must be 10 years old or older (PADI eLearning requires a minimum age of 13 due to international internet laws). Students 10 to 15 years old will receive a Junior Open Water Diver certificate.
Junior Open Water Divers - Age 10 & 11 must dive with a parent, guardian, or PADI professional no deeper than 40 feet. Ages 12 to 14 must be accompanied by another certified diver who is of legal age.
Scuba Diver - The PADI Scuba Diver course is a subcourse within the Open Water Diver course. The student only completes the first 3 sections of knowledge development, 3 confined water dives, and open water dives 1 and 2. PADI Scuba Divers are trained to dive only under the direct supervision of a certified PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, or Instructor.
Equipment - You will need to provide your own snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, & snorkel). These are personal items that are individually fitted for you. We recommend that you purchase open heel fins for use with scuba diving boots if you plan on doing any cool water diving. We have a nice selection in the store. You will also need a swimsuit and towel for the pool. The rental of the rest of the equipment is included in the course fees for the confined water and open water dives. We do not provide exposure suits for the confined water dives. If you have one you would like to use or would like to rent one you sure can.
Paperwork - There is some paperwork that needs to be done before participating in a PADI scuba class. A Liability Release and Assumption of Risk Agreement, Medical Statement & Questionnaire, and Standard Safe Diving Practices Statement of Understanding should be read and signed before you attend class. IMPORTANT - if you answer any of the medical questions with a "YES" you will need to consult with a physician before doing any in water training. If you answer "NO" to all of the medical questions you only need to fill out the first page of the form. You can view these forms and/or download them by clicking on the buttons below (they are PDF files and require Adobe Reader or similar software to view). Paper copies are available at the store and are included in your classroom materials (PADI Student Record File).
Referrals - The PADI system of diver education is very flexible. It allows you to complete all of your training in one location or split it up between several locations or instructors. This means you can start your training (classroom & pool) close to home and finish it (open water dives) anywhere in the world. Visit http://www.padi.com for a list of training facilities worldwide. IMPORTANT - if you are planning a vacation to complete your open water dives make sure you call ahead and check out what they expect you to bring and how much it is going to cost. It may be cheaper to rent gear and take it with you.
Course Fees
Classroom & Pool - $249.00
includes PADI Open Water Diver Manual, multimedia DVD, eRDPML (electronic dive
planner), logbook, and all the equipment you need for the confined water dives
except for your mask, fins, & snorkel.
eLearning - $120.00
Access Passes available at the store or directly from PADI
Pool only - $129.00
includes all the equipment you need for the confined water dives except for your
mask, fins, & snorkel. If you signed up for eLearning with Dave's Dive
(PADI store # 21611) it also includes your eRDPML and log book. For those
who signed up for eLearning with another store there will be an additional
charge for your eRDPML and log book.
Open Water Dives - $195.00
includes certification processing fee and all the equipment you need to complete your 4 open water dives except
for your mask, fins, and snorkel.
Referrals - FREE
There is no charge for the referral paper work if you want to complete your open
water dives in a tropical or exotic location.
