SCUBA Beginners' Courses
PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver
This course is aimed at the complete beginner and can be completed at 2 levels: Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver.
Scuba Diver completes a part of the Open Water course and will only allow the diver to dive with a PADI Instructor.
The full Open Water Diver certification allows you to dive anywhere in the world in conditions similar or better to those that you have already experienced, with a dive buddy of a similar or better qualification. It also allows you to rent or buy scuba equipment.
The Open Water course comprises 3 main elements:
- A Knowledge Development section
- at least five Confined Water (Pool) training sessions
- at least four Open Water dives.
You need to be able to swim well enough to be able to complete a 200 metre swim and a 10 minute float.
Knowledge Development
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Students getting to grips with the recreational dive planner. |
This can be completed in one of two ways:
- Self-study option
In the self study option you will be given small sections to study in your own time, with a knowledge review at the end of each section. Your instructor will then use prescriptive teaching aids to cover any areas in which you need a bit more help. This method is very popular as it allows the student to learn at their own pace whilst ensuring that all of necessary elements are learnt.
- Classroom Option
In the classroom option you will be taught all of the necessary elements by your instructor with a knowledge review at the end of each session.
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Students carrying out a pre-dive safety check. |
The five dives in the confined water training teach you and allow you to practice and perfect all of the basic skills you will need. These include elements like regulator recovery and clearing, mask clearing and buoyancy control. For students completing their Open Water dives in the UK or other cold water environment there is a sixth Dry Suit training section.
Open Water Training
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The pre-dive Buddy Check before the first open water dive. Capernwray Dive Centre |
The four dives in this section consolidate the skills that you learnt in the Confined Water training. Probably the most satisfying part of the course, you will get to enjoy the freedom of diving whilst under the supervision of your instructor. Each dive involves a skill section, followed by a fun tour section. On successful completion of dive four you will be an Open Water diver!
Open Water Referral
Maybe you have the holiday of a lifetime booked and want to complete your open water dives in warmer waters! The referral completes the theory and pool sections of the Open Water Diver course. You will then be ready to complete your four open water qualifying dives. This can be done with us here in the UK, on one of our Red Sea Trips or at any PADI dive centre while on holiday.
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