Let’s be honest, you have given this a lot of thought.
You have spent time daydreaming about what it would be like to swim among the fish, drawing in a breath under the water and not having to pinch yourself to check if you’re dreaming.
The thought may bring you overwhelming excitement, it might even make you a little nervous.
We are here to say that’s perfectly okay! Scuba diving is a sport unlike any other.
You transform into an aquatic animal, even if it’s only for 30-50 minute intervals.
We are also here to tell you, it’s as simple as remembering to breathe.
If you’re on the fence about trying scuba diving here is the run-down on how to start.
Sometimes you just need to know all the information before taking the plunge, literally.
The Organization: PADI
PADI is the certification agency we use to certify our divers from Open Water all the way through to Course Director, the highest level of the PADI Professional series.
PADI is the largest and leading scuba diving certification agency in the world, making it possible for you to dive in any country in the world.
They are known for holding all their instructors and students to the highest possible standards.
Their philosophy hinges on the “Four E’s”: Education, Experience, Equipment, and Environmental conservation.
To become a certified scuba diver, PADI requires the student to be 10 years of age or older and a completed medical release waiver.
If the student answers “yes” to any questions, they will be required to obtain a sign off from a physician.
What’s Included?
Here at DXDIVERS, the cost of the course covers instruction, 2 boat trips (4 dives) off the Lady Go Diver, Aqua Lung rental gear (BCD, regulator, dive computer, wetsuit and tanks), and a lifelong certification as a scuba diver with the ability to dive up to 60 feet, if over the age of 15.
Divers between the ages of 10 to 14 are considered Junior Open Water divers.
Those between 10-11 years of age are required to dive with a certified parent/guardian or PADI professional up to 40 feet, while divers aged 12-14 years are required to dive with a certified adult and not exceeding 60 feet.
Overall, maximum depth for PADI Open Water divers is 60 feet.
The Process
The first step on your journey to becoming a certified scuba diver is to purchase your PADI eLearning and begin the self-study process.
eLearning is an online class that will get you acquainted with theories and physics behind scuba diving.
Be sure to pay attention as you will have to complete knowledge reviews, a final exam, and you will go over the material briefly with an instructor.
Once completed, call the shop to schedule your pool session. If you haven’t already, you will then purchase the course for $399.
While awaiting your pool session, you must get your personal equipment that is required for the course: mask, snorkel, fins, booties, weights, surface marker buoy, finger spool, safety whistle, and logbook.
Please visit our shop, DXDIVERS, for a personalized shopping experience to find gear that properly fits you.
Depending on your time frame, the student can expect to complete the confined water pool sessions, known as modules 1-5, within a day, or 4-6 hours.
The pool sessions can also be broken up into two parts as modules 1-3 and modules 4-5.
Ultimately, we try to work around your schedule.
Once the pool sessions are completed to the satisfaction of the instructor, the class rounds off with 4 total dives, 2 boat trips in the ocean.
Each boat trip is a 2-tank dive and generally 4 hours in length.
Typically, we break these dives up into a 2-week timeframe but that can be changed to accommodate your schedule as well.
Once all dives and benchmark skills are completed according to PADI standards, the student will become a certified PADI Open Water Diver.
Who teaches the courses?
We have several PADI instructors on staff here at DXDIVERS.
Our PADI Open Water instructors are well-trained and equipped to answer any questions or reservations you may have before, during, and after your course.
Our instructors teach students to be self-sufficient, so each student can leave the course feeling comfortable diving on our boat or any other dive boat.
Keep in mind, if after taking the course you still feel like you would like some guidance or someone with more experience near you, we do offer a guided dive service.
Just call the store to schedule a guide before your trip and we will make sure one of our professionals can take you out and make sure you have an amazing and safe dive!
What You Need
Just to reiterate all that you will need for the course:
- PADI eLearning
- Purchase the course
- Personal and safety gear: mask, snorkel, fins, booties, weights, surface marker buoy, finger spool, safety whistle, and logbook.
Recap
And there you have it!
This comprehensive guide tells you everything you need to know about the PADI Open Water course here at DXDIVERS.
Remember, you’re earning a lifelong certification.
However, if there ends up being a period in between dives of up to a year or longer, don’t fret.
You will not have to retake the course, rather just take a PADI Reactivate course, which is a much more condensed version, more like a rundown of the Open Water course.
PADI Reactivate includes a short pool session and couple dives in the ocean to ensure your skills are up to par and more importantly to maintain safety.
Please feel free to comment with any questions you may have. Grab a buddy and let’s go diving!
Now when you get certified with us, get a free trip on the Lady Go Diver - a $75 value!
View Open Water FAQs Here