It doesn't take long to become a certified scuba diver. There are a few different options, depending on the level of experience you want to achieve. PADI offers a beginner program that teaches the basics of diving. You can also get certified through the PADI Open Water Diver program.
PADI's entry-level diver course
PADI entry level diver course comprises five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews as well as a final test. The entire course takes approximately three to four hours. However, you can do it online. This course covers all aspects of diving, and also includes open-water dives.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual provides a guide to diving basics. It covers terminology, safety, equipment, and much more. Five videos are included to explain each topic and answer your questions.
Open water certification dives
Open water certification requires a few steps. Start by getting your training. Before you go open water diving, there will be several sessions in the swimming pool. During these sessions you will redemonstrate your skills in the water. The orientation dive is the first, and the scuba skills dive is second. The third dive is meant to relax, and the final dive is to consolidate everything that you have learned.
You can get your certification done in a weekend if you are a member of a local dive club. You may have to work around the instructor or dive center's schedule if you choose to do your training in a different place. Open water certification usually takes 3-4 days.
Next-level certification dives
An instructor can give a beginner scuba diver a few try-dives in a pool before moving on to the next level. Most of the time, try-dives take place in shallow water (less than 6 feet). Open water diving demands that you be more confident in all aspects. Open water diving occurs in water bodies such as lakes, oceans, and even flooded pits.
Although the time required to become certified varies depending on where you live, it usually takes around four days. If you take an online course, you can complete the entire process within a week or two. You don't have to meet any deadlines for entry-level classes, but some professionals might need to wait.
Prerequisites for next-level certification
First, get some experience in the water before you apply for your next-level scuba certification. To get a feel for the sport, you can try scuba diving in a pool. Divers can also take to the water in lakes or flooded pits. Open water diving requires more than just a test-dive.
For those who want to further their scuba training, the SDI open-water course is ideal. This course will help you to master basic scuba skills as well as problem-solving skills. It will also show you how to perform self-rescues, which are used by rescue divers. Open water training is a prerequisite for many liveaboards and more challenging dive sites.