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PADI Open Water Diver
PADI Open Water Diver is the first scuba certification level. A highly-trained PADI Instructor will teach you how to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment.
By the end of the course, you'll have the skills and knowledge to dive at home or abroad and be an ambassador for the underwater world.
About the Course
Learn How To
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Be a confident and skilled diver
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Assemble and use scuba gear
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Manage your buoyancy
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Respectfully approach marine life
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Handle common problems
Learn about scuba diving principles and terminology, then learn basic scuba skills in a pool with a highly trained PADI Instructor. When you're ready, make four dives in an open water environment with your instructor supporting you every step of the way.
Take This Course If You Want To
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Explore the other 70 percent of our planet
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Support ocean protection
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See things you've never seen before
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Learn from a scuba diving expert
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Hold the world's most recognised scuba certification
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How to Earn your Scuba Diving Certification
INDEPENDENT STUDY
1
PADI eLearning
PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Learn about scuba diving principles and terminology whenever, wherever it's convenient for you.
Study offline, or online using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor whenever you have a question.
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eLearning time commitment: 5-10 hours
AT THE POOL
2
With Your Instructor
During your orientation session you will get fitted with the very latest dive gear to use during your course, then in the pool to practice using scuba gear until you're comfortable. PADI training includes practice "mini dives" to help you build confidence in your new abilities.
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Prerequisites: Able to swim; medically fit for diving
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Time commitment: 1 day
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Minimum age: 10 years or older
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Depth: swimming pool up to 3m
AT OPEN WATER
3
With Your Instructor
You will spend two days at an open water dive site, putting into practice the skills you have mastered in the swimming pool, and exploring the exciting attractions and interesting life below the water.
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Time commitment: 2 days
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Total time commitment: 3 days
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Depth: expect shallow dives (12m), the maximum allowed depth is 18m
Start your journey and begin a lifetime of discovery
Join the UK's largest dive community
@oceanturtlediving
More info
Scuba diving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Chronic health conditions, certain medications and/or recent surgery may require you to get written approval from a physician before diving.
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Avoid disappointment, download and review the Diver Medical form to ensure you won’t need a physician’s approval to dive before enrolling in a scuba course. Instructors, divemasters and dive shop staff are not physicians and should not be asked for medical advice; only medical professionals can give medical clearance to dive.
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If you (or your physician) have questions about medical fitness to dive, contact the experts at Divers Alert Network (DAN).
Next Steps
