PADI - Open Water Diver
Learn about scuba diving principles and terminology, then learn basic scuba skills in a pool with one of our highly trained PADI Instructor. When you're ready, make four dives in an open water environment with our instructors will be supporting you every step of the way.
Course Type: Beginner
Availability: In Stock
About The PADI Open Water Diver Course
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular and recognised scuba diving certification. It has introduced millions of people from around the world to the adventurous diving lifestyle. Once qualified as an open water diver you will have a life-long open water certification that enables you to dive around the world to a maximum depth of 18m. 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.
While not an official scuba certification, the discover scuba trial dive is a great way to get used to being in the water before you take the plunge and sign up for the PADI Open Water Diver Course.
What Your Learn
You will 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
- Explore the other 70 percent of our planet
- Support ocean protection
- See things you've never seen before
- Learn from a scuba diving expert
- Hold the world's most recognised scuba certification
Learn How To
- Be a confident and skilled diver
- Assemble and use scuba gear
- Manage your buoyancy
- Respectfully approach marine life
- Handle common problems
Next Steps
Independant Study
Step 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.
- eLearning time commitment: 5-10 hours
At The Uk Diving Academy
Step 2 - With Your Instructor
Practice using scuba gear in a pool until you're comfortable. PADI training includes practice "mini dives" to help you build confidence in your new abilities before making four dives in open water.
- Prerequisites: Able to swim; medically fit for diving
- Total time commitment: 3-4 days
- Minimum age: 10 years or older
- Depth: expect shallow dives (12m/40ft), the maximum allowed depth is 18m/60ft
More Information
PADI Open Water Diver Course Prerequisites
The PADI Open Water Course prerequisites:
- Be able to swim, medically fit for diving, comfortable in the water
- Minimum age: 10
During the Open Water Diver Course, your instructor will ask you to:
- Float or tread water without aids for 10 minutes
- Swim 200 meters with no aids
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Divers certified between the ages of 10-14 earn a Junior Diver certification
Junior Open Water Divers automatically become Open Water Divers at age 15. Any replacement certification card or eCard purchased the day after the diver's 15th birthday will automatically show an Open Water Diver (not Jr. Open Water Diver) certification.
Children eight or older can try scuba diving in a pool. Ask us about a Bubblemaker experience. Children who are comfortable in the water can participate in the PADI Seal Team program, a more in-depth pool diving experience.
Course Medical Requirements
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.
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.
If you (or your physician) have questions about medical fitness to dive, contact the experts at Divers Alert Network (DAN).
The Scuba Gear You Will Use During Your Course
We will provide all your core scuba diving equipment during your course including:
- Buoyancy Device
- Regulator
- Scuba Cylinder
- Weight System & Weights
- Scuba Diving Computer
- Scuba Diving Fins
During your course, we will include rental of all of the above core dive gear items only. You will be required to collect your core dive gear prior to the open water training dives from us.
What's Included
- Course Tuition
- PADI eLearning
- Equipment hire
- Air Fills in the pool.
- PADI eCertification Card
Additional Costs
- Dive site entry from £15- £25 per day
- Transportation (for you and your equipment) - (we will do our best to arrange lifts if needed)
- Subsequent air fills on open water dives payable directly to site
After This Course
Experience new adventures with a PADI Instructor by your side. PADI continuing education courses like Advanced Open Water Diver and Enriched Air Diver will help you develop your skills as a diver. Learn more about PADI Specialty courses.
Not sure which specialty to try first? Try the Advanced Open Water Diver course, it's like a specialty sampler platter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need To Be Able To Swim?
To complete your scuba diving certification, you must swim 200 metres/219yards (or 300 metres/328 yards in mask, fins and snorkel) without stopping, and float/tread water for 10 minutes, using any swimming methods you want. There is no time limit.
