If you're wondering how long it takes to get scuba certified, you're not alone. There are a few different options, depending on the level of experience you want to achieve. PADI offers a beginner class that teaches the fundamentals of diving. You can also get certified through the PADI Open Water Diver program.
PADI's entry-level diver course
PADI entry-level divers course consists five chapters, 4 Knowledge Reviews and a Final Exam. Although it takes three to four working days, the majority of the course can be completed within three to five days. You can also take the online version. This course covers basic diving skills and includes open water dives.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual provides a guide to diving basics. It contains information about equipment, terminology, safety protocols, and other important topics. Five videos are included to explain each topic and answer your questions.
Open water certification dives
There are a few steps to getting open water certification. Get your training. Before you go open water diving, there will be several sessions in the swimming pool. You will also be able to demonstrate your skills in water during these sessions. The orientation portion of the first dive is focused on scuba skills, while that of the second is for orientation. The third dive is designed to relax and consolidate what you have learned.
You can get your certification done in a weekend if you are a member of a local dive club. To complete your training, however, you might need to adapt to the schedule of the instructor or dive centre if the location you chose is not available. Generally, it takes three to four days to get open water certified.
Next-level certification dives
For beginners, you can start by trying out a few dives at the pool. Then, you can move on to the next level. Try-dives are usually done in shallow water (under 6 feet). Open water diving is a way to improve your confidence in the underwater environment. Open water diving can be done in any body of water, including the ocean, lakes and even flooded quarry pits.
Although the time required to become certified varies depending on where you live, it usually takes around four days. An online course can take you through the entire process in less than a week. For entry-level courses there are no set deadlines. However, some professionals may need to wait.
Prerequisites needed 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. You can also go diving in lakes, or in flooded quarry 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. You will learn how to self-rescue, which is a technique used by rescue divers. Open water training is a prerequisite for many liveaboards and more challenging dive sites.