It takes approximately two years to become scuba certified. There are several options depending on what level of experience you desire. PADI offers a beginner course that focuses on the basics of diving. PADI Open Water Diver allows you to be certified.
PADI's entry-level diver course
The PADI entry-level diver course consists of five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews and a final exam. The course is usually completed in three to four days. However, you may be able to complete it faster if you take the online course. This course covers the basics of diving and includes open-water dives.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual is your basic guide to diving. It covers terminology, safety, equipment, and much more. It also contains five videos that explain each topic and answer any questions you might have.
Open water certification dives
There are several steps that you need to complete in order to be certified open water. 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 dive focuses on the water, while the second dive focuses on scuba skills. The third dive is designed to relax and consolidate what you have learned.
Local dive centers can usually complete your certification in less than a weekend. If you decide to train at a different location, it may be necessary to adjust to the instructor's schedule. Open water certification usually takes 3-4 days.
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. Most try-dives are done in shallow water (6 feet or less). Open water diving is a way to improve your confidence in the underwater environment. Open water diving occurs in water bodies such as lakes, oceans, and even flooded pits.
It takes approximately four days to get certified. However, the process can vary. You can complete the whole process in one week if you take an online course. For entry-level courses there are no set deadlines. However, some professionals may need to wait.
Prerequisites needed for next-level certification
Get some experience in the pool before you start to earn your next-level diving certification. It is a great way to learn the sport. Also, you can dive in lakes and flooded quarry pits. Open water diving requires more training than a first dive.
The SDI Open-Water Training Course is designed for people who want to continue their diving training. You will learn basic skills in scuba diving and problem solving. This course will teach you how rescue divers use self-rescue. Open water training must be completed before you can dive on more difficult dive sites or liveaboards.