So, you are new to diving and interested in what it takes to become a certified Scuba Diver? The underwater world is a magical and alluring place.
Becoming a scuba diver is life-changing as you enter this new world. Diving can go from easy to challenging and everything in between. Here’s how it works and what you need to become a scuba diver.
People dive for various reasons, some of which are: the peace to be found underwater, love of nature and finding critters, photography and videography, the adventure side of the sport, pushing boundaries and furthering your skills, being outdoors, the feeling of freedom and being weightless, meeting interesting people, the break from everyday life and much more.
Firstly, you need to get certified
Scuba Diving can be a high-risk sport if you are not properly trained. Therefore, you can unfortunately not just slap on some gear and jump in, you need to become certified first.
To become certified, you need to enrol for a PADI Open Water Diver Certification or the equivalent thereof with other dive organizations. This course can be completed at any PADI Dive Centre, and your PADI certification is recognized worldwide.
This course is for you to understand the gear, learn the limits of diving, and the necessary skills for dive safety.
To be allowed to dive with any dive charter, you must be a certified diver and be able to present proof thereof. This is usually in the form of a certification card. Most of the main scuba organizations have mobile apps, which can also be used to show your level of certification.
Diver showing her scuba certification on the PADI app.
Not sure you’re ready?
If you are reluctant to commit to the Open Water Certification straight away because you may not be sure if you would like it, PADI offers a great Discover Scuba Diving experience.
This is not a certification course but a short introductory experience of what it takes to explore the underwater world. You will get to do a fun pool or confined water session to see what it’s like to breathe underwater. You also have the option to add a sea dive. This will allow you to make your decision.
A Discover Scuba Diving experience at the pool.
Prerequisites for the Open Water Diver Course
You need to be a minimum of 12 years old and medically fit to dive. The medical checkup can be done by any general practitioner. PADI gives you a form to take with you for the doctor to fill out.
Open Water Diver Course process
The Open Water Diver Certification consists of three main phases:
Phase 1 - Knowledge Development
A student using the PADI eLearning platform.
Knowledge Development with the PADI eLearning platform (online, independent study) to understand the basic principles of scuba diving. This can be done in your own time from anywhere.
When you are ready and have completed the online study guide, you arrange to go to your dive center for the last part of the knowledge development. Here, the instructor will talk through some of the main content of the course and questions you had trouble with in your independent study. You will also learn how to set up your scuba gear.
After completing a written exam, you’re ready to start your confined water sessions.
Phase 2 - Getting into the water with a pool or confined water session
Students with an instructor in the pool.
The confined water session is to learn all the basic scuba skills that a diver must master. This comprises 24 skills and will be developed over 2 confined water sessions, giving you time to build and practice your scuba skills under the guidance of your instructor.
Phase 3 - Open water sessions in the sea
A student with the instructor underwater.
Next, is your first Open Water Dives where you will run through skills and get your first taste of exploring on a dive. You will complete 4 open water dives and a skin dive (snorkel dive). The dives can be completed over two days.
If you meet the criteria, your instructor will sign you off, and you will become a certified scuba diver.
Your instructor will be with you every step of the way to guide and help you.
And that’s how simple it is to become a scuba diver! This course will certify you to dive to depths of 18 meters. It’s a challenging but fun course that will open a whole new world.
As PADI professionals, we are not only in the business of training divers but of changing lives. How exciting! What are you waiting for?
What’s next?
Further your dive education by becoming a Specialty Diver or an Advanced Open Water Diver Certification.
We Protect what we Love. Join the movement!
by Madelein Wolfaardt
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