If you're wondering how long it takes to get scuba certified, you're not alone. There are many options available depending on your level of experience. PADI offers a beginner course which teaches you the basics of diving. You can also get certified through the PADI Open Water Diver program.
PADI's entry-level diver course
PADI entry level diver course comprises five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews as well as a final test. It is generally completed over three to four days, though it can be faster if you can take the online course instead. This course covers all aspects of diving, and also includes open-water dives.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual is your basic guide to diving. It contains information about equipment, terminology, safety protocols, and other important topics. You will also find five videos explaining each topic and answering any questions.
Open water certification dives
There are several steps that you need to complete in order to be certified open water. Start by getting your training. Before you dive open water, you'll need to have several sessions in the pool. These sessions will help you improve your water skills. The orientation dive is the first, and the scuba skills dive is second. The third dive is for relaxation, while the last dive is for consolidating everything you have learned.
A local dive center can help you complete your certification in just a few days. But, you will need to follow the instructions of your instructor or dive center if you are training at a remote location. Open water certification takes about three to four days.
Next-level certification dives
An instructor can give a beginner scuba diver a few try-dives in a pool before moving on to the next level. Most dives are performed in shallow water, usually less than 6 feet. Open water diving requires that you are more confident in all aspects. Open water diving is performed in bodies of water such the ocean, lakes or even flooded quarry holes.
While the actual time to become certified can vary, it typically takes four days. An online course can take you through the entire process in less than a week. You don't have to meet any deadlines for entry-level classes, but some professionals might need to wait.
Prerequisites to next-level certification
Get some experience in the pool before you start to earn your next-level diving certification. You can start by taking a few dives in a pool to get familiar with the sport. Divers can also take to the water in lakes or flooded pits. Open water diving requires more than just a test-dive.
This course is for people who wish to continue their scuba diving training. It will teach basic scuba skills and problem solving skills. This course will teach you how rescue divers use self-rescue. Open water training is a prerequisite for many liveaboards and more challenging dive sites.