This is the first course in the PADI lineup of recreational scuba courses. The course will teach you basic skills to enjoy exploring our underwater world.

What You Learn

 The course is broken up into three sections:

1. 4 Knowledge Development essions (please read your entire book and complete ALL Knowledge Reviews before the first night of class)
2. 5 Pool Dives
3. 4 Open Water Dives

We like to spend the bulk of  class in the pool working on skills, so if you've spent the time at home reading your book... it makes the classroom work go by fast, the quizzes a snap and the final written exam nothing to fear at all. Pool time is great! Practice, Practice, Practice.

The Learning Materials You Need

PADI offers a variety of home-study materials for the Open Water Diver course; chose the book or multimedia DVD-ROM.

PADI’s Open Water Diver materials cover what you need to know about basic scuba diving skills, terminology and safety procedures. For each concept you’ll read a description and watch a video demonstration. Then you’ll jump in the pool (or pool-like environment) to practice these skills with your instructor. Later, as a certified diver, use the course materials as a reference guide for future diving adventures and to review what you learned. 

Click on one of the skills below to see a detailed description.