If you have wondered what lies under the surface of the sea, or crave for new adventures then let us introduce you to the world of SCUBA diving. Diving is truly an amazing experience, with so much to see and do, and the PADI ‘Open Water Diver’ course is the first step into this wondrous world.
Around the coast of Britain, particularly in the Southwest, lying just under the surface of the sea are shipwrecks and beautiful reefs. When you have qualified why not join us on our very own dive boat to explore ships like the Baygitano a steam driven collier torpedoed by the German submarine UC 77, or the beautiful High Ground reef where you can glimpse crabs, lobsters, skate, plaice and scallops all nestling in the reef.
Within this course we are going to introduce you to the skills and provide you with the knowledge necessary to become a diver. Starting in the swimming pool and then progressing into the open water, you’ll end this course as a competent diver ready to carry on with your adventure.
For the pool training we use the Leisure Centre at Longwell Green, with the training sessions held between 7.00 to 10.00 pm on a Friday evening.
If you’re unsure about committing to this course, why not try our Discover Scuba Diving experience.
Course Details
- The maximum number of students on each course is 4 (larger groups can be accommodated - please ask)
- Each course is led by an Instructor, with an additional safety diver and surface support
- You will need to undertake the independent study of the Open Water Diver manual, bringing the completed knowledge reviews with you.
- There are a minimum of 5 pool sessions, one session per evening, and 4 open water training dives, conducted over two days.
- Cost of the course is £349.00 inclusive
Before Starting The Course
- You must be aged 10 years or older
- Please read and understand the medical questionnaire.
Course overview
The PADI Open Water Diver course equips you with the knowledge, skills and supervision to become an entry level diver. At the end of the course you will have an understanding of dive equipment, procedures and techniques to safely dive independently with a buddy, in conditions similar to or
better than those you were taught in.
Course Schedule
Session One
Prior to attending this session you’ll undertake the independent study of section one in your manual, completing the knowledge review, and also watching section one of the DVD. Once completed you will have an understanding of
- The underwater world
- Dive equipment
- Various scuba systems
- The buddy system
When you arrive for your first pool session we’ll go over your knowledge review, give you a quick 10 question quiz, and then get ready to enter the water.
In our first pool session we are going to introduce you to
- Assembling your scuba equipment
- Adjusting your equipment and gearing up
- Breathing underwater
- Regulator clearing
- Regulator recovery
- Mask clearing
- Swimming underwater
- Managing your air
- Alternate air source use
- Ascending
- Exiting the water
- Equipment disassembly and care
Session Two
Prior to attending this session you’ll undertake the independent study of section two in your manual, completing the knowledge review, and also watching section two of the DVD. Once completed you will have an understanding of
- Adapting to the underwater world
- Respiration
- Dive Equipment
- The buddy system: Communication & Procedures
When you arrive for this second pool session we’ll go over your knowledge review, give you a quick 10 question quiz, and then get ready to enter the water.
In the second pool session we are going to introduce you to
- Pre-dive safety check
- Entering the water (deep water entry)
- Snorkel breathing and blast clearing
- Snorkel to regulator exchange
- Surface snorkelling
- Descending
- No mask breathing
- Mask replacement
- Disconnecting the low pressure inflator hose
- Inflating the BCD orally
- Proper weighting
- Air depletion exercise
- Ascents
- Weight removal at the surface and deep water exit
Session Three
Prior to attending this session you’ll undertake the independent study of section three in your manual, completing the knowledge review, and also watching section three of the DVD. Once completed you will have an understanding of
- The dive environment
- Dive planning
- Boat diving
- Problem management
When you arrive for this third pool session we’ll go over your knowledge review, give you a quick 10 question quiz, and then get ready to enter the water.
In the third pool session we are going to introduce you to
- Neutral buoyancy
- Neutral buoyancy swim
- Cramp removal
- Tired diver tow
- Air depletion/ Alternate air source combined exercise
- Free flow regulator breathing
- Controlled emergency swimming ascent
Session Four
Prior to attending this session you’ll undertake the independent study of section four in your manual, completing the knowledge review, and also watching section four of the DVD. Once completed you will have an understanding of
- Dive accessories
- Health for diving
- Breathing air at depth
- Dive tables and dive computers (introduction)
When you arrive for this fourth pool session we’ll go over your knowledge review, give you a quick 10 question quiz, and then get ready to enter the water.
In the fourth pool session we are going to introduce you to
- Sitting back roll entry
- No mask swimming
- Buoyancy control - hovering
- Buddy breathing (optional)
We will also carry out your 200 metre swim, and 10 minute float test.
Session Five
Prior to attending this, our last session, you’ll undertake the independent study of section five in your manual, completing the knowledge review, and also watching section five of the DVD. Once completed you will have an understanding of
- Special dive table and computer procedures
- Using a dive computer
- Basic compass navigation
- Continuing your adventure
- Using the electronic recreational dive planner
When you arrive for this fifth pool session we’ll go over your knowledge review, and then get you ready for your final exam. This is a 50 question exam, covering all of the aspects of diving that you have previously learnt, and once completed we will get ready to enter the water.
In the fifth pool session we are going to introduce you to
- Weight system handling
- Scuba unit handling
Open Water Training Dive One
With all of our pool skills completed it’s time to put these into practice and carry out our first sea dive. This is what all the training has been for, and on this dive we are not going to carry out any specific skills, just immerse ourselves underwater and thoroughly enjoy this dive.
As part of our dive procedures for this dive we will carry out the following –
- Briefing for this dive
- Equipment preparation
- Don and adjust equipment
- Pre-dive safety check
- Entry
- Buoyancy weight check
- Controlled descent (maximum 12 mtrs)
- Underwater exploration
- Ascent
- Exit
- Debrief
Open Water Training Dive Two
With our first dive completed it’s time to get back into the water and start to demonstrate our proficiency as a diver. We’ll start to slowly introduce those skills we need to earn our open water diver certification
In this dive we will carry out -
- Briefing for this dive
- Equipment preparation
- Don and adjust equipment
- Pre-dive safety check
- Entry
- Buoyancy weight check
- Cramp removal (self & buddy)
- 25 metre tired diver tow
- Snorkel to regulator exchange
- Controlled descent (maximum of 12 mtrs)
- Buoyancy control – fin pivot
- Partial and complete mask flood and clear
- Regulator recovery and clearing
- Alternate air source use stationary and assisted ascent
- Underwater exploration and buoyancy control
- Ascent
- Weight removal at the surface
- Exit
- Debrief and log dive
Open Water Training Dive Three
You’re now half way through the open water training, and with your confidence growing, you’re going to demonstrate your mastery of more skills. These skills look at navigation techniques and problem solving underwater.
In this dive we will carry out -
- Briefing for this dive
- Equipment preparation
- Don and adjust equipment
- Pre-dive safety check
- Entry
- Buoyancy weight check
- 50 metre straight line surface swim with compass
- Free descent with reference to 6-9 metres
- Buoyancy control – neutral buoyancy orally
- Complete mask flood and clear
- Controlled emergency swimming ascent
- Underwater exploration
- Ascent
- Remove and replace weight system at the surface
- Remove and replace the scuba unit at the surface
- Exit
- Debrief and log dive
Open Water Training Dive Four
This is your last training dive, once completed you will have earned your ‘Open Water Diver’ wings. You’ll be supremely confident by now, so we have only a few skills left to demonstrate. You will show mastery in your underwater navigation skills and be flawless in your buoyancy control.
In this dive we will carry out -
- Briefing for this dive
- Equipment preparation
- Don and adjust equipment
- Pre-dive safety check
- Entry
- Buoyancy weight check
- Free descent without reference to no deeper than 18 metres
- Buoyancy control – hover
- Mask removal, replacement and clearing
- Underwater navigation with compass
- Underwater exploration
- Ascent
- Exit
- Debrief and log dive
Course Fee Includes
- Open Water Diver Ultimate Crew Pack – includes Manual, log book, DVD, Diploma & Chevron
- New for 2010 - PADI Logbook Folder
- Electronic Recreational Dive Planner
- Certification costs
- All equipment* and air fills
- Possibility of transport to and from the site (please contact us for details)
*If you are using your own equipment then please read and complete the Own Equipment Liability form
When Can I Start?
We run these courses to suit individual needs, so please contact us to discuss your requirements. The next course will be starting sooner than you think!
Other Relevant Courses
Once qualified why not sign up for the advanced open water course. We’ll introduce you to deep diving, underwater navigation and three other dives of your choice.