Open Water Diver Certification

Open water diver PADI certification or equivalent is absolutly necessary before you actually go on your very first dive in an open water body, be it ocean, sea, lake or river. Successful completion of the Open Water diving certification program is intended to provide a novice diver with all necessary knowledge and skills to perform safe dive in non-complicated underwater environment.

Even if learning how to use scuba gear and scuba diving equipment isn't hard, still it is important that you get properly instructed and trained by a professional scuba diving instructor on how to use it safely so it would function properly. After completing the theory, a novice is usually offered 1-3 dives in closed water like swimming pool, and then perform a couple of instructional open water dives under the supervision of a scuba diving instructor that is assigned to you. The initial open water dives are performed to the maximum depth of 12 meters, never to be exceeded before you get adequate consecutive experience of practical scuba diving.

Normally scuba diving certification is available at a dive center or scuba diving school in any major city close to where you reside. The training course of the sort consists of theory classes and out of water drills followed by underwater scuba diving instruction in a swimming pool.

To get your Open Water Diver PADI certificate you'll need to pass your final exam.

Even if the industry of recreational scuba diving is by most part self-regulated not only in the USA, but in the majority of foreign countries, any dive shop or dive resort will normally ask you to either produce the evidence of your PADI scuba diver certification or will allow you to dive only after attending scuba diving courses they would offer at the place, and only then you would be permitted to go to an open water dive site for a scuba dive. So, be sure to carry your scuba diving certificate with you while heading for a dive, and especially if going on a scuba diving vacation abroad.

Besides PADI certification there is CEDIP (European Committee of Professional Diving Instructors) scuba diving certification recognized as equvalent to PADI certification worldwide and in especially in Europe.

Remember, scuba diving is a dangerous sport unless you learn it with professionals, therefore don't try to start scuba diving on your own, without getting properly instructed by a PADI or CEDIP professional

Open Water PADI Course Description * Novice Diver * Open Water Certification