The PADI Open Water Course is designed for anyone interested in becoming a scuba diver. This introductory course provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to support your ongoing certification requirements. You will learn different rescue skills as well as how to conduct simple dives (maximum of 12 ft, 4 m) using a hand-held regulator and a simple tank. The course will introduce you to the fundamental physics of diving, the physiology of the human body and how it functions while underwater, the equipment and gear required for safe and efficient diving as well as how to plan and conduct a safety-conscious dive. Additionally, you will learn how to navigate and locate underwater environments as well as how to effectively communicate both underwater and above water. This course is excellent for anyone who has a genuine interest in exploring the underwater world and would like to learn how to safely do so. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to apply for a PADI Open Water Certification. What Is A PADI Open Water Course? A PADI Open Water Course is an introductory scuba diving course that can be taken online. This course is perfect for anyone interested in learning how to scuba dive and for those who are already certified in another country but would like to take a refresher course before applying for a PADI Open Water License. The course is offered by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and is recognized around the world. The PADI Open Water Course introduces you to basic scuba diving through a series of lessons that are delivered through comprehensive text-based material. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to engage with experienced instructors who will be able to provide you with additional pointers and guidance as you work on your way to becoming a certified scuba diver. One of the main advantages of this course is that you will be able to study at your leisure, whether that's from the comfort of your home or office. How Is The PADI Open Water Course Structured? The PADI Open Water Course is offered entirely online and is broken down into 7 modules, with each module lasting about an hour and 15 minutes. The course is designed such that once you have completed it, you will be able to sit for your PADI Open Water Certification. The first module will introduce you to the basic concepts of diving. This includes information on the physics of diving as well as the physiology of the human body. Additionally, you will learn about the underwater world and how it's different from the surface world. This module also covers such things as safety in underwater environments, navigation and communications techniques (both underwater and surface). The second module will teach you how to plan a dive. In this module, you will learn about the equipment required for your chosen type of dive and how best to prep for it. You will learn about such things as the buddy system, where you will dive with and how you will communicate with your dive partner. This is one of the critical aspects of safe and efficient diving; without a good plan you may not be able to execute it effectively when you are underwater. This module also includes an introduction to Nitrox diving. Nitrox is a form of breathing gas which is colourless, odourless and non-toxic. It is commonly used by divers to allow for better visibility and to reduce the risks associated with diving. The third module will teach you the skills required to safely conduct a simple breath-hold dive. In this module, you will learn about the different types of rescue techniques that you may need to know and be able to perform. This includes things such as how to effectively use an underwater flashlight to navigate and explore the environment around you, how to handle extreme weather conditions that you may encounter as well as how to save yourself in case of a decompression sickness emergency. This is one of the most important modules in the PADI Open Water Course. Without careful attention to detail and practice, you may not be able to save yourself or your partners in case of an accident or mishap. This module also includes an introduction to Nitrox diving. Nitrox is a form of breathing gas which is colourless, odourless and non-toxic. It is commonly used by divers to allow for better visibility and to reduce the risks associated with diving. The fourth module will teach you how to conduct deeper dives using a single breath-hold. In this module, you will learn about the equipment and gear required for a deeper dive, as well as how to calculate your specific needs and requirements based on your physical condition and the depth of the dive. This is one of the more challenging modules in the PADI Open Water Course, as it requires a lot of practice to master. A lot of people find that watching how other people conduct their dives is the best way to learn. Additionally, it is important to note here that the deeper you go, the longer it takes to decompress, so plan accordingly! This module also includes an introduction to Nitrox diving. Nitrox is a form of breathing gas which is colourless, odourless and non-toxic. It is commonly used by divers to allow for better visibility and to reduce the risks associated with diving. The fifth and sixth modules will teach you how to conduct professional, nitrox-free, mixed gas (helmeted) dives. These two modules are almost identical, save for the fact that the sixth module includes some additional tips on how to effectively use an underwater camera in case you are documenting your dive for recreational purposes. The difference between the two is that the sixth module is aimed at more experienced divers who are comfortable in deep water and know how to effectively use an underwater camera (think nature documentaries, breath-hold record-breakers and deep-sea fish life). The final module will teach you the skills required to conduct decompression stops. In this module, you will learn about the decompression timetable which will allow you to safely return to the surface after a given depth. This is one of the most important modules in the PADI Open Water Course, as you will not be able to execute this part effectively without careful planning. This is also one of the more technically challenging parts of the course as you will need to be able to accurately assess your exact requirements in order to determine the amount and kind of decompression you need. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to apply for a PADI Open Water Certification. What Is The Learning Curve Like? Overall, the PADI Open Water Course is a reasonably easy course to follow. It is not exceptionally challenging, but it is certainly not something that is easily mastered without putting in the necessary hours of practice. Most people find it easy to follow and are able to complete it in about a week. For those who are looking for a short and sweet course, it may be the option worth considering. For those who are wanting to take their time with the course and are looking for an in-depth knowledge of what is being taught, it may be a better option to consider taking a longer course. The good thing about this course is that once you have completed it, you will be able to sit for your PADI Open Water Certification, which is only about an hour and half long. Is This The Right Choice For Beginners? This course is designed for beginners and is a good choice for those who have never dived before or for those who are looking to become a scuba diver but are not sure where to start. This course provides you with the basic skills and knowledge you will need to get by in a relatively safe and efficient manner while exploring the underwater world. This course is also a good choice for those who are wanting to refresh their skills before applying for a PADI Open Water License. This is because once you have completed this course, you will be able to sit for your PADI Open Water Certification, which is only about an hour and half long. Although this course is a good choice for beginners, it is not the only choice and is certainly not the best choice for everyone. This course is designed for those who have never dived before and provides you with the basic skills and knowledge you will need to get by in a relatively safe and efficient manner while exploring the underwater world. This course is also a good choice for those who are wanting to refresh their skills before applying for a PADI Open Water License. However, if you are an experienced diver who is looking to further their skills or gain new skills, there are other courses that may be a better option for you. At the end of the day, it depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for a short course and don't mind paying a bit more, this may be the option worth considering. Otherwise, if you are wanting to take your time with the course and are looking for an in-depth knowledge of what is being taught, you may need to look elsewhere.
PADI Open Water Course
