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 class that teaches the fundamentals of diving. PADI Open Water Divers allows you to become certified.
PADI's entry-level diver course
The PADI entry-level diver course consists of five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews and a final exam. It is generally completed over three to four days, though it can be faster if you can take the online course instead. This course teaches the basics of diving. It also covers open-water diving.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual - This manual will teach you the basics of diving. It includes information on proper equipment, terminology, safety procedures, and more. It also has five videos to help you understand each topic better and answer any queries.
Open water certification dives
Open water certification is possible in a few steps. The first step is to get your training. You will be spending several sessions in the water or in a shallow area before you start open water diving. You will also be able to demonstrate your skills in water during these sessions. The orientation dive focuses on the water, while the second dive focuses on scuba skills. The third dive focuses on relaxation and consolidating all you have learnt.
If you have a local dive center, you can complete your certification within a weekend. To complete your training, however, you might need to adapt to the schedule of the instructor or dive centre if the location you chose is not available. 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. Try-dives are usually done in shallow water (under 6 feet). Open water diving demands that you be more confident in all aspects. Open water diving is performed in bodies of water such the ocean, lakes or even flooded quarry holes.
You can get certified in a few days, although it may take longer. You can complete the whole process in one week if you take an online course. For entry-level courses there are no set deadlines. However, some professionals may need to wait.
Prerequisites for the next-level certification
First, get some experience in the water before you apply for your next-level scuba certification. Try-dives in a pool are a good way to get acquainted with the sport. Dive in lakes and flooded pits is also possible. Open water diving takes more practice than a "try-dive".
The SDI Open-Water Training Course is designed for people who want to continue their diving training. This course will help you to master basic scuba skills as well as problem-solving skills. You will learn how to self-rescue, which is a technique used by rescue divers. Open water training is a prerequisite for many liveaboards and more challenging dive sites.