PADI Open Water Diver

PADI® Open Water Diver is the first scuba certification level.

During this course, a highly-trained PADI Instructor will teach you how to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment. By the end of the course, you'll have the skills and knowledge to dive at home or abroad and be an ambassador for the underwater world.

There are 3 steps you need to complete in order to become a certified diver:

· STEP 1: Knowledge development

· STEP 2: Confined Water Dives

· STEP 3: Open Water Dives

STEP 1. KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT

The Knowledge Development portion of the course is designed so you can learn at your own pace and when it’s convenient for you. This part of your course will teach you the basic principles of scuba diving, and you will cover things like dive theory, equipment, skills and dive planning.

STEP 2. CONFINED WATER DIVES

Develop and practice scuba skills in a pool under direct instructor supervision. As you learn new skills, you’ll build the abilities and confidence needed for diving in open water, such as in a quarry or the ocean.

You will complete 5 pool sessions altogether, including a drysuit orientation, which will prepare you for using a drysuit during your open water dives.

STEP 3. OPEN WATER DIVES

Get ready to experience everything you’ve learned with the freedom of open water! You will undertake 4 open water dives, plus one additional dive if you choose to complete the PADI drysuit specialty.

Our open water training dives are usually held at either Capernwray or Stoney Cove

As soon as your open water training dives are approved by your instructor, you will be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver, ready to embark on unforgettable adventures!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

There are 3 variants of the PADI Open Water Diver Course.

• Full Course

  All training, confined and open water dives conducted here in the UK (Steps 1,2& 3)

• Open Water Referral Course

  Training and confined water dives undertaken in the UK, open water diver conducted abroad with another centre. A referral certificate will be provided upon completion of your training with us (Steps 1&2 Only).

• Upgrade From Open Water Referral To Full Course

  All open water dives are conducted here in the UK (Step 3) with e-learning and confined water dives having been completed previously either with another centre or SEPE Diving.

PLEASE ONLY PURCHASE THE REFERRAL COURSE IF YOU INTEND ON COMPLETING YOUR OPEN WATER DIVES ABROAD.

Course prerequisites

• You must be at least 10 years of age

• You must have adequate swimming skills

• You must be in good physical health

• No prior scuba diving experience is required

You will also be required to complete:

• Medical Statement - Please ensure you are fit to dive by checking this form.

• Standard Safe Diving Practices Statement of Understanding

• Statement of Risks & Liability

If you answer YES to any of the questions on the PADI Medical Statement, you will need to get a medical physician to sign the form to confirm fitness to dive prior to any in-water activities.

You will not be able to participate in any pool or open water sessions without confirming your fitness to dive.

EQUIPMENT

The fit and comfort of your personal equipment is key to having an enjoyable diving experience. As a minimum, we recommend that you should own your own mask and snorkel, but it’s also beneficial if you own your own fins when commencing this course.

Hire of all other core dive gear is included in your course fee.

If you need to hire any additional equipment, please let us know as soon as possible.

PRIOR TO HIRING OR LOANING, YOU MUST READ THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT LOSS & DAMAGE POLICY

Loss & Damage Policy For Loaned & Hired Equipment (July'23 Version 1)

PRIOR TO BOOKING, YOU MUST ALSO READ THE FOLLOWING COURSE CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation Policy for Scuba Diving, Snorkelling and Freediving Courses

BY CONTINUING TO PLACE YOUR ORDER, YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE READ, AGREE AND ACCEPT ALL OF THE SEPE DIVING TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOUND ABOVE.