Open Water Diver Course: PADI

PADI Open Water Course

Underwater is Earth's final frontier, one of the few ways left to explore our world is to be able to dive.

In the enchanting world of diving, an extraordinary experience awaits—weightlessness, a sensation akin to floating in the vastness of space. Consider it your closest encounter with the feeling of being an astronaut or sharing space itself.

Discover the transformative journey of learning to dive, granting you not just the ability but also the skills to immerse yourself in the inner world beneath the ocean's surface. It's a voyage that goes beyond the physical and propels you into a realm where gravity takes a backseat, and the mysteries of the underwater universe unfold

What Do I need to Start the PADI Open Water Course?

• Be older than ten years old
• Be healthy and reasonably fit - Please read the section below Medically Fit to Dive because if you have any YES (on page 2) then you will need a Physician signature prior to commencing on the course
• Be able to swim eight lengths and float for 10 minutes

NOTE: For those that are younger than 15 a Junior Open Water certificaton will be issued. 

Between the ages of 10 - 12 years may only dive with a professional certified parent or guardian to a maximum depth of 12 metres, 13 - 15 years may only dive with qualified responsible adult to a maximum depth of 18 metres

What Will I do?

Over several pool sessions (generally four / five), you will complete the five confined water dives whilst completing some theory activity.

PADI programmes are performance based, and you proceed as demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work comfortably, so do not worry if you need more time than extra built into your training schedule automatically. Although we say four or five sessions, it could be six, which equates to 10 - 12 hours of in water pool time.

Diving is like that first driving lesson (for those that drive!) or starting a new job (for those that work!) doing something for the first time can be a bit daunting but with time and practice soon becomes second nature.

Then when ready we undertake a drysuit orientation in the pool as ALL of our open water diving is completed in a drysuit suit - this is OUR standard, it is for your comfort, we want you to ENJOY your diving experience and being cold and uncomfortable is not enjoyable!

When ready, then time to complete those four open water dives, generally speaking at Stoney Cove, but at times, other locations are available​

Materials

At Dive Rutland we provide you with all of the equipment you need to have fun, explore and become a safe and knowledgeable diver this includes learning about the fundamentals of scuba diving, all dive equipment and techniques.

All you need to provide is your own swimming attire for the pool and a few additional items of clothing for the open water part.

When Can I Start?

You can start NOW by purchasing your e-learning from PADI and we will contact you to arrange your in water learning, but THIS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY you can start as ALL of our packages include your chosen theory element, so contact us and we can get you all booked in with dates and release your learning materials

Dive Rutland is committed to helping you learn to dive at a pace that suits you. All of our open water diver courses start flexibly, you can start when you wish, subject to availability, as all of our schedules are built individually around you and your work/family commitments.

​Our Open Water training days are scheduled months in advance giving us the ability to plan your course to achieve by dates that suit you

Aren't All Open Water Courses the same?

This is a statement we hear a lot, but we disagree not everything is the same or equal. Have a look at our How to Choose a Dive Centre article, which actually should be called how to choose your instructional team.

As a 100% Project Aware dive centre our Open Water course(s) include the PADI Project Aware specialty. Why? You are learning to dive to experience what the underwater world has to offer and therefore we hope you become an Ocean Advocate.

Someone who will protect the ocean and our various waterways. We train you to be aware of the environment you are in, concentrating on good positioning, streamlining of equipment and all about the Project Aware mission, so if you have been trained then why not be certified, hence receiving the Project Aware Speciality.

Our Quality Matters

All training is overseen by our very own PADI Course Director, the worlds highest instructor certification, and we have a range of experienced male and female PADI professionals on our staff.

All equipment is modern and regularly serviced. We have a large range of school equipment to fit all sizes and shapes. Our breathing air quality is monitored and externally verified regularly.

We are fully insured and meet all legal obligations placed upon us. This includes full risk management and our staffing ratios exceed industry standard requirements

Course Option:

The course is split into two distinct sections as explained below, you can split your payments by choosing Part A first and then before going to open water pay the second part or you could choose to pay for both parts upfront.

Part A : Theory and Pool

Part B:  Open Water Dives - Once you’ve learned in the pool, then you need to do four open water dives. These are normally done over 2 days. You can complete them with us two days, or at any other PADI centre around the world.

BOTH parts are required to achieve the PADI Open Water certification.

Part A: Theory and Pool

Choose from the PADI's Open Water Diver Ultimate Crewpack (whilst stocks last) or the PADI eLearning course that can be accessed online. If you already own the eLearning materials, then contact us and we will arrange your course fee accordingly.

PADI Ultimate Crewpack Option is a paper manual version of the theory for the course. This is ideal for the bookworms out there who still enjoy reading a book over interactive eLearning. The pack includes:

• PADI Open Water Diver Manual
• PADI Divers Logbook
  
• PADI Diver sticker
  
• PADI Brochure - Keep Diving
• PADI Brochure - Enriched Air Nitrox
• PADI Brochure - Digital Underwater Photographer
• PADI Blue Zip-Up Wallet

PADI eLearning Option includes the PADI Open Water eLearning. This is the knowledge development portion of the course. The theory is presented through videos, audio, and graphics to enhance the learning experience. The eLearning allows you to track your own progress with short quizzes after every few sections are finished.

Included in the Part A Price is:-

• Materials - Elearning or Crewpack
• All Pool Fees
• Dive Rutland Dive Professional(s)
• Full SCUBA Diving Equipment Rental and air fills (excl Mask, Snorkel and Wetsuit); and
• Great Training

Part B: Open Water Element Packages

Standard Package

• Pool Orientation session where we fit you into a school drysuit and practise skills
  
• 2 Days open water training (exclude open water site fees)
• Certification Fees and Certification e-card - Open Water Certification
• PADI elearning or Ultimate Crewpack
• PADI Project AWARE Speciality (worth £75)

Deluxe Package

• Everything from the Standard Package
  
• PADI Drysuit Specialty - why do the full speciality?  well you are being trained in a drysuit and have completed all of the pre-requisite training and only need 1 extra dive to complete.  This speciality allows you to hire a drysuit it is a bit like a driving licence you can not hire a car with out a valid driving license.  Worth £250

Dive Equipment Package Available

We have a number of equipment packages with Mask, Snorkel and Wetsuit (long or shorty) available

Have a look at our packages here

Are there any Additional Costs?

Yes, the entrance fee to the open water training site, which Stoney Cove is currently standing at £27.00 a day

Mask, Snorkel and if you choose Wetsuit.  Our Dive Equipment Package is great value!

What's Next after PADI Open Water?

Once you've got your Open Water Diver certification DIVE Rutland can help you progress to an Advanced Open Water Diver rating and continue diving.

The Advanced Open Water is a follow on to the Open Water course expanding your skills and diving with a professional

Want To Know More?