PADI Scuba Diver

PADI Scuba Diver Certification

A stepping stone to exploring the ocean.  Dive with a professional to 12 meters and Halfway to your PADI Open Water Certification.

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

Diving allows you to experience weightlessness just like being in space.  It is the nearest you will get to being an astronaut or experiencing space, so learn to dive which will give you the ability and the skills to go experience and explore the inner world.

What is the PADI Scuba Diver Certification?

The PADI Scuba Diver course is (roughly) the first half of the PADI Open Water Diver course. It omits some of the more challenging skills and is a good choice for aspiring scuba divers who have limited time, are not sure they want to commit to a full open water course yet, or for children (over the age of 10 years).
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Completing the PADI Scuba Diver course is a bit like obtaining a learner’s permit when learning to drive. It’s an intermediate step towards full scuba certification for aspiring scuba divers who:

• Don’t have time to complete the entire Open Water course.
• Can’t finish their Open Water training due to unique circumstances.
• Only want to dive with a PADI Professional.

What Do I need to start the PADI Scuba Diver Certification?

• Be older than 10 years old
• Be in good health and reasonably fit - you will need to complete the medical questionnaire
• ​Be able to float for 10 minutes

*The PADI Junior Scuba Diver programme is available for youths 10 and 14.

What will I do during the PADI Scuba Diver Certification?

Over a number of pool sessions (generally three) you will complete the three confined water dives, whilst completing some theory activity.  

PADI programmes are performance based and you proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you, so do not worry if you need more time then this, as extra time is built into your training schedule automatically for you, so although we say three sessions it could be four, which equates to 6-8 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 practise it soon becomes second nature.

Have a look at our Youtube channel for demonstrations of the skills you will learn to do.

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 two open water dives, generally speaking at Stoney Cove, but at times, other locations are available​

What Materials will I use during the PADI Scuba Diver Certification

At Dive Rutland we provide you with all of the equipment you need to have fun, explore and become a safe and knowledgable 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 my PADI Scuba Diver Certification?

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.  Our Scuba Diver courses run to a flexible timescale, 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.

Are all PADI Scuba Diving 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.

Are there any other costs?

Entrance fees to the open water training site and your personal travel costs are not included

I want to learn to dive but not in the UK?

We understand that not everyone wants to dive in the UK, but also do you really want to spend your holiday learning to dive

What you really want to do is explore and enjoy the scenery below the water then there is a referral process, which means you complete the confined water (pool) sessions and here in the UK and the required theory chapters and knowledge reviews.  You then take the referral paperwork with you to a dive centre in a warm location and arrange to complete the two open water dives with them

​You can enrol on to our Referral Course and Upgrade to complete your Open Water dives here, with us, Easy.

I am not sure that Scuba Diving is for me

We appreciate that not everyone is a swimmer and you do not need to be to become a diver, you might be a little apprehensive and just want to have a little taster prior to signing up for the Scuba Diver certification, that's great... come and Discover Scuba Diving during one pool session

What is the next adventure after the PADI Scuba Diving Certification?

Once you've got your Scuba Diver certification DIVE Rutland can help you progress to Open Water Diver rating and continue diving.  To uplift to the PADI Open Water certification you need to:-

1. Complete the remaining 2 out of 5 confined water (pool) skill practice sessions.
2. Complete the remaining 2 out of 4 open water dives.
3. Complete two additional knowledge development modules, a quiz and a final exam
4. Complete a 200 metre surface swim

But your real adventure is to go diving