Dive Rutland · SSI Training Centre
Learn
To Dive
From First Breath to Certified Diver
Learning to dive should feel exciting, not confusing. We've simplified the journey into three clear steps — so you always know exactly where you are and what's next.
The Learn To Dive Pathway
Three Steps.
One Clear Journey.
Whether you're just curious, ready to start training, or already part-way through — the beginner diving journey can be understood in three stages.
Try Scuba Diving
Complete beginners who want to experience scuba before committing to a course. Perfect if you're nervous, buying a gift, or simply curious.
Open Water
Part A — Foundations
People ready to start proper diver training. Complete your SSI eLearning, pool sessions, and skill-building before open water.
Open Water
Part B — Certification
Students who have completed Part A and are ready for open water. This is where training becomes real diving.
Choose Your Next Step
Where Do You Start?
Use the guide below to identify the right starting point for you. You don't need to understand every course name — just find yourself in one of these three stages.
Try Scuba Diving
Best if you're curious but not ready to commit yet.
A beginner-friendly pool session where you experience breathing underwater for the first time. No previous diving experience needed — all main scuba equipment is provided and supervised by a qualified instructor.
- Minimum age: 10+
- No previous experience required
- Pool-based, fully supervised session
- Great first step before Open Water training
- Ideal for gifts or family groups
A one-off experience. Does not certify you as a diver but can count toward future training.
Open Water Part A
Build Your Foundations
Best if you're ready to start learning properly.
The foundation stage of your SSI Open Water Diver course. Complete your SSI digital learning, practise in the pool, learn how the equipment works, and build the confidence needed before moving into open water.
- SSI eLearning included
- Pool training and essential scuba skills
- Equipment familiarisation
- Confidence-building before open water
- Prepares you for Open Water Part B
Covers theory & pool training only. Open water dives are completed separately in Part B.
Open Water Part B
Become Certified
Best if you've already completed your theory and pool training.
The certification stage. Complete your open water dives, apply the skills learned in Part A, and become an SSI Open Water Diver. After this, you can continue into club diving, trips, and future adventures.
- For students who have completed Part A (or equivalent)
- 4 open water training dives
- Normally completed over 2 days
- Leads to SSI Open Water Diver certification
- Can also be completed on a Dive Rutland overseas trip
Covers open water dives & certification. Site fees may be separate depending on route.
Our Approach
Why We Split
The Journey
Most dive websites present beginners with a list of course names and expect them to choose. That's overwhelming. Our approach organises the journey around progression — not jargon.
Start At The Right Level
Choose the step that matches your confidence and readiness. No guesswork, no wrong starting point.
Avoid Overwhelm
You don't need to compare every possible course before starting. Find your stage and begin from there.
Understand The Full Journey
You can see how each stage connects to the next — so you always know what's coming and why.
Build Confidence Gradually
You're not rushed from curiosity into certification. Each stage is designed to build comfort before moving on.
Know What You're Paying For
Each stage has a clear purpose and outcome. No hidden journey logic — just transparent progression.
Courses Are Internal Structure
Behind the scenes, diving has standards and certification rules. As a beginner, your job is simpler: follow the pathway.
Suitability
Who Is This For?
This pathway is designed for adults, families, and young people who want a clearer way into scuba diving.
✓ This is ideal if you…
- Have never tried scuba before
- Are interested in diving but unsure where to start
- Want a safe and supportive first experience
- Want to become a certified diver eventually
- Want to complete pool training locally before open water dives
- Are planning to dive on holiday and want proper preparation first
- Want clear guidance rather than a confusing list of courses
→ You may need a different page if…
- You are already a certified diver looking for specialties
- You are looking for professional-level training such as Divemaster
- You need help with an existing certification record or agency transfer
Already certified? Explore your options:
Transparent Pricing
Understanding
The Cost
One of the biggest sources of confusion in beginner diving is price. Learning to dive usually happens in stages — here's what each stage covers, and what it doesn't.
| Stage | What You're Paying For | What It Doesn't Usually Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Try Scuba | A one-off beginner pool experience with equipment and supervision by a qualified instructor. | This does not certify you as a diver. |
| Open Water Part A | Theory (SSI eLearning), pool training, skill development, and foundation-building. | This does not complete the open water certification dives by itself. |
| Open Water Part B | Open water dives and certification completion — where training becomes real diving. | Site fees, travel, personal kit, or trip costs may be separate depending on route chosen. |
To become an SSI Open Water Diver, you need both the foundation stage (Part A) and the open water completion stage (Part B). If you're unsure what your total route looks like, contact us before booking — we'll explain it clearly.
Our Difference
Why Learn With
Dive Rutland?
Learning to dive isn't just about getting through a course. It's about feeling safe, supported, and confident enough to keep diving afterwards.
Guided through a simple pathway instead of a confusing list of course options.
The journey is built around helping you feel comfortable before moving into more advanced stages.
Beginner nerves are normal. The team helps you progress step by step, at your pace.
Pool and course dates planned to support different schedules where possible.
Modern, regularly serviced equipment with a full range of sizes for all students.
Qualified, insured dive professionals working within SSI standards and UK expectations.
After certification: club diving, trips, equipment, specialties, and further progression.
We help people become divers — with a clear next step, proper support, and a pathway beyond certification.
After You Qualify
Certification Is
Just The Beginning
Your SSI Open Water Diver certification is not the end of the journey — it's the start of your life as a diver.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
Questions
If you're unsure whether scuba is for you, start with Try Scuba. It's a pool-based taster session with no commitment. If you already know you want to become certified, start directly with Open Water Part A.
No. Try Scuba is entirely optional. It's ideal if you want a first experience before committing. If you already know you want to train properly, you can begin with Open Water Part A straight away.
Open Water Part A is the theory and pool-training stage of the SSI Open Water Diver course. It builds your knowledge, pool skills, equipment familiarity, and confidence before any open water diving begins.
Open Water Part B is the open water completion stage. This is where you complete your 4 qualifying open water dives and become certified once all SSI requirements are met.
Yes. Part A builds your foundations through theory and pool training. Part B completes your open water dives and certification. Both stages are required for the full SSI Open Water Diver qualification.
Yes. Part A can work as referral-style training — completing your theory and pool sessions locally before finishing your open water dives with a suitable SSI centre elsewhere. You can also join a Dive Rutland overseas trip and complete your dives in warm, clear water with a Dive Rutland instructor throughout.
The minimum age for Try Scuba and Open Water training is generally 10 years old. Junior certification restrictions apply for divers under 15. We also run dedicated Kids Classes for younger beginners.
For Open Water Diver training, you need to be able to swim 200 metres continuously and float or tread water for 10 minutes. Try Scuba has a lower commitment level, but you should still be comfortable in the water.
You will need to complete the required diving medical questionnaire before training. Depending on your answers, physician approval may be required before you can take part.
For Try Scuba, all main scuba equipment is provided. For Open Water training, core scuba equipment is included, but personal-fit items such as mask and snorkel are usually separate. Dive Rutland can advise on suitable equipment packages.
That's completely normal — many divers are nervous at the beginning. The pathway is specifically designed to build comfort gradually, with instructor support at each stage. You won't be rushed.
Start Your Journey
Which Step
Is Right For You?
You don't need to know every diving term before you begin. You only need to know which step feels right for you today.
| If you feel… | Your best next step |
|---|---|
| Curious, nervous, or unsure whether diving is for you | Start with Try Scuba |
| Ready to start proper training and become a certified diver | Start Open Water Part A |
| Already completed your theory and pool training | Complete Open Water Part B |
Contact Dive Rutland and we'll help you choose the simplest route from where you are now to becoming a confident, certified diver.
