SSI Open Water Diver Course
- All Core Scuba Equipment
- All Course Materials and Certification
- Services of your Highly Trained and Professional Instructor and Support Team
SSI 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.
Diving allows you to experience weightlessness, just like being in space. It is the nearest you will get to be an astronaut or sharing space, so learn to dive, giving you the ability and the skills to experience and explore the inner world.
What Do I need to Start the SSI 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 200metres continuously and float / tread water for 10 minutes
NOTE: For those that are younger than 15 a Junior Open Water certification 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.
If between 10 and 12 years old, consider the SSI Scuba Diver certification and then an uplift to the full Open Water certification when 12 years or older to gain the additional depth rating.
Open Water Diver can be taught as a Referral program; this means you complete the classroom and pool sessions here with us in the UK. Then, we connect you with an SSI or SSI diver centre abroad so you can finish the program in warm, tropical waters.
What Will I do during the Open Water course?
After signing up, you will be sent an e-mail allowing access to the SSI online academics. Before these are assigned you will update your profile (name, address, digital head and shoulder picture of yourself and complete the online paperwork) and then the elearning will be assigned to allow you to start the learning process. The multimedia academics with videos and multiple-choice questions keep learning fun and ensure you are prepared for your water sessions.
Once this has occured then a member of the Dive Rutland team will be in contact to arrange your pool training dates or if you wish to discuss those prior to booking please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss
Over several pool sessions (generally five / six ), you will complete the five confined water dives whilst completing some theory consolidation and application during the dry times prior to the pool.
SSI 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 five or six sessions, it could be more, 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 for the Open Water Course
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, as well as mask, snorkel and if required a wetsuit (see later on for link to equipment packages)
When Can I Start the Open Water Course?
You can start NOW, once you have purchased the course(Part A, or Part A and B) we will assign via the SSI app the online elearning element of your course which you can then start working through immediately.
Dive Rutland is committed to helping you learn to dive at a pace that suits you, courses are running all of the time and are regularly scheduled.
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
Quality Matters at Dive Rutland
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
Our day to day operations are fully compliant with UK HSE
Open Water Course Options:
The course is split into two distinct sections as explained below, you can split your payments by choosing Part A first (or if you wish to take a referral - completing the open water dives at another dive centre) and then before going to open water pay the second partPart B or you could choose to pay for both parts upfront Part A and B.
Option 1: Open Water
Option 2: Open Water and Dry Suit Diver certification
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 done over 2 days. You can complete them with us, or at any other SSI centre around the world. If you have chosen the drysuit option then there are five dives in open water to allow completion of the dry suit diver and your open water certification
BOTH parts are required to achieve the SSI Open Water certification.
Part A: Theory and Pool
Included in the Part A Price is:-
- SSI Elearning - Open Water and Dry Suit diver (if that option selected)
- All Pool Fees
- Dive Rutland Dive Professional(s), working within HSE guidelines and recommendations
- Fully insured and professional liability
- Full SCUBA Diving Equipment Rental and air fills (excl Mask, Snorkel and Wetsuit); and
- Great Training
Part B: Open Water Element Packages
- 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
- SSI elearning
- Part A needs to have been purchased or completed prior to Part B
BOTH parts are required to achieve the SSI Open Water certification.
SSI 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
Yes, Mask, Snorkel and if you choose Wetsuit. Our Dive Equipment Package is great value!
Yes, if you want a 121 course - contact us to discuss and / or arrange
Yes, if you want an unadvertised intensive course - contact us to discuss and / or arrange
Yes, if you want a 121 AND intensive course - contact us to discuss and / or arrange
Related Posts?
- How to Choose a Dive Centre We believe this article really should be retitled to How to choose your Instructor
- Understanding Open Water Course Prices
- Training Agencies what part do they play
What's Next after SSI Open Water?
Once you've got your Open Water Diver certification DIVE Rutland can help you progress your Diver rating and continue diving, but working towards your SSI Master Scuba Recognition Award is a great aim.
Is there another way to qualify without doing the Full Open Water Course
Yes, you can complete the SSI Scuba Diver Course, which is pool and two open water dives. This qualifies you to dive to 12metres with a dive professional and then at a later date uplift to the SSI Open Water Certification. This is something we would recommend for those that are 10 - 12 years old as they are restricted to diving with a dive professional and to a depth of 12metres.
Prior to any Diver training course students need to complete a Mandatory Medical Questionaire.
Please ensure that you have read the Medical Statement and are sure that you will be able to commence any diver training PRIOR to paying as our Training Terms Conditions apply after payment has been made.
A doctor's confirmation of fitness to dive is required if you answer YES to any medical condition on the Medical Statement.
Please note that if you need a Physician signoff most of our local surgeries WILL NOT sign this form, we suggest you contact Midlands Dive Chamber 01788 579 555 in this instance.
You can check out the Medical Statement here:
PADI Courses:
PADI Medical Statement
SSI Courses:
Oakham Swimming Pool
The 25m heated swimming pool at Oakham School's Leisure Centre is perfect for scuba diver training and kids' diving courses. This state-of-the-art facility provides laned sections for focused training and a comfortable, warm environment, ensuring an ideal learning experience for divers of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're refining your technique or introducing children to the wonders of diving, our pool offers the perfect setting.
Our pool session(s) are on Saturday evenings from 18:00 - 20:00, with a meet at the Dive Centre prior (this time will be confirmed when you book). The time at the Dive Centre is spent on various activities depending on which course you are undertaking but for all first session this will involve introducing you to your instructor, the dive equipment you will be using in the pool, a safety briefing and the evenings activities. During non term time then we have a pool session available on a Thursday from 19:00 - 21:00.
First Aid
First Aid
Our team of highly experienced instructors will be on hand to guide you through every step of the way
