SSI Open Water Diver (Part A)

Start Your Open Water Journey the Right Way

Open Water Part A is where your diving journey starts to become real.

If Try Scuba is your first taste of breathing underwater, Part A is the stage where you begin learning properly. You complete your SSI digital learning, develop your pool skills, become familiar with scuba equipment, and build the confidence needed before moving into open water.

This stage is sometimes called a referral course because it allows you to complete the theory and pool training with Dive Rutland, then finish your open water dives later. But for most beginners, the most helpful way to think about Part A is much simpler:

This is your foundations stage.

You are not expected to already feel like a diver. You are here to learn, practise, ask questions, build comfort, and prepare for the final certification stage.

Quick Summary

What it is: The theory and pool-training stage of your SSI Open Water Diver course.

Who it is for: Beginners who are ready to move beyond Try Scuba and start proper diver training.

What you do: Complete SSI eLearning, theory review, equipment practice, and pool-based scuba training with Dive Rutland instructors.

What it prepares you for: Open Water Part B, where you complete your open water dives and become certified.

Best for: Students who want a calm, supported, confidence-first route into becoming a qualified diver.

Why Open Water Part A Matters

Learning to dive is exciting, but it can also feel unfamiliar at first.

You are breathing underwater, using equipment you may never have worn before, learning new safety skills, and discovering how your body moves in a completely different environment. That is why the foundation stage matters so much.

Part A gives you the time, support, and structure to build confidence before open water. Instead of rushing straight into certification dives, you develop the skills and comfort needed to enjoy the next stage properly.

Part A helps you build:

• Confidence: You get time to practise in a controlled pool environment before moving into open water.
• Comfort: You become familiar with breathing underwater, wearing scuba equipment, and moving calmly.
• Core diving skills: You learn the essential safety, buoyancy, communication, and equipment skills used by divers.
• Understanding: SSI digital learning helps you understand the principles behind safe diving.
• Readiness: You prepare for Open Water Part B, where you complete your certification dives.

Who Open Water Part A Is For

This page is for people who are ready to start learning to dive properly.

This is usually right for you if:

• You have tried scuba and want to continue.
• You know you want to become a certified diver.
• You want to complete your theory and pool training before doing open water dives.
• You are planning to finish your certification later with Dive Rutland.
• You are planning to complete your open water dives abroad and need referral-style training first.
• You want a supportive, confidence-first route into diving.
• You prefer to build skills gradually rather than feel rushed.

This may not be the right starting point if:

• You only want a one-off scuba experience.
• You are not sure whether scuba diving is for you yet.
• You have already completed your theory and pool training and only need your open water dives.
• You are looking for instant certification without completing the full training pathway.

What Happens During Open Water Part A?

Open Water Part A combines digital learning, theory support, equipment practice, and pool-based scuba training.

Once you enrol, you will receive access to your SSI online learning. This lets you begin studying straight away and complete the knowledge development needed for the Open Water Diver course.

You will then complete a series of pool sessions with Dive Rutland. These sessions are designed to help you become familiar with your equipment, practise core scuba skills, and build the confidence needed before moving into open water.

During Part A, you will:

• Complete your SSI Open Water digital learning.
• Learn how scuba equipment works.
• Practise setting up and using your equipment.
• Develop underwater communication and safety skills.
• Practise buoyancy, movement, breathing control, and comfort underwater.
• Build confidence through repeated pool practice.
• Prepare for Open Water Part B and your certification dives.

Training is performance-based, which means the goal is not to rush you through a fixed checklist. You progress as you demonstrate comfort, understanding, and skill mastery.

Open Water Part A Course Structure

Most students complete Part A through a combination of online learning and several pool sessions.

Training Element	What It Covers	Why It Matters
SSI Digital Learning	Interactive theory modules, videos, knowledge reviews, and required course learning.	Gives you the knowledge foundation needed to understand safe diving before and during your practical training.
Theory Review and Briefings	Instructor support, discussion, review, and preparation before pool sessions.	Helps turn online learning into practical understanding.
Equipment Familiarisation	Learning how your scuba equipment works, how it fits, and how to use it confidently.	Reduces nerves and helps you feel more in control underwater.
Pool Training	Usually 5–6 pool sessions, including confined-water skill development.	Allows you to practise essential diving skills in a calm, controlled environment.
Confidence Building	Repeated practice with breathing, buoyancy, movement, safety skills, and underwater control.	Prepares you for real open water conditions in Part B.

Typical Time Commitment

Most students complete Part A over approximately 5–6 pool sessions. Each session may include dry-side review, briefing, theory consolidation, and pool time.

As a guide, students should expect around 10–12 hours of in-water pool training, with the total learning commitment often around 15–20 hours when theory, preparation, and reviews are included.

Courses are flexible and can often be arranged around your availability. Intensive options may be possible where appropriate, but the focus is always on building ability properly rather than rushing the process.

Why Part A Comes Before Part B

Part B is where you complete your open water dives and become certified. Part A is what makes that possible.

Open water introduces new factors such as depth, temperature, visibility, space, and natural conditions. These can be exciting, but they are much easier to enjoy when you already feel comfortable with the basics.

Part A gives you that foundation first.

Part A prepares you for Part B by helping you:

• Understand your equipment before using it in open water.
• Practise safety skills before you need them in a real environment.
• Build buoyancy control before adding depth and open water conditions.
• Learn at your own pace with instructor support.
• Arrive at Part B feeling more confident and prepared.

What You Need to Start Open Water Part A

You do not need previous diving experience to start Part A, but there are some important requirements.

Requirement	Details
Minimum Age	10 years old. Junior certification restrictions apply for younger divers.
Health and Fitness	You need to be healthy and reasonably fit for scuba diving.
Medical Questionnaire	You must complete the required diving medical questionnaire. If you answer yes to relevant medical questions, a physician’s signature may be required before starting.
Swimming Ability	You need to be able to swim 200 metres continuously and float or tread water for 10 minutes.
Water Comfort	You should be comfortable in water and willing to learn at your own pace.

Junior Diver Information

Divers under 15 receive a Junior Open Water certification when the full course is completed. Age-related depth and supervision limits apply:

• Ages 10–12: Maximum depth of 12 metres, with appropriate supervision requirements.
• Ages 13–15: Maximum depth of 18 metres, with qualified adult supervision requirements.

If you are booking for a younger diver, contact Dive Rutland before booking so we can help you choose the most appropriate route.

What's Included in Open Water Part A?

Open Water Part A includes the core learning and pool-training elements needed before moving into open water.

Included	What This Means
SSI Open Water eLearning	You receive access to the digital learning needed for your Open Water Diver training.
Pool sessions	Your pool-based scuba training is included as part of the foundation stage.
Pool fees	Pool access for scheduled training sessions is included.
Scuba equipment rental	Core scuba equipment is provided for training, excluding personal-fit items such as mask, snorkel, and wetsuit where applicable.
Air fills	Breathing gas for pool training is included.
Dive Rutland instructional team	Training is delivered by qualified, insured Dive Rutland professionals.
Progression support	The team helps you understand the next step into Open Water Part B or referral completion.

Equipment You May Need

Dive Rutland provides the main scuba equipment needed for pool training. You will need to bring swimwear and may need personal items such as a mask, snorkel, and wetsuit depending on the route, package, and stage of training.

Mask and snorkel are personal-fit items, so many students choose to buy their own. Dive Rutland can advise on suitable equipment packages if you need help choosing the right setup.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Good training should be clear about costs from the start. Part A covers your theory and pool foundation stage, but there may be additional costs depending on your chosen route.

Potential Additional Cost	Why It May Apply
Mask and snorkel	These are personal-fit items and are usually purchased separately.
Wetsuit or exposure protection	This may be needed depending on your training route and equipment preferences.
Open Water Part B	Part B is the separate open water completion stage needed to become certified.
Open water site fees	These apply during Part B if completing open water dives at a training site.
1:1 training	Private or additional support may be arranged separately if required.
Intensive course options	Custom scheduling or unadvertised intensive training may involve additional cost.

Can I Complete Part B Somewhere Else?

Yes. One of the advantages of completing Part A is flexibility.

After completing your theory and pool training with Dive Rutland, you may choose to complete your open water dives with us, or you may use your referral-style training to complete the open water stage with another suitable SSI dive centre, including centres abroad.

This can be useful if:

• You already have a holiday booked and want to finish your dives in warmer water.
• You want to complete the pool and theory work locally before travelling.
• You want to learn with Dive Rutland first, then complete the final dives elsewhere.
• You prefer to separate the foundation stage and certification stage.

If you are planning to complete Part B abroad, speak to us before booking so we can help you understand the process and what information the receiving dive centre may need.

Why Build Your Foundations with Dive Rutland?

Your first proper diving course should feel calm, structured, and supportive.

At Dive Rutland, the aim is not simply to push you through a course. The aim is to help you become comfortable enough, skilled enough, and confident enough to continue the journey into open water.

What makes the Dive Rutland approach different?

• Confidence-first training: Part A is treated as a foundation-building stage, not just a referral product.
• Performance-based progression: You progress as you demonstrate mastery, not because a timetable says you should.
• Supportive instruction: Beginner nerves are normal, and the team helps you build comfort step by step.
• Quality equipment: Dive Rutland uses modern, regularly serviced equipment with a range of sizes.
• Professional standards: Training is delivered by insured dive professionals working within appropriate safety and operational expectations.
• Clear next steps: You will understand how Part A leads into Part B, certification, club diving, trips, and further progression.

What Happens After Open Water Part A?

After completing Part A, your next step is Open Water Part B.

This is where you complete your required open water dives and, once all course requirements are successfully met, earn your SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Your options after Part A are:

• Complete Part B with Dive Rutland: Finish your open water dives through Dive Rutland and continue into the club, trips, equipment, and further training pathway.
• Complete Part B abroad: Use your referral-style completion to finish the open water dives with a suitable dive centre overseas.
• Take more time if needed: If you feel you need additional support before open water, speak to the team about the best next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Open Water Part A?

Open Water Part A is the theory and pool-training stage of the SSI Open Water Diver course. It gives you the knowledge, skills, equipment familiarity, and confidence needed before completing open water dives in Part B.

Is Part A the same as a referral course?

Yes, Part A is effectively the referral-style stage of the Open Water Diver course. It covers the theory and pool training, allowing you to complete the open water dives later with Dive Rutland or another suitable SSI dive centre.

Does Part A make me a certified diver?

No. Part A by itself does not complete your SSI Open Water Diver certification. To become certified, you also need to complete Open Water Part B, which includes the required open water training dives.

How many pool sessions are included?

Most students complete around 5–6 pool sessions, usually giving approximately 10–12 hours of in-water pool training. Exact progression depends on comfort, skill development, and performance-based mastery.

How long does Part A take?

Many students complete Part A over several weeks, depending on availability and scheduling. The overall time commitment is often around 15–20 hours when eLearning, theory review, preparation, and pool training are included.

Can I start straight away?

Yes. Once enrolled, your SSI digital learning can be assigned so you can begin the theory element. The Dive Rutland team will then arrange your pool training schedule.

Do I need previous diving experience?

No previous diving experience is required. However, if you are unsure whether scuba is right for you, a Try Scuba session may be the best first step before committing to Part A.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. Open Water Diver students need to be able to swim 200 metres continuously and float or tread water for 10 minutes.  This isn't a timed exercise, you just need to be able to swim, not swim like an athlete. 

Do I need a medical?

You must complete the required diving medical questionnaire. If your answers indicate that a physician’s approval is required, this must be completed before training can begin.

What equipment is included?

Core scuba equipment for training is included, excluding personal-fit items such as mask, snorkel, and wetsuit where applicable. Dive Rutland can advise on suitable equipment packages if needed.

What if I need more time?

SSI training is performance-based, so the focus is on developing mastery and comfort. If you need more time or support, the team can advise on the right route rather than rushing you forward.

Can I complete Part B abroad?

Yes. After completing Part A, you may complete your open water dives abroad with a suitable SSI dive centre. Speak to Dive Rutland before booking if this is your plan, so the process can be explained clearly.

Can I complete Part B with Dive Rutland?

Yes. Many students complete Part A with Dive Rutland and then continue into Open Water Part B with the same team. This gives a clear, supported route from foundations to certification.

What happens after I complete Part A?

Your next step is Open Water Part B, where you complete your open water dives and work towards becoming a certified SSI Open Water Diver.

Build Your Foundations Before Open Water

If you are ready to move beyond a one-off scuba experience and start working towards certification, Open Water Part A is the right next step.

This is where you build the knowledge, comfort, pool skills, and confidence needed before completing your open water dives. You will learn how the equipment works, practise the essential skills, and develop at a pace that supports real confidence.

Once your foundations are in place, Open Water Part B is where you complete the journey and become a certified diver.