If you're wondering how long it takes to get scuba certified, you're not alone. There are several options depending on what level of experience you desire. PADI offers an entry-level course that teaches basic diving skills. PADI Open Water Divers allows you to become certified.
PADI's entry-level diver course
Five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews, and a final exam make up the PADI entry-level diver course. The course is usually completed in three to four days. However, you may be able to complete it faster if you take the online course. This course covers the fundamentals of diving and includes several open-water dives.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual is your basic guide to diving. This manual covers proper equipment, terminology and safety procedures. You will also find five videos explaining each topic and answering any questions.
Open water certification dives
Open water certification requires a few steps. Your training is the first step. You will spend several sessions in the pool or a shallow area before you begin your open water diving. These sessions will help you improve your water skills. The orientation dive focuses on the water, while the second dive focuses on scuba skills. The third dive is for relaxation, while the last dive is for consolidating everything you have learned.
Local dive centers can usually complete your certification in less than a weekend. You may have to work around the instructor or dive center's schedule if you choose to do your training in a different place. Open water certification usually takes 3-4 days.
Next-level certification dives
A beginner scuba diver can start with a few pool-side try-dives before progressing to the next level. Most of the time, try-dives take place in shallow water (less than 6 feet). Open water diving demands that you be more confident in all aspects. Open water diving occurs in water bodies such as lakes, oceans, and even flooded pits.
While the actual time to become certified can vary, it typically takes four days. The entire process can be completed online in a matter of days or two if you are taking an online course. Online courses do not have a set deadline, although waiting periods might be necessary for professional ranks.
Prerequisites to next-level certification
First, get some experience in the water before you apply for your next-level scuba certification. You can start by taking a few dives in a pool to get familiar with the sport. You can also go diving in lakes, or in flooded quarry pits. Open water diving requires more training than a first dive.
For those who want to further their scuba training, the SDI open-water course is ideal. It will teach you basic scuba skills and problem-solving skills. It will also teach you how to perform a self-rescue, a technique used by rescue divers. Open water training can be a prerequisite to many liveaboards or more difficult dive sites.