Open Water Diver

The PADI Open Water Diver course is a fun entry-level course that teaches student divers the foundational knowledge, skills and equipment knowledge needed to dive with a buddy, independent of supervision. This is the first step towards becoming a Master Scuba Diver, the highest non-professional rating a diver can achieve. The Scuba Diver course is a sub course within the Open Water Diver course that teaches student divers the foundational knowledge and skills they need to dive under the supervision of a certified divemaster, assistant instructor or instructor. For more information about the Scuba Diver course please contact Scuba Systems.

Prerequisites

The minimum age to begin the PADI Open Water Diver program is 10 years old. Divers between 10 and 14 years will earn a PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification.  A PADI Junior Open Water Diver between the ages of 10 and 11 years may only dive with a PADI Professional, a certified parent or guardian to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet. Divers between 12-14 years need to dive with a certified parent or guardian.

You will need to complete a student record folder, which also includes a medical questionnaire.  If you answer yes to any of the medical statements you will need to have your doctor sign a medical release form.

What's Involved

The PADI Open Water Diver course is performance based. This means that student divers progress through the course by demonstrating that they meet measurable learning objectives. There are two parts to a PADI Open Water Diver certification. Part One includes home study, Knowledge Development Review and Pool Dives, where you practice and complete a skill in the water and then move on to the next skill. Part Two is Open Water training dives.

The Knowledge Development Review and Pool Dives section has 5 modules. This section can be completed in a full weekend, 5 evenings or privately based on your schedule. The home study and Knowledge Development Review can also be completed on the Internet with E-learning. The PADI Open Water Diver Course requires self-study before the first class meeting. This means the student reads the appropriate section of the book; views the DVD segment and complete the Knowledge Review prior to each class/pool session. You will review the Knowledge Reviews with your instructor and take a short quiz for the first four chapters. At the end of chapter five, you will take an exam, which covers everything you have learned. The pool dives teach you about your equipment, dive skills, and gear set-up and care . You will also do a 200-yard swim and a 10-minute float.

The Open Water training dives requires 4 open water dives that can be accomplished in two days. The dives can be done locally with Scuba Systems at Haigh Quarry in Kankakee or at Pearl Lake near Rockford, on one of our exciting National Geographic Dive Trips or we can provide referral paperwork so that you can do your open water dives on a vacation. On these 4 dives you will demonstrate the skills that you learned in your pool dives and the rest of each dive will be for pleasure and experience.

Class Fees, Required Materials and Equipment and Other Fees

Part One - Knowledge Review and Pool Dives  $285 or $295 with eRDP

• PADI Open Water Diver Crewpack, which includes a PADI Open Water Manual, PADI Open Diver DVD, PADI Log Book, and RDP or eRDP (included in course fee). 
• Use of BC, regulator, alternate, gauges, weights and tanks (included in course fee).
• You will need to purchase scuba quality mask, fins, boots and snorkel (just so you know, snorkel fins don't work with scuba). Scuba Systems has an excellent selection of equipment and we will fit you with gear that fits you properly and meets your needs.
• Scuba Systems also provides free Divers Alert Network (DAN) student diver insurance, which covers you until midnight of the day you get your Open Water Certification or for six months, whichever comes first.

Part Two – Local Open Water Training Dives  $200

• PADI Log Book, RDP or eRDP (included in Part One course fee).
• Scuba  quality mask, fins, boots and snorkel  (Hey, you have these already from Part One, right?)
• BC, regulator/alternate/computer or gauges and a watch, surface signaling device, wetsuit, hood, gloves, tanks, weight belt, weights and a PADI Positive Identification Card (PIC) – (included in Part Two course fee.  Rental gear is included in the fee.  By purchasing your own gear your fee will be less). 
• Entrance fee at Haigh Quarry www.haighquarry.com or Pearl Lake www.pearllake.com (approximately $20 per day).

Referral Dives

Scuba Systems works with a number of dive operations all over the world and will be happy to help arrange your Open Water Training Dives at your travel destination.    Once you have completed Part One with Scuba Systems, we will provide you a referral packet that includes your student diver record, medical questionnaire and an information sheet.  We also highly recommend that you purchase a PADI Positive Identification Card (PIC - $33) – certification form – to bring with you.