Training and Certification

During the PADI Open Water Diver course, you’ll learn what you need to know to explore
the underwater world using scuba. Most people find it a rewarding challenge that’s not overly
difficult. Training is important because:

 It enables diving to be rewarding and meaningful, so you can get out of it what you
want.

 There are potential hazards to avoid, reduce and/or manage.

 Like any adventure sport, diving has risks that you must accept.

Certification shows that you met the course requirements. Dive centers and resorts require proof of
certification before they will rent scuba equipment or fill scuba cylinders. As a PADI Open Water
Diver, you will be trained to a maximum depth of 18 metres/60 feet (or the actual depth you
reached, if shallower).

You’ll also be qualified to dive in conditions as good as, or better than, those in which you trained,
within the no stop limits of your dive computer or tables (you’ll learn about these limits in Sections
Four and Five). As a PADI Scuba Diver, you may dive under PADI Instructor or PADI Divemaster
supervision as deep as 12 metres/40 feet.

The PADI Open Water Diver certification is the world’s most popular and recognized scuba
credential. It is a full, entry level certification you earn by successfully completing the entire course.
It qualifies you to:

 Dive without instructor supervisions while applying the knowledge and skills you
learn in this course, within the limits of your training and experience.
 Obtain air fills, scuba equipment and other dive services.
 Plan, conduct and log open water dives when equipped properly and accompanied by
a buddy in conditions in which you have training and/ or experience.
 Continue your diver training in the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, and/or
in PADI Specialty courses.

You can earn the PADI Scuba Diver certification by completing only a portion of the Open
Water Diver course (Knowledge Development Sections 1-3, Confined Water Dives 1-3, and
Open Water Dives 1-2). It qualifies you to:

 Dive under the inwater supervision of a PADI Instructor or PADI Divemaster within
the limits of your training and experience.
 Obtain air fills, scuba equipment and other services for use while diving under
supervision.
 Plan, conduct and log open water dives with assistance when equipped properly and
accompanied in the water by a certified professional in conditions in which you have
training and/or experience.
 Course Overview
 The PADI Open Water Diver course has three parts: Knowledge Development,
Confined Water Dives and Open Water Dives.

Knowledge Development covers the principles, concepts and terms that you need to
know for safety and so you can enjoy diving. Short exercises, quizzes and knowledge
reviews help you assess and confirm learning as you go.

During the Confined Water Dives, you learn and practice scuba skills in a pool or water with pool-like
conditions under direct instructor supervision. You also practice applying what you learn in
Knowledge Development. You’ll enjoy making one or more minidives, which take you through the
same steps you follow when you make Open Water Dives.

About PADI and Your PADI Instructor, Dive Center or Resort

PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the world’s largest diver training
organization. PADI Worldwide establishes training programs, materials and standards, monitors their
quality, certifies instructors, and provides support services for PADI Members.

Your PADI Instructor is a professional who is qualified to conduct PADI training. To reach this
leadership position, your instructor has successfully completed a series of required courses,
including the comprehensive Instructor Development Course, followed by independent tests in the
two-day Instructor Examination.

PADI Dive Centers and Resorts are professional operations dedicated to meeting your diving needs.
Visit your dive operation online and in person for help choosing and servicing gear, dive travel and
staying plugged into the diving lifestyle.

The worldwide PADI Regional Headquarters (Offices) constantly monitor for individuals
misrepresenting themselves as authorized to teach PADI courses. You can verify that the individual
conducting your program is an authorized PADI Instructor.

When you take your PADI Open Water Diver course through an authorized PADI Dive Center or
Resort (see the Dive Shop Locator at padi.com), it’s highly likely your instructor is an authorized PADI
Instructor. But, if you doubt it for some reason, ask to see your instructor’s certification card. Check
the photo and note the instructor number. For further verification, you may call your local PADI
Regional Headquarters, or you can verify that the individual is authorized to conduct the PADI
program you’re taking with Pro Chek at padi.com. You can also find consumer alerts there.

If at any time you have questions about the instructor conducting your program, please contact the
local PADI Regional Headquarters using the information at padi.com.

Non-Agency Disclosure
PADI Members are licensed to use various PADI Trademarks and to conduct PADI training. Individual,
dive center and resort Members are not agents, employees or franchisees of PADI. Member business
activities are independent, and are neither owned nor operated by PADI. While PADI establishes the
standards for PADI diver training programs, it is not responsible for, nor does it have the right to
control, the operation of the Members’ business activities and the day-to-day conduct of PADI
programs and supervision of divers by the Members or their associated staff.

Course Requirements

To scuba dive, you need a mature attitude, good judgment and the self-discipline to follow
the guidelines and principles required for safe diving. There are also some minimum age,
swimming skill and fitness requirements.

Age
Prior to the start of the course, you must be at least 10 years old. Local regulations may specify a
higher minimum age. Note that 10 - 14 years olds earn a PADI Junior Diver certification that carries a
few restrictions. After certification, 10-11 years old must dive with a parent/guardian or PADI
Professional to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet, and 12-14 year olds must dive with an adult
certified diver.

Basic Swimming Skills

Medical Fitness
You don’t need to be an athlete to dive, but you do need good physical health. A few medical
conditions can be hazardous while diving. Also, like any active recreation, diving can be physically
demanding, so individuals who may be predisposed to heart attack or cardiovascular disease need to
exercise caution. As a prudent precaution, before any inwater training, you’ll complete a Diver
Medical form that screens for conditions that a physician should evaluate. For your safety, respond
to all statements honestly and completely.