It takes approximately two years to become scuba certified. There are several options depending on what level of experience you desire. PADI offers a beginner program that teaches the basics of diving. The PADI Open Water Diver certification program is also available.
PADI's entry-level diver course
The PADI entry-level diver course consists of five chapters, four Knowledge Reviews and a final exam. Although it takes three to four working days, the majority of the course can be completed within three to five days. You can also take the online version. This course teaches the basics of diving. It also covers open-water diving.
PADI Open Water Diver Manual - This manual will teach you the basics of diving. It covers terminology, safety, equipment, and much more. It also contains five videos that explain each topic and answer any questions you might have.
Open water certification dives
There are several steps that you need to complete in order to be certified open water. The first step is to get your training. Before you can begin open water diving, you will need to spend a few sessions in the pool. You will also be able to demonstrate your skills in water during these sessions. The first dive is for orientation. The second dive is for scuba skills. Relaxation is the goal of the third dive, while the final dive is intended to consolidate all that you have learned.
Local dive centers can usually complete your certification in less than a weekend. If you decide to train at a different location, it may be necessary to adjust to the instructor's schedule. Generally, it takes three to four days to get open water certified.
Next-level certification dives
A beginner scuba diver can start with a few pool-side try-dives before progressing to the next level. Try-dives are usually done in shallow water (under 6 feet). Open water diving requires you to be more confident in all aspects of the aquatic environment, from navigating the waters to staying safe. Open water diving can be done in any body of water, including the ocean, lakes and even flooded quarry pits.
Although the time required to become certified varies depending on where you live, it usually takes around four days. If you take an online course, you can complete the entire process within a week or two. There are no pre-set deadlines for entry-level courses, though waiting periods can be required for some professional ranks.
Prerequisites for the next-level certification
First, get some experience in the water before you apply for your next-level scuba certification. To get a feel for the sport, you can try scuba diving in a pool. You can also dive in lakes or flooded quarry pits. Open water diving takes more practice than a "try-dive".
The SDI Open-Water Training Course is designed for people who want to continue their diving training. This course will help you to master basic scuba skills as well as problem-solving skills. You will learn how to self-rescue, which is a technique used by rescue divers. Open water training is required for divers who wish to dive at more difficult sites and liveaboards.