What’s the Difference between Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver?
PADI Scuba Diver Vs. PADI Open Water Diver: Maximum Depth – Open Water Divers: can plan and execute dives with a certified buddy or dive professional to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet.
– Scuba Divers: may only dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet.
PADI Scuba Diver Vs. PADI Open Water Diver: Course Requirements
Open Water Diver
1.) Learn fundamental concepts about scuba through PADI eLearning® or classroom instruction (knowledge development)
2.) Complete five confined water (pool) skill practice sessions
3.) Complete four open water (ocean) dives
Scuba Diver
1.) Learn fundamental concepts about scuba through PADI eLearning or classroom instruction
2.) Complete three of five confined water (pool) skill practice sessions
3.) Complete two of four open water dives
The PADI Scuba Diver course is (roughly) the first half of the PADI Open Water Diver course. It omits some of the more challenging skills and is a good choice for people who have limited time, or for young children.
What You Learn
All the basics of scuba diving through knowledge development, a set of scuba skills in the pool that you’ll use again during open water dives, and an appreciation for the underwater world that will keep you coming back for more bottom time every chance you get! During the course you’ll cover material and practice skills related to topics such as:
- Buoyancy skills including comfortable ascents and descents, and breathing underwater.
- Staying warm underwater, streamlining your swimming skills and buddy diving techniques.
- Diving environments and aquatic life you’re likely to encounter.
- Preventing common problems underwater.
Prerequisites
To take this course, you must be:
- 12 years or above
- Adequate swimming skills
- In good physical health
- No prior experience with scuba diving is required, but you can try it first through the Discover Scuba® Diving program
- Paperwork prerequisites: You will need to fill out liability release & medical declaration forms prior to participating in this course. (A full dive medical may be required, should the medical declaration form raise any issues which may be contra-indicatory to Scuba Diving.)
Course Price and Duration
2-4 Days | $499
This course is conducted in conjunction with our PADI Open Water Diver courses. Full dates of the Open water courses are here. When completing your PADI Scuba diver course you would be doing sections of each day but not the whole programme. Please call the shop to book your spot as booking online will place you as a full Open water Diver student. For a list of diving doctors please go to www.spums.org.au
Course Content
Completion of 3 Knowledge Development segments
Completion of Confined Water Dives 1-3.
Meet watermanship requirements (optional)
Completion of Open Water Dives 1-2
The Scuba Gear You Use
You’ll use all the basic scuba gear and some of it may be included with your course. You will have to invest in your own mask, snorkel and fins since these personal items are a lot more fun to use when they fit properly. A buoyancy compensating jacket that holds your scuba tank, a scuba regulator that delivers air, a weight system and instrumentation to monitor depth and air supply will also be used and supplied by us. You will wear a scuba wetsuit to enhance the comfort and relaxation during the PADI Scuba Diver Course.
- Safely enter and exit the water
- sometimes it’s better to hand your gear up to the crew and then climb in the boat
- sometimes you just take off your fins and weights and walk up the ladder
- Stow your gear in the most appropriate areas
- Use surface lines to initiate or conclude your dives
- Locate basic boat safety equipment
Our Team
Academy of Scuba is lucky to have some of the best dive professionals in the business.
Interested in who will be teaching you to scuba dive? Check out our team here!
Upgrading to Open Water
PADI Scuba Divers may upgrade to an Open Water Diver certification by completing a surface swim, two additional knowledge development modules, a quiz and exam, two confined water sessions and two open water dives. Contact us today to arrange this or for more information.