You're not the only one wondering about how long it takes for a scuba certification. There are many options available depending on your level of experience. PADI offers a beginner program that teaches the basics of diving. PADI Open Water Diver allows you to be 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 teaches the basics of diving. It also covers open-water diving.
The PADI Open Water Diver Manual is your guide to the basics of diving. It contains information about equipment, terminology, safety protocols, and other important topics. Five videos are included to explain each topic and answer your questions.
Open water certification dives
Open water certification is possible in a few steps. First, you need to complete 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 orientation portion of the first dive is focused on scuba skills, while that of the second is for orientation. Relaxation is the goal of the third dive, while the final dive is intended to consolidate all that you have learned.
Your certification can be completed in one weekend if your local dive center is available. 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
An instructor can give a beginner scuba diver a few try-dives in a pool before moving on 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 is done in bodies of water like the ocean, lakes, or even flooded quarry mines.
While the actual time to become certified can vary, it typically takes four days. An online course can take you through the entire process in less than a week. You don't have to meet any deadlines for entry-level classes, but some professionals might need to wait.
Prerequisites to next-level certification
Before you get your next-level scuba certification, you should first get some experience in the water. You can start by taking a few dives in a pool to get familiar with the sport. You can also dive in lakes or flooded quarry pits. Open water diving requires more than just a test-dive.
The SDI open-water training course is designed for those who want to continue their scuba 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 must be completed before you can dive on more difficult dive sites or liveaboards.