PADI Open Water Diver Course

Discover the thrill of diving and unlock a world of underwater wonders with our PADI Open Water Course. Whether you're an adventurous soul seeking new experiences or simply fascinated by the mysteries beneath the waves, this course is your gateway to becoming a certified diver.

Master theory, practice skills, and explore stunning underwater landscapes. Gain confidence as you progress from pool training to awe-inspiring open water dives. Earn an internationally recognized certification to dive independently.

Enroll in the PADI Open Water Course today and embark on a lifetime of underwater adventures.

See more course information and start dates below. If you’ve always wanted to learn to scuba dive the course is for you.

With a PADI Open Water Diver Certification, you will be qualified to dive with a buddy, independent of an instructor to 18 metres. You will be able to buy scuba equipment, book on trips, explore wrecks, reefs and underwater kelp forests in over 183 countries worldwide.

This qualification is for life and it will certainly change yours. Most people have diving on their bucket lists, so why not be one of the lucky few who experiences the other 70% of this earth - the underwater!

- Scuba Diving Equipment
- Scuba Diving Skills
- Underwater Compass Skills
- Dive Planning, Dive Tables and Dive Computers
- Buddy System Procedures
- The Open Water Environment
- Aquatic Life
- Safe Diving Practices Prerequisites

Age
The minimum age is 14 years old for the

Medical History
All student divers complete an RSTC Medical Form that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these applies, sign the form and you’re ready to start. If you answer YES to any question on your RSTC Medical Form your doctor must, as a safety precaution, assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign the medical form that confirms you’re fit to dive.

Swimming
You will need to demonstrate basic water skills to be sure you’re comfortable in the water. This is a 200-metre/yard swim or 300-metre/yard swim using a mask, fins and snorkel without stopping. There is no time limit for this and you may use any swimming stroke you want.

Language Requirements
We are able to give you the theory portion of this course in a number of different languages but it is important that you also have good conversational english skills. Our instructors need to give you very important safety instructions verbally in the pool and at the dive site and they need to know that you fully comprehend what they are saying. If we are not confident that you will understand us please don’t be offended it is for the safety of our instructors as well as the other divers you will be diving with. Equipment

As a minimum when you start your course you are required to have your own mask, and snorkel. While we provide wetsuits, fins, boots, gloves and a knife, these items do have a very personal fit and you will be more comfortable in your own equipment. For the duration of the course, we provide all of the SCUBA equipment you need, but you can, of course, choose to provide your own. Dive Otago has a wide range of scuba equipment for sale and your instructor can help you choose the best gear for your diving needs.

We will provide for you:

- Wetsuit (7mm)
- Scuba Diving Fins
- Weight belt
- Gloves
- Boots
- Dive knife
- Signal tube (Safety Sausage)

You will need to provide:

- Mask & snorkel Course Stucture Theory

eLearning Option – 12 to 15 hours of independent online study prior to the course in our digital classroom. You will be presented with videos and slides to teach you all you need to know before moving on to the practical stuff.

Book and DVD Option – You will read The PADI Open Water Diver Manual prior to the course as well as watching the PADI Open Water Diver DVD. You complete an exam at Dive Otago before moving on to the practical stuff. Confined Water Dives (Pool)

Two days practising in our heated dive pool. You will practise and complete all the skills you will use in the ocean under the guidance of one of our experienced instructors. Learning is fun and you have plenty of time to perfect your skills. Open Water Dives (Ocean)

Now for the real fun and excitement! 4 Open Water Dives over 2 days at one of our amazing training sites. Aramoana has shipwrecks and beautiful kelp forests and is an easy site for all abilities. Weller's Rock on the other side of the harbour is complete with sponges, fish life and the very rare New Zealand Hooker Sea Lions. Schedule Options Option 1 - 2 Weekends

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