Scuba Certification: Everything You Need to Know

What is a Scuba Diving Certification?

Are you fascinated by the underwater world and the amazing creatures who live there? By getting your scuba diving certification with Waterhoppers.com not only does it introduces you to a buck load of fun, it also gives the passport to extraordinary experiences and adventures while supporting the oceans. A scuba diving license (either PADI Scuba Diver or the PADI Open Water diver) identifies you love to explorer the underwater world, but you are also an ambassador for the ocean.

Below will teach you everything you need to know about scuba diving lessons, PADI certification, and answers to frequently asked questions about learning to scuba dive.

The PADI Scuba Diver & the PADI Open Water Course

PADI’s Scuba Diver or Open Water Dive course is the world’s most popular and widely recognised scuba diving certifications. You can become a certified diver in as little as four days, or over the course of a year. Once certified you can:

• Scuba dive with a partner (without supervision for Open or with an instructor or Divemaster as a PADI Scuba Diver.)
• Rent or purchase scuba diving gear
• Book excursions with dive boats and resorts
• Get air fills at local dive shops
• Call yourself a certified diver!

PADI Scuba Diver and PADI Open Water Diver are much more than just learning how to explore the underwater world safely (but that’s covered). It’s a great way to reconnect with the natural world.

By the time you finish your PADI Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver course, you’ll understand our ocean planet in a new way. Read on and follow the links to watch PADI explainer videos, to learn how to become a certified diver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCcTAS53Inc&t=5s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvZT3etZIsw&t=1s

What’s in the PADI Scuba Diver & Open Water Course?

Knowledge Development

You must be at least 10 years old, able to swim and in good physical health to enrol in a scuba diving course. In some countries, you may be required to attend a medical with a physician (your PADI Dive Centre will advise you if this is the case). If you meet these qualifications, the first thing you’ll do is learn scuba diving fundamentals during phase one, ‘Knowledge Development’.

During knowledge development, you’ll learn all about scuba equipment, familiarise yourself with scuba terminology, and watch videos of diving skills. It is self-study, so you control the time it takes for you to comfortably go through the material. You can easily complete the 5 sections over a couple of days, especially if you are on holiday relaxing around the pool. Even better do it with friends and family and you can work together, both above and below the water.

The most popular choice for knowledge development is PADI eLearning®, an independent study option where you read, watch videos, and take quizzes using your computer or mobile device. Complete your scuba studies whenever, wherever it’s convenient. On average, the program requires eight hours to complete.

At the end of knowledge development all five sections for the PADI Open Water diver, you’ll take a final exam to ensure you have a thorough understanding of scuba diving essentials. Your PADI Instructor will answer any questions you may have along the way.

Confined Water Dives

During your confined water training, you’ll take your first breath underwater in a calm environment such as a swimming pool or tranquil lagoon (known as “confined water”). You’ll practice basic diving skills such as clearing water from your mask, ascending and descending. Your instructor will demonstrate and review the skills with you until you’re comfortable performing them on your own. When you feel ready, you’ll move on to the final phase, open water diving!

Open Water Dives

You’ll learn to dive by diving to a maximum depth of 18 metres/60 feet for PADI Open Water Diver and 12 meters/40 feet for PADI Scuba Diver. The open water course includes four open water dives in total, two for Scuba Diver. The Whole PADI Scuba Diver Course can be completed in two days, Open Water Diver in 3 days. With your instructor by your side, you’ll practice the skills you learned in confined water, and explore the underwater world.

After completing four open water dives and all course requirements, you become a certified PADI Open Water diver (two days for Scuba Diver) – a title that will last a lifetime. Now you are free to explore the other two-thirds of our ocean planet! As a PADI certified Open Water Diver, you’ll have access to many exciting PADI courses that help you reach your diving goals—whether they be exploration, ocean.

Ready to become a certified diver? Check out https://www.waterhoppers.com/programmes/padi-courses/introduction for both the PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver Courses.