The first thing that often comes to mind at the thought of learning to scuba dive is images of James Bond wearing fins and attacking the villain, or even Jacques Cousteau investigating the newfound creatures surrounding coral reefs world wide. Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) developed rapidly after the war and sport diving arose in tandem. Tanks, regulators and other gear formed the nucleus of an activity that is now practiced anywhere there is more than two feet of water.
From the 1960s to the present, buoyancy compensators, wetsuits and dry suits, along with a host of supplemental gear has been developed to allow almost anyone to take part in scuba diving. Certification isn't required, however it is highly recommended, the 20 hour PADI Open Water course (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) can teach the basics of scuba diving across a few day. The PADI Open Water course will instruct students on how to prepare gear, to breathe properly, descend and ascend safely and avoid common dangers. They will also teach you how to clear your mask, use your regulator properly, life-saving tips and much more. Once you have completed the PADI Open Water Course you are an entry-level scuba diver allowing you to dive in an environment under your instructor’s supervision and guidance.
Knowledge development establishes the principles and basic information that all divers need to have fun diving safely. It’s divided into 5 bite sized segments that you’ll complete primarily on your own time or in the classroom alone by using the PADI Open Water course manual and video to guide you. For each segment your instructor reviews and elaborates on the material, applying what you’re learning to your specific needs and the local dive environment. A short quiz at the end of each section in the manual confirms that you have picked up the information that you need from that section. At the end of the knowledge development section there is a 50 question examination (in leisurely conditions) which covers all of the 5 knowledge review sections and your instructor will go through this with you for “reinforced” learning.
You’ll make 4 Open Water Dives. Prior to completing your PADI Open Water course, you’ll meet specific learning objectives that you’ll read about in the Open Water Divers manual. The instructors and students you meet will often have useful suggestions and fascinating stories to tell about the exciting places they've dived. Australia's Barrier Reef, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Caymans, Thailand and dozens more sites around the globe have all been explored. The Open Water certification is a full entry level certification you earn by successfully completing the entire PADI Open Water course. The certification qualifies you to: • Dive independently (with a certified diving buddy) while applying the knowledge and skills that you learned in this course, within the limits of your dive training and experience...... • Get air fills, rent scuba equipment and other service for scuba diving.
• Plan, conduct and log open water no stop (no decompression) dives when equipped properly and accompanied by a buddy in conditions which you have training and or experience. • Continue your diver training with a specialty dive in the PADI Advanced Open Water program, and or in PADI specialty course. To find out more about diving holidays across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART Author: Emma Parker (08/08/08) That’s all for now on the PADI Open Water course |
