Sharm el Sheikh offers some of the calmest waters in the world for learning to dive, the PADI Open Water course is the perfect addition to your trip to Egypt. Throughout the training and upon certification you will be privy to some of the best diving in the world. The red sea offers a high level of visibility and a wealth of marine life from multicoloured coral to sharks, turtles and shipwrecks.

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.

The minimum ages for scuba certification is 10 for the Junior Open Water (adult supervised diving), and 15 for the Open Water Diver. These certifications show that you successfully completed the course according to the training standards and requirements established by PADI. Dive centres require a person to be a certified diver or in training before they will rent or fill scuba tanks for you, or let you participate in scuba activities. There is a “Discover Scuba Diving” (DSD) program which allows you to dive one day under the direct supervision of an instructor for the experience without the certification but the diving is extremely limited. Enrolling on the PADI Open Water Diver Course can lead to a lifetime of great adventures on vacation or around the corner from home.

To take part in the PADI Open Water Course you will need to be in good health with no major health problems as well as being comfortable in the water and have basic swimming skills (nothing extreme – 200 meter swim at you leisure and a 10 minute float on the surface (any way up)). Mentally you need a mature attitude and the self-discipline to follow the guide-lines and principles required for safe diving. The PADI Open Water course consists of 3 segments: Confined water dives, Knowledge development and Open water dives. Each plays an important role in learning to dive.

When you're certified as an Open Water diver you'll be able to dive to 60 feet / 18 meters (40 feet / 12 meters for 10-12 year olds) whenever you're accompanied by a fellow of the same or higher certification level (the other diver must be 18 or older for Junior Open Water divers). You don't have to be accompanied by a Divemaster or Instructor, but can be if you'd prefer. You're also eligible to do the Advanced PADI Open Water Course and many specialties. The PADI Open Water course is usually taught over 3 to 5 days, Active Diving (087 123 11 122: http://www.activediving.co.uk) offer a range of packages for beginners and experienced divers across a variety of Sharm el Sheikh Resorts.

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.

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.