Scuba Certification Steps
The Divers West Open Water course consists of a Zoom orientation night, a gear-fitting session by appointment, and the following three main phases:
- Knowledge Development-Using PADI’s eLearning, you’ll study online from home, then take quizzes and a final exam.
- Pool Training Dives-One weekend at the pool where you get to try out your “underwater space suits” and learn scuba skills. Students must be able to swim 200 yards and tread/float for 10 minutes.
- Ocean Training Dives- One weekend where you complete four ocean dives. This is where you apply what you’ve learned in the pool, have some fun, and complete your certification.
Pool and ocean dives are scheduled in advance. Most classes are scheduled to do some beach diving, and the rest of the course is completed at one of our beautiful local islands where you’ll experience what California diving is all about. Locations and prices vary by month depending on the dive destination.
Because students learn at different paces, some may request or require additional time to get certified. Ask about our private lessons. Additional fees apply.
Prerequisites
To enroll in Divers West’s Open Water Diver course, you must:
-
Be 12 years or older. (For ages under 18, parental consent/sign-up is required and a parent must be present during orientation and most of the course.)
-
Complete a medical questionnaire and be in generally good health.
-
Be able to swim 200 yards non-stop and tread/float for 10 minutes.
For most children ages 10 and 11, special attention is needed and training restrictions apply, so only private classes are available. Additional fees apply. Dates are subject to availability. Please call for more information.
Required Gear – We’ll Make This Easy
When you take our Open Water Diver course, we’ll include the main scuba rental equipment for free, a $190 savings, when you purchase your required personal gear at Divers West. Personal gear includes mask, snorkel, fins, gloves, and booties.
When you purchase your gear from us, you’ll get a personal fitting session. It is very important that your scuba equipment fits properly, so do not purchase it online and hope it works. We will teach you what type of gear is suitable for scuba diving in California and other parts of the world. Not all snorkeling gear is suitable. Let Divers West help you find the best gear.
Private Lessons Available
Would you prefer more personalized attention? Would you like to learn at your own pace rather than in a classroom environment? Would you like to train in your own pool?
We offer private instruction for those who want a more customized schedule or more personalized training. Please call (626) 529-5220 or stop by the store for more details. Additional fees will apply. Dates are subject to availability, distance, and weather conditions.
Although unlikely, some things are out of our control. All courses are subject to unexpected cancellation or rescheduling for weather, insufficient participation in the course, or any unexpected event that may prevent Divers West from conducting the class.
Purchase your entire scuba kit, which includes a regulator set with dive computer, BCD, wetsuit, and scuba tank, and get your Open Water Diver course or Advanced Open Water Diver course for free. Conditions apply. Boat fees extra. Ask for details.
