Open Water Info

Now is the time to dive into the PADI Open Water Diver course, the most popular dive program in the world! This is your ticket to a lifetime of intense adventure with PADI, the dive company that sets the standards in the global diving community.

Why PADI Open Water?
As a certified PADI Open Water Diver, the most widely recognized and respected rating in the world, you have the freedom to dive with a buddy independent of a professional. If you already tried a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience or are PADI Scuba Diver certified, check with your instructor to see how credit from these courses may apply to the open water program.

What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification. You must be older than the age of 14 to begin the PADI Open Water Diver program. For those of you who are not above the age of 14 and would like to participate in the PADI Open Water Diver Program, then the PADI Jr Open Water Diver program is available to you. If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Open Water Diver program available.

A PADI Jr Open Water Diver between the ages of 10 and 11 years may only dive with a PADI Professional, a certified parent or certified guardian to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet.

What will I do?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You earn this rating by completing five pool dives and knowledge development sessions and by making four open water (ocean or lake) dives.

How long will it take?
PADI programs are performance based. You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you.

What will I need?

PADI Open Water Crew-Pak
PADI Open Water Video or DVD
Log Book

The Open Water Diver program consists of 3 components. First is the Confined Water training, this is where you actually learn the new skills that you will be using on every dive, not just in our pool. You will learn skills such as; regulator clearing and recovery mask clearing, proper buoyancy, basic equipment care, and numerous other skills that you will use frequently.

The Academic section is where you will learn about the more theoretical components of diving; ascents and descents, buoyancy, and planning your dive. If it all sounds overwhelming, don't worry, by the end of class it will all be second nature. You will be like the fish in the water that you always dreamed of being.

After completion of the confined and academic sections of class you have the third and final portion of your certification which is the Open Water (ocean or lake) Dives. This is where the real fun begins. The open water consists of 4 dives done at either Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, Blue Water @ Oronogo, or Stockton Lake (these are scheduled from Spring until Fall). During these dives you will demonstrate some of the skills you have learned in class to an instructor in an open water environment. Then the instructor will take you on an underwater tour and expose you to some of the attractions that the lakes have to offer.

After completion of the skills at the lake, you will be issued a temporary certification card and a permanent certification card will be issued from PADI's world headquarters in California. This certification allows you to go on dive trips to exotic locations, along with trips to the local diving hotspots. It also allows you to rent or purchase any equipment you may not have. And most importantly, it allows you to consider furthering your diving education with classes like the PADI Advanced Open Water.

Note: Skin-N-Scuba will provide Scuba tanks, regulators, buoyancy compensators, and consoles for use in "Pool Sessions".

* Chapters 1 and 2 of the PADI Open Water manual must be read before the start of the first class.

*** The entire "Educational Package" must be complete before the beginning of the weekend (2 day) class.

An "Educational Package" consisting of mandatory course materials is an additional $70.95 with DVD.

* Skin-N-Scuba will provide 2 Scuba tanks and regulator with console and compass at no cost to each student who can validate their purchase of mask, fins, and snorkel from Skin-N-Scuba retail store. Each student is responsible for the pick-up, transportation, and return of all equipment.

Each student will need to provide the following items. Rental prices also shown.

During cold season (April , May & October, November, and all dives at Oronogo, MO, students will also require:

All mentioned equipment is available through Skin-N-Scuba for rental or purchase. PADI Open Waters Certifications and Specialty Certifications are arranged through Skin n Scuba only.

It is the students' responsibility for transportation, hotel or camping arrangements. Tanks filled at any location are the student's responsibility, not that of the instructor or any of his assistants.