PADI Open Water Diver

Open Water certification is your ticket to a fascinating new world. It will teach you all of the skills you need to know to become a safe and responsible diver. However, the most important part of the class is to have lots of fun!

Classroom, Pool, Open Water

In the Classroom Session of the course, you will be exposed to a variety of subject matter and how it relates to scuba diving. We still outline the requirements for diving such as gear and knowledge. However, we also teach you vital communication skills since our primary form of communication, talking,is not an option underwater. The buddy system ensures your safety as well as giving you someone to share your experiences with. Therefore, a section of the class is dedicated to proper buddy procedures. Scuba diving explores an environment quite different from the one we live in daily. As a result you will learn how to maneuver in it and how to breathe underwater. Further classes teach you procedure you will use on your dives such as boat procedures, dive planning, dive tables as well as problem management.

The Pool Session is where you will experience all of the knowledge you learned in the classroom sessions. Here you will practice all of the skills necessary for open water diving. Our first project will be to familiarize you with all of the equipment you will be using, set up your gear and prepare for your entry. That first breath will be a memorable experience and done in a relaxed atmosphere of confined water. Once you have mastered breathing, we will move you on to other skills such as buoyancy control, removing your mask, clearing it, and adjusting it underwater. Entries and exits are also practiced here so you will be comfortable at any entry point.

If you feel that after the pool experience you are not comfortable with your level of skill mastery, come back as many times as you need. We would be happy to set you up with a Divemaster or Assistant Instructor to work with you one on one before you progress on to the open water training sessions.

The Open Water Sessions are your final step to certification. During the two days of your Open Water Sessions, you will make four dives to get used to the gear and show us your skill mastery that you learned in the Pool Sessions. There will be no pop quizzes or surprises here. You will just show us what you know and what you have learned.

Click here to download the PADI Medical Waiver

Course Options

Diversions Scuba offers four options for you to complete your course.

The Weekend Course

Our most popular course

• PADI Open Water Diver Manual for Home Study
• Classroom and Pool on Saturday *
• Classroom and Pool on Sunday *
• Four Open Water Dives Over Two Days

* Note that start and end times are variable. Please check with staff for the start time of your course on each day. As a general rule, plan on spending seven to eight hours in the classroom and pool each day.

The E-Learning Class

Great for those with limited time and tight schedules!

• Click on banner below and complete all home study and classroom portions at home
• Once course is completed, print your material and call to schedule your pool session
• One to Two Pool Sessions
• Four Open Water Dives Over Two Days

The Modular Class

Modular classes are limited in availability and best suited to large groups

• PADI Open Water Diver Manual for Home Study
• Three 2-3 Hour Classroom Sessions
• One to Two Pool Sessions
• Four Open Water Dives Over Two Days

The Referral Class

For those wishing to complete their certification elsewhere

This class is designed for those who are taking a vacation somewhere warm during the winter months (when open water sessions in Wisconsin are unavailable.) Complete the classroom and pool sessions here with Diversions during one of our weekend classes, and complete the open water sessions on your vacation! This option is best for those who do not wish to sit in a classroom or pool on their vacation, but would rather spend their vacation diving.

Requirements

For each option above, the following is required:

• Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Swimsuit, Towel
• PADI student folder completed in person before class (E-Learning students will complete before first session at Diversions)
• Diversions' Student Agreement completed in person before class

In addition, some students are more comfortable in the pool with a wetsuit. This is not required - the pool temperature hovers around 75 degrees.

Course Fees

The open water fee INCLUDES EVERYTHING you need to become certified. That's books, supplies, rental equipment, pool sessions, open water sessions, and the PADI certification card. There are no hidden fees. Please get in touch for current pricing

Course Availability

Classes are modular in nature which allows greater flexibility. Modules are offered on various evenings from 6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. and are offered three to fours times per month. Check out our calendar and then contact us for the next available classes.