A step-by-step information on the right way to go the PADI Open Water Diver course
In concept, an knowledgeable diver ought to be penning this put up. Logically, she or he might inform you what to anticipate, offer you insider ideas and put together you for the problem forward. That stated, I’ve one distinct benefit over the consultants: I do know precisely how arduous it’s for nervous first-timers.
I do know what it’s wish to nearly again out of your first dive and to stop the course altogether. I additionally know the heart it takes to get again on and end the course. Again in 2015, 5 months after my first try, I handed the PADI Open Water Diver course.
Since then, I’ve accomplished over 40 dives all world wide, taking up shipwrecks, airplane wrecks, reefs, partitions and bommies. I hate to assume how I’d have missed out on all these beautiful experiences if I had stop the course for good.
To assist different nervous first-timers, I’ve put collectively a step-by-step information on the right way to go the PADI Open Water Diver course. I cowl the speculation first after which the arduous stuff: the confined water checks and the open water checks, bearing on just a few troublesome factors alongside the way in which.
How one can go the PADI Open Water Diver course
Selecting a course
All PADI programs comprise the next:
- Information growth: concept work that can assist you perceive the fundamental ideas of scuba diving. That is reviewed in a ultimate take a look at wherein you could rating 75% or greater. For those who fail, you’ll be able to retake the take a look at. See ‘PADI take a look at questions’ beneath for extra.
- Confined water dives: that is normally achieved in a pool or shallow water within the sea with the purpose of educating you primary scuba expertise. See ‘PADI confined water checks’ beneath for extra.
- Open water dives: you could full 4 open water dives wherein you display your expertise. See ‘PADI open water checks’ beneath for extra.
In selecting a course, firstly, be certain your dive centre is licensed by PADI. There are centres all around the world that publicize the PADI Open Water Diver course however which aren’t really licensed. They are going to fortunately take your cash and when you in all probability will be taught to dive, you gained’t be licensed.
Secondly, for those who’re a nervous diver, attempt to guide a 4-day and even 5-day course. The intensive 3-day programs run by means of the sensible checks in a short time with little time to teach weak swimmers. An extended course means extra time for hand-holding (which I wanted – actually).
PADI take a look at questions
You will see that the sensible facet of diving a lot simpler for those who learn by means of the speculation first. Your dive centre will provide you with a guide comprising 5 totally different chapters. For those who can confidently reply the checks inside the chapters and the data evaluations on the finish of every, you’ll seemingly go the examination with out issue.
Relying in your studying type, it’s attainable to blitz by means of chapters 1-3 on one night time and 4-5 on the second. Naturally, you probably have extra time to play with, then be happy to separate up the learning even additional. You may also select the eLearning possibility. This can be offered by your dive centre as customary, or you’ll be able to select to self-learn earlier than starting the sensible course.
To organize for the PADI take a look at questions:
- Go over the data evaluations
- Practise with flashcards
- Revise the dive indicators
- Practise all of the above with the Open Water Diver Course E book (PDF, $2.99)
Suggestions:
- For the ‘BWRAF’ verify, substitute the clunky PADI acronym (‘Start With Overview And Buddy’) for ‘Bruce Willis Ruins All Movies’. (It’s not true after all but it surely’s far simpler to recollect.)
- For the five-point descent, use the SORTED acronym: Sign, Orientate, Regulator, Time, Equalise and Descend.
- There isn’t a customary acronym for the various kinds of ascents (Normal ascent, Alternative air supply ascent, Controlled emergency swimming ascent, Buddy respiration ascent, Buoyant emergency ascent), however they may come up so use mine: NACBB for ‘Not All Youngsters Break Dangerous’ – it’s removed from good but it surely works for me!
- Don’t be daunted by the dive tables. They appear sophisticated at first however are easy upon getting been by means of the booklet. Verify along with your teacher if you’ll be utilizing the guide tables or an digital one. If the latter, you’ll solely want a free understanding of the previous.
PADI confined water checks
The next is a listing of the confined water checks (or ‘pool checks’) you’ll be anticipated to finish. In response to my teacher, most nervous divers have issue clearing the masks (I actually did). When you’ve got a snorkel and masks, practise this talent your self earlier than the course.
- 200m swim
- Tread water for 10 minutes
- Assemble, placed on and alter scuba gear
- Pre-dive security verify (BWRAF)
- Inflate and deflate BCD
- Clear snorkel on ascent by exhaling sharply and proceed respiration with out lifting face from water
- Swap from regulator to snorkel, snorkel to regulator a number of occasions with out lifting face from water
- Descend underwater (SORTED)
- Clear water out of your regulator (exhaling sharply and utilizing purge button)
- Use your SPG and sign your remaining air
- Recuperate your regulator from behind your shoulder
- Recognise and reply to hand indicators underwater
- Clear {a partially} flooded masks
- Clear a totally flooded masks
- Take away masks and breathe for one minute whereas stationary, substitute and clear masks
- Take away masks and swim for no less than 15 metres, substitute and clear masks
- Breathe from a free-flowing regulator for 30 seconds (air blasts out of the regulator forcing you to ‘sip’ air from it)
- Display impartial buoyancy: float at eye degree on the floor with no or minimal air within the BCD and whereas holding a standard breath; pivot from horizontal to vertical underwater a number of occasions; float within the ‘Buddha’ stance for 30 seconds
- Take off your scuba gear and put it again on at floor and at depth
- Tighten a free cylinder band
- Disconnect and reconnect the low-pressure inflator at floor and at depth
- Swim and navigate with a compass at floor and at depth
- Take away and substitute weights at floor and at depth
- Emergency weight drop at floor and at depth
- Cramp launch on buddy and on your self at floor and at depth
- BCD oral inflation at floor and at depth
- Out of air workouts: use alternate air supply, present alternate air supply, practise buddy respiration for one minute whereas swimming
- Practise a managed emergency swimming ascent (CESA)
- Ascend whereas equalising
- Drained diver tow for 25 metres
- Use inflatable signalling system
- Take away weights, scuba unit and fins in water too deep wherein to face and exit
- Submit-dive care of scuba gear
Phew.
PADI open water checks
You have to full 4 open water dives to be able to go the course. Dive 1 will orientate you, get you snug with the scuba gear and take a look at just a few of the above expertise. Dives 2 and three will rigorously take a look at the above expertise whereas Dive 4 is normally a extra relaxed affair permitting you to make use of and luxuriate in your newly developed expertise.
Ultimate phrase
Crucial factor to recollect is to maintain respiration and by no means maintain your breath. For those who really feel panic rising, simply proceed respiration. For those who can’t assume by means of your flooded masks, simply hold respiration. If you wish to shoot as much as the highest, simply hold respiration.
The second most necessary factor is to practise, practise, practise beforehand. The extra time you spend within the water, the extra assured you’ll change into.
If I can do it after vomiting into the regulator 5 metres down after which once more on the boat for good measure with a whopping 8kg round my waist, then so are you able to.
Good luck!
Loved this put up? pin it for later…
