So you want to "get your PADI" ? The PADI Open Water Diver certification is the most recognised scuba diving qualification in the world! The course is generally based over 4 days, with 2 days of theory and pool sessions and 2 days of dives.

The PADI Open Water Diver certification you gain on completion of this course allows you to dive anywhere in the world. This qualification allows you to dive (with a buddy of course) to a maximum depth of 18m. You may still wish to have a dive guide, but with this qualification you have the option of yourself and your buddy diving without supervision if you want. You will also be allowed to rent gear and get air fills by showing your certification card.

If you are planning to dive on holiday with a dive guide or you have limited time to devote to scuba certification, then the PADI Scuba Diver course is a good option. At a later date, if you would like to continue your dive training and complete PADI Open Water Diver certification, all you require is the extra theory/pool and dive sessions.

What's involved

The PADI Open Water Diver course usually takes 4 days.

• Homework: Before the course you are welcome to call into the shop and pick up the accompanying book to start reading. This is not mandatory but will reduce classroom time!
• Theory: For reference during and after the course you'll receive your own copy of the PADI Open Water Diver Manual. The dive theory sessions consist of 5 videos, completing/checking your theory answers in your book and then giving you a multiple choice quiz for each section. Then you'll complete a 50 question examination.
• Pool: You'll complete 5 pool dives as part of your course. The first of these will be in shallow water (so you can kneel with your head just beneath the surface!). During the other four pool sessions you venture into our 3.2m deep training pool so you can learn in water deep enough to experience skills such as ascents.
• Performance based: All PADI courses are performance based. In other words you need to be able to complete each skill proficiently before we move on to the next one. For that reason we schedule the course over four days, not three. This gives us time to get back in the pool and do some more skills practice if required. This way we can be sure that you are comfortable before you get on the boat!
• Boat dives: Once you have completed the pool and theory components of the course we'll take you out to the beautiful reef surrounding Rarotonga for four boat dives, over 2 days. The first 2 dives are to a maximum depth of 12m and then 18m for the remaining dives, all with an Instructor.
• Certification: When you have completed the course we will take your photo and issue you with a temporary certification document. You will then receive your shiny new PADI Open Water Diver qualification card direct from PADI in the post!

What's included

• PADI Open Water Diver manual (either paper or DVD depending on stock)
• Logbook
• Certification (we take the photo for you!).
• Full equipment rental
• All training required to complete the course
• Courtesy transport from/to your accommodation, for your course

What's NOT included

• Lunch

Prerequisites

• Medical statement completed
  Medical statement
• Min age 14 years
• You need to allow a minimum of 18 hours after completing your dives to fly off the island.
• Able to tread water/float for 10 mins
• Able to swim 200m or 300m with mask, snorkel & fins