PADI Open Water Certification
The PADI Open Water Diver certification is the world's most widely recognized entry-level scuba diving qualification, allowing certified divers to dive independently with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet) . The course consists of three main phases: Knowledge Development (completed via PADI eLearning, covering dive physics, equipment, planning, and safety), Confined Water Dives (typically five pool sessions to master core skills like mask clearing, buoyancy control, and regulator recovery), and Open Water Dives (four training dives in a lake or ocean to demonstrate competency) . Prerequisites include a minimum age of 10 (Junior certification for ages 10–14), completion of a medical questionnaire, and a watermanship assessment requiring a 200-meter continuous swim (or 300-meter snorkel swim) and a 10-minute float/tread . Upon certification, divers can rent equipment, book dive trips, and continue training toward advanced levels .
Document information
- Uploaded on
- November 1, 2026
- Number of pages
- 49
- Written in
- 2026/2027
- Type
- Exam (elaborations)
- Contains
- Questions & answers
