IN THIS LESSON

Day 1: Skills and equipment (Pool)

On our first day we will meet at the pool. Confined Water dives are the foundation of the PADI Open Water Diver course, where students familiarise themselves with equipment, take their first breaths underwater and learn core SCUBA skills, including:

Getting comfortable and controlled underwater

  • Equipment setup and pre-dive safety checks

  • Basic hand signals and underwater communication

  • Regulator clearing and recovery

  • Mask clearing

  • Buoyancy control

  • Alternate air source use

Developing Safety and Navigation Skills

  • Using a compass and basic underwater navigation

  • Buddy system and distance management

  • Air supply monitoring and management

  • Neutral buoyancy and trim refinement

  • Emergency procedures and equipment problem-solving

  • Correct ascent and descent procedures

Knowledge development themes

Throughout confined water training, students also cover theory components including; Dive physics and physiology (pressure, buoyancy, breathing), equipment care and maintenance, dive planning and safety protocols, environmental awareness and responsible diving practices. Initial learning takes place via PADI’s e-Learning app and face to face consolidation sessions will be held in the afternoons of days 2 and 3.

Day 2-3: Open Water skill mastery

The open water dives allow students to take their skills to real-world conditions, demonstrate competence of their SCUBA skills and safely explore the reefs in our local marine environment.

Open Water Dive 1 & 2:

  • Re-visit skills learned in confined water

  • Buoyancy control in salt water

  • Explore the dive site

  • Consistently apply communication and buddy procedures

Open Water Dive 3 & 4:

  • Demonstrate skill proficiency

  • Underwater navigation using a compass and natural references

  • Safety stops and practice dive planning

  • Apply environmental and situational awareness

Each afternoon, we will consolidate the online theory with knowledge development sessions and snacks!

Knowledge development themes

Students deepen their understanding of core diving concepts like pressure and buoyancy, and explain how they affect the body and further application to their dive planning. We look at understanding no-decompression limits and avoiding hazards like decompression sickness and barotrauma, as well as how our dive practices assist in protecting marine life. Students take an online exam to finalise their

Day 4 can be used to complete the Open Water course or progress to Advanced dives.