SCUBA Diving
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.