Scuba Diving - Beginner's Guide to Basic Open Water Training

Entry into the world of scuba diving commences with extensive basic scuba diving training at the hands of qualified diving instructors from a PADI or NAUI affiliated diving school. Training could stretch from a few days to as much as 11 weeks; although a lengthier duration is much preferred to give the beginner ample time to be comfortable underwater; to become adept with scuba equipment use and of course to master basic diving skills before these acquired abilities are tested in the open water.

Requirements. As a prerequisite to enrollment in foremost scuba diving schools, the participant should be at least 15 years old where divers below the age of 18 are admitted only after securing parental consent. Divers below 15 years old can participate in a junior open water course. Meanwhile, health is another primary requisite and only those who fit the medical bill - based on a questionnaire and a medical certification endorsed by a physician, are admitted into the course.

Classroom Training. All the theoretical aspects of scuba diving will be discussed and learned through classroom instruction at a duration of up to 9 weeks. Classroom training will cover various topics which includes basic diving techniques, safety parameters to diving, selection and maintenance of scuba equipment, physiological implications of a dive, dive planning and a preview of basic diving skills. Participants will also be given homework and exams after each session.

Pool Sessions. Integrated with classroom instruction are hands-on skills trainings that are conducted in a swimming pool. In most instances, two-thirds of a regular session (classroom + pool) are dedicated to pool training where the beginner is endeavored to try out the diving skills previewed from classroom sessions; to simulate open water conditions and master pertinent diving skills including swimming, mask removal, buoyancy skills, scuba equipment handling and emergency troubleshooting skills.

Examinations. Before heading out to test their skills in open water, beginners are required to take written examinations. Coverage of the final examinations include all the learnings acquired during the 9 week training where students are quizzed on theories, application of decompression tables and hand signals. To obtain certification, a minimum rating is required for the theories section while students should get perfect marks on the dive tables and hand signals segment of the exams.