What the Course Entails

Diving Theory: Understand the fundamentals of scuba diving, including pressure, buoyancy, physics, physiology, the aquatic environment, and the effects of breathing compressed gas underwater.

Equipment Mastery: Learn how to select, assemble, use, and care for your scuba equipment, including the BCD, regulator, cylinder, exposure protection, weights, gauges, and dive computer.

Buoyancy & Trim: Develop effective buoyancy control and proper body positioning to improve comfort, air consumption, stability, and environmental awareness.

Dive Planning & Safety: Learn how to plan recreational dives, monitor your air supply, understand depth and time limits, use the buddy system, and respond appropriately to common diving situations.

Underwater Navigation: Develop basic navigation skills using natural references, compass techniques, distance estimation, and underwater communication.

Emergency Skills: Practise essential emergency procedures, including out-of-air situations, alternate-air-source use, controlled ascents, and basic rescue techniques.

Course Duration: 3 Days

Course Pre-requisites

Minimum Age: Be at least 15 years old. Students aged 10–14 can instead qualify for the SDI Junior Open Water Scuba Diver certification.

Swimming Ability: Demonstrate adequate swimming ability and comfort in the water as required by the instructor and course standards.

Medical Fitness: Complete the required SDI medical documentation and confirm that you are fit to participate in scuba diving training.

Course Flow

Digital Learning: Begin with SDI eLearning and study the academic material at your own pace, covering the essential knowledge required for safe recreational diving.

Confined-Water Training: Learn and practise the fundamental scuba skills in a swimming pool or similar confined-water environment under the supervision of an SDI Instructor.

Open-Water Training: Complete a minimum of four open-water scuba dives, applying your knowledge and skills in real diving conditions. Each dive must last at least 15 minutes, with a minimum total underwater time of 80 minutes across the four dives. Training depths range from 5 to 18 metres/15 to 60 feet.

Briefings & Debriefings: Receive detailed dive briefings before each training dive and instructor feedback afterwards to refine your skills and build confidence.

Certification: After successfully completing the academic, confined-water, and open-water requirements, your SDI Instructor will complete the certification process and issue your SDI Open Water Scuba Diver certification.

How Can I Get Started?

Create an SDI Account: Register for an SDI account and begin your online learning journey.

Start eLearning: Complete the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver academic program online at your own pace.

Choose a Dive Centre: Find an SDI Dive Centre and an active SDI Instructor to complete your practical training.

Get Wet: Complete your confined-water skill development before progressing to your open-water training dives.

Go Diving: Complete the required open-water dives and demonstrate the skills needed to become a certified recreational diver.

Get Certified: Once all course requirements have been successfully completed, receive your SDI Open Water Scuba Diver certification and continue exploring the underwater world.

What is the next adventure?

Advanced Adventure Diver: Build experience and expand your diving skills by sampling different SDI specialty areas and exploring new diving environments.

Specialty Courses: Continue your education with courses such as Nitrox, Deep Diver, Underwater Navigation, Wreck Diver, Night/Limited Visibility Diver, Advanced Buoyancy, and other SDI specialties.