SDI Open Water Scuba Diver
Learn To Scuba Dive
This course consists of a classroom session, pool dives and a minimum of 4 open water dives. It's a 40-hour class, typically completed over 2 separate weekends.
There is a 1-day in-class session before any in-water activities. You will need to purchase a scuba-quality mask, fins and snorkel for this class.
To reserve your spot in class you will need to pay a 50% non-refundable deposit; the remainder is due on the first day of class. Your deposit ensures you are reserved for class. You will also be given an academic e-learning code, emailed to you once registration has taken place. This content must be completed before any in-class sessions. Once we meet we will review all items of the class and do remedial training on topics that came up in your e-learning. This is a demanding class and punctuality is a must.
Course prerequisites
- Minimum age of 14, with signed parental consent
- A signed General Liability Release and Express Assumption of Risk
- A properly completed Medical Questionnaire
- A completed Student Learning Agreement for Deep Adventures
- The ability to swim 200 meters nonstop and tread or float water for 15 minutes
What you can expect to learn
The SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course covers all of the necessary skills and knowledge, including:
- The aquatic environment: vision, light, sound, heat loss, tides, currents, waves, surge
- Physics and physiology: buoyancy, pressure, air spaces, breathing compressed air, mixed gases
- Dive equipment: selection, assembly, use and maintenance; dive planning; oceanography
- Basic scuba skills: mask and regulator skills, swimming underwater, buoyancy control, basic rescue techniques and emergency procedures
And so much more!
Academics
Students must read and complete their SDI Open Water e-learning before the first day of class, so the class can do all knowledge reviews together. There are five chapters and an exam that must be passed with a minimum score of 80%.
Confined water / pool sessions
The swimming evaluation must be completed before any scuba skill is taught: a distance swim of 200 meters nonstop using any stroke without a mask, snorkel or any swimming aids, or 300 meters nonstop using mask, snorkel and fins. Next is a 10-minute survival tread or float.
Over the course of 2 days there will be a minimum of 5 confined water dives. This is where the instructor first introduces you to breathing underwater from compressed air, and where you learn the skills you need to be a scuba diver in a controlled environment. Your instructor will explain, demonstrate and guide you through this process step by step.
Open water dives
Students must successfully complete at least 4 open water dives to receive certification. Checkout dives are normally held at Lake Jocassee in Salem, SC during the warmer months, and Lake Keowee at the Hot Hole during the colder months. Trips to Florida are an option at added cost. Other dive areas are available on request (additional fees may apply).
We urge everyone to do 1 day of shore diving and 1 day of boat diving to get the most out of your training. Shore dives are included in the cost of the course. Boat charters cost $60 and are not included.