Open Water Diver Introduction – Study Guide, Key Concepts & Foundational
Review
What does certification in this course mean? Why is training important in scuba diving? - correct
answer ✔✔Certification shows that you met the course requirements. Dive centers and resorts
require proof of certification before they will rent scuba equipment or fill scuba cylinders. As a
PADI Open Water Diver, you will be trained to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet (or the
actual depth you reached, if shallower).
You'll also be qualified to dive in conditions as good as, or better than, those in which you
trained, within the no-stop limits of your dive computer or tables. As a PADI Scuba Diver, you
may dive under PADI Instructor or PADI Divemaster supervision as deep as 12 meters/40 feet.
PADI Open Water Diver
- Dive without instructor supervision while applying the knowledge and skills you learn in this
course, within the limits of your training and experience.
- Obtain air fills, scuba equipment, and other dive services.
- Plan, conduct and log open water dives when equipped properly and accompanied by a buddy
in conditions in which you have training and/ or experience.
- Continue your diver training in the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, and/or in PADI
Specialty courses.
What are the three basic parts of the PADI Open Water Diver course? What is the purpose of
each part? - correct answer ✔✔Knowledge Development
- covers the principles, concepts and terms that you need to know for safety and so you can
enjoy diving. Short exercises, quizzes and knowledge reviews help you assess and confirm
learning as you go
Confined Water Dives
, - you learn and practice scuba skills in a pool or water with pool-like conditions under direct
instructor supervision. You also practice applying what you learn in Knowledge Development.
You'll enjoy making one or more minidives, which take you through the same steps you follow
when you make Open Water Dives.
Open Water Dives
- You make Open Water Dives with your instructor at sites suited to beginning divers. You
practice, apply and demonstrate what you learn in Knowledge Development and the Confined
Water Dives.
What general schedule will my instructor follow in conducting my PADI Open Water Diver
course? - correct answer ✔✔The five Knowledge Development sections correspond with the
five Confined Water Dives. You complete four Open Water Dives (two for PADI Scuba Divers)
over at least two days (one for PADI Scuba Divers). Your instructor has scheduling flexibility that
still accommodates an appropriate instructional sequence.
What are the requirements for taking the course and for earning my certification? - correct
answer ✔✔To scuba dive, you need a mature attitude, good judgment and the self-discipline to
follow the guidelines and principles required for safe diving. There are also some minimum age,
swimming skill and fitness requirements.
Age:
Prior to the start of the course, you must be at least 10 years old. Local regulations may specify
a higher minimum age. Note that 10 - 14 years olds earn a PADI Junior Diver certification that
carries a few restrictions. After certification, 10-11 years old must dive with a parent/guardian
or PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet, and 12-14 year olds must dive
with an adult certified diver.
Basic Swimming Skills:
To be a scuba diver, you need adequate swimming skills. Prior to your second open water dive,
you will demonstrate that you can float or tread water without aids for 10 minutes, and prior to
Review
What does certification in this course mean? Why is training important in scuba diving? - correct
answer ✔✔Certification shows that you met the course requirements. Dive centers and resorts
require proof of certification before they will rent scuba equipment or fill scuba cylinders. As a
PADI Open Water Diver, you will be trained to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet (or the
actual depth you reached, if shallower).
You'll also be qualified to dive in conditions as good as, or better than, those in which you
trained, within the no-stop limits of your dive computer or tables. As a PADI Scuba Diver, you
may dive under PADI Instructor or PADI Divemaster supervision as deep as 12 meters/40 feet.
PADI Open Water Diver
- Dive without instructor supervision while applying the knowledge and skills you learn in this
course, within the limits of your training and experience.
- Obtain air fills, scuba equipment, and other dive services.
- Plan, conduct and log open water dives when equipped properly and accompanied by a buddy
in conditions in which you have training and/ or experience.
- Continue your diver training in the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, and/or in PADI
Specialty courses.
What are the three basic parts of the PADI Open Water Diver course? What is the purpose of
each part? - correct answer ✔✔Knowledge Development
- covers the principles, concepts and terms that you need to know for safety and so you can
enjoy diving. Short exercises, quizzes and knowledge reviews help you assess and confirm
learning as you go
Confined Water Dives
, - you learn and practice scuba skills in a pool or water with pool-like conditions under direct
instructor supervision. You also practice applying what you learn in Knowledge Development.
You'll enjoy making one or more minidives, which take you through the same steps you follow
when you make Open Water Dives.
Open Water Dives
- You make Open Water Dives with your instructor at sites suited to beginning divers. You
practice, apply and demonstrate what you learn in Knowledge Development and the Confined
Water Dives.
What general schedule will my instructor follow in conducting my PADI Open Water Diver
course? - correct answer ✔✔The five Knowledge Development sections correspond with the
five Confined Water Dives. You complete four Open Water Dives (two for PADI Scuba Divers)
over at least two days (one for PADI Scuba Divers). Your instructor has scheduling flexibility that
still accommodates an appropriate instructional sequence.
What are the requirements for taking the course and for earning my certification? - correct
answer ✔✔To scuba dive, you need a mature attitude, good judgment and the self-discipline to
follow the guidelines and principles required for safe diving. There are also some minimum age,
swimming skill and fitness requirements.
Age:
Prior to the start of the course, you must be at least 10 years old. Local regulations may specify
a higher minimum age. Note that 10 - 14 years olds earn a PADI Junior Diver certification that
carries a few restrictions. After certification, 10-11 years old must dive with a parent/guardian
or PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet, and 12-14 year olds must dive
with an adult certified diver.
Basic Swimming Skills:
To be a scuba diver, you need adequate swimming skills. Prior to your second open water dive,
you will demonstrate that you can float or tread water without aids for 10 minutes, and prior to
