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Open Water Diver Course Online

The PADI® electronic learning facility (eLearning™) is a convenient way for beginners to start scuba lessons - even those with busy schedules.

This guide explains how to study online (or offline) and then meet up with a Scuba Instructor to finish the practical training and get certified Open Water Diver.

About the Open Water Diver Online Course

There are seven PADI dive certification levels, but Open Water Diver is the first level.

When you learn how to scuba dive in confined and open water, you will have direct supervision from a highly-trained diving instructor.

After you complete the Open Water Diver course, you will have gained enough knowledge and skills to dive without supervision.

Earning the First Scuba Diving Certification

When you study online, you will learn about the safety rules and basic principles in scuba diving. Then, you earn your scuba certification after learning the basic scuba skills (usually in a swimming pool first) and then repeating them in an open water environment.

Your instructor will guide you, and evaluate your performance, when you make the four open water dives (usually in a freshwater lake or saltwater ocean).

Note: The PADI® Open Water Diver course is, by far, the world's most popular scuba certification course. Millions of people have started diving by getting certified as Open Water Divers.

Open Water Diver eLearning™ (7 to 10 hours)

PADI® electronic learning (eLearning) is a flexible, web-based educational facility. Dive students can sign up online and use it to complete the knowledge development sections of scuba courses.

As a result, learning how to dive at home means you can finish the rest of the scuba training at a different location (e.g. on diving holidays in Thailand).

Open Water Course Completion Requirements

Learning to scuba dive requires you to have a minimum level of knowledge development (e.g. understanding the factual information, principles, concepts) and having some basic motor procedures (e.g. agility skills, techniques, methods).

When you contact the dive shop they will assign an instructor to complete your training. You will practice using the gear needed for scuba gear until you feel comfortable with the fundamentals.

The scuba trainer will introduce several 'mini dives' to assess your abilities. This helps to increase your confidence level before you make the four (4) required dives in open water.

Important: You must be at least ten (10) years of age, be able to swim, and be medically fit for scuba diving. You should allocate a total time commitment of four days to complete the training. The maximum depth allowed for the first two shallow dives is twelve (12) metres (40 feet) and eighteen (18) metres (60 feet) for the final two dives.

Free Introduction to Open Water Course

Taking advantage of the free PADI eLearning™ Open Water Diver Introduction package is the ideal way to start a scuba certification online.

You will get to learn how to use hand signals underwater and how the role of scuba divers and snorkelers is critical for the protection of aquatic animals.

Try PADI eLearning for Free

You do not need a credit card to create a PADI account (or login to an existing one).
Head over to the training dashboard to see the Free Introduction to Open Water Diver course.
Select your preferred language and get started.

FAQ about PADI Open Water Diver Online Course

How Long is the Open Water Scuba Course?

It is commonplace for students to get the Open Water qualification in four (4) days. The minimum time it takes to complete the theoretical study, practice dives in a pool or pool-like environment, and four training dives is three (3) days.

How to Interact with Underwater Organisms?

Divers share a common responsibility to protect and conserve nature.

As a result, passive interaction with aquatic animals helps safeguard delicate and sensitive sea life.

Is the PADI Exam Difficult?

You need to pass a diving theory exam before you get your PADI certification.

In most cases, you should not find it hard to reach the passing score (usually 75%).

Note: There is no set time limit for students to complete their final exam. In fact, most of the questions relate to the review sections of the diving manual.

What Happens if I Fail the PADI eLearning?

All PADI scuba diving courses combine some knowledge development with practical training exercises. This helps students understand the basic principles and safety aspects involved.

A review of the final test must show that you scored at least seventy five percent (75%). Nonetheless, you will be able to retake the test if you don't pass it on the first attempt.

Can an Open Water Diver Dive Alone?

The scuba diving buddy system is a safety rule that pairs two or more divers together. Moreover, the group should also perform the standardised pre-dive safety checks (BWRAF) before entering the water.

Nonetheless, PADI does consent to a type of 'solo diving' through the Self-Reliant Diver certification course, which is available in Pattaya, Thailand.

When Should You Do a Scuba Refresher?

Suppose you don't go diving for more than six months. There is a simple way to refresh the knowledge and skills that you already learned.

After a long period of inactivity, taking the PADI ReActivate® program will help you brush up on the safety procedures and scuba diving fundamentals.

What are the Medical Requirements for Scuba Diving?

A certain level of well-being and general fitness is needed to carry out scuba activities. Thus, you may need to get written approval from a physician before you go diving.

You can download the online version of the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire to check if your current medical status will require a physician's approval.

Note: You should not ask dive staff (e.g. divemasters, instructors) for medical advice and clearance to go diving. Instead, you can contact the Divers Alert Network (DAN) if you have questions about your medical fitness to dive.

After You Become Open Water Diver

Dive students are taught by highly-trained PADI Instructors (OWSI). That means you learn how to scuba dive in a relaxed environment. Even so, PADI® Open Water Diver is only the first level of a wide range of scuba certifications.

Earning a certification in scuba diving means you would be joining the largest dive community worldwide - part of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).

Having an internationally-recognised Open Water Diver certification means you can begin a new lifestyle full of discovery and exploration. It is a licence to learn advanced scuba lessons beyond an entry-level diver.

Here's the best part:

The PADI Open Water certification does not expire. Furthermore, the next level (e.g. Advanced Open Water Diver) focuses on underwater activities, instead of lengthy classroom sessions.

Related Information and Help Guides

Note: The short PADI video [3:09 seconds] outlines what to expect when you try scuba diving for the first time. Click here to contact Private Scuba in Pattaya, Thailand.