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PADI® Open Water Diver Course

Becoming a certified diver will change your lifestyle. It introduces you to new diving adventures and undiscovered nature beneath the ocean waves.

This section explains everything you need to know about the PADI Open Water Diver certification course, including how long it takes and how many dives you need.

About the Open Water Diver Course Pattaya

Be adventurous, and learn to dive in Thailand with the 'Private Scuba' team of instructors - based in Pattaya.

The diving certification is achievable in only a few days of scuba tuition and there are no special requirements to enroll.

You can join millions of qualified divers who also learned scuba diving breathing techniques via the international PADI Open Water Course.

As long as you are in reasonably good shape, and comfortable in water, you should make the grade and get Open Water certified.

Note: Even people with busy schedules can start learning scuba online through the PADI eLearning® facility. See the information below for minimum age requirements, maximum depth limits, and cost.

Open Water Diver Requirements

There are only a few restrictions to join a scuba class in Thailand. You should be in general good health (e.g. have a reasonable level of fitness) and be comfortable swimming in water. The minimum age to start PADI Open Water Diver certification course is ten (10).

Students get basic diving lessons through a combination of knowledge development classroom sessions and scuba safety skills conducted in shallow water.

Being able to repeat the skills in deeper water on four (4) separate training dives means you are well on your way to getting the Open Water Diver qualification.

Important: You must also have no medical contraindications to scuba diving. Thus, most divers will need to sign the RSTC Medical Statement before performing any in-water training activities.

PADI Open Water Course Schedule

It is possible to complete the written theory tests and exit exam, all swimming pool skills, and four ocean training 'check out' dives, in three 'crammed' days of tuition.

But, the Open Water course is performance based, which means most scuba training agencies prefer to spread the course over four or more days.

Let's dive in a bit deeper:

The theory lessons come from the participant manual, video, or multimedia DVD, five short multiple-choice quizzes and a final exam.

There are five (5) corresponding pool or confined water skill sessions. You complete the course by making four (4) dives in an open water environment (e.g. an ocean) to a maximum of eighteen metres.

As a result, most dive students prefer to take four days to complete the course at a more relaxed pace. Your scuba instructor will cover the following topics:

Important: Students who are completing the PADI referral program (e.g. choosing to finish the course at another location) will need to do a quick review test.

Open Water Diver Equipment and Materials

We include the required PADI Manual and RDP Table (recreational dive planner) in the price. Even so, you can buy extra manuals and scuba equipment accessories from the dive shop in Pattaya, Thailand.

The recreational scuba diving equipment that you need to complete the Open Water Diver course is also included in the price, such as:

PADI eLearning®

The PADI PDF e-manual contains interactive lessons that you can use in the Open Water Diver eLearning process. You should allocate around eight to ten hours of studying to complete the eLearning modules.

PADI Open Water Diver Course Cost 15,500 THB* (3 Day Program)

FAQ about Open Water Diver Course

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.

How Long is the Open Water Scuba Course?

Details about PADI Open Water Diving Course in Pattaya, Thailand.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.

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.

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.

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