I have completed the classroom & pool sessions for my PADI open water certification. Next I go to the ocean dives. Can you tell me if there are exercises to do underwater in the ocean, like we did in the pool, or are the ocean days really just do dive/swim around? Is it something that varies from company to company, or is there a set list of items to accomplish in the ocean like in the pool?
Question About OPEN WATER OCEAN DIVE
- Thread starter amtabak
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There are certain exercises that you performed in the pool that are required to be done in open water. Mask remove and replace, regulator recovery, weight system remove and replace, air shares, and the like. It does vary by agency and I have been out of the PADI system for too long to remember them off the top of my head. But I have students do all those as well as buddy breathing, no mask swims, BC off and on under water and on the surface, and I put a heavy emphasis on them doing as many of the basics as possible neutral and horizontal in the water column. No kneeling in open water. Or the pool for that matter. Also ideally they should be done while you are just swimming along and in a manner that they would be done after your classes.
CT Sean
Contributor
I don't remember the exact list but for my PADI OW checkout dives we repeated the majority of skills done in the pool.
Of the top of my head, these are a few of the skills we did. I'm sure there's more - the instructor was working off a slate with all the requisite skills listed
Demonstrate pre-dive check (BWRAF)
reg removal / recovery and replacement
switch to octo
mask clearing - we didn't have to do full mask removal and replace - I think we did anyway
fin pivot
weight removal and replace
BC removal and replace
navigate out and back (something like 10 fin kicks or so)
CESA
air sharing and ascent
buddy tow
I know there was more.
Of the top of my head, these are a few of the skills we did. I'm sure there's more - the instructor was working off a slate with all the requisite skills listed
Demonstrate pre-dive check (BWRAF)
reg removal / recovery and replacement
switch to octo
mask clearing - we didn't have to do full mask removal and replace - I think we did anyway
fin pivot
weight removal and replace
BC removal and replace
navigate out and back (something like 10 fin kicks or so)
CESA
air sharing and ascent
buddy tow
I know there was more.
RMAdventure
Contributor
I believe the student book or the video covers the skills that you will need to go through. I think it is also in the dive log book for your first four dives.
PADI has modified the open water dive skills a bit, so that your first dive is focused upon setting up your gear, doing a pre-dive safety check, doing a proper descent, demonstrating neutral buoyancy, and then just touring for a bit with your instructor. On each of the successive dives you will demonstrate a few of the skills you learned, as listed by Jim and others above. You have already learned the skills, so there is no need to stress at all. The portion of each dive where you are demonstrating skills takes limited time, and most of the time is a "fun dive." I did my book and pool training in Colorado, and then my open water dives in Maui ( more than 12 years ago). The open water dives were very much "real dives" and I had a great time. So will you!
DivemasterDennis
DivemasterDennis
Your instructor should have been able to answer this.Did the instructor sign off training segments in your log book? Have you opened your log book yet? The dives and skill objectives are listed in the PADI training log book which you are required to own. No surprises, nothing that you have not been exposed to already.
Anything more or less requested by the instructor conducting the training dives is a violation of standards.
You will repeat most of the pool exercises. Regardless of standards expect the list to be adjusted by the instructor based on preference and conditions. Remember that even the check-out dives will have teaching moments. A skill may be repeated immediately or on a latter dive after some coaching. More is better, you are the to learn and build confidence. There willl be plenty of time to relax and sight see afterwards.
Pete
Pete
TracysaCADiver
Contributor
Lots of good answers here, so I'll make this short and to the point...
According to the 2010 publication of the PADI OW diver's manual (the copy that I have), the activities for your OW dives are listed after section 3 and section 5 in your book (if you used the book). I haven't used the E-Learning so I wouldn't know about that one. The book does state that your instructor might change things around a bit, but they'll follow somewhat what's there.
According to the 2010 publication of the PADI OW diver's manual (the copy that I have), the activities for your OW dives are listed after section 3 and section 5 in your book (if you used the book). I haven't used the E-Learning so I wouldn't know about that one. The book does state that your instructor might change things around a bit, but they'll follow somewhat what's there.
Mark Derail
Contributor
Expect - 4 certification dives over a period of two days - and before a pool session so your certifier knows you actually took a course.
All skills can be asked for - and it is harder - depending on the waves / current / weather conditions, that certifying in a canal or quarry.
BUT you will be a better diver once you've passed this.
Like towing your buddy on the surface, using a compass on the surface & underwater. Plus the usual, like CESA, gear removal, etc.
With ocean dives, you have to deal with new things :
- deeper than a pool, knees on the sandy floor, upwards of 25 feet. About 50 for us last year.
- salt water that burns your eyes
- unbelievable visibility - seeing 100' or more
- using a boat
= boat -> loading your gear, installing your gear, you might get seasick, getting back in the boat
- learning how much weight you need
I'd say passing OW in a freshwater lake / canal / quarry, jumping from shore/dock, to be twice as easy as doing it in the ocean.
You benefit from a private guide - your instructor - for those first four salt water dives, thus creating life saving skills for you and your buddy. The downside is cost - it costs more money, as you are paying two instructors instead of one.
Remember - shore dives in ocean are fun - should you not like your boat experience.
All skills can be asked for - and it is harder - depending on the waves / current / weather conditions, that certifying in a canal or quarry.
BUT you will be a better diver once you've passed this.
Like towing your buddy on the surface, using a compass on the surface & underwater. Plus the usual, like CESA, gear removal, etc.
With ocean dives, you have to deal with new things :
- deeper than a pool, knees on the sandy floor, upwards of 25 feet. About 50 for us last year.
- salt water that burns your eyes
- unbelievable visibility - seeing 100' or more
- using a boat
= boat -> loading your gear, installing your gear, you might get seasick, getting back in the boat
- learning how much weight you need
I'd say passing OW in a freshwater lake / canal / quarry, jumping from shore/dock, to be twice as easy as doing it in the ocean.
You benefit from a private guide - your instructor - for those first four salt water dives, thus creating life saving skills for you and your buddy. The downside is cost - it costs more money, as you are paying two instructors instead of one.
Remember - shore dives in ocean are fun - should you not like your boat experience.
t4e
Contributor
i am inclined to say that it depends on the instructor and the association you get certified with
our open water course certification is from ACUC
their standards for training are 10 weeks of 1.5 hours theory followed by 2.5-3 hours in the pool, with a written exam at the end
there were about 7-8 of us and 2-3 instructors at all times, of which one observed us and maintained and assessment of our skills
at the end of those 10 weeks we were "stuffed" with the basic skills
even did don and doff blindfolded and than with harassment lol
so the 4 checkout dives we had were just that, no more skill testing we actually got to enjoy our first dives in open water @ 35F
having said that from what i hear with PADI you can get the training in a weekend and go to your checkout dives
our open water course certification is from ACUC
their standards for training are 10 weeks of 1.5 hours theory followed by 2.5-3 hours in the pool, with a written exam at the end
there were about 7-8 of us and 2-3 instructors at all times, of which one observed us and maintained and assessment of our skills
at the end of those 10 weeks we were "stuffed" with the basic skills
even did don and doff blindfolded and than with harassment lol
so the 4 checkout dives we had were just that, no more skill testing we actually got to enjoy our first dives in open water @ 35F
having said that from what i hear with PADI you can get the training in a weekend and go to your checkout dives
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