what to expect on OW dive test?

[k ellis]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here, and I'm not even a diver yet. I've been reading about it, and I know there is book work, pool work, then open water work required before getting certified.

Maybe this is a really stupid question, but I haven't been able to figure it out. Maybe I"m looking in the wrong places.

The thing I want to know is, what do I have to do in the open water part of the test? Like, specifically. Do I just swim around with my gear on? Are there actual things I have to prove I can do? Do different instructors do it differently?

I don't know any divers, but I've always been interested in it. I just wish I understood the test a little more.

I certified with PADI and it required a 10 minute float/swim in which you basicly played in the water any which way you wanted so long as you dont touch the bottom, They required if I recall a 400 yard snorkel (Maybe less I cant remember), then it was off to the skills. You first get in the pool and practice 4 diffrent dives with skills assigned to each one. One was partial mask flood clear, one was total flooded mask clear, regulator removeal and retrieveal, emergency out of air share, and emergency out of air ascent. All of these are generaly right about 8 to 15 feet deep depending where you go.

After you do these skills its off to the lake for 4 dives over 2 days usually and you repeat basicly all you did in the pool. Remembering one very important advantage of scuba will help alot and that is in the training you have air supplied at all times. So if you start to panick just stop think and take a breathe.

Scuba is not difficult at all and is very relaxing. Dont sweat the academics either. Kids at 10 years old even certify for their level of cert with absolutely no trouble at all

 

[k ellis]

It is very common to have students who are "edgy" or even downright afraid at the beginning of class. Experienced instructors are always on the lookout for signs of that, but it would not hurt to make that confession right up front.

In my last class, there was a husband and wife team, and I saw as soon as we hit the water that she was "edgy." We start by just putting the face in the water and then paddling around on the surface, getting used to breathing through the regulator. She was having trouble even with that.

I tell my students that when it is their turn to demonstrate a skill, they don't need to jump right into it but should take the time to visualize themselves doing it. She sure did. I think she took 2 minutes of visualizing on one of her first skills before doing it.

But she did it fine.

Slowly but surely she started gaining confidence. By the start of the second day in the pool, she was looking like any other student. By the middle of the second day in the pool, she was looking confident--even laughing and joking as she playfully chastised her husband for a mistake he made when doing a skill she had already done flawlessly.

I talked to her at the end of the second day in the pool and she told me she felt totally confident and ready to go.

What it mostly takes is an understanding that those fears are natural and common, and a belief that you will, in time, get over them.

What a great story. Thank you for being understanding of peoples needs and sensitive to the need to over come the fears. Sounds like your a great instructor. Thanks for helping people trully enjoy the sport!

 

[boulderjohn]

I certified with PADI and it required a 10 minute float/swim in which you basicly played in the water any which way you wanted so long as you dont touch the bottom, They required if I recall a 400 yard snorkel (Maybe less I cant remember), then it was off to the skills. You first get in the pool and practice 4 diffrent dives with skills assigned to each one. One was partial mask flood clear, one was total flooded mask clear, regulator removeal and retrieveal, emergency out of air share, and emergency out of air ascent. All of these are generaly right about 8 to 15 feet deep depending where you go.

I just want to make a couple of corrections.

Your swim can be 200 yards without any equipment or 300 yards with snorkel and fins.

There are actually 5 pool dives, but some people combine dives 4 and 5 into one, because there aren't many skills involved. That may have happened in your case.

There should have also been some skin diving instruction. There are a total of 20 skills, but that total does not include the fact that you learn a whole lot just swimming around.

In the open water dives, the skills that you do the most are mask skills (getting water out) and neutral buoyancy skills.

 

[k ellis]

thanks everybody, this is really helpful - I have a better idea of it now ... but what happens if I can't relax? sounds like that might be the hardest part, if you're someone who can be edgy

you can relax all you have to do is be patient and discuss with your dive instructor and see if he will allow a little extra time for you to practice before the actual test. Like my instructor told me its not really a pass or fail its more of if at first you dont succeed try try again. Its not a once you fail your out!

 

[k ellis]

I just want to make a couple of corrections.

Your swim can be 200 yards without any equipment or 300 yards with snorkel and fins.

There are actually 5 pool dives, but some people combine dives 4 and 5 into one, because there aren't many skills involved. That may have happened in your case.

There should have also been some skin diving instruction. There are a total of 20 skills, but that total does not include the fact that you learn a whole lot just swimming around.

In the open water dives, the skills that you do the most are mask skills (getting water out) and neutral buoyancy skills.

Thanks I honestly could not remember the swim distance There was a skin dive instruction and I completely forgot that one (Shows how good my memory is)

 

[velocean]

thank you so much everybody, I feel much more comfortable planning my scuba training!

 

[Web Monkey]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here, and I'm not even a diver yet. I've been reading about it, and I know there is book work, pool work, then open water work required before getting certified.

Maybe this is a really stupid question, but I haven't been able to figure it out. Maybe I"m looking in the wrong places.

The thing I want to know is, what do I have to do in the open water part of the test? Like, specifically. Do I just swim around with my gear on? Are there actual things I have to prove I can do? Do different instructors do it differently?

I don't know any divers, but I've always been interested in it. I just wish I understood the test a little more.

It's not a "test" like in school, it's just a skills demonstration.

There will probably be 4 dives. Two on one day and two on another.

You'll be asked to do exactly what you did in the pool, only now you'll be in a lake or the ocean. You shouldn't be asked to do anything that you haven't already done, and you should be very comfortable doing it in the pool before you move to Open Water.

You'll also get to swim around and look at stuff (a "fun dive")

The only real difference will be that the water will probably be colder, might have poorer visibility, and you'll need more exposure protection (wetsuit or drysuit)

The purpose of the Open Water dives is so your instructor can see that you'll be able to dive safely without him/her. There is no such thing as "failing the OW dives" although if you're having problems your instructor may require that you have more class or pool sessions before trying again and getting your certification card.

Terry

 

[Herk_Man]

The skin dive portion of training is optional. At least in the PADI program it is.

 

[burliosully]

From a fellow beginner view piont my only suggestion would be to take your time with all aspects, the class room portion, the pool portion, and the lake portion. If you do not understand something slow the class down. The scuba police will not come get you. We all learn differently and it is a challenge for the instructors to adapt to each individual. You can help him or her by expressing your needs and wants. Fully understanding everything might help take any edgyness off. Have fun!!It's awsome being under water.

 

[boulderjohn]

What a great story. Thank you for being understanding of peoples needs and sensitive to the need to over come the fears. Sounds like your a great instructor. Thanks for helping people trully enjoy the sport!

I think any decent instructor would have had the same result.