If you have an appetite for excitement and adventure, odds are you can become an avid PADI Diver.
You'll also want to keep in mind these requirements:
Minimum Age: 10 years.
Students younger than 15 who successfully complete the course qualify for the PADI
Junior Open Water Diver certification, which they may upgrade to PADI Open Water
Diver certification upon reaching 15.
Physical: For safety, all students complete a brief questionnaire
that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none
of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply
to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates
to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive. In some
areas, local laws require all scuba students to consult with a physician before
entering the course.
Download the Medical Statement PDF
Waterskills: Before completing the PADI Open Water Diver course,
your instructor will have you demonstrate basic waterskill comfort by having you
swim 200 metres/yards (or 300 metres/yards in mask, fins and snorkel). There is
no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want. You will
also float and tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods that you want.
About Physical Challenges: Any individual who can meet the performance
requirements of the course qualifies for certification. There are many adaptive
techniques that allow individuals with physical challenges to meet these requirements.
Individuals with paraplegia, amputations and other challenges commonly earn the
PADI Open Water Diver certification. Even individuals with more significant physical
challenges participate in diving. Talk to your PADI Instructor at your local PADI
Dive Center or Resort for more information.
Learning Materials :
You’ll need and use the following training materials during the PADI Open Water
Diver course, and for your review and reference after the course. The PADI Open Water Diver Manual and PADI Open Water Diver Video on
DVD or the PADI Open Water Diver Multimedia (combines manual and video for computer
based learning). You will also need your PADI Log book and Recreational Dive Planner (Table, The Wheel TM or eRDP TM).
Your local PADI Dive Center or Resort can set you up with these
as part of the course enrollment process.