After you classroom and pool sessions, you will register for your four successfully completed Open Water Dives.  You will complete four dives with one of our experienced instructors to earn your Open Water Certification!

Note: There is a separate fee for the open water exam.

Open Water Exams are conducted by our local PADI Instructors and may be held at either Brownstone Sports Adventure Park in Portland, CT, Fort Wetherill in Jamestown, RI, DuBois Beach in Stonington, CT or at Hearthstone Campgound, Lake George NY.

The PADI Open Water Diver course includes three parts: Knowledge Development, Confined Water Dives, and Open Water Dives. Knowledge Development covers the principles, concepts and terms you need to know for dive safety and enjoyment. During the Confined Water Dives, you learn and practice scuba skills in a pool. You'll have fun making mini-dives, which take you through the same steps you follow when you conduct Open Water dives. To complete your training, you practice, apply and demonstrate what you have learned during four Open Water Dives at a local dive site.

Earning a PADI Open Water Diver certification shows that you have met the course requirements. Dive centers and resorts require proof of certification before they will rent scuba equipment, fill scuba cylinders or book dive excursions. As a PADI Open Water Diver, you'll be trained to a maximum depth of 18 metres/60 feet, and are qualified to dive in conditions as good as, or better than, those in which you trained. It's just the beginning of a lifetime filled with dive adventures!

Click here to Start Your E-Learning Today!

What Qualifications Do I Need To Start?

If you are in good health (see medical requirements), reasonably fit, can swim & tread water, and are comfortable in the water, you can earn your PADI Open Water Diver certification. The PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification is available for those ages 12 to 14.

For certification information for 10 and 11-year olds, please contact Scuba Shack.

A PADI Junior Open Water Diver between the ages of 10 and 14 years may only dive with a PADI Professional, a certified parent or certified guardian, to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet.

How Does It Work?

You will start your journey by enrolling in a Scuba Shack Open Water Diver course and registering for your PADI Electronic Learning. You can start your electronic learning at any time and must complete this course prior to the start of your training with Scuba Shack. Our classes typically run in a one-week period. You will meet at Scuba Shack for a Thursday night class where you will meet your instructor and other classmates. This session will review key elements from the electronic learning and logistics for the remainder of the course. On Saturday morning we meet again at Scuba Shack for an in-depth session on the operation and set up of the equipment that you will be using in the pool. Later that afternoon and again on Sunday afternoon, we will head to the pool at a local YMCA where you will complete the five confined water dives, giving you all the skills necessary for your ultimate Open Water Certification dives!

eLearning - What is it?

PADI’s Electronic Learning allows you to work on the knowledge development part of the course at your convenience. You will be guided through five modules that build on the information you will need to become a scuba diver. The program includes engaging videos, detailed descriptions, knowledge checks and quizzes, culminating in the final exam.

This online course can take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours to complete - plan to start about 2 weeks before class begins. 

Click here to Start Your E-Learning Today!

Do I Need My Own Dive Equipment?

You will need to have your own scuba quality mask, snorkel, fins and boots for the class. When you purchase this equipment from Scuba Shack, you can be assured that the gear will fit properly and comfortably, allowing you to enjoy the course with no worries! All other equipment - tanks, weights, regulators, buoyancy compensator and wetsuit (if needed) - is provided by Scuba Shack! You will also need to be fitted for a wetsuit - for use in class and your open water exam. 

What Do I Need To Do Next?

Here are the steps to follow

1.    Purchase your PADI Open Water e-learning by clicking here!

2.    Purchase your Confined Water Training Course from Scuba Shack.

3.    Come in to get fitted for your personal mask, snorkel, fins, and boots and get your training log book, 

4.    Get Ready for FUN!

Is There Anything Else?

Yes - everyone who takes the PADI Open Water Class must complete liability forms and a Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire. Based on your responses, you may be required to have your physician clear you for recreational scuba diving. A fully completed medical questionnaire is an absolute requirement prior to any in-water activity with Scuba Shack.

Open Water Dives  - purchased separately. Separate park admission fee applies to Brownstone.  

You will need to complete Four Open Water Certification dives.  These dives will be done with a PADI Instructor and may be held at Brownstone Sports Adventure Park in Portland, CT, (park admission is additional) Fort Wetherill in Jamestown, RI or occasionally at Lake George, NY on a designated weekend May through September. Or with any PADI dive shop worldwide by Referral (prices vary based on location). Your Instructor will have additional sign-up information. Early sign up is available by phone but be sure to check your calendar for availability before signing up. Terms & Conditions apply.

PADI eLearning, PADI Training Log Book and the Open Water Exam are purchased separately.