PADI OPEN WATER DIVER
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How do I become a PADI Open Water Diver?
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular scuba diving certification which allows qualified divers to dive anywhere in the world to 18 metres. Millions of people have learned to scuba dive and gone on to discover the wonders of the aquatic world through this course. To enroll in the PADI Open Water Diver course you must be at least 10 years old and have adequate swimming skills. No prior experience with scuba diving is required.
So how do you get started? There are 2 simple steps to success. The first step is PART A, also known as Open Water Referral or Open Water Confined, where you learn the basic skills of scuba diving in our heated pool in Chertsey with one of our Instructors. You will also have some online theory to complete with a code that we send you after booking. This gets you halfway to becoming a PADI diver.
Upon completion of PART A you move on to the second step, PART B, or Open Water Completion. These are the qualifying dives done at either a local lake (Wraysbury) near Heathrow where you will repeat the skills mastered in the pool again under the guidance of our instructors. We are also now offering an upgraded version of PART B where we head to a different dive lake for day 2 (Vobster Quay) near Frome Sumerset; full details can be found below.
You will receive your PADI Open Water Diver certification upon completion of both Parts A & B and can begin your own underwater adventures around the world. It’s that easy!
To book your PART A or PART B training please check the availability above. Alternatively you can contact the office on 020 8995 0002 to book in your date.
| PART A - Open Water Referral | |
| Duration | 5 hours of pool training (all in one session). The course is performance based so the times are approximate |
| Class Times | Tuesdays at 12:00 or 17:00 Wednesdays at 12:00 or 18:00 Thursdays at 12:00 or 17:00 Fridays at 12:00 Saturdays at 08:00 or 14:00 Sundays at 09:00 |
| Includes | • Online web based theory (available on PC or smart device)* • Small class sizes with experienced instructors • Full equipment hire • Final certification fee • Free log book worth £15 |
| Swim Skills | Before we start your in-water training you will be asked to complete a 200m swim at any pace or style and perform a 10min survival float |
| What’s Next? | Once you finish all segments of the referral you can move on to do your PART B here at LSD or at any other PADI centre worldwide |
| Price | £329 There are no other hidden extras. |
*For information on the online web based theory, please see our eLearning explained page.
| PART B - Open Water Completion | |
| Prerequisites | Minimum age 10 years old during summer / 15 years old during winter (due to lake temperatures and dry suit sizing) |
| Duration | 2 Days during warmer months 3 Days during colder months (2 hour drysuit orientation required) |
| Times | May to November Tuesday - Wednesday at 08:00 - 15:30 Saturday - Sunday at 08:00 - 15:30 December to April |
| Features | • Meet at LSD • Morning briefing outlining the days schedule • Kit allocation for the dives • 2 dives per day at a local lake (Wraysbury) • 1 hour per dive • At least 1 hour surface interval between dives • Evaluation of skills mastered in the pool • Exploration of the dive site • Finish back at LSD for debrief and kit wash down |
| Extras | • Lake entrance fees - £15 per day • Scuba cylinder air fills at the lake - £5.00 each (X3) |
| Transport | LSD does not provide transport to the Open Water dive sites. We will make every effort to try and get you a car share with another student but if this is not possible you will be expected to make your way to the site by your own means. |
| What’s Next? | CELEBRATION! You have achieved the PADI Open Water Diver certification and get your digital e-card |
| Price | £250 - May-Nov £350 - Dec-April - includes a Drysuit Orientation on the Thursday before at either 10am or 5pm If it has been more than 6 months since you did PART A you will be required to do a Scuba Review to refresh your skills. Our Scuba Reviews cover 21 Open Water Skills for £89 (normally £109) |
On our upgraded completion course we have split the four open water dives between two locations. Day one will be at Wraysbury (located near Heathrow) and day two at Vobster Quay (located in Somerset).
The completion upgrade offers divers the chance to explore two of England’s most popular dive sites. Divers are able to explore the different sites and get a wider experience in their dive training. At Wraysbury there are a range of features including a labyrinth and a sunken bus. At Vobster, you will get the chance to explore more wrecks including an aircraft wreck split into the three sections and dive to a greater depth.
Vobster Quay is located in Somerset, and so this upgrade will mean an early morning start, meeting at Vobster for 8am.
| PART B - Open Water Completion (Upgrade) | |
| Prerequisites | Minimum age 12 years old during summer / 15 years old during winter (due to lake depths, temperatures and dry suit sizing) |
| Duration | 2 Days, the course is performance based so the times are approximate |
| Times | Saturday - 08:00 - 15:30 (Meet at LSD) Sunday - 0800 - 15:30 (Meet at Vobster Quay) |
| Features | • Day 1 - Location Wraysbury Lake (near Heathrow) • Day 2 - Location Vobster Quay (near Frome, Sumerset) • Morning briefing outlining the days schedule • Kit allocation for the dives • 2 dives each day • 1 hour per dive • At least 1 hour surface interval between dives • Evaluation of skills mastered in the pool • Exploration of the dive site |
| Extras | • Lake entrance fees - £15 per person Wraysbury - £23 per person Vobster • Scuba cylinder air fills at the lake - £5.00 each (X3) |
| Transport | LSD does not provide transport to the Open Water dive sites. For anyone wishing to join us for this upgraded course you will need to have access to your own vehicle. |
| What’s Next? | CELEBRATION! You have achieved the PADI Open Water Diver certification and get your digital e-card |
| Price | £319. If it has been more than 6 months since you did PART A you will be required to do a Scuba Review to refresh your skills. Our Scuba Reviews cover 21 Open Water Skills for £89 (normally £109) |
Why should I do my course at LSD?
Deciding on where to do your PADI Open Water Diver course is extremely important as you need to make sure that you get the best value for your money and that those teaching you have right experience. The London School of Diving is a CDC rated PADI centre which is the highest level possible when it comes to teaching recreational scuba diving. Our professional and friendly staff will assist you in every way possible to help you achieve your dream diving qualification so you can scuba dive THE WORLD. Our aim is beyond making you pass the course, it is to make you a great diver.
Can I start my theory in advance?
For those who would like to get started with the online theory before selecting a date with us, or maybe they want a head start before a trip abroad then please purchase the Open Water Theory course. After purchasing the online theory, we will send you a code to register with PADI. This will allow you access to a full array of digital media from high resolution videos to knoweldge development and to take your exams.
This option does not include any LSD training. It is just the online eLearning. Click here to purchase your Open Water Theory now.