PADI Course Descriptions:

The course descriptions are listed below in the order that they must be taken according to PADI standards.

PADI Open Water Diver course:

Now is the time to dive into the PADI Open Water Diver course, the most popular dive program in the world! This is your ticket to a lifetime of intense adventure with PADI, the dive company that sets the standards in the global diving community.

Why PADI Open Water?
As a certified PADI Open Water Diver, the most widely recognized and respected rating in the world, you have the freedom to dive with a buddy independent of a professional. If you already tried a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience or are PADI Scuba Diver certified, check with your instructor to see how credit from these courses may apply to the open water program.

What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification. You must be older than the age of 14 to begin the PADI Open Water Diver program. For those of you who are not above the age of 14 and would like to participate in the PADI Open Water Diver Program, then the PADI Jr Open Water Diver program is available to you. If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Open Water Diver program available.

A PADI Jr Open Water Diver between the ages of 10 and 11 years may only dive with a PADI Professional, a certified parent or certified guardian to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet.

What will I do?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You earn this rating by completing five pool dives and knowledge development sessions and by making four open water (ocean or lake) dives.

How long will it take?
PADI programs are performance based. You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you.

What will I need?

• PADI Open Water Crew-Pak 

• Log Book

• Swimsuit/Towel

Where can I go from here?
Continue the adventure with PADI’s Adventures in diving program, you next step in exploring the underwater world.

How much does it cost?

Back to Top

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver:

The Adventures in Diving program offers both the Adventure Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. If you complete any three adventure dives, you can earn your PADI Adventure Diver certification. If you complete your Deep Adventure Dive, Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive and three Adventure Dives for a total of five, you can earn your Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

Why Advanced Open Water Diver?
After your five dives, you'll be more experienced, feel more comfortable in the water and simply enjoy diving more because you better understand the underwater environment.

What do I need to start?
PADI Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization) Minimum age: 15 (12 for PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver)

What will I do?
This certification includes five Adventure Dives, including the Deep Adventure Dive, the Underwater Navigator Adventure Dive and three of the following:

• Altitude Diver

• Boat Diver

• Drift Diver

• Dry Suit Diver

• Multilevel Diver

• Night Diver

• Peak Performance Buoyancy

• Search and Recovery Diver

• And many more

How long will it take?
Recommended Course Hours: 15
Minimum Open Water Training: five dives over two days

What will I need?

• Adventures in Diving Crew-Pak

• Log Book

• Basic Snorkeling Gear (optional but recommended)

Where can I go from here?
PADI Advanced Open Water Divers at least 15 years of age can enroll in PADI Wreck or Deep Diver Specialty courses and continue on to the PADI Rescue Diver or Junior Rescue Diver course.  PADI Adventure Dives can also credit towards the corresponding PADI Specialty Diver certifications.

How much does it cost?

Back to Top

Emergency First Response:

Why Emergency First Response?
Emergency First Response (EFR) is the fastest-growing international CPR, Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid training organization. Dedicated to training the lay rescuer, EFR courses encompasses adult, child and infant CPR skills, provides AED and First Aid training, and feature an outstanding First Aid at Work component. The company’s award-winning programs and state-of-the-art training materials make it a favorite among divers around the world.

Many divers take the Emergency First Response courses to meet program prerequisites, such as PADI Rescue Diver, or as preparation for becoming a PADI Divemaster. However, most have also found the EFR program to be important in every day life. They have taken a significant step in emergency preparedness, and feel confident that they can provide care should an emergency situation arise.

The Emergency First Response program meets requirements for CPR and First Aid in the workplace (OSHA Guideline 29 CFR 1910.151), and incorporates the latest procedures for emergency patient care. Other organizations that recognize EFR as meeting their requirements are United States Coast Guard, The Boy Scouts of America, and the American Council on Exercise (ACE), to name a few.

What do I need to start?

• No dive certification required

• No minimum age limit

What will I do?
The course incorporates independent study to prepare you for a classroom and hands-on skill development session with your instructor. You will learn the same patient care techniques used by medical professionals, but at a lay person level.

How long will it take?
Depending on the amount of independent study and the class size, the Primary Care and Secondary Care courses may be completed in as little as four hours to six hours

What will I need?

• Participant Manual

Where can I go from here?
Visit your local PADI Dive Center or Resort today to find out more about the Emergency First Response and PADI Rescue Diver program.

How much does it cost?

Back to Top

PADI Rescue Diver:

Why PADI Rescue Diver?
Rewarding and fun – that best describes the PADI Rescue Diver course. This course will expand your knowledge and experience level: Rescue Divers learn to look beyond themselves and consider the safety and well being of other divers. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence.

What do I need to start?
You can enroll in the Rescue Diver Course as a certified Open Water Diver (or have a qualifying certification from another training organization) and participate in the Rescue Diver knowledge development and rescue training sessions, in confined water only, while working on your Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

To participate in the rescue training sessions in open water, and to participate in the open water rescue scenarios, you must be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or have a qualifying certification from another training organization.

Minimum age: 15 years old (12 for PADI Junior Rescue Diver)

Successful completion of a sanctioned CPR program within the past 24 months. The Emergency First Response Primary Care (CPR) and Secondary Care (First Aid) courses meet these requirements.

What will I do?
Rescue Diver training will prepare you to prevent problems and, if necessary, manage dive emergencies. During the five open water sessions, you'll cover:

• Self-rescue and diver stress

• AED and emergency oxygen delivery systems

• dive first aid

• swimming and non-swimming rescue techniques

• emergency management and equipment

• panicked diver response

• underwater problems

• missing diver procedures

• surfacing the unconscious diver

• in-water rescue breathing protocols

• egress (exits)

• first aid procedures for pressure related accidents

• dive accident scenarios

How long will it take?
Recommended Course Hours: 25
Minimum Open Water Training: five sessions over two days

What will I need?

• PADI Rescue Diver Crew-Pak

• PADI EFR or certification for CPR/First Aid

Where can I go from here?
The PADI Rescue Diver certification is a prerequisite for all Professional level PADI courses, beginning with the PADI Divemaster certification. Contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort to enroll in a PADI Rescue Diver course and prepare yourself to Go Pro.

How much will it cost?

*****Please Call The Dive Shop Directly for Further Pricing Information*****

Back to Top

PADI Master Scuba Diver

What is the PADI Master Scuba Diver Certification?
This certification denotes that you've reached the highest recreational diver level in the PADI System of diver education. PADI Master Scuba Diver indicates you have a significant amount of training and experience in a variety of dive environments.

What do I need to start?

• PADI Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)

• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)

• PADI Rescue Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)

• 50 logged dives

• Five PADI Specialty course certifications

• Minimum age: 15 years old (12 for Junior Master Scuba Diver)

Where can I go from here?
The PADI Master Scuba Diver certification is the highest recreational level in the PADI system of diver education. But, you don't have to stop there! You can continue on to become a PADI Professional. As a Master Scuba Diver you'll be well qualified to begin your training as a PADI Divemaster.

Back to Top

Go Pro! Open doors you have only imagined!

As a PADI Professional, you do things others only dream of. Whether you work in a local dive center, at a resort, or on a live aboard dive boat, the adventure of a lifetime is yours for the taking. 

Imagine a job where you actually look forward to heading off to work in the morning. Lead a life others fantasize about. Sailing into incredible sunsets could be the rule, not the exception, especially if you work in a tropical dive destination. The commute to work could be as easy as a ten-minute boat ride. Work now becomes an adventure in itself. While experiencing new cultures and lifestyles, you'll be surrounded by people who are always happy. When you take people diving all day - everyone's happy. It's not all fun and games in paradise, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

If you set your sights close to home and aspire to work at a local dive center, you teach people how to dive and guide trips to exotic dive destinations. There's a sense of pride sharing something you are passionate about. You help others enrich their own lives by experiencing the adventure of diving.

Divemaster:

Take the first step in your dive career and become a PADI Divemaster. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you'll expand your dive knowledge and hone your skills as you become a dive professional. PADI Divemaster training develops your leadership abilities by training you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers.

What can PADI Divemasters do?

• Work at local dive centers, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations

• Assist PADI Instructors with students

• Lead PADI Scuba Divers on guided dive tours

• Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers

• Teach PADI Discover Snorkeling programs

• Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers

• Lead certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences

• Teach Emergency First Response programs after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course.

What do I need to start?

• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or qualifying certification from another training organization

• PADI Rescue Diver certification or qualifying certification from another training organization.

• Medical clearance signed by a physician

• 20 logged dives

• 18 years old

What will I do?

• Learn dive leadership through classroom and independent study sessions

• Complete water skills and stamina exercises in confined and open water

• Training exercises to test organizational and problem solving abilities

• An internship or series of practical training exercises

How long will it take?

• Two weeks - three months

What materials are needed?

• Divemaster Training Package 

• Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving

• Diving Knowledge Workbook

• PADI Instructor Manual

• Log Book

• PADI Assistant Instructor Manual

Back to Top

PADI Assistant Instructor:

The PADI Assistant Instructor course is the first portion of the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). You'll not only gain additional experience as a PADI Professional but you'll also start learning the PADI System of diver education.

What can PADI Assistant Instructors do?

• Teach academic presentations under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor

• Evaluate Open Water Diver surface skills under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor

• Teach the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course

• Teach Project AWARE Specialty courses

• Conduct PADI Discover Scuba experiences

• Teach Emergency First Response after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course

What will I need to start?

• PADI Divemaster rating or qualifying certification from another certification organization

• At least 18 years old

• Have 60 logged dives, including night, deep, and navigation dives

• Have been a certified diver for at least 6 months

What will I do?

• Knowledge development through self-study, quizzes, lectures and presentations

• Confined water skill review and assessment, workshops and presentations

• Open water workshops, rescue assessment and candidate presentations

How long will it take?
The course can vary from as little as three days to more than two weeks

What materials are needed?

• PADI Instructor Manual

• Instructor Candidate Workbook

• Open Water Lesson Planning Slate

• Confined Water Lesson Preparation Slate

• Open Water Aquatic Cue Cards

• Confined Water Aquatic Cue Cards

• The Law and the Diving Professional

• The Business of Diving

• The Best of The Undersea Journal

• Log Book

• Peak Performance Bouyancy Specialty Instructor Specialty Instructor Outline

• Project AWARE Specialty Program Instructor Outline

• Aware Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Instructor Outline

• Open Water Diver Manual

• Recreational Dive Planner, The Wheel and table, and Instructions for Use Booklets

• Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exam booklet

• Adventures in Diving Manual

• Rescue Diver Manual

• Rescue Diver Final Exams Booklet

• Divemaster Manual

• Divemaster Final Exams Booklet

Back to Top

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Program:

The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor program is your final step in the quest to become a PADI Instructor. During the IDC, you'll learn to use and adapt the PADI System of diver education to individual student needs. Comprehensive training, supported by a wide variety of PADI educational materials, earns PADI Instructors respect from both students and peers. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors may conduct a broad range of PADI programs from Discover Scuba to Divemaster.

The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor rating sets you apart from the crowd. PADI Instructors may conduct the entire range of PADI programs - from Discover Scuba through Divemaster.   PADI Instructors do things others can only daydream about.  If you want to live an extraordinary life, you're in the right place.

What do I need to start?

• PADI Assistant Instructor certification or be an instructor in good standing with another training organization for at least six months ( check with a PADI Course Director or PADI Office for qualifying credentials.)

• Hold a dive certification for at least six months

• Have 60 logged dives that include night, deep and navigation dives

• Proof of CPR training within the last 24 months

• Medical clearance signed by a physician

What will I do?

• Knowledge development through self-study, quizzes, lectures and presentations

• Confined water skill review and assessment, workshops and presentations

• Open water workshops, rescue assessment and candidate presentations

• Have at least 100 logged dives prior to entering a PADI Instructor Exam

How long will it take?

• Times can vary from four days to three weeks or more

 What materials are needed?*

• PADI Instructor Manual

• Instructor Candidate Workbook

• Open Water Lesson Planning Slate

• Confined Water Lesson Preparation Slate

• Open Water Aquatic Cue Cards

• Confined Water Aquatic Cue Cards

• The Law and the Diving Professional

• The Business of Diving

• The Best of The Undersea Journal

• Log Book

• Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Instructor Outline

• Project AWARE Specialty Program Instructor Outline

• Aware Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Instructor Outline

• Open Water Diver Manual

• Recreational Dive Planner, The Wheel and table, and Instructions for Use Booklets

• Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exam booklet

• Adventures in Diving Manual

• Rescue Diver Manual

• Rescue Diver Final Exams Booklet

• Divemaster Manual

• Divemaster Final Exams Booklet

• *These are the same materials used in the PADI Assistant Instructor course.

Back to Top

Specialty Instructors:

After becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) you'll want to teach divers specific types of diving dependant to what your local area offers. To do this you need to be able to teach PADI Specialties. By doing so you can heighten your students' comfort level and strengthening their underwater skills, ultimately leading to their enjoyment of diving more than ever before.

Specialty Instructors:

Teach PADI Specialty courses to divers in a variety of areas from wreck diving to underwater videography.

Prerequisites: *

PADI Assistant Instructor or Open Water Scuba Instructor

Minimum Time for Completion:

There are two ways to become a specialty instructor, see PADI Instructor Manual for details

Required Materials:  None

Back to Top

Master Scuba Diver Trainer:

If you want to train your dive students to the highest purely recreational dive level in the PADI System of diver education, you'll want to be a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. By attaining this level, your dive students will know where to come when they want to learn from an expert.

What can PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainers do?

• Teach PADI Master Scuba Divers

What do I need to start?*

• Hold five PADI Specialty Instructor certifications

• Have at least 25 certifications

• How do I become a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer?*

• Apply directly to PADI

• *For more detailed information please refer to the PADI Instructor Manual, the requirements listed on padi.com are general guidelines

Back to Top

IDC Staff Instructor:

PADI IDC Staff Instructors are PADI Instructors moving towards instructor-level training or teaching the Instructor Development Course (IDC). IDC Staff Instructors can independently train and certify PADI Assistant Instructors as well as help train PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors.

What can I do as a PADI IDC Staff Instructor?

• Teach PADI Assistant Instructor courses

• Help PADI Course Directors conduct the PADI Instructor Development Course

• Help PADI Course Directors conduct instructor -level continuing education

What do I need to start?*

• PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer certification

• 18 years old

What will I do?*

• Master of instructor-level dive theory, knowledge development teaching presentations and confined water teaching presentations

• Audit a complete IDC

How long will it take?

• Two course days plus a complete IDC audit

What materials are needed?

• PADI Course Director Manual

• Confined Water Presentation Evaluation Slate

• Open Water Presentation Evaluation Slate

• All IDC required materials

Back to Top

Master Instructor:

What can PADI Master Instructors do?

• Teach PADI Assistant Instructor courses

• Help PADI Course Directors conduct the PADI Instructor Development Course

• Help PADI Course Directors conduct instructor-level continuing education

What do I need to start?

• PADI IDC Staff Instructor certification

• Be a PADI Instructor for at least two years

• EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE™ Instructor certification

• Have certified at least 150 students as PADI Divers

How do I become a PADI Master Instructor?*

• Apply directly to PADI

• PADI Course Director Manual

• PADI Instructor Manual

• PADI Instructor Development Course Candidate Workbook

• *Specific prerequisite requirements are found in the PADI Instructor Manual, the requirements listed on padi.com are general guidelines.

Back to Top