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Open Water Course

The PADI Open Water Course is the best entry level course to the amazing world of Scuba Diving. It takes only 3-4 days to complete and afterwards you will be qualified to dive to 18m with a globally recognised certification valid for life!

Course packages

All courses include training, equipment use and certification. Click on an option below to see details:

This option includes a basic set of course materials. The course runs over the 2 weekends and you will learn how to use dive tables. On the second weekend you will use the tables to plan your qualifying dives. £399

This option is our most popular course as it runs over exactly the same amount of time as the Bronze but includes the new dive computer based course materials. This is the most up to date version of the course and means that you’ll learn how to plan your dives using a computer instead of the old dive tables. This is a far simpler way to learn whilst also being much more modern and relevant to current diving practices. On the second weekend you’ll use dive computers on the dives themselves so you can see them in action and use them to plan ascents and dive times. £425

Our most popular course but also included is your own mask and snorkel which will be personally fitted for you on the weekend. Not only does this option mean you’ll have the comfort of completing the course in your own well-fitting mask but by selecting this course option you’ll also save money on the retail price of the equipment and we’ll include a free mask strap cover worth £8.50 as well! £499

This is the best option for those who want one on one personal instructor attention and/or have limited time as this first part of the course can usually be conducted in a single day on either a Saturday or Sunday. The second weekend is still run over 2 days as safety standards dictate that we cannot complete more than 3 training dives in a day, you will however have one on one tuition on the course. £699

This option is exactly the same as the standard one on one Open Water but this time we can complete the course over any 3 days that suit you. The days can be consecutive or split over time. This option works very well for those with limited time who cannot join us on scheduled dates because we can pretty much schedule the course to fit in with any time constraints you have. £899

Our ultimate package, this package includes a full set of scuba equipment, literally everything you will need to get started. You will start with one of our equipment experts who will be able help you choose the right kit for you and then make sure the equipment is fitted correctly and that you are comfortable in the water.

 

The massive advantage of this course is that not only do you get a great deal on the equipment and course, you will also learn all the skills in your own equipment. We can then progress to open water where you will be able to familiarise yourself with the equipment in open water with an instructor present to help you with any technical issues as you proceed.

 

The package is based around a mid range set of equipment and would normally retail for around £3000. You'll get all this for just £2500, As a final incentive we will include the drysuit qualification free of charge! 

Our ultimate package with one on one tuition! This is exactly the same as the platinum package but you will complete the course over any 3 days that suit you. £2900

The perfect option for busy people. Start your PADI course by utilising PADI's state of the art online classroom and get all the theory done in your own time. the e-learning guides you through all the dive theory so that upon completion you'll only need to do the pool training and you're done!

When you book this option we will email you with your e-learning access pass and you'll be able to start straight away.

To find out more about this option please see our e-learning page

How the course works

The full Open Water Course is split into 3 sections: theory, swimming pool skills and open water dives. The theory and swimming pool sections are usually conducted over 1 or 2 days depending on which course package you've signed up.

 

We usually run the theory in the morning before heading to the pool in the afternoon. The idea is that before the course starts we supply you with some course materials and a DVD for you to watch. You go through these before the course starts so that on the day all the instructor does is go through everything with you to make sure that you understand it. This avoids longs lectures! The pool sessions give you a chance to practise the skills you will need in open water before you get there and you will find that the skills follow a logical progression, slowly building as the course moves forward.

 

There are 4 open water training dives and these are always run over 2 days. We use a variety of inland sites for the training and where we go depends on the conditions. We will always aim to go to a dive site that offers the optimal conditions for training rather than just the closest one.

 

The idea is that once you have completed the skills in the swimming pool all you need to do is repeat them in the open water environment. You will be with an instructor and divemaster on every single dive at a maximum ratio of 2 student divers to DLL staff members. We work slowly and patiently with you gradually increasing your confidence over the 2 days until at the end you qualify as an Open Water Diver. 

 

The Open Water Course is a not a pass or fail course with a set time limit. The amount of time we allocate is usually plenty of time to complete all the sections. We simply work with you all the way to make certain that you meet the performance requirements and if this takes more time then that is not a problem at all. At DLL we provide an extra session free of charge on any area in the event that you need some extra coaching.

 

Course prerequisites

Open to anyone aged 10 or up
Able to swim (You don't need to be a strong swimmer, just able to tread water and swim 200m)

What's the next step?

The next step after the Open Water Course is to move onto the Advanced Course. Despite it's name this course actually works very well back to back with the Open Water as it simply consists of 5 more supervised open water dives with an instructor refining some of your skills like buoyancy and navigation as well as qualifying you to dive to 30m. Have a look at some of our special offer packages if this appeals to you and you can save money by pre-booking multiple courses!

Advanced Course
Rescue Diver