The PADI Open Water diving course is your first passport to underwater diving. It opens up an entirely new world in which you will learn how to develop into an independent diver. This course teaches you the basic skills of diving and leads you to the discovery of the underwater environment and spectacular coral reefs and marine life that it offers.
The course can be done on a modular basis. Before registering directly for the Open Water diving course, you can start by taking the following steps:
- The PADI Discover Scuba Diving program lasts only a few hours and allows you to go beyond a mere diving initiation. This program is an integral part of the Open Water diving course (offering possible credit for this program).
- The PADI Scuba Diver course for those who are in a hurry and are unable to dedicate more than three days for their first diving course. This course corresponds to the first part of the Open Water course in terms of both practical and theoretical training. It leads to a real certification that will allow you, at first, to dive under the supervision of a professional, to the depth of 12 meters; this course gives you credit to finish the complete Open Water diving course (two additional days).
The Open Water diving course involves ten dives. The first ones are done in protected environment, meaning in a pool or under similar conditions and serve the purpose of teaching the basic routines and procedures of scuba diving. The theory sessions discussed in the PADI manual correspond to the practical sessions at sea. You will learn the following: the physical and physiological principles related to immersion in water (buoyancy, pressure, depth, air, ...); diving equipment and the manner of using it; the buddy system and means of signs; safety measures; the aquatic environment and its preservation; the use of tables and diving computers. The dives at sea reinforce your knowledge and develop your skills so you can become completely at ease in the water and reach the performance level required to obtain the PADI Open Water certificate. A written exam is the final step of the course.
Once you have a certificate in your pocket, you may dive anywhere in the world, accompanied by a buddy down to a depth of 18 meters. The PADI Open Water certificate allows you to progress to the PADI Advanced Open Water course as well as certain Specialties. If you so desire, it is also possible to include in this course exercises which will be credited for the PADI Rescue Diver course.
Prerequisites: Good physical health
Minimum age: 12 years old
Duration of Course: 5 days
Price: 1.390 NIS
******* For minors, the performances required to obtain the certificate are the same as for adults, but additional conditions related to the use of the certificate may apply.
