Diver hovering over a cat shark

The PADI Scuba Diver course consists of three main phases:

Knowledge Development (online, independent study or in a classroom) to understand basic principles of scuba diving – just the first three of five sections of the Open Water Diver course.

Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills – just the first three of five dives of the Open Water Diver course

Open Water Dives to use your skills and explore – just two of four dives of the Open Water Diver course.

You learn to use basic scuba gear, including a mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device and a tank. The equipment you wear varies, depending upon whether you’re diving in tropical, temperate or cold water. Your PADI Instructor will explain the equipment you need and may suggest additional educational materials, such as the required logbook.
Check with your local dive center to get advice about everything you need for your diving adventures.

Get started by registering for PADI scuba diver Lessons online, Collect your home-study materials, Open Water Diver Manual and Open Water Diver Video (a book and DVD package). Stop by DiveClub Northern Ireland, enroll in the course, get your materials and start reading the book and watching the video. Your PADI Instructor will meet with you to schedule knowledge review sessions, confined water and open water dives.

Padi open water diver