Diver certification begins here.
Description
During the PADI Open Water Diver course, you’ll learn what you need to know to explore the underwater world using scuba. Most people find it a rewarding challenge.
The PADI Open Water Diver course includes three parts: Knowledge Development, Confined Water Dives, and Open Water Dives. Knowledge Development covers the principles, concepts and terms you need to know for dive safety and enjoyment. During the Confined Water Dives, you learn and practice scuba skills in a pool or water with pool-like conditions. You’ll enjoy making one or more minidives, which take you through the same steps you follow when you make open water dives. To complete training you practice, apply and demonstrate what you learn during four Open Water Dives at a local dive site.
Earning a PADI Open Water Diver certification shows that you met the course requirements. Dive centers and resorts require proof of certification before they will rent scuba equipment, fill scuba cylinders or book dive excursions. As a PADI Open Water Diver, you’ll be trained to a maximum depth of 18 metres/60 feet, and are qualified to dive in conditions as good as, or better than, those in which you trained. It’s just the beginning of a lifetime filled with dive adventure.
Academic
The PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases:
- Knowledge Development (Online with PADI eLearning) to understand basic principles of scuba diving
- Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills
- Open Water Dives to use your skills and explore!
You may be able to get college credit for the Open Water Diver course.
Short on time? The Open Water Referral might be right for you. The referral process is easy. You complete your knowledge development and pool portion of class with us and finish your four open water dives with a different PADI dive center. Ask Midwest Scuba staff for more details.
Prerequisites & Requirements
Age Requirement
10 years or older
Course Prerequisites
Able to swim; medically fit for diving
Approximately 8-15 hours
Cost:
Equipment
In the PADI 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.
Check with Midwest Scuba about the gear you’ll use during this course and get advice about everything you need from your PADI Instructor.
We provide high quality mask, fins, snorkel and boots for your PADI Open Water Diver Certification Course.
Getting Started
You can start your learning now with PADI’s home-study materials – Open Water Diver eLearning. Select referral or full SCUBA certification below and you will receive access to the academic materials via email. You should stop by or contact us at Midwest Scuba to speak to a PADI Instructor about scheduling time for in-water training. Your instructor will also answer any questions you have along the way and check your progress to make sure you understand important scuba diving information.
eLearning Academics
In-Person Classroom Academics
2023 Open Water Diver Certification Course Schedule. (Online Academics)
March
March 2, 2023
Orientation: 3/2 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 3/13 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
March 6, 2023
Orientation: 3/6 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 3/13 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
March 15, 2023
Orientation: 3/15 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 4/3 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
March 21, 2023
Orientation: 3/21 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 4/3 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
March 25, 2023
Orientation: 3/25 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 4/3 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
March 30, 2023
Orientation: 3/30 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 4/3 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
April
April 5, 2023
Orientation: 4/5 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 4/24 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
April 15, 2023
Orientation: 4/15 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 4/24 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 4/29 & 4/30 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
April 20, 2023
Orientation: 4/20 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 4/24 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 4/29 & 4/30 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
April 26, 2023
Orientation: 4/26 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 5/8 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 5/13 & 5/14 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
April 29, 2023
Orientation: 4/29 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 5/8 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 5/13 & 5/14 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May
May 11, 2023
Orientation: 5/11 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 5/8 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 5/13 & 5/14 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May 13, 2023
Orientation: 5/13 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 5/22 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 5/27 & 5/28 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May 16, 2023
Orientation: 5/16 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 5/22 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 5/13 & 5/14 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May 27, 2023
Orientation: 5/27 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 6/5 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 6/10 & 6/11 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May 31, 2023
Orientation: 5/31 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 6/5 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 6/10 & 6/11 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
June
June 10, 2023
Orientation: 6/10 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 6/19 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 6/24 & 6/25 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
June 15, 2023
Orientation: 6/15 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 6/19 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 6/24 & 6/25 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
June 24, 2023
Orientation: 6/24 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 7/3 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 7/8 & 7/9 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
June 27, 2023
Orientation: 6/27 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 7/3 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 7/8 & 7/9 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July
July 6, 2023
Orientation: 7/6 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 7/17 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 7/22 & 7/23 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July 11, 2023
Orientation: 7/11 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 7/17 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 7/22 & 7/23 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July 20, 2023
Orientation: 7/20 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 7/31 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 8/5 & 8/6 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July 26, 2023
Orientation: 7/26 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 7/31 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 8/5 & 8/6 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July 29, 2023
Orientation: 7/29 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 7/31 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 8/8 & 8/9 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August
August 2, 2023
Orientation: 8/2 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 8/14 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 8/19 & 8/20 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August 5, 2023
Orientation: 8/5 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 8/14 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 8/19 & 8/20 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August 8, 2023
Orientation: 8/8 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 8/14 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 8/19 & 8/20 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August 10, 2023
Orientation: 8/10 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 8/14 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 8/19 & 8/20 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August 19, 2023
Orientation: 8/19 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 8/28 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/2 & 9/3 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August 23, 2023
Orientation: 8/23 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 8/28 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/2 & 9/3 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August 26, 2023
Orientation: 8/26 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 8/28 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/2 & 9/3 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
September
September 2, 2023
Orientation: 9/2 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 9/11 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/16 & 9/17 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
September 5, 2023
Orientation: 9/5 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 9/11 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/16 & 9/17 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
September 13, 2023
Orientation: 9/13 . 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pool: 9/25 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/30 & 10/1 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
September 23, 2023
Orientation: 9/23 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 9/25 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/30 & 10/1 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
October
October 3, 2023
Orientation: 10/3 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 10/9 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 10/14 & 10/15 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
October 5, 2023
Orientation: 10/5 . 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pool: 10/9 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 10/14 & 10/15 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
2023 Open Water Diver Certification Course Schedule. (In-Person Academics)
February
February 4, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 2/4 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 2/13 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
February 7 & 8, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 2/7 & 2/8 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 2/13 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
March
March 8 & 9, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 3/8 & 3/9 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 3/13 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
March 11, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 3/11 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 3/13 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: Referral
April
April 12 & 13, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 4/12 & 4/13 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 4/24 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 4/29 & 4/30 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
April 22, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 4/22 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 4/24 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 4/29 & 4/30 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May
May 3 & 4, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 5/3 & 5/4 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 5/8 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 5/13 & 5/14 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May 6, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 5/6 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 5/8 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 5/13 & 5/14 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May 20, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 5/20 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 5/22 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 5/27 & 5/28 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May 24 & 25, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 5/24 & 5/25 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 6/5 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 6/10 & 6/11 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
June
June 3, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 6/3 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 6/5 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 6/10 & 6/11 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
June 7 & 8, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 6/7 & 6/8 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 6/19 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 6/24 & 6/25 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
June 17, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 6/17 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 6/19 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 6/24 & 6/25 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
June 21 & 22, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 6/21 & 6/22 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 7/3 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 7/8 & 7/9 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July
July 5 & 6, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 7/5 & 7/6 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 7/17 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 7/22 & 7/23 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July 22, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 7/22 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 7/31 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 8/5 & 8/6 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August
August 12, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 8/12 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 8/14 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 8/19 & 8/20 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August 16 & 17, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 8/16 & 8/17 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 8/28 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/2 & 9/3 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
August 30 & 31, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 8/30 & 8/31 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 9/11 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/16 & 9/17 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
September
September 6 & 7, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 9/6 & 9/7 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 9/11 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/16 & 9/17 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
September 9, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 9/9 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 9/11 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 9/16 & 9/17 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
September 27 & 28, 2023 (Evening)
Classroom: 9/27 & 9/28 . 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Pool: 10/9 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 10/14 & 10/15 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
October
October 7, 2023 (Saturday)
Classroom: 10/7 . 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pool: 10/9 . 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dives: 10/14 & 10/15 . 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.