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

 
Time Commitment
Approximately 8-15 hours
 

Cost:

$500 per person.
$400 for referral (knowledge development and pool only)
 
All materials and fees included.  All equipment included including mask, fins, snorkel and boots (no need to buy).
 
We provide high quality mask, fins, snorkel and boots, but if you would like to purchase these items for class or shortly after, you will receive a student discount towards that purchase.

 

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

Complete the Academic Portion of your full SCUBA Course Online!

In-Person Classroom Academics

Prefer a paper book and more in-person time? Sign up for in-person academics and stop by the store to pick up your student materials.

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.

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