Open Water Course
Whether you're seeking the adventure found in sunken shipwrecks, the sensation of weightlessness, a beautiful coral reef, a Port Hardy trip, a natural world beyond comprehension or a new weekend activity, there is nothing like scuba diving! The Basic Open Water Course is the gateway to what is often a life changing experience.
| Start Date | End Date | Notes | Cost | Availability | Course Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 3 | Aug 15 | Ask about upgrading to drysuit training during your open water ocean dives. (Includes the PADI ERDP dive tables) | $439.95 | Add to Cart | Curriculum |
| Aug 17 | Aug 29 | Ask about upgrading to drysuit training during your open water ocean dives. (Includes the PADI ERDP dive tables) | $439.95 | Add to Cart | Curriculum |
| Aug 31 | Sep 12 | Ask about upgrading to drysuit training during your open water ocean dives. (Includes the PADI ERDP dive tables) | $439.95 | Add to Cart | Curriculum |
| Sep 14 | Sep 26 | Ask about upgrading to drysuit training during your open water ocean dives. (Includes the PADI ERDP dive tables) | $439.95 | Add to Cart | Curriculum |
| Oct 5 | Oct 17 | Ask about upgrading to drysuit training during your open water ocean dives. (Includes the PADI ERDP dive tables) | $439.95 | Add to Cart | Curriculum |
| Oct 26 | Nov 7 | Ask about upgrading to drysuit training during your open water ocean dives. (Includes the PADI ERDP dive tables) | $439.95 | Add to Cart | Curriculum |
| Nov 16 | Nov 28 | Ask about upgrading to drysuit training during your open water ocean dives. (Includes the PADI ERDP dive tables) | $439.95 | Add to Cart | Curriculum |
* Students that purchase a mask, snorkel, fins and gloves from IDC during the duration of the course will receive $50.00 off their purchase of a personal gear package.
IDC is the largest diver training facility in the lower mainland. We train our divers with safety being our utmost concern. Our knowledgable staff and instructors have an impeccable saftey record that is unmatched for the challenges of cold-water training. Come let us be your guide to what we believe is the greatest adventure you have the privilege of participating in.
Our instructors know that while your course materials are comprehensive and extremely valuable, there is a lot more to diving locally than is often spoken about when learning to dive in a warm-water or tropical environment. Your course will include greater detail in topics such as: understanding proper dive planning and managing your air supply, buddy skills, proper weighting, diver propulsion techniques, and more. In short, we will provide you with the knowledge and skills to dive and explore our waters safely and competently for years to come.
"I can't believe I waited this long to do this" is a statement we hear from many divers upon completion of their training. Course schedules may seem a little incovenient at first, but we assure you that you will be surprised at just how well scuba diving can fit into your life. Why keep putting it off? We are confident that you will be part of the majority who will find as much passion in scuba diving as we do.
Materials Required / Minimum Age Requirements
- Your first session and first pool dive start at 7:00 PM at International Diving Centre. Please bring your completed course materials, pen, swimsuit and towel. You will also need to have read the first 3 chapters of your manual prior to starting, and you must complete all 3 knowledge reviews at the end of each chapter before the first night of your training.
Minimum Age: 15 years old for the full Open Water Certification.
Minimum Age: 12 - 14 years old for the Jr. Open Water certification.*
* Jr. Open Water divers are limited to diving to maximum 40' deep and must dive with a fully certified adult or PADI professional on all open water dives.
PADI Open Water Crew-Pak w/eRDPML & Blue Log Book is included with course.
Orientation
- Please make sure you look at the PADI Medical Statement. If you answer "yes" to any questions on the Medical Form, you will have to submit a PADI Medical Form signed by a doctor, unless you submitted one for training within the previous 12 months, before starting the course.
Knowledge Development
- Starting your new Open Water certification requires you pick up your materials ahead of time. On night one of the course you will be required to have completed chapters 1 through 3 in your text book. At the end of each chapter there is a Knowledge Review. You are required to fill them out in full and hand them in during your course. Please come prepared with your homework completed.
Pool and Ocean Dives
- We have pool wetsuits available for $5/night if you find the pool too cold.
- You will need to provide a $500 deposit for equipment you will be taking to the ocean. A credit card number is more than sufficient. This is a deposit only and will only be applied to broken or missing equipment.
Course Fees
Course fee includes:- All instruction
- PADI Dive Crew Pack with eRDP ML Dive Tables.
- All equipment for 3 or 4 pool dives - depends on if you chose a wetsuit or a drysuit
- All equipment for 4 ocean dives
- All equipment for a 5th dive (for fun) This free equipment rental can be applied to any IDC scheduled fun dive, or dive trip. Your 5th free must be redeemed within 3 months of your certification date.
- 1 passport sized photograph (prior to ocean dive 1) You may email a photo to the shop, or have us take a photo for you
- Swimsuit, towel and pen for class & pool
- Transportation to and from pool and dive sites - Plan ahead. If you require carpooling, check with your classmates. Parking can be limited at Whytecliff Park on busy summer weekends.
Learning Outcomes
The open water course is an entry level certification designed to bring potential divers into diving. This course gives divers the foundation to continue their training in more specialized areas or to dive with other certified divers with the following limitations:- Dive to a maximum depth of 60 feet / 18 meters
- Dive in environments equal to or better to that which you were trained - No overhead environments
- Dive with other certified diver(s), independent of a professional diver
- Participate in further training beyond entry level
- Dive during daylight hours only
