| Start Date | End Date | Event Curriculum | Cost | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2013 | May 30, 2013 | Please call for details | $349.95 | |
| June 17, 2013 | June 21, 2013 | Please call for details | $349.95 | |
| July 08, 2013 | July 11, 2013 | Please call for details | $349.95 | |
| July 22, 2013 | July 25, 2013 | Please call for details | $349.95 | |
| August 12, 2013 | August 15, 2013 | Please call for details | $349.95 | |
| August 19, 2013 | August 22, 2013 | Please call for details | $349.95 |
Experience Level:
- No previous experience required
- 10 years of age or older
We'll supply:
- All equipment, including mask, snorkel and fins
- All paperwork necessary to complete the Open Water Course
- All learning materials (textbooks, RDP, RDP instructions)
- Logbook
You supply:
- Bathing suit, towel
- Transportation
You must bring a completed PADI Medical form signed by a doctor if there are any 'YES' responses with the form.
Overview of our Open Water Referral Course
Complete your Open Water Referral program in Vancouver in less than a week with IDC!
Many of our students want to get their academic and pool training here at our facility, but would like to finish their Open Water training dives in another PADI facility in warmer waters.
You can do this through our Open Water Referral Course during which you partake in the Classroom and Pool Sessions that are a standard part of the Open Water course. You can also upgrade to the full Open Water Program during the course should you decide that you wish to complete your scuba training in Vancouver. Often people find that they are more comfortable completing the certification with us after they have started to course so we remain flexible to give you this option as you progress. If you do decide to finish your course elsewhere, we provide you with official documentation that any PADI Instructor and/or facility around the world will recognize and be able to continue on with your certification.
Note that once you are enrolled in the PADI Open Water Referral course with IDC you will receive our Student Discount: 10-15% off regular priced merchandise. Discounted or sale items, fair market price items (prices set by manufacturers), books, camera equipment and services (rentals, equipment service, courses, trips, etc) are excluded. Your student discount on dive gear is honoured for life. This is a great way to save money on personal diving and snorkeling gear, like a mask, snorkel and fins before you go on vacation.
Refer a friend to the course and receive a $25 gift certificate to IDC.
Open Water Referral Course Class Video
Open Water Referral Course Curriculum
Orientation
Your first session and first pool dive start at 6:30 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 prior to the first night of your training. In addition, we ask that students view the PADI Open Water DVD prior to the course as well.
Knowledge Development
To begin your Open Water course you will be required to pick up your course materials and start your self-study prior to the beginning of the class. On night one of the course you will be required to have completed chapters 1 through 3 in your textbook. At the end of each chapter there is a Knowledge Review. You are required to fill out the Knowledge Reviews in full and show them to your instructor during the course. We also ask that you view the PADI Open Water DVD. Please come prepared with your homework completed.
There will be some knowledge development and/or review each evening of the course. Most evenings will include knowledge reviews, some lecture and discussion and a quiz. We encourage questions and student contributions.
Pool Training
Pool dives are for skill introduction and development; they also serve students to gain familiarity and comfort with the equipment involved in scuba diving. We keep our student to instructor ratios low to ensure that all students are able to progress at a steady but comfortable rate with plenty of feedback and time to practice. Students will receive 6 hours of pool training, plus time on deck
The pool is a heated, indoor pool.
Open Water Referral Course Questions
Are there any restrictions on the Referral Process?
Well, some, but not many. Referrals are to be completed within a year and must be done with an active PADI Instructor. But they can be completed virtually anywhere in the world. Some facilities may request that you complete one check-out pool session with them prior to taking you into the ocean and charge a small fee for it; this is a prudent decision. All fees for the completion of the ocean dives, including certification fees are determined by and paid to the instructor or facility completing the course. It is best to verify in advance what these fees are.
How long do I have to complete my Open Water certification after the Referral course?
You may take up to 1 year to complete your Open Water certification once you've completed the Referral portion with us, though we strongly recommend completing it within a few weeks to a month or two to make sure that everything that you learned in the class and pool remains fresh for when you do your ocean (or lake or quarry) dives.
What are the age limits on the PADI Open Water/Referral course?
The minimum age to take a PADI Open Water course is 10 years old; however, we generally require a child to be at least 12 years of age before taking them into the ocean in BC. Sometimes children should be older due to the physical and mental maturity necessary to dive safely, particularly in a cold water environment. Youth that complete the course up to age 15 are awarded a PADI Junior Open Water scuba certification. This comes slightly modified restrictions such as diving with a parent, guardian or PADI professional and a maximum depth limit of 40ft/12m.
There is no upper age limit. If you are concerned about this, we recommend reviewing the PADI Medical form and discussing the decision with a physician prior to registering for any scuba diving course. Keep in mind that Jacques Cousteau himself was diving well past his 70s.