By Jenessa Greenough | Updated for International Diving Centre | PADI Diver Training & FAQ

So, you’re thinking about becoming a certified scuba diver and have questions about what to expect and how to make it happen? Learning to dive opens up a whole new underwater world—and doing it in Vancouver equips you with skills to dive anywhere on the planet! Below is the complete breakdown of how our Vancouver PADI Open Water Course is structured, along with answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions.

How is the course laid out?

Our streamlined format makes it easy for working professionals and students to complete their certification without taking time off work:

• Standard Evening Schedule (Sep–Jun): Classroom reviews & confined pool sessions take place on Monday & Wednesday evenings starting at 7:00 PM over two consecutive weeks.
• Summer Schedule (July & August): Classroom & confined pool sessions start earlier at 5:30 PM on Mondays & Wednesdays.
• Ocean Weekend Dives: 4 open water ocean dives conducted on Saturday & Sunday starting at 8:00 AM at Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver.
• Sequential Learning: Skills build progressively from session to session. Private courses or custom rescheduling may be arranged with sufficient notice (additional fee applies).

What facilities and locations are used?

• Shop Fit-Kit & Orientation: Registration, gear sizing, and fitting occur at our store at 2865 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC (free customer parking in the back!).
• Confined Water (Pool): UBC Aquatic Centre (or Lord Byng Pool when UBC is unavailable) for pool skill development.
• Ocean Dives: 4 ocean dives conducted at iconic Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver (and Porteau Cove, conditions permitting).
• Optional Drysuit Specialty Upgrade: Learn to dive warm in a drysuit during your Open Water course! Complete your drysuit orientation during your first pool session.

What kind of gear do I need?

• Mask & Snorkel Included: Every student receives their OWN brand-new dive mask & dry snorkel included right in the course fee!
• All Rental Equipment Included: Regulators, BCD, buoyancy system, dive computer, cylinders, weights, boots, fins, and 7mm cold-water wetsuits are fully included with zero hidden fees.
• Drysuit Upgrade Option: Highly recommended for diving in BC! Upgrading to a drysuit keeps you warm and earns you your PADI Drysuit Specialty certification concurrently.

What do I need to know or do before I start my course?

• Complete PADI eLearning First: Once enrolled online, over the phone, or in person, we set you up with PADI eLearning. You must complete your online digital modules before getting in the water with us.
• Visit Us for a Gear Fitting: Stop by IDC at 2865 W Broadway prior to week one so we can fit you for your mask, snorkel, boots, fins, and exposure suit.
• Basic Swim Comfort: You need basic watermanship skills—including a 200-metre continuous swim (or 300-metre with mask, snorkel, & fins) and a 10-minute float/tread water without flotation aids.
• Review the PADI Medical Form: All students must complete the official PADI Medical Form. If you answer "YES" to any medical history questions, a physician sign-off is required before your first pool session.