Participants of all ages must sign and complete the following forms:

The PADI Open Water Diver certification is the corner stone of the PADI System. The course is split into three main areas with sub divisions:

Knowledge development, in which there are five modules.
Read the Open Water Diver Manual watch the PADI Open Water DVD and complete the knowledge reviews at the end of each chapter.

Confined water is the next segment and is made up of five dives. These are done in water that represents swimming pool like conditions. During this portion of the course you will be taught how to master all of the scuba skills.

The final segment is made up of four open water dives, the last two are to a maximum depth of 18m.(12m for the 10-12 year olds)
During these dives you will show that you have mastered all that you have learned in the previous two areas and before completion the student must complete a 200m swim and a 10-minute tread water.

PADI Open Water Divers are qualified to:

Dive with a buddy (eighteen years of age or older, parent for the 10-12year olds) independent of supervision while applying the knowledge and skills they learn in this course, within the limits of their training and experience.

Dive to a maximum depth of 18m (12m for the 10-12 year olds)