The PADI Scuba Diver course is a subset of the PADI Open Water Diver course. If you're short on time but really want to become a diver, the PADI Scuba Diver rating might be right for you ̶ particularly if you expect to go scuba diving primarily with a dive guide. This course is an intermediate step for earning an Open Water Diver certification if that's your ultimate goal.
PADI Scuba Divers are qualified to:
- Dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet.
- Obtain air fills, rent or purchase scuba equipment and participate in dive activities as long as properly supervised.
- Continue dive training by completing the PADI Open Water Diver certification and taking certain specialty diver courses.
The PADI Scuba Diver course consists of three main phases:
- Knowledge Development (eLearning, independent study, or in a classroom) to understand basic principles of scuba diving - just the first three of five sections of the Open Water Diver course.
- Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills - just the first three of five dives of the Open Water Diver course
- Open Water Dives to use your skills and explore - just two of four dives of the Open Water Diver course.
- 10 years minimum age
- Able to swim
- Medically fit for diving
- Comfortable in the water
- Scuba Divers may only dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet.
- Entire course: 2-3 days
