1. This Program is designed to provide comprehensive training to those who wish to become SCUBA divers.
2. This Program emphasizes the skills and knowledge needed to develop a safer novice diver and to develop a sense of confidence and responsibility in those joining the adventures of underwater discovery.
3. This Program qualifies a diver to dive to a maximum depth of 60 fsw (18 msw) in open water, accompanied by other divers of at least the same level, without supervision of a Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor.
4. The purpose of this program is to qualify a diver to participate in diving activities where appropriate Diver Support is always available at the surface, where in-water decompression stops are not required, and under
conditions that are equal or better than the conditions where they were trained.

► NOTE: If diving in conditions significantly different from those previously experienced the diver shall require an appropriate orientation.

1.  Age requirement:

a. A minimum of 15 years of age for Diver qualification with a parent or guardian authorization, or;
b. A minimum or 18 years of age without guardian approval.

► Jr. Open Water Diver – Students between 10 years of age and 14 years of age who meet the open water diver performance requirements may qualify for a Jr. Open Water Diver certification that allows them to dive under the supervision of an adult who has a minimum of an open water diver certification level or higher.
► Jr. Open Water EANx Diver – Students between 10 years of age and 14 years of age who meet the open water diver and the enriched air nitrox diver performance requirements may qualify for a Jr. Open Water Nitrox Diver certification that allows them to dive under the supervision of an adult who has a minimum of an open water diver and enriched air nitrox diver certification level or higher

Before and After ALL Confined Water Dive and Open Water Dive

1. Demonstrate the ability to configure dive equipment neatly.
2. Assemble and disassemble diving equipment.
a. At water’s edge, boat or appropriate place.
3. Conduct pre-dive checks, at water’s edge and in-water.
4. Surface entries and exit.
5. Provide post dive care of diving equipment.
a. At water’s edge, boat or appropriate place.

Confined Water Skills

6. Surface swim:
a. Continuous 200 yard (183 metre) surface distance swim and a 10 minute survival swim/float without the use of mask, fins, snorkel or of other swimming aids; OR
b. Continuous 300 yard swim using mask, fins and snorkel, and a 10 minute survival swim/float without mask, fins, snorkel or other swimming aid. If an exposure suit is used, the wearer must be neutrally buoyant at the surface.
7. Swim on surface while wearing full SCUBA diving equipment and switch from the regulator to snorkel and back at least 4 times for a distance of 165 feet (50 meters).
8. Swim on back (face up) on the surface while wearing full SCUBA diving equipment for a distance of 100 feet (30 meters).
9. Swim on the surface using SCUBA and BCD as a front oriented surface float for a distance of 100 feet (30 meters).
10. Practice buoyancy control and body posture on the surface.
11. On the surface practice the quick release of the weight ballast system.
12. Mask clearing and use.
13. Snorkel clearing and use.
14. Swim a distance of 10 feet (3 meters) underwater, recover and clear mask and partially clear snorkel.
15. Swim using mask, snorkel and fins for a distance of 33 feet (10 meters) underwater without surfacing.
16. Do a lateral Emergency Swimming Ascent (ESA).
17. Simulate a vertical ESA while free-diving from the deep end of a pool.
18. Underwater remove and replace SCUBA diving equipment on the bottom, at a depth no greater than 20 fsw (6 msw).
19. Optional Skill: (not required) Simulate or perform (Instructor’s option) manual gas sharing emergency. The simulation is accomplished by:
a. The gas recipient diver must swim a distance of at least 25 feet (8 meters) (without breathing, and exhaling slowly) and commence simulated gas sharing
b. The gas donor diver handing regulator off as in actual gas sharing, but gas recipient dive breathes two (2) breaths from his/her own regulator,
c. The gas recipient diver returns the regulator back to the gas donor diver. At this time, the gas recipient diver regulator is removed from the mouth until the simulated regulator is handed back.
► NOTE: At least three (3) breaths are taken at rest, followed by a 10 minute swim at a normal swim rate or equivalent method

Confined Water & Open Water Skills

20. Practice hand signal communication with buddy.
21. Practice general buddy system techniques.
22. On the surface, remove and replace SCUBA diving equipment.
23. On the surface, parctice mouthpiece clearing – snorkel and regulator.
24. Swim on surface while wearing full SCUBA diving equipment and switch from the regulator to snorkel and back at least 4 times for a distance of 165 feet (50 meters)
25. Demonstrate and perform at least two (2) finning techniques.
26. Achieve proper weighting.
27. Demonstrate proper descent and ascent procedures.
28. While using scuba and at rest perform mask clearing, regulator clearing and regulator recovery.
29. While using scuba and at rest perform mask removal, controlled breathing without mask and mask replacement.
30. Using Scuba and at rest remove and replace weight ballast system.
31. Practice buoyancy control and body posture underwater.
32. Demonstrate instrument monitoring. 40 VERSION 24.4.0 (OC) International association of nitrox & technical divers
33. Swim underwater using SCUBA without mask for 30 feet (9 meters).
► NOTE: In extremelly cold water, restrict the no mask swim to Confined Water Only.
34. Perform alternate gas source (octopus, secondary regulator, alternate air, etc.) gas sharing drill both as receiver and donor. PROCEDURE: The gas recipient diver must swim a distance of at least 30 feet (9 meters) (without
breathing, and exhaling slowly) to the gas donor diver and commence gas sharing on the alternate second stage. Remain at rest for three (3) breaths and then swim, sharing gas, at a normal swim pace.
35. Demonstrate the ability to perform simple underwater navigation without the use of a compass.
36. Deploy a DSMB or Lift Bag
37. Demonstrate the ability to establish positive buoyant on the surface of the water by using power inflation and oral inflation of the BCD.
38. Diver assistance techniques:
a. Buddy: Simulate a tired diver situation by assisting him/her to reach the surface, to establish positive buyancy and tow him/her for a distance of 30 feet (9 meters) with both the upper body method and again by the fin push method.
b. Self: Cramp removal