What equipment do I need to provide?
What is PADI ®?
It stands for the Professional Association of Dive Instructors. It is the world's largest professional diving association. It is international in scope, and a PADI ® certification card is recognized worldwide. PADI ® offers courses in more advanced diving as well as in many specialties. There is also a
Project A.W.A.R.E.What is the Open Water Diver course?
It is PADI's entry-level certification course in SCUBA diving. You will need four open-water dives to complete your certification, but these are not included in the class fee.NEW FORMAT!!!
START TODAY!What’s new about this course? It is ideal for today’s busy lifestyle, because it allows you to complete most of the coursework in the comfort of your own home, at your own pace and at your convenience. You get a choice of a 2-video instructional set or a CD-ROM interactive multimedia self-study program. You also read the textbook and complete the knowledge reviews before showing up for class. This cuts down considerably on the amount of time you would otherwise have to spend sitting in the classroom.
The new format includes 4-6 hours of classroom time to have your questions answered and your knowledge reviews checked. You will take four quizzes and the final exam. The pool dives contain all the practical skills a diver needs to know to be comfortable and confident in the water.
How old do you have to be?
The minimum age is 12. Students aged 12 to 14 receive a Junior Open Water Diver certification, which allows them to dive as long as they are accompanied by a certified diver (approved by a parent/guardian) at least 18 years old. Upon turning 15, the Junior certified diver can request a conversion to the standard Open Water Diver certification. The requirements of the course are the same as for the adults. Parents should be sure that their children are truly eager to learn to dive. They should be in good physical shape as well as able to handle the academics and the responsibilities of an adult buddy. It is important that they have equipment that fits them well.What does the course fee include?
$300.00 includes the video or CD-ROM, textbook, class sessions and pool dives, quizzes and final exam, referral fee or Orbit Marine instructor fee, certification card and use of SCUBA equipment (wet suit, buoyancy compensator, regulator, weights and weight belt) for the pool. ALL SELF-STUDY MATERIALS ARE YOURS TO KEEP (A $115.00 VALUE) Dare to compare – ask others what their courses include. If you have a friend who is planning to take the course at the same time and is willing to share the self-study materials, the fee for that second (and any additional) student(s) is $255.00.What equipment do I need to provide?
You should have a mask, fins and snorkel that fit you properly. You need to purchase these before the first class session. There is no pressure to buy your equipment from
Orbit Marine, but if you do, you will receive a 10% store credit for future purchases.What about physical requirements?
You do not need to be a super swimmer, but you must be able to swim and feel comfortable in the water. There are also certain illnesses or conditions that are contraindications to diving (all fees will be returned if it turns out you cannot take the course for medical reasons). If you are unsure, please call the Divers Alert Network (DAN) at (919) 684-2948. This is the non-emergency number, and you do not have to be a member to call. DAN is a terrific organization, and we strongly urge you to visit the DAN web site. If you get certified, we hope you will join their organization.Where and when are the sessions taught?
Go back to HOME page. The Wilton Y is located at 404 Danbury Rd. The pool used is the 25-yard pool. The "Front Room" is the usual classroom, but check at the front desk.
What are Open-Water Dives?
PADI requires that you take a minimum of four open water dives over a period of no fewer than two days*. ("Open water" simply means that it is not a pool, but a lake or bay or ocean or even a flooded quarry) These involve demonstrations of skills already learned in the pool. There are three options:
Tell me more about a referral. Your instructor in Connecticut will document all of the training you have received. The referral letter tells another instructor that you have completed that training. It is up to the receiving instructor to determine that you are ready to do your open water dives. For example, he/she may ask you to demonstrate your skills in the pool. When you finish your open water dives to the receiving instructor's satisfaction, you will be issued a temporary card. You'll get your permanent one later. You can then spend the rest of your vacation diving. You will of course, be charged whatever the going rate is for the open water dives at that particular resort. PADI Referral letters have a limit of 1 year. After 6 months you will need to do a Scuba Review. Scuba review consists of a self-study booklet and a single pool session prior to doing your open-water dives.
What if I take this PADI course, and I go on vacation and there is no PADI instructor to take my referral? Can I still get certified?
Yes. It is highly unlikely that you will be unable to find a PADI instructor at most popular resort destinations. However, instructors from other training agencies can take your referral. You may have to take their written exam, or demonstrate certain skills. The actual certification card you receive will not be a PADI card in that case. But most major organization's (e.g. NAUI, SSI, YMCA) cards are recognized worldwide. Your best bet is to find a dive shop near your vacation destination and contact an instructor ahead of time, to see what may be required, and perhaps make an appointment for your open-water dives. Or better yet, go on one of Capt. Noel's Diventures.What happens if a class is canceled or I have to miss a class?
Since this is a two-day class, we strongly urge you to be sure you can attend all the classes. However, we know things come up that are unavoidable. Every effort will be made to make up the classes that you miss, at no extra charge (as long as they are made up within a year's time). If there is snow, please call the Y (203-762-8384) or listen to the radio. If the Y is closed, or their classes canceled, then the SCUBA course is also canceled for that day. You can also call Orbit Marine. Your instructor may give you a number to call as well. The class will be made up.