Are you, one of your children, or your friends a Junior Open Water Diver? Are you, or are they, now 15 years old or above? If so, it’s time for a PADI Junior Open Water Diver upgrade! In this article, we’ll explain the options and process for upgrading to a full PADI Open Water Diver certification and obtaining a new adult certification card.
What’s the Difference Between Junior Open Water Diver and Open Water Diver?
The dive theory, exams, and in-water skills and dives taken during the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification course are the same as those taken by adults. The only difference between the two certifications is age, depth and buddy requirements. Very simply, those who are 15 years and above become Open Water Divers, and those who are 10-14 years old at the time of certification are certified as Junior Open Water Divers.
If the Junior Open Water Diver is age 10 or 11, they must dive with either a certified parent/guardian or a dive professional. In addition, while adult Open Water Divers and Junior Open Water Divers aged 12 to 15 are certified to dive to a depth of 18 meters/60 feet, Junior Open Water Divers aged 10 or 11 are limited to depths of 12 meters/40 feet or less.
However, because the course for juniors and adults is identical, as soon as a Junior Open Water Diver reaches the age of 15, they are then considered an Open Water Diver and can order a replacement card to reflect their new Open Water Diver status.
Upgrading to an Open Water Diver Certification Card
As mentioned above, at the age of 15, a Junior Open Water Diver may simply order a replacement of their PADI certification card. The new card will arrive without the ‘Junior’ designation and will simply say Open Water Diver. When ordering a PADI Junior Open Water Diver upgrade card, there is no special process. Divers simply need to order a new card online or through their local dive shop. There are three possible options when ordering a replacement card.
Option 1: Physical Card
Physical cards are a great way to show off your status as a diver. They are the same size as credit cards, so they fit easily in your wallet. The advantages of physical cards are that they are accessible in remote diving destinations where internet access may be unreliable – and they are waterproof! They’re also available with a variety of limited edition images on the front of the card – from sea turtles to impressive sharks. Physical cards are a great way to show off your favorite marine species as well as your certification level!
Option 2: eCards
Once you have purchased a PADI eCard, you’ll be able to access it immediately (no postage or shipping delays) through the PADI App on your smartphone or by logging into your account on padi.com. From anywhere in the world where you have access to the internet, you’ll be able to show proof of your certification level via the app. And, you can still choose the image that suits you best with an eCard. It will show up on the app, just like it does on a physical card.
Option 3: Physical Card + eCard Bundle
If you can’t decide between an eCard and a physical card, it’s not a problem! Get both with our money-saving bundles! Having both a physical card AND eCard covers you for all eventualities and provides you with a backup in case you forget your physical card, leave your phone at home, or can’t get online!
Step up Your Certification With PADI AWARE
When ordering a replacement card, you will be given the option to step up your card with one of PADI AWARE Foundation’s limited edition designs. Every PADI AWARE card purchase includes a tax-deductible $10 donation that funds ocean conservation and marine animal protection. PADI AWARE cards are a great way to show off your commitment to saving the ocean!
Continue Your Diving Education
Although ordering a new PADI card is easy, there’s another way to upgrade your PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification – by continuing your education!
If it’s been a while since your last dive, consider completing the PADI ReActivate program to refresh your scuba skills and knowledge. As part of the ReActivate program, you will receive a new certification card, this time without the “Junior” prefix, if you are over the age of 15.
To learn more about different types of diving and to get certified to dive up to 30 meters /100 feet, enroll in the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. During the course, you’ll complete two mandatory dives (a deep dive and an underwater navigation dive), plus three more Adventure Dives with your PADI Instructor. For the three additional dives, you can choose from a range of super interesting topics, which can also count toward a PADI Specialty certification course. We’ll cover just a few of the choices below.
(Alternatively, if you aren’t quite ready to commit to your next core course, simply sign up for one of the PADI Specialty courses for a quick and fun way to upgrade your Junior Open Water Diver certification.)
Drift Adventure Dive
For many divers, diving in currents for the first time may sound daunting; however, once you have learned the skills and techniques for drift diving, it becomes fun, effortless and exhilarating. Plus, a range of different dive sites around the world will become available to you when you have drift diving skills. This Adventure Dive can count toward the Drift Diver Specialty course. Talk to your instructor about this possibility.
Wreck Adventure Dive
For anyone with an interest in maritime history, wreck diving holds massive appeal. You’ll learn how to plan a wreck dive as well as how to navigate a wreck and identify key parts of the vessel underwater. Many wrecks are often home to a plethora of marine species, including a variety of crustaceans and critters that appreciate the darker areas found in the shadows of the wreck’s structure. The Wreck Adventure Dive can count toward the Wreck Diver Specialty course. Click the button below for more info.
Underwater Photography Adventure Dive
Take home memories that will last a lifetime (and look great on social media) when you try your hand at underwater photography or videography. If you don’t have underwater imaging equipment yet, ask your PADI Dive Center or Resort if they have rental equipment you can hire for your dive. This Adventure Dive can also count toward the Digital Underwater Photography Specialty course.
Fish Identification Adventure Dive
How many times have you come up from a dive and asked your buddy, “Did you see that fish?” Then you’ve gone on to try and explain what it looked like but ultimately never identified the species. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if you knew how to identify different families of fish and how to use resources such as fish ID books to locate a species immediately rather than endlessly turning pages? During your Fish Identification Adventure Dive, you’ll finally unlock the secrets behind fish recognition and successful identification! Plus, this Adventure Dive can count toward the Fish Identification Diver Specialty course.
Night Adventure Dive
Not only does the underwater realm look completely different at night, but you’ll also encounter a different array of marine species after the sun goes down. During the Night Adventure Dive, you’ll learn how to plan a night dive as well as how to navigate at night and communicate with your buddy using a combination of illuminated hand signals and movements of your flashlight beam. This course also has an associated PADI Specialty course, namely the Night Diver Specialty course.
Other Adventure Dives
You may also be interested in trying some of these other available Adventure Dives:
- Peak Performance Buoyancy Adventure Dive
- Search and Recovery Adventure Dive
- Enriched Air Adventure Dive
- Underwater Naturalist Adventure Dive
- Dry Suit Adventure Dive
- Sidemount Adventure Dive
There are so many possibilities depending on what you’re most interested in! The Advanced Open Water Diver is the most customizable PADI course, so it’s worth checking out if you want to upgrade your Junior Open Water Diver certification.
If you’re not ready to commit to the Advanced Open Water Diver course, or if you have in mind a certain type of diving that you would like to explore, taking a PADI Specialty Diver course is another option for gaining a new certification card! Whichever course you choose, the new certification card will come without the ‘Junior’ designation if you’re aged 15 or over.
