Can’t wait to get scuba certified on your upcoming vacation? Then why not get a head start on your PADI® Open Water Diver course with a PADI Open Water Diver referral (formally called a PADI Open Water Diver course referral). This handy alternative route allows you to eliminate study time from your vacation while maximizing dive time.
What makes it even better is that you can get started today — right now! Ready to find out how? Then read on to discover more about how to complete a PADI Open Water Diver course referral.
What Is a PADI Open Water Diver Referral?
A PADI Open Water Diver course referral allows you to undertake the majority of your scuba training at home before completing your certification dives anywhere in the world!
A PADI referral also allows you to support your local dive shop and avoid having to study during your vacation. You’ll complete all the classroom theory in advance, so while you are on holiday you can focus on the fun part of getting underwater and exploring everything to be found beneath the water’s surface!
Simply put, instead of spending 4 to 5 days of your holiday studying and practicing scuba skills in a pool, you’ll arrive with most of your PADI Open Water Diver course already complete. It’s a win-win and it couldn’t be easier!
So, let’s get into the details of exactly how a PADI referral works.
What It Takes To Become a Certified PADI Open Water Diver
Before we look at how the PADI referral works, it’s important to understand what it takes to become a certified diver. Here’s a quick overview of the elements that make up the PADI Open Water Diver course:
Part One: Knowledge Development
This is the theory part of the PADI Open Water Diver course. You can choose between learning in a classroom or using PADI eLearning®. It’s proven that classrooms are extremely useful for anyone who prefers in-person learning. However, PADI eLearning allows you to set your own pace and complete your studying in the comfort of your own home – or elsewhere!
Part Two: Confined Water Skills
The confined water element of the course is where you’ll get to take your first breath underwater. You’ll practice using scuba gear in a pool (or pool-like environment) with your instructor until you’re comfortable. During the confined water sessions, you’ll learn the basic skills in a progressive order. Each skill, such as ascending or clearing your mask, builds on the ones previous to it. PADI training includes practice “mini dives” to help you build confidence in your new abilities. This also allows you to try out your skills in a variety of scenarios.
Part Three: Open Water Dives
This is the best part – it’s what you’ve been waiting for! The open water section of the course includes four dives in open (unrestricted) water with your instructor. This could be an ocean, a lake or even a flooded quarry.
PADI Open Water Diver is the first level of scuba certification that allows you to dive independently. You will need to dive with a buddy but without an Instructor or other diving professional. A PADI Instructor will teach you to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment.
By the end of the Open Water Diver course, you’ll have the knowledge and skills required to dive locally or abroad. Wherever you decide to begin your underwater journey, you’ll be prepared. If you’d like to learn more about each of the segments, watch the video below or check out our detailed article about how to become a scuba diver.
How To Complete a PADI Open Water Diver Course Referral
As mentioned above, the PADI Open Water Diver course is made up of three parts. So what is a PADI Open Water Referral Course? During this alternate route to certification, you’ll complete the first and the second parts of the course locally. Here’s how to do it:
- Contact a local PADI Dive Center, PADI Shop or PADI Instructor (find yours here) and let them know you’re interested in completing a PADI Open Water Diver referral.
- Once you’re signed up, use the generated login information on the PADI website to access your PADI Open Water Diver course eLearning (Part 1).
- Work through the knowledge development, reading the information and completing the knowledge reviews and tests along the way. If you have any questions or issues, contact your PADI instructor for help.
- Once you complete the PADI Open Water Diver course eLearning, you can move on to the confined water skills (Part 2).
- Choose a convenient time and place (usually a swimming pool) to complete your in-water skills.
- Once Part 1 and Part 2 are complete, your instructor will provide you with your PADI Open Water Diver course referral form. Now you can take this form to any PADI Dive Center around the world within 12 months from the last training segment to complete the remaining part of your scuba course — the open water dives. This final portion of the course typically takes a day and a half to complete.
- Once certified, you can use the rest of your vacation time exploring and gaining additional dive experience.
PADI Open Water Diver Referral FAQs
Do you still have queries regarding the PADI Open Water Diver course referral? Check out these commonly asked questions to see if the answer you’re looking for is here:
An open water referral is valid for up to 12 months. However, it is better to complete your training as soon as possible after taking the theory and confined water sessions so your knowledge and skills are still fresh in your mind.
No problem. Your local PADI Instructor can fill out an official student referral form and check which skills you’ve completed and the date. You can give this form to any PADI Instructor worldwide and pick up where you left off.
PADI eLearning allows you to start your knowledge development online, whether you plan to do a referral or complete your course from start to finish in the same place. This is an excellent idea if you plan to learn to dive as a family. Families can study together at home and support each other as you progress.
Although eLearning is the most popular option for knowledge development. You can also study with a book and DVD while attending classroom sessions if you want to.
Yes, absolutely! The instructor at the receiving dive shop will have you gear up and review scuba skills in a pool (or pool-like environment) before taking you to open water. Let the instructor know if you have any questions or if you are not feeling comfortable.
With a PADI referral, you can take as much time as you need to complete your knowledge development and pool work. You won’t feel rushed or like you are ‘cramming’ for a test. You’ll also support your local dive shop and be able to become part of your local diving community.
Sometimes students allow too much time to pass before finishing their course. You can take up to 12 months to complete your certification, but it’s better to complete your knowledge development and pool training closer to your holiday.
If you’ve gotten comfortable with a particular gear configuration, using different gear can be an adjustment – just like riding someone else’s bike or borrowing someone’s car. It’s basically the same, but the handling and placement of certain things may be unfamiliar at first. Also, you’ll probably end up using different brands of diving gear.
Owning your scuba gear is a great way to increase your comfort levels underwater. If you’re not ready to invest in everything at once, consider purchasing a few pieces at a time.
In some countries such as Australia, medical clearance is needed from a doctor to confirm that you are fit to dive. Wherever you learn, you will be asked to fill in a medical questionnaire before any in-water activities. In areas where medical clearance is not mandatory and your medical questionnaire does not reveal any issues, you do not need clearance from a doctor. However, if your medical questionnaire answers raise any concerns such as asthma, diabetes, or cardiac issues, medical clearance will be required. This is to ensure your personal safety underwater.
To take the PADI Open Water Diver course, participants are required to:
1. Be at least 10 years of age when starting the course. Students aged 10-14 years will be awarded PADI Junior Open Water Diver Status. Junior status can be upgraded to an adult certification upon reaching the age of 15 years.
2. Be medically fit for scuba diving with either a doctor’s medical clearance or a satisfactory medical questionnaire (see section above regarding medical clearance)
3. Have basic swimming skills and be able to comfortably maintain themselves in water. PADI Instructors assess this by having participants swim 200 meters/yards without stopping. You may opt for a 300 meters/yards swim with mask, fins and snorkel instead. There is no time limit, and you can use any swimming stroke.
When it comes to taking your Open Water Diver referral, the world is quite literally your oyster! You can choose from pretty much anywhere in the world, in any country, and on any continent. When deciding on the best place to learn to dive for you, here are some factors you may want to take into consideration:
1. Travel Time: Do you have time and the desire to embark on long-haul flight or would you prefer somewhere closer to home?
2. Travel Buddies: If you are traveling with friends, family, or a loved one, what are their hobbies? Will there be enough to keep everyone entertained? How about learning together for an even more fun and inclusive experience?
3. Climate: There are undoubtedly some phenomenal tropical destinations with incredible diving from Thailand and Indonesia in Southeast Asia to the Caribbean and Mexico in the Americas. However, cold water diving also offers some spectacular diving opportunities including Norwegian Fjords, the Poor Knights in New Zealand, Adelaide in South Australia, and many more around the globe.
4. Budget: Finances may play into your decision-making when it comes to choosing a destination. Some regions are more budget-friendly than others. South America and Southeast Asia tend to be much easier on the pocket than learning in North America, the Caribbean or Australia. When calculating costs, look at the cost of accommodation, eating out, and other expenses too – not only the price of the referral course.
5. Other Activities: Although you’ll be spending a good portion of your time diving for your course or after certification, look at what else is on offer on land. Why not combine your diving with other adventures or cultural experiences?
Once you have completed your PADI eLearning, you’ll take the eLearning Quick Review. This is a short multiple-choice quiz to ensure that you have fully understood the theory that you studied online.
It’s a good idea to contact the dive shop where you want to finish your course in advance. Confirm your schedule and the price to complete your course, including training, certification fees, any rental gear, and boat dives (if applicable).
Ready to Get Started?
Signing up for a PADI Open Water Diver referral is easy. Start by finding your local dive shop and letting them know you’re interested in completing the course — it’s that simple. Also remember that you can begin your PADI Open Water Diver course at any time by signing up for eLearning online.
Additionally, if you can’t decide on your right path or destination for learning to dive, get in contact with a PADI Dive Center for advice or check out all of the possible options available to you below.
