How long does it take to get scuba-certified?
Getting scuba-certified is an exciting step towards exploring the underwater world, but it’s not always clear how long the process will take. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be eager to get in the water as fast as possible.
In this article, I’ll share what I learned about the scuba certification process and the steps required to go from a beginner to a certified diver. Keep in mind that I will only be talking about recreational certifications in this article and not professional ones.
A beginner diver practicing buoyancy during an open water training dive, a crucial skill in earning a scuba certification.
Introduction to Scuba Diving (1 day):
Before committing to a course, I would highly recommend trying an Introduction to Scuba Diving experience.
Introduction to Scuba Diving is a beginner-level experience designed for people who are curious about diving but aren't ready to commit to a full certification course. It offers a safe, supervised environment for learning basic scuba skills and experiencing what it’s like to breathe underwater.
The two most common introductory programs are:
PADI Discover Scuba Diving:
Overview: This is a one-day experience, typically conducted in a pool or calm, shallow open water, allowing participants to try scuba diving without needing a certification.
Skills Taught: Basic safety guidelines, equipment use, and underwater communication.
Dive: Participants usually complete a supervised shallow dive (up to 12 meters / 40 feet).
No Certification Required: It's an introduction which means that no certification is issued, but it can count toward an Open Water Diver certification if you choose to continue.
Try Scuba (Scuba Schools International – SSI):
Overview: Similar to PADI's Discover Scuba, this program allows beginners to experience scuba diving in a controlled environment with an instructor.
Dive: It usually includes a confined water dive and, depending on the location, a short open water dive.
These introductory dives are perfect for vacationers or anyone who is unsure about pursuing full certification but is eager to experience the underwater world firsthand.
Open Water Diver Course (3 to 4 days - 18m depth limit):
Okay, so you did an Introduction to Scuba Diving experience, and now you feel like you want to go further. What’s next?
The PADI Open Water Diver course typically takes around 3 to 4 days to complete, depending on the dive center and student pace. It can be broken down into three parts:
Knowledge Development (Online, classroom, or independent study) – This takes between 8 to 12 hours in total and is often spread over a couple of days or done online.
Confined Water Dives (Pool or shallow water practice) – Usually completed over 1 to 2 days.
Open Water Dives (4 dives in total) – Typically done over 2 days.
Some courses offer flexibility with online eLearning which can shorten the in-person portion. Additionally, there are intensive programs that may condense the course into just 2 days.
A diver enjoying the beauty of the underwater world, surrounded by a shimmering school of fish.
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course (2-3 days - 30m depth limit):
Knowledge Development – There are no formal classroom sessions, but you must complete briefings and knowledge reviews for each dive.
Adventure Dives – 5 dives are required:
2 core dives: A Deep Dive and an Underwater Navigation dive.
3 elective dives of your choice (e.g. Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck Diving, etc.).
If you want to combine the PADI Open Water Diver course with the Advanced Open Water Diver course, it will take around 6 to 7 days to complete both. Most dive centers offer discounts when combining these two courses and given the limitations of the open water, I would suggest going for these two together.
Many liveaboards require a minimum number of logged dives and prefer divers to be at least Advanced Open Water (AOW) certified. If you're planning a liveaboard trip, getting your AOW certification beforehand is a smart move.
Whilst most liveaboards do offer courses onboard, they tend to be more expensive. Plus, you might not want to spend your time learning in such a stunning, remote location when you could be fully enjoying the dives instead. Read more about Liveaboard diving.
I did my Open Water (OW) and Advanced Open Water (AOW) with the same dive center in Thailand. I went back two consecutive years. In between I traveled a lot and tried different dive environments, collecting extra skills and experiences.
However, it didn't take long for me to realize what I was missing out on due to the 18-meter depth limitation with the Open Water certification. So, the next year, I went back to do my Advanced Open Water (AOW).
We were a little smarter when planning my wife’s certification process. She did the OW and AOW combo during our stay in Tulamben last year and I would do the same if I could go back in time.
My wife exploring a shipwreck during her Advanced Open Water Course, where students learn deeper diving skills and underwater navigation.
Rescue Diver (2 to 4 days)
The next step is the Rescue Diver certification. Looking back, I can say with one hundred percent certainty that this course was the most challenging of all - but also the most rewarding.
Is it necessary in order to fully enjoy scuba diving? No, it’s not. So why take the course?
The PADI Rescue Diver course is designed to enhance your self-awareness and teach you how to prevent and manage potential dive emergencies. It's often described as the most rewarding and challenging recreational dive course because it expands your skillset beyond self-care to include the safety of others.
Key Components of the Course:
Knowledge Development: In this course you will learn how to identify and manage diving-related stress, respond to emergencies, and handle dive accidents. This includes understanding the psychology of rescue and accident management.
Rescue Exercises: In confined or open water, you'll practice key rescue techniques, such as:
Assisting a panicked or unresponsive diver.
Performing effective surface rescues.
Managing air depletion and gear malfunctions.
Scenario-Based Training: You’ll participate in simulated emergency scenarios to apply what you've learned, from underwater searches to administering first aid and coordinating rescue efforts.
Prerequisites: You must be a certified Advanced Open Water Diver and have completed the Emergency First Response (EFR) course (or an equivalent first aid/CPR training) within the past 24 months.
Being a certified Rescue Diver equips you with essential skills and knowledge to effectively prevent and respond to dive emergencies, significantly increasing the chances of saving lives during recreational dives.
A student diver follows their instructor during a training dive, learning essential underwater skills for scuba certification.
Speciality Courses (1 to 2 days each course)
So you have passed your AOW course and would like to explore further. What’s next?
PADI offers a wide variety of speciality dives, allowing divers to enhance their skills in different areas. In my view, many PADI speciality courses appear to be more about marketing and profit generation than genuine value.
However, there are a few that provide real benefits, such as the Enriched Air Nitrox course. This course is designed for divers who want to extend their bottom time and enhance safety by using a gas mixture with a higher percentage of oxygen than regular air.
Benefits of the Nitrox Certification:
Extended bottom time: Using Nitrox allows you to stay underwater longer, which is particularly beneficial for photographers and divers wanting to explore deeper sites.
Increased safety: Lower nitrogen absorption means a reduced risk of decompression sickness, especially on repetitive dives.
Shorter surface intervals: The extended no-decompression limits provided by Nitrox can lead to shorter required surface intervals between dives.
A diver practicing underwater photography skills during a specialty course, capturing marine life with proper lighting techniques.
PADI Master Scuba Diver (not to be confused with Divemaster)
The PADI Master Scuba Diver certification is the highest non-professional level of recreational diving within the PADI system. It signifies a diver's commitment to the sport and demonstrates a high level of experience, training, and skill.
It isn’t really a course but an award that you can apply for. You will have to meet the following requirements in order to become a master scuba diver:
You must be at least 12 years old.
You need to hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification (or an equivalent certification from another recognized agency).
You must also be a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and have completed a PADI Rescue Diver course (or an equivalent).
You must have a minimum of 50 logged dives. This should include a variety of dive sites and conditions.
You must complete five PADI Specialty Diver courses. These can include specialities such as Enriched Air Nitrox, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, Night Diver, etc.
Things to keep in mind
Choosing the right dive center
Finding the perfect dive center for your dive courses is crucial for safety, quality training, and an enjoyable experience. A reputable dive center ensures that the instructors are certified, experienced, and that they follow international standards.
They also provide well-maintained equipment, proper facilities, and prioritize diver safety. A good dive center fosters a supportive learning environment, which helps build confidence and competence in your diving skills.
I would prefer to pay a little more to find a dive center that offers one-to-one teaching with an instructor who can speak reasonably good English. A lot of your experience will depend on your instructor, so do your research about the dive center and choose wisely. If you need any recommendations, feel free to shoot me a message.
Dive certification and confidence are two different things
These courses will cover the fundamentals of scuba diving, including physical skills, safety scenarios, and technique development, but they won't provide actual diving experience. It's essential for each diver to assess their own level of experience and readiness before embarking on more advanced trips.
Earlier this year, we went on a liveaboard trip in Raja Ampat, where one of the guests was Advanced Open Water (AOW) certified but had no actual dive experience. She completed her AOW course six months prior but hadn’t dove since then. As a result, she struggled significantly, and the crew had to provide one-on-one assistance to ensure that she wouldn’t disrupt the experience for others.
This situation was unfair to her and to the other guests, who had invested a considerable amount in the trip. So, it's crucial to evaluate your skills and experience carefully before participating in advanced diving excursions. Remember, having a certification alone is not sufficient.
Advanced buoyancy control is essential when approaching marine wildlife, allowing divers to maintain a safe distance without causing stress or harm to the animals or the reef environment.
PADI vs SSI - which one should I choose?
Choosing between PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and SSI (Scuba Schools International) largely depends on your personal preferences and goals as a diver.
PADI is one of the largest and most recognized diving organizations, making it easy to find courses worldwide. It offers a well-defined curriculum that helps divers progress clearly through different levels, along with a variety of specialty options tailored to individual interests. Additionally, PADI courses are widely available and accommodate different schedules.
On the other hand, SSI emphasizes a more personalized approach to training, focusing on diver competence rather than strict time requirements. This allows for a more tailored learning experience. SSI also places a strong emphasis on marine conservation and awareness, which may appeal to environmentally conscious divers. Furthermore, SSI provides free online training materials for many of its courses.
Always be dive-insured!
Having dive insurance is crucial while participating in dive courses, as it provides essential coverage for unexpected incidents, such as accidents, injuries, or medical emergencies that may occur underwater or during training. Standard health insurance often does not cover diving-related incidents, leaving divers financially vulnerable.
When enrolling in a course, some dive centers may offer insurance as part of their package. It’s important to verify what coverage is included and consider obtaining separate dive insurance for comprehensive protection that is tailored to your needs.
So That’s It! 🦈
I’ve encountered dedicated divers who have explored dive sites around the world with only an Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification and Nitrox training, amassing thousands of dives over the course of a decade.
Ultimately, it all comes down to experience; the qualifications are just the foundation. In my opinion, the additional courses you choose to pursue will depend on your personal interests.
