Hey there, I'm Aline, and if you stumbled upon my article, you might be wondering if diving is your thing!!
First off, no stress... If diving interests you and you're up for it, go ahead! It's not reserved for any specific type of person. The main thing is knowing how to swim; for the rest, you'll learn with your instructor. By the way, I know a great team at Bali Breizh Divers in Bali, where you can take various diving courses.
If you go for your open water certification, it's the first step to dive for leisure. Don't worry, you won't be thrown into the deep end; you'll have almost individualized guidance, as there are few students per diving course.
Beforehand, you'll receive a digital book, containing all the essential information to help you prepare for the first session. You'll need to pass theoretical tests.
If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to share them with your instructor. Don't fear being bad at it; everyone progresses at their own pace, just like any other activity. For some, it's natural, while for others, learning might take a bit longer.
If you pay attention to your instructor's guidance, no one will blame you for struggling with an exercise.
You'll need 4 dives to get the Open Water Diver certification.
The first session either takes place in a pool or in a similar environment (like a lake), and it's not counted as one of the dives.
Here's how your first session will go:
You'll have a briefing, a recap of the revisions you've done, communication signals, etc. Your instructor will explain how the session will unfold. The first dive focuses on learning basic diving techniques in a controlled environment.
For your first real dive, it will be in a natural environment:
1st dive in a natural environment:
Before entering the water, you'll practice various exercises:
Assembling, donning, and adjusting equipment
Pre-dive safety check
Inflating the buoyancy control device (BCD) on the surface
Recognizing dive signals
Once in the water:
Buoyancy control/weighting
Controlled descent
Buoyancy check
Partial mask flood and clear
Regulator recovery and clearing at depth
Five-point ascent
After this dive, your instructor will conduct a debriefing and show you how to properly store the equipment.
If you're diving with Bali Breizh Divers, you'll do 2 dives in a day with a break for lunch.
If you have any questions or remarks, don't hesitate to share them with him before you dive! During your briefing, listen carefully, as the instructor provides you with all the information you need.
2nd dive in a natural environment:
On the surface:
For you, these are considered exercises, but in reality, they are mandatory steps before diving for any diver.
Assembling, donning, and adjusting equipment
Pre-dive safety check
Breathing with the snorkel and regulator
Inflating the BCD orally
Entering the water:
Checking and adjusting weighting and stability
Orally inflating the BCD on the surface
Controlled descent in five points
Full mask flood and clear
Buoyancy check, establishing neutral buoyancy
Underwater exploration
Switching to an alternate air source from a stationary position
Indicating remaining air supply from the pressure gauge
Relief of a cramp
Towing a tired diver
Snorkel/regulator exchange
Emergency weight drop
You'll debrief with your instructor and then stow your equipment.
For your third day, you'll also have 2 dives.
As usual, the mandatory briefing before each dive.
3rd dive in a natural environment:
On the surface:
Equipment assembly, dive planning, pre-dive safety check
Removing and replacing the weight system and scuba gear on the surface
Performing a straight-line compass course on the surface
Removing and replacing weights at the surface
Entering the water:
Entering deep water
Checking and adjusting weighting and stability
Indicating remaining air supply
Descent in five points with visual reference
Neutral buoyancy
Out-of-air scenario and use of alternate air source, combined exercise
Controlled emergency ascent
Underwater compass navigation
Site exploration
Final debriefing with your instructor, advice, and discussion.
4th dive:
On the surface:
Final briefing
Equipment assembly, dive planning, pre-dive safety check
Entering the water:
Putting dive gear in the water
Checking and adjusting weighting and stability
Indicating remaining air
Exploring the dive site
Ascending in five points while maintaining visual contact with your buddy and making a safety stop
Exiting: removing equipment
Post-dive equipment maintenance
This is an approximate list of the exercises you'll encounter; they won't necessarily be done in this order or all in the same dive.
If you successfully complete the exercises, you'll earn your certification.
I hope this has reassured you about the Open Water process. Remember, diving is about enjoyment, so don't forget to have fun! Feel free to explore the benefits of diving.
Feel free to discover the benefits of diving! =>
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