Are you ready and excited to explore the underwater beauty of Andaman Islands through its beautiful dive sites? Before we proceed with that, you should know that you need to be a certified scuba diver in order to safely explore these amazing underwater attraction off the coast of Andaman Islands. In case you are not yet certified, then taking the Open Water Scuba Diver Certification Course is your first step in exploring the magnificent dive sites of Andaman Islands, and afterwards, the rest of the world.
The Open Water Diver Course
Similar to any other aqua-sports, you need to learn the knowledge and skills behind this recreation. This is especially true for scuba diving where there is an inherent danger when you go underwater. As for scuba diving, the knowledge and skills are all thought and learned through a certification course.
Here at Doongi Dives, the certification course that we are offering is sanctioned under the Scuba Schools International (SSI) and is being conducted in 4 days. The Open Water Scuba Diver course is divided in to three segments:
1. Knowledge Development
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The knowledge development is a classroom type of lecture where an SSI certified instructor will discuss and teach you about the history of diving, the different diving theories, the principles and science behind the sport, the different parts and components of a scuba gear, how to do and execute a dive plan, the buddy system and how to use the recreational dive planner or commonly called as the dive table. Your primary manual or reference for the knowledge development / lecture is the SSI Open Water Scuba Diver Manual. You should expect that your SSI Instructor will do some demonstrations coupled with a film showing to facilitate your understanding of the whole open water certification course.
2. Confined Water Session
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This is often referred to as the pool training and is usually carried out in a swimming pool. This can alternately be conducted in the shallow part of the beach or reef. You will start this session with the assembly of your scuba equipment. You will then enter the pool and wear your equipment to get acquainted with the fit. One of the first skills that you will learn is underwater breathing with the use of your scuba regulator. This breathing exercise can greatly facilitate relaxation where you will feel comfortable while underwater. When you are already comfortable breathing the compressed air coming from your tank while wearing all the scuba equipment, your SSI instructor will proceed in teaching you other underwater skills such as mask clearing, regulator recovery, cramp removal and many more.
3. Open Water Dive
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After learning all the required skills during the pool training, you will then disembark on an actual open water dive. Your first dive will be a shore entry and will initially begin in the shallow reef area. Your SSI instructor will tell you to perform again all the skills learned from the pool training. In most cases, you will be kneeling down while performing the skills underwater. Succeeding dives will involve boat diving to a nearby dive site in the Andaman Islands. You need to remember that you have to apply now all the skills in order to maximize your underwater adventure. In short, if your mask gets fogged, then do the mask clearing; if your regulator is accidentally taken off, then do the regulator recovery; if you get leg cramps, then do the cramp removal.
You have to take note that there is a final exam on the last day of the course. But you don’t need to thoroughly review or study until the wee hours of the morning. As long as you are attentive during the entire duration of the course, then you will definitely pass with flying colors. And just in case you have any difficulty understanding any of the modules, you can always approach your SSI Instructor for guidance and assistance.
Requirements and Schedule
You should have some basic swimming skills and be at least be 15 years of age to qualify for the Open Water Scuba Diver Certification Course. Junior Open Water Certification will be given for ages 10 to 14 years old.
Tentative 4-day schedule for the Open Water Scuba Diver Certification Course:
- Day 1 – Knowledge development, lecture, video presentation and knowledge reviews.
- Day 2 – Three confined water dives and one open water training dive at an easy dive site.
- Day 3 – Two confined water dives and one open water dive at an easy dive site.
- Day 4 – Last two open water dives off a boat and final exam.
Open Water Certification Card
After you have successfully completed all the requirements, your Open Water Scuba Diver application will be sent to SSI for processing. Within a month, you will receive your certification card that will indicate your certification level, name, student number, date of certification and the name of your SSI instructor. You have to remember that you need your certification card when you rent or purchase scuba equipment and accessories. Further, dive shops may require you to present your certification card when you rent or airfill your scuba tanks.
Limitations as a certified Open Water Scuba Diver
Although after passing the course and become a certified open water scuba diver, it does not mean that your underwater adventures will be limitless. Being a certified open water scuba diver has its own limitation, like: maximum depth is set at 18 meters (60 feet), you are not allowed to dive alone, you are not allowed to go night diving and many more. We advise though that you should gain experience after you pass the certification course. You can do this by exploring nearby dive sites or go to a diving vacation in other areas.
Finally, if you have gained enough experience and has logged more dives, then you can opt to learn for more underwater skills by taking the Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver Certification Course.
Video courtesy from dive SSI
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