What is Involved?

Becoming certified consists of three phases:

• Self Study
• Academic Review and Pool Training
• Open Water Training

Self Study

At one time, a beginning scuba class could drag on for weeks. These days, few people have that kind of time — nor is it needed.

With PADI’s unique self-study materials, the adventure begins the moment you sign up. You will be able to easily complete most of the necessary academic learning when and where it is convenient, and at your own pace.

Squalo Divers gives you two choices for completing the necessary self-study:

• By far the fastest, easiest, most effective and most enjoyable way to do so is with PADI’s new eLearning program. It combines text, photos, illustrations, charts, graphs, animations and live-action video in a way that makes learning easy and fun.

• Students who are more comfortable with traditional textbooks and classroom lectures can also choose to use our textbook-based or cd-rom based learning materials. If you opt for this route, it is important you be good at reading carefully, taking notes and underlining or highlighting important information

When you complete the self-study phase of the course, it’s time to get wet!

Academic Review/Pool Training

Once you have completed your home study you join us for academic review and pool sessions. They take place on a regular basis. We offer convenient weekend schedules - or, for the ultimate in personal attention and convenience, you can set up a private class on a schedule that's best for you.

• During your academic review, your instructor will review the information you've gained by working through the self-study materials. He or she will bring this information to life with first-hand examples of how divers apply this information on dive vacations and here at home. Discussions with your instructor and fellow students help you learn and add to the enjoyment.

• In the pool, conveniently located in the store premises, your instructor will demonstrate and have you practice diving’s fundamental skills. Like all aspects of learning to dive, pool sessions are fun and enjoyable. They increase your comfort level and make the transition to open water diving easier.

When you’ve completed your academic review and pool training, you'll be ready for the final and most important phase of earning your entry-level diver certification: your open water training dives.

Open Water Training

Open water training consists of four dives conducted over two days. Each of the dives consists of the opportunity to apply the skills you mastered in the pool, and to make a guided dive under the supervision of your instructor and his or her assistants.

Throughout the year, Squalo Divers conducts a number of dives. Most of the dives take place at sites that are just 15 minutes away from the store.

And, When You Are Finished…

Once you’ve completed your academic/pool and open-water training, you’ll be awarded your PADI Open Water Diver certification. Bear in mind, however, that this is only the beginning.

As soon as possible, you will want to obtain (as a minimum) your Advanced Open Water Diver and Enriched Air Nitrox Diver certifications. These two ratings will allow you to participate in a much wider range or activities, both here at home and on vacation.

Your learning opportunities don’t stop there. Depending on your interests, you can take further training in activities such as underwater photography and wreck diving. By taking five such Specialty Diver courses, and earning Rescue Diver certification, you can eventually obtain the coveted Master Scuba Diver rating (the black belt for scuba divers).

 

	Who Can Learn?		How Much?
	Where Do You Learn?		What Equipment Will You Need?
	When Can You Start?		Get Started Now

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