All You Need To Know About The SSI Open Water Diver Course seahawksscuba.livejournal.com/829.html
The instructor and the student are diving together
Get started on your scuba diving journey with an Open Water Course Before you sign up for scuba diving in the Andaman Islands to become a certified diver, it’s best if you know what you are getting yourself into. Our aim here is to walk you through the steps it takes to become just like every other fish in the sea. The value of a patient and experienced instructor can not be emphasized enough. Your instructor will transform you into a comfortable and confident diver by thoroughly teaching you a set of skills and then leading you on open water dives during your SSI Open Water Diver course. We conduct the course in the Andaman Islands typically over four days. This will include a focus on the theoretical aspects of diving, 20 skills, and 6 dives in the open water. The course can also be completed in three days. We highly recommend that you take your time to complete the theory in the comfort of your homes before arriving on the islands. This does two things – It allows you to absorb the information at a learning pace
1/9
comfortable for you and it allows you to enjoy your day here at the beach instead of studying in a classroom. You can sign up for the e-learning option and get started on your Open Water Course any time you like instead of waiting for that vacation to start. As you begin your training, your growing comfort in the water throughout the course will take you by surprise. There will be a set of skills to master control over the positioning of your body, your buoyancy, using your fins effectively, and more. Once you go for your open water dives you will get the opportunity to practice your newly acquired skills more freely while swimming around the fish in an open sea. Your instructor will be with you throughout the process. So, let’s get started:
Femal dive instructor Paperwork: While registering for the course you will receive some paperwork to be completed before signing up. This will include a registration form, a liability release, a medical questionnaire, and a few other forms. Make sure you read through the paperwork thoroughly and fill it out as directed. Fill the medical questionnaire truthfully and make sure that you do not hide any medical conditions from your instructor. If you are in doubt about any of the questions on the form, consult a doctor and get a signed clearance that certifies you as ‘fit to dive’. The Theory: An Open Water course is your first step towards becoming a certified diver. Naturally, the theory of this course is extensive in terms of introducing you to all the elements of this brand-new world you are stepping into. You will learn about the
2/9
pieces of equipment that make the scuba unit and get a little introduction to how they work. You will also learn about the aspect of pressure and how it affects you underwater. You will get an understanding of buoyancy and what it takes to make sure that diving is safe both for you, your fellow divers, and the reef. As divers, you will find that you quickly transform into advocates for the ocean. You will feel encouraged to keep the reefs and the oceans safe for generations of divers to follow. Your theory will help you make sense of all that is happening during the in-water sessions. Your instructor will help clear out any doubts you may have. There is a multiple-choice quiz and exam to complete based on your learnings. The theory is an important leg of the course besides the skills and dives. It is, therefore, best to take it all in at a pace that is suitable for you in a space that you are comfortable in for scuba in Andaman.
The instructor and the student are going for confiend session Let’s step out of the classroom: On the first day of your course, you will learn to assemble the scuba unit. The instructor will introduce you to the buoyancy controller, the regulator, and the scuba cylinder. You will also try on a mask and some fins and a wetsuit.
In the water: The in-water session will start with a short swim test wherein you will be required to cover a distance of 200 meters swimming without any aids. You could also choose to do a 300meter snorkel swim. In addition to this, you have to perform a 10-minute survival float. 3/9
There is no time restriction on the snorkeling and swimming session. Once this session is completed, you will be ready to start your training with the scuba equipment. On the first day, you will be trained by your instructor on how to perform a few skills that will help you gain confidence as a diver. You may not understand the mentioned skills at this stage. But as you complete the theory modules these will seem easier to understand. Your instructor will also brief you about each skill and introduce you to various hand signals that he or she will use underwater to communicate with you. There are steps to perform each of the skills easily and safely and your instructor will walk you through each one at length in a briefing session. The skills are Regulator removal and replacement using the purge method, regulator removal and replacement using the blow method, regulator retrieval using the sweep method, regulator retrieval using the reach method, mask clearing (half-flooded), mask clearing (fully-flooded), alternate air source breathing (stationary), buoyancy check with a total diving system, mask removal and replacement, neutral buoyancy (confined water).
First open water dive of a student
Your first open water dive Once you have learned these skills you will be all set to go on your first open water dive. The instructor will teach you how to plan the dive and how to execute your first dive safely. He or she will also explain the entry and exit methods, the importance of a steady breathing pattern, the importance of regular equalization, and other important safety 4/9
considerations. The instructor will guide you and encourage you to observe marine life and observe the topography of the dive site. As you become a more experienced diver, you will be able to navigate a dive site more confidently and learn about the marine life that you have seen during your dive. While you are getting ready for your dive, you will be required to perform a buddy check to make sure that your scuba equipment is working perfectly. To enter the water, you could then either be doing a shore entry walking in from the beach or a back-roll entry from a boat. To begin your dive, your instructor will signal to you and your buddy to begin your descent. You will need to equalize your air spaces on your way down. The maximum depth you will be going to is 12 meters during your first dive. Your breathing must remain steady, calm, and relaxed for an enjoyable dive. Your instructor by this point would have given you many reminders for the golden rule of scuba diving, which is to never hold your breath. A steady and continuous relaxed breathing pattern will help you maintain better buoyancy and get your tank to last longer. Your instructor will ask you to repeat some of the skills you have practiced in shallow water so that you become more proficient in managing problems underwater. After the dive, you are likely to have many questions for your instructor. Your instructor will patiently respond to all of it and help you with some tricks to improve your body position, kicking style, and more to become a more comfortable diver.
The second open water dive Once you take a break or a surface interval, you will be going for your second open water dive. During your second dive, you are likely to feel a higher degree of confidence and will now be able to try and apply the feedback given by your instructor. Your instructor will ask you to perform some skills like clearing a half-flooded mask, recovering a regulator, and remain neutrally buoyant. It is important throughout the course that you becoming increasingly confident diving independently without relying on an instructor. You will learn to make a safe ascent, maintain a safe profile during your dive and learn to manage problems. Don’t forget to take in all the things that make scuba diving enjoyable. Look around and enjoy the marine life and remember to ask your instructor about them during the debrief. The instructor will observe your performance during the dive and give you specific feedback to make you a better diver on subsequent deep-sea diving in Andaman.
5/9
The student is showing an okay signal
The Second Day in the water On your second day, you will continue your confined water session and then proceed on for two more dives. The second day is likely to feel a lot easier compared to the first day when it all felt new and unnatural. You will find that your mind is now much better accustomed to the idea of being able to breathe underwater and things will feel much easier to you today. Remember to ensure that you have equipment that makes you feel comfortable and ask questions about anything that may not be clear to you so far. The second confined water session has another 10 skills that you will be required to perform and master. The instructor is required to ensure that you meet some performance requirements before they assess that skill is completed. The following skills will be performed on your second confined water session: buoyancy controller removal and replacement underwater, buoyancy controller removal and replacement at the surface, weight belt removal and replacement underwater, weight belt removal and replacement at the surface, no mask swimming while breathing from a regulator, freeflowing regulator, tired diver tow, air depletion exercise, Emergency Swimming Ascent ( ESA ), Emergency Buoyant Ascent ( EBA ). Your third open water dive On your third open water dive, you can dive to a depth deeper than what you went to on the first day. You will find that you are more comfortable start observing your surroundings and be more aware of the navigation of the dive site. You will be repeating some of the skills you have learned during your confined water session. 6/9
You will also need to perform a safety stop during your ascent. A safety stop is a threeminute stop you will make during your ascent at approximately 5 meters. You need to make an ascent at a speed not exceeding 9 meters per minute. Your instructor is still present with you and accessible to you if you need assistance but remember that your instructor will not accompany you on all the dives you do in your lifetime. Make sure you ask questions about any doubts you may have or any challenges you may be facing during your scuba diving in Andaman.
Your open water dive two and you start making friends with clownfish.
The fourth dive Just like you did on your first day, today again you will make a surface interval. Surface intervals are the breaks divers take between dives. During the surface interval, you can start planning your fourth dive. Try and take on more responsibility towards dive planning at this stage. You can ask questions about things that still may not be clear to you about dive planning. You will need to decide your maximum dive depth and duration at the planning stage. Keep in mind that it is always important to consider local tide and weather conditions while planning. You will use signals to communicate with your buddy. These signals will already be familiar to you since your first confined water session and your dives on the previous day. Now, you will also learn more about the established signals for various marine life and will slowly start developing an underwater communication language of your own.
7/9
Problems don’t always occur in predictable and controlled conditions. Some of the skills practiced during confined water sessions will need to be performed on your dives again so that you know what it’s like to solve actual problems underwater. After the day is done you will be amazed at your progress and your improved abilities as a diver. You will be entering the details of your dives and write about the things you see in a logbook. This will be something you do after each day of scuba diving in Havelock.
The Third Day By the third day, you will learn to take more responsibility for your gear and making sure that everything is checked and appropriately fitted, and in perfect working condition before your dive day begins. On the third day, there are no more confined water skills to perform unless if you had trouble with any skills on the previous two days. Speak to your instructor freely and comfortably if you want to practice any skills again to gain higher confidence.
The Pufferfish and the open water student
The Last 2 dives of your course There are some world-class dive sites to explore in the Andamans. Some of these are a short boat ride away from Havelock. We try and ensure that you get to explore some of these today. On one of the dives, you will simulate an out-of-air emergency scenario and practice what to do in such a situation. If you are diving responsibly, likely, such a scenario will never arise again during a lifetime of diving. But if for any unforeseen reason
8/9
such a situation does arise, there is no reason to panic. Your mind will always go back to what you learned from your instructor and since you have practiced it in a realistic scenario, you will immediately know how best to respond to the emergency. One of the exciting things to learn about while diving in open water is learning to use a dive computer. A small gadget that resembles a watch; a dive computer helps you keep a safe dive profile; helps you perform a safety stop and keeps track of the depth and time limits you maintain during your dive.
Open water certification By the third day, you will be ready to show what you will be like as an independent open water diver. Divers are flagbearers for the world’s oceans and their conservation. You must live by example and treat the marine animals and the marine ecosystem with respect. You are a certified diver now who is ready to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters. If you choose to come back to Seahawks Scuba for an Advanced Open Water certification within 6 months, we happily extend a discount for your loyalty on another scuba diving course fee. An Advanced Open Water certification certifies you to dive to a depth of 30 meters, making more of the ocean accessible to you.
9/9