Completing Scuba Open Water Certification After Book Work (elearning)

by Erika
(Colorado)

Hello,

Question: How long to complete scuba diving open water certification after I finish my book work through an elearning course?

My name is Erika and I am from Colorado. I am 18 years old and very interested in learning how to scuba dive.

My goal is to eventually get to cave diving but I know I need to start slow.

Since I obviously live no where near an ocean or sea, I was thinking of taking the book work to get my c-card online. However I have a question I hope someone can answer. Is there a time frame where I need to complete my open water dives after I complete my book work?

For example lets say I do my online courses now, can I do my open water dives in like 6 months to complete the entire certification? It's hard to describe through email but I hope someone understands. Please let me know soon. Thank you!

Erika from Colorado


Hi Erika,

I understand your question and I had a hard time finding a definitive answer. I have put questions into a couple of training agencies and I will let you know when they get back to me.

That being said, there is a maximum amount of time within which you have to complete your open water dives after completing the book and confined water portions of your course.

The best I could find online was 6 months to a year, depending on the agency. I took my training with NAUI (ending up getting certified by PADI but that is another story) and I believe we had 6 months to complete the 4 open water training dives.

Just to remind you, after you do your book work (whether through elearning or a local dive shop) you still have to complete confined open water dives. These are done in a pool or a pool-like environment.

After you complete these 2 segments (book work and pool dives), you will receive a referral that you can take to other dive shops to complete your open water dives and get that dive certification.

However, I would encourage you to complete the book and pool dives as close to taking your open water dives as possible. Six months (much less a year) is a long time to wait. You want things to be as fresh in your mind as possible since it is all new to you. That will make your open water certification dives easier and less stressful.

I will let you know if I hear back from the certification agencies.

Good luck with your diving and let us know how it goes.

Dianne

Comments for Completing Scuba Open Water Certification After Book Work (elearning)

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
padi says..
by: Anonymous

HI Erika, PADI says one year after

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Information on Scuba Diving.



 Want to stay down longer and improve your buoyancy control and other diving skills? Our free report "Increase Your Bottom Time" along with our practical, weekly actionable tips will have you looking like a seasoned diver in no time. So come join us and see improvement on your very next dive!
(Click on the photo to join us now!)

Click here to subscribe


What's New

  1. 3 Common Scuba Diving Mistakes New Divers Make

    Feb 23, 23 02:18 PM

    3 Common Scuba Diving Mistakes
    In this video, I share 3 common scuba diving mistakes beginner divers make. Learn how to correct these for a better - and safer - dive.

    Read More

  2. Scuba Diving Tipping Etiquette: How Much And When To Tip Scuba Crew

    Feb 06, 23 03:34 PM

    scuba diving tipping etiquette
    Not sure of scuba diving tipping etiquette? In this video I share who to tip, when to tip, how much to tip, tipping on liveaboards, tipping an instructor & more

    Read More

  3. Scuba Diving Tips For First Time

    Jan 29, 23 05:41 PM

    scuba diving tips for first time divers
    These scuba diving tips for first time divers will help improve buoyancy control, air consumption, equalization and boat diving. Improve on your very next dive!

    Read More

  4. 3 Boat Diving Etiquette Tips So You Look Like A Seasoned Diver

    Jan 18, 23 08:13 AM

    Boat diving etiquette tips for beginner scuba divers
    New to boat diving and need some boat diving etiquette tips? Here are some simple tips to help you feel more confident and look like a more experienced diver.

    Read More

  5. Scuba Diving Tips: Lots of Dive Tips And Advice To Improve Your Skills

    Jan 16, 23 04:51 PM

    boarding-dive-boat-bonaire.jpg
    We have lots of scuba diving tips to help improve your skills - air consumption, buoyancy control, ear clearing, dive safety, boat diving, video tips and more.

    Read More