Open Water Dive Course
Imagine taking your first breath underwater. Fish drift past, you float without effort, and the noise of the world goes quiet. That moment is closer than you think.
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world's most popular scuba certification, and it's your passport to diving almost anywhere on the planet. You don't need any experience. You just need to be curious, comfortable in the water, and ready for something new. We'll take care of the rest.
Your path to certification in 3 steps
1. Learn online, at your own pace
PADI eLearning covers the basics of dive safety, your gear, and what happens to your body underwater. Do it from the couch, on your lunch break, or late at night. Most people finish in about 8 to 10 hours. eLearning is included in your course fee and has to be finished before your pool sessions.
2. Build your skills in the pool
This is where it gets fun. Your instructor goes over what you learned online, and then you get in the water. In clear, calm water, you'll practice breathing underwater, clearing your mask, controlling your buoyancy, and more. Our small classes mean you get real one-on-one attention and plenty of time for questions.
3. Make your first real dives
Put it all together on four instructor-led dives over two days at a local quarry, usually Lake Phoenix or Lake Allure. Would you rather finish somewhere warm? Bring a referral form on vacation, or finish your dives on one of our group trips.
When you finish, you're a certified PADI Open Water Diver. You can dive to 18 meters (60 feet) with a buddy, rent gear, get tanks filled, and book dives anywhere in the world.
Pricing, with nothing hidden
PackagePrice
- eLearning + Pool Training: $565 (+tax)
- Full Certification: eLearning + Pool + Open Water Dives: $915 (+tax)
Included: PADI eLearning, instructor training, BCD, regulator, dive computer, weights and tanks. We also provide exposure protection (wetsuits) for your certification dives.
You'll need your own: mask, snorkel, fins and boots. They need to fit you well, so we'll help you get properly fitted, make an appointment right after your signup.
Other costs to plan for:
- Pool entries (2): $30 per entry
- Quarry entry: about $30 to $70 per day, depending on the site
- Air fills at the quarry: $9 to $12 per tank
- Want to spread out the cost? We offer payment plans
Upcoming pool training dates (each session is 2 days):
- December 5 & 12 - HCC
- January 16 & 23 - HCC
- February 20 & 27 - HCC
HCC - Harford Community College Pool
PHSC - Perry Hall Swim Club Pool
Certification dives are scheduled during the following dates:
On a trip with us
June
July
September
Other dates can be arranged. Contact us to schedule your certification.
In the summer we usually teach one or two weekends a month, Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8 to 11 AM, plus one or two weekday evenings. In winter we hold classes once a month at local indoor pools. None of these dates work for you? Let us know, and we'll try to find a time that does.
[Schedule Your Class]
Scuba certification requirements
Be at least 10 years old (there's no upper age limit)
Swim 200 yards, at any pace and with any stroke
Tread water or float for 10 minutes
Complete the PADI medical questionnaire
eLearning
You can complete the independent study requirements using the PADI eLearning program when it suits you. The estimated time to complete the independent eLearning study is about 8-10 hours. The PADI eLearning program is included in our course fees and needs to be completed before you start your pool skill development.
Requirements
The PADI Open Water certification process consists of independent study through eLearning, a knowledge review, pool skill development, and four open-water training dives. A 200 yard swim, and being able to tread water for 10 minutes is required for water proficiency. In order to be certified you need to complete all skills and demonstrate adequate swim proficiency.
Knowledge review and pool skills
Our instructors will go over what you learned through independent study, and then give you a quick knowledge review before entering the pool. You will at that point practice scuba skills in the pool with an instructor. Knowledge review and skill development sessions in the summertime, take place at our pool location in Perry Hall, Maryland. Winter time we teach at local indoor pools once a month. Summer time, we teach one or two weekends a month usually between 8-11AM in the morning on a Saturday and Sunday morning and one or two evenings the following week. Contact us to schedule times that suit you or schedule your session below.
Open Water training
You will have to complete four instructor supervised dives over two days to complete your Open Water certificate. These are usually done at local quarries. If you would like, you can complete your open water checkout dives during a vacation in warmer waters or on one of our group trips, check out our travel page for more information. The Open Water training Lake Allure or Lake Phoenix).
Ready to start?
Here's how to sign up
Review the medical form. If you answer "yes" to question 3,5,10 on page 1 or yes on any question on page 2, you'll need a physician to sign page 3 before you get in the water.
Make sure that you go through the medical form, before signing up, please reach out if you have any questions. Please also fill out the Diver information form:
- Medical form - Page 3 is only needed if a physician medical evaluation is needed.
- Diver information forms
Book your class and start your eLearning.
Questions? Call us at 443-379-4450. We love talking about diving.
FAQ's
Why choose YAY Scuba?
YAY Scuba is dedicated to providing high-quality scuba training with experienced instructors. Our courses are designed to be safe, fun, and educational, ensuring you gain the skills and confidence needed for open water diving adventures.
We are passionate about scuba diving and we teach in small classes for maximum instructor attention and plenty of time to get any questions you may have answered in class.
What equipment do I need?
For open water certification, you'll need have a mask, snorkel, fins and boot. We will supply buoyancy control device (BCD), regulator with alternate air source, dive computer, weights and tanks, as well as exposure protection.
Do I need prior scuba diving experience?
No prior experience is necessary. Open water certification is designed for beginners. We'll start with the basics and gradually build your skills and knowledge to ensure you're fully prepared for open water dives.
How long does the certification take?
The duration can vary based on your availability and learning pace. Typically, it consists of eLearning that takes about 8 hours to complete and practical training in a pool spanning 2-3 days. Finally two days at a quarry or on our trips to get certified. Alternatively you can get a referral form to complete your training elsewhere, e.g. Caribbean. We can provide more specific details once you are signed up.
What are the age requirements?
The minimum age for open water certification is 10 years old. The maximum age limit does not exist; diving is suitable for all ages.
Where can I dive after certification?
Your open water certification allows you to dive in various locations worldwide. However, diving conditions can vary, and some locations may require advanced training due to challenging conditions. We can help you choose dive sites suitable for your skill level and provide additional training for you.
What if I have medical conditions?
If you have any medical concerns or pre-existing conditions, it's essential to consult with a physician before starting scuba diving. The medical form is pretty explanatory, but if there is anything unclear please reach out. Safety is our top priority, and we'll ensure you're physically fit for diving.