PADI Scuba Diver Vs. PADI Open Water Diver: Maximum Depth
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Open Water Divers can plan and execute dives with a certified buddy or dive professional to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet.
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Scuba Divers may only dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional (an Instructor) to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet.
What is the Benefit of Diving Deeper?
Deeper doesn’t always mean better. Thousands of amazing dive sites worldwide can be dived at 12 meters/40 feet or less! However, being able to dive deeper, to 18 meters/60 feet as an open water diver, opens up even more dive sites for you to explore. Additionally, some marine species live in deeper waters, so diving deeper gives you an increased chance of seeing them. There are also wrecks to explore, different topographies, and different corals at depths between 12 meters/40 feet and 18 meters/60 feet.
PADI Scuba Diver - Course Requirements
Scuba Diver (2-3 days)
- Learn fundamental concepts about scuba through PADI eLearning or classroom instruction.
- Complete three confined water (pool) skill practice sessions.
- Complete two open water (ocean/lake) dives.
The PADI Scuba Diver course is (roughly) the first half of the PADI Open Water Diver course – which means you can upgrade with ease later. The PADI Scuba Diver course omits some of the more challenging skills that are included in the full Open Water Diver course (which you will complete if you upgrade later). It is a good choice for aspiring scuba divers who have limited time, are not sure they want to commit to a full open water course yet, or for children (over the age of 10 years).
Upgrading from PADI Scuba Diver to PADI Open Water Diver
Looking at the information above, we can see that to upgrade to Open Water, Scuba Divers need to:
- Complete the remaining 2 out of 5 confined water (pool) skill practice sessions.
- Complete the remaining 2 out of 4 open water dives.
- Complete two additional knowledge development modules, a quiz, and a final exam.
- Additionally, complete a surface swim.
