Open Water
A guide to the best course available for learning to dive anywhere in the world
“The way the world learns to dive”
Orca Scuba Diving Academy
Unit 7F White Ind Estate
Crays Hill, Billericay
Essex CM11 2UF
01268 289789
www.orcascubadivingacademy.co.uk
Why Learn to Dive?
There are many reasons that you may want to learn to dive ranging from an inability to sit on a beach without doing something active to simply wanting to relax. In fact water covers 75% of the planet and hides some of the most amazing life you could hope to see. It is believed that you are likely to see more species of life in a half dive than if you were to spend up to 24 hours in a Rain Forest. It would be fair to reflect that none of the Orca staff began diving for the same reasons. Nevertheless here are three good reasons that most people can relate with:
Escape to a different world. Scuba takes you to a different world with new colours, shapes, textures and creatures – a world where the roles you play – husband, wife, mother, father, friend – take on a new dimension. Become a scuba diver and escape to a peaceful place to renew your energy and excite your senses.
Explore new places. Scuba diving frees you to explore the underwater world – from historic shipwrecks and pristine reefs to the mysteries of your local quarry. Become a scuba diver and explore what you’ve been missing.
Experience a connection with nature; a feeling of freedom, and a transformation. Diving connects you with nature. It immerses you in new sensations and experiences. It transforms your perception of life forever. Become a diver and transform yourself.
Why PADI?
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) was founded in 1966 and is now the largest and most widely recognised diving certification agency in the world with representation in 180 countries and learning material translated into over 26 languages. Being big and well know is a good thing as your qualification is more widely recognised and there is virtually no-where in the world that doesn’t acknowledge the PADI Open Water Diver, it also means that you are likely to find yourself diving with others who made the same sound decision to learn through PADI whenever you enjoy a diving experience.
The biggest reason for using PADI is the reason that they have become so big and universally respected and that is all down to the teaching methodology and approach to education. Since inception PADI has concentrated on making the complex easy and learning fun, that way more is retained making you a better diver.
OPEN WATER COURSE OVERVIEW
The PADI Open Water Diver course teaches you the basics of Scuba Diving and enables you to dive to a maximum depth of 18 metres in almost any country around the world. The amount of time required to complete the course is based on class size, student aptitude, logistical considerations and student performance. The course is performance based and is flexible enough to fit into whatever schedule you may have. The course is divided into theory sessions, confined water (pool) skill sessions and Open Water sessions.
5 Theory Sessions
Diving Theory is covered in the Open Water Diver Manual. The material in the manual is laid out to allow you to study at your own pace and is designed to be easy to use and follow. The manual is available either as a book or in DVD format. The reading is divided into five chapters each of which contains ongoing quizzes learning guides and a formal knowledge review. You knowledge is then checked with multiple choice questions for each chapter and a final exam. Your Instructor will be on hand however you chose to undertake the theory study to help with questions fill in any gaps and illustrate where the theory will apply in your diving.
It is also possible to undertake the theory side of the course through e-learning directly from PADI while still having Orca on hand to help.
At Orca it is also possible to arrange for all the material to be covered under individual tuition sessions if you require.
5 Confined Water Sessions (Pool)
There are five confined water sessions usually conducted over an hour in a swimming pool. We provide all our students with a wet suit for use in the pool to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. Sessions are conducted on Tuesday (7pm-9pm) and Friday (6.30pm-8.30pm) or by prior arrangement over a weekend. We are also available to teach in your own pool where appropriate on a schedule to suit you.
In each session you will be taught a set of skills that build upon what you already know and in every case your Instructor will demonstrate each skill and guide you step by step until you can undertake the skill comfortably.
Additional sessions can always be arranged for those that want to take things more slowly or would like to build confidence through more instructor led practice.
4 Open Water Dives
The Open Water dives are you will put the classroom and the pool training into practice. The Open Water sessions consist of four dives during which you will replicate the skills learnt in the pool in the sea or an inland water site. It is possible to conduct your Open Water dives through Orca in the UK or abroad or if you prefer you can complete these with the diving centre at your holiday destination.
COURSE SCHEDULE OPTION
ONE DAY PER WEEK - Average class size consists of two to six students for the classroom sessions and four to six students for the
Pool. On Tuesday evenings classroom sessions start at 7pm followed by the pool, on Fridays sessions start at 6.30pm. It is also possible to arrange for your theory session to be covered on a different day of the week.
INTENSIVE COURSES - ONE WEEKEND — these courses are full time and commence on Saturday mornings and are finished by Sunday afternoon.
Course Costs:
Full Course £400
Referral £250
Individual tuition £500
Additional sessions £50
Individual Tuition and Group Discounts. If you don’t want to learn in part of a group you can undertake the full course under individual tuition, likewise if you want to learn as a family or group of friends we can cater to your needs and will arrange a package just for you.
INCLUDES:
EXCLUDES:
COURSE DATES:
We have courses starting all the time, if you have a particular date you need to start or finish, please contact the centre and we
will arrange a start date for you there and then.
COURSE STANDARDS
The purpose of the Open Water Diver Course is to provide you the student with the elemental knowledge and skills to safely gain experience in the diving environment and ultimately to dive independently. Our aim is to make sure that you are comfortably able to undertake all the skills required in the course to the highest possible standards so that you can concentrate on enjoying the diving experience.
Once you are qualified we can offer a massive range of additional course to develop your knowledge and skills and we will always tailor what you do with the type of diving you want to consider whether it is UK or holiday based, purely for pleasure or technical and professional.
FAQ’s
SHOULD I LEARN HERE OR ABROAD (WHAT IS A REFERRAL)?
On of the most common considerations that potential divers have is whether they should learn in the UK or wait until they get on holiday. In many cases the best answer is to actually do both. Because of the nature of the PADI course it is possible to cover your theory and pool skills through a different PADI centre to the one where you complete your Open Water dives. If you are planning a holiday and that is the reason you want to learn to dive you should consider that most of the course is classroom and pool based. We feel that most people will benefit by covering the classroom and pool work in their own time with Instructors that will always be accessible. Our students who then complete their course abroad with other centres do so with flying colours and they have the advantage of getting straight into the sea rather than arriving in paradise and spending days in a classroom.
Can I do my Open Water Dives Abroad with Orca?
The simple answer is Yes. Orca runs several holidays a year and several long weekends to established diving areas such as Malta and the Red Sea. If you want to investigate this route contact the centre and as an added bonus we will only charge you the referral rate for your course if you complete the Open Water dives on one of our holidays.
How old do I need to be?
You can be certified as a diver from the age of 10. Between 10 and 16 you will be certified as a Junior Open Water Diver though you will have covered the exact course that senior divers cover. There is no upper age limit. Orca has extensive experience in teaching young and old divers and specialises in working with families.
Do I need to be fit? Is there a medical?
If you are in reasonable fitness and health you should have no problems completing the course. You must be able to complete a 200 metre swim and a ten minute float as part of the course though there are no time limits for the swim. Most people provide sufficient medical evidence by completing a medical questionnaire. Occasionally you may need to refer to your doctor before diving and if there are any difficulties Orca will be happy to direct to a specialist diving doctor. Orca also trains divers with disabilities so if you are interested and have a concern contact the centre
What gear do I need?
During your course Orca will provide you with all the necessary equipment though we always recommend that you should purchase your own mask, fins and snorkel to provide you with greater comfort. If you purchase mask fins and snorkel through Orca whilst on your course we will give you a 15% discount on retail prices and advice you on the best equipment for your needs.
What is to fear?
Diving gives you a unique way to face your challenges and transform your life in new ways. Become a diver can give you confidence that spills over into the way you face life every day. At Orca we pride ourselves in being able to answer all your concerns and questions to make sure that you get the most from our fantastic sport.
How easy is it to book a course?
You have several options:
We recommend that you phone us or contact us via the web page or through the Enquiry Form.
We are always delighted to welcome you to the centre if you want to drop in though we are often teaching.