Open Water Scuba Diver Course: How To Learn To Dive

[@raul-garcia]

My wife and I did our OWD course with James last month and I can wholeheartedly say that we had an amazing experience. It felt like having a longtime friend teach you to the best of his ability with a genuine desire of making us understands every single detail. James, when I talk to friends and family about diving, a recurring theme is different fears: marine life in general and sharks in particular, running out of air, and getting lost. It would be nice to have a video from you addressing these fears in detail.

[@DiversReady]

Hi Raul, you and Diana were an absolute pleasure to teach! I'm so happy you've gotten into the sport and are making your own adventures. Great suggestion on the video! I'll add it to the list!

[@Patrick-rz4jy]

I would watch the 3 hour version if you did it! And I`m OWD certified already :D

[@jackgrant4795]

I know right, He's awesome!

[@godbouty]

Having extra money, I would travel to Miami and have him teaching us....

[@BentFrontWheel]

I would watch too.

[@DocRigel]

My Open Water instructor was a retired Navy guy in Okinawa. The nicest and calmest guy around. His personality fit mine so well we jived instantly.

[@cdenver]

Thanks for making this video. Ive been watching your channel for about 3 months now, Im in West Northern Ireland and I have yet to do my course. I am 35 years old and for the life of me I cant find a club willing to REPLY to me, let alone taking me onboard. Two days ago I was at Mullaghmore and seen a whale, seen a scuba club on a RIB boat going to see the whale. I went to the pier, seen another boat getting ready, asked them who they were and how to join. They said they didnt provide PADI (some other one they provide, the guy was not helpful at all to be honest) and he said they only take ONE or TWO new people a year every January. It is seriously hard to find a club that communicates to new members wanting to apply in my country, for months Ive been left with a very bitter taste in my mouth. You seem to be the only enthusiastic instructor I have seen, I even said to the guy "It seems like all these clubs are as hard to get into, like a secret society". All Google results for clubs in my area have read "Temporarily Closed" since the pandemic, yet I see divers on RIB boats and clubs going out all the time. I must be surrounded by very ignorant people :(

[@HellrazorDogsnDives]

James speaks sense. Learning all your primary skills is essential. For my 1st Open Water course, I looked for a reputable School, and a long and thorough course available. Found an amazing 16hr class + 8hr of pool time. I learned so much!!! I loved it. Got me to trully fall in love with Scuba. Safe Diving Cheers!

[@jackgrant4795]

Exactly, he doesn't complicate things, he keeps it so easy, a caveman can do it!

[@sarahpipitone2834]

I absolutely loved my OW course. It was a Naui Certification. I did it over three weeks at a summer camp as a 15 year old. There were some challenging elements (it was 100% in the ocean), but looking back, it was the best way to do the class. Having that much time to repeat the skills, ask questions, observe my instructor and DMs, and flush out the problems I was having was absolutely perfect!

[@antonzanki8398]

Fun fact. I started watching your videos immediately after signing up for open water orientation, weeks before the class, as I researched what to expect and prepare for. I think the first of yours I saw was “First 5 Equipment Purchases”. I bought a Peregrine TX a week after orientation because of that video. I watch a lot of channels, yours is my favorite. I completed the SSI training last weekend, my checkout is in a month (right before it gets too cold in the panhandle where we do it, I’m in New Orleans with Harry’s Dive Shop) I’ve seen about 20 of your vids, somehow I’m finally watching this one. Algorithms; Meh.

[@damo5998]

Thanks James, 47yo doing open water course in two days. cant wait. cheers from NSW Australia

[@simonduffill3355]

Damien Lang did mine about the same age. Lucky enough to have my daughter along with me. It’s changed our lives. Just wish I started sooner. We are over in Perth WA. Enjoy and good luck.

[@damo5998]

@@simonduffill3355 Hi Simon, would of loved to get certified years ago but children as a single parent, sucked every dollar I had clean out of my wallet, so was not an option. Now they are grown and gone, my money is my own again, so certification and travel here i come !!! Cant wait. Started the OPC last year in November and only had two dives to go but Covid put a stop to things and now my LDS isnt interested in getting the course finished and since they did no paper work showing my progress, I have to start again. lucky I had not paid them yet !!! so had two dives and training for FREE :) Diving the HMAS perth near Albany is on my bucket list, served on that ship in the early 90's and would be great to visit WA to dive there. Cheers

[@simonduffill3355]

Damien Lang Planning on a trip to Albany in Jan. Was surprised to go at Easter but Covid killed that for me. 👌

[@bevlawrence5649]

I too did my OW when I was in my 40’s. Have a great time.

[@damo5998]

All certified now, Highly recommend Byron Bay Dive Centre, had a lot of fun with a very professional crew and great dives on Julians Rock, Cant wait to go back again. The young instructors treated an old fart like me with a lot of respect which I appreciated. A+++

[@nathanielfoster30]

If you aren’t open water certified, you need to contact James to teach your course. I just finished my OW with him today, and I cannot say enough about what he’s done for me the past week. You will NOT be disappointed in what you will learn and how much James will help you progress in the time you spend with him. 10/10 would recommend. Thank you James for a world class experience, and I cannot wait to come back for more advanced training.

[@whatthefunction9140]

I just signed up for open water. Doing course work now.

[@fpetev676]

Me too! Pumped

[@whatthefunction9140]

@@fpetev676 nice. What part of that world are you in?

[@ernestlcolemanjr]

Just did my pool lesson yesterday.

[@fpetev676]

Dylan T sorry just saw this, I’m in Detroit area

[@amazingtazz9779]

Just ended my OW. Apparently I didn’t choose the right instructor. I wasn’t in a hurry to get out of the pool, but my instructor was! Still a lot of work to feel confident and manage the basic skills. Lookin’ for another instructor for my advanced OW in a while!

[@DiversReady]

Sorry to hear that. Let me know if we can help at all! James

[@amazingtazz9779]

Thanks James! Not only for the respons, but also (and mainly) for the great content of your video’s! Helpfully for every level of diver! Keep up the great work!!

[@ethanphipps3938]

feels good to be a smart person

[@Jones_Jonathan]

We had a “problem child” in our group of 5. He required a lot of attention, had a lot of odd questions and had to repeat a lot of skills. When we made it to the open water dives it got to the point where our instructor had to cut him off and send him back to the pool. It was definitely a bit of a relief to gain a bit more of our instructor’s attention at that point.

[@DiversReady]

Absolutely! There's lots of problem children out there! Thanks Jonathan! James

[@scubasteveandunderwaterroc3547]

Which flipper is my right and which one is my left?

[@bevlawrence5649]

I wish James’ videos were around when I was looking for my courses. Amazing advice. My ‘instructor’ for my OW was assigned to me. The short story is that I found the whole experience dreadful. It took me another 3 years to get back in the water, refresher courses, personal dive instructor lessons and finally an AOW course to feel confident. Please heed James advice (and watch the choosing an instructor video- as soon as he has made it!).

[@DiversReady]

Wow, thank you! Working on it! Thanks Bev. James

[@BentFrontWheel]

I am one of those people doing research and binged watched this whole play list I will start diving next year. I'm from Ohio so most of my dives will have to be fresh water in quarrys. I found this Playlist to be helpful, as I am currently looking for a scuba class.

[@ralphschiefer7576]

Hey James, thanks for that Video. Me watching this I was allready copying it and sent it to my friends who would love to start.

[@mattheishman170]

I've been glued to you channel. Learning

[@butimo]

Every expert is telling newbies to go and find the right instructor.... luckily I got a good one assigned when doing my first dive experience. That is, what I can say today with my knowledge from today. I know many questions and things to look for. But at the early beginnings, I wouldn't had any glue at all. I started with an SSI Try Scuba, just a little training and 2 dives. Hadn't had enough time in vacation to finish up. But it was enough too be on fire :-) I spend the upcoming weeks with inhaling youtube (also James) and get back to do my OWD. I learned enough in that time to understand that my dive instructor was a good one. I can strongly recommend to learn as much as possible and understand scuba physics and not stop learning after OWD. Don't take diving too lazy

[@ltspectergc009]

Haha this is me. I was actually going to call your office last week for a recommendation for OW training. I got it all sorted though, mainly thanks to your channel and one other. I'll have my OW in the next few weeks through an SDI instructor. Thanks for everything you guys do and the knowledge you provide. Stay safe.

[@WaterlineShorts]

Great job James. I've got a few ideas for new videos from that lot. Happy diving!

[@texas1040]

Thank you for the info. I had my first scuba diving class last Saturday and loved it.

[@NeffedUP1970]

This is great advice if you don't live in a land locked area. There is 1 dive shop where I live so it is where I took my class. I had no choice in instructors, dive sites or gear selection other than a mask. We actually have to travel to another state during the winter months to do our open water dives.

[@rodneyhanbaum697]

I start my open water classes in June 2021 at Mermet Springs Dive Center, Mermet, Illinois! Super excited to start, I have all required gear except regulator and dive computer, I will have these before my classes start!! Love this channel!! Thank you so much!

[@Tess-35]

Hello! I'm one of those viewers who is not a certified diver yet. I've been immensely enjoying your content, so thank you very much! At the moment, scuba diving is a bit too much of a commitment, both time and money wise, but I look forward to getting my open water certification in the near future! Thanks again :)

[@DiversReady]

Thanks Aryasa! Great to have you with us!

[@greatlakespowerstrokefx4]

Iv watched literally dozens of your videos now. I want to go into my open water class already knowing the very basics so instead of learning them cold im applying what they teach. So im that non diver watching your videos. I would love a lecture on gear set up and some lecture on the theory so i can understand it before i take my cert this spring. I love your content james, thank you for all your time you put into this channel, it shows.

[@greatlakespowerstrokefx4]

Also one statement i keep picking up on is “never hold your breath”. Is it a worry of a change in depth would cause expansion or contraction the the gas in your lungs and it either would hurt your lungs or make it so you cant purge your regulator? Or is it just you running out of air and not able to breath out to purge your regulator?

[@thatsidemountguy]

James, you’re so old school... books? Nobody reads books anymore. In all seriousness, SDI / TDI have the PDF version of the manual with almost every e-learning course. I believe that this can be more useful as the student can save the PDF to their phone or computer and then always have it available

[@scottvannederynen6429]

Newby OWD here (7 logged Dives). Great advice. I look forward to your videos each week. I was one who made the mistake you cation about. I scheduled the class that fit my schedule and accepted the instructor. Thought they were good then did some specialty classes and have had a different instructor for each. WOW, what a difference. And I have learned so much from each and see the difference. I've also committed the mistake you highlight in another video. pushed on to specialties before getting the experience of let's say 25 just fun dives. Though I have completed the classwork and pool work for these specialties. I have declined to do the qualification dives to complete them. wanting instead to just have fun and get the basics down.

[@streichercilliers]

I am about to start my Open water course and I cannot wait to get into diving!! I really appreciate all your videos and I would really love to come dive some of the wrecks in Florida some day.

[@zacharytaylor190]

Gonna get certified next month! Can't wait, and also gonna get my PPL on weekdays.

[@danielhobbs8157]

Love your channel. I've been doing exactly what you said taking in as much info as I can. I'm 43 & I'm just now get certified by my uncle who's been an instructor most all my life & is getting ready to hang it up. He's enjoyed seeing me filled with excitement and hung for the sport he loves so much. Labor day I do start my open water & in November me, my dad and both uncle's are going to Cozumel for a week to go diving where has has taken most of his groups. I look forward to being part of the diving family..

[@DiversReady]

Thanks Daniel!

[@jasonconnor576]

Yeah, I wish I saw all yor videos on dive tips for getting certified. Oh well live and learn, I had a great diver instructor!

[@roymcelwee9334]

Thanks for sharing. Great info and tips as always.

[@DiversReady]

glad you like it

[@deecee3573]

i am not certifyed (yet) ,the plan was to get my OW beginning this year but then covid came around (bad timing ),i started to watch your and oyhers (Alec Pierce ,lakeHickory scuba and so on) there vids on you tube and lurned a lot but still have a shitload of questions lol. wen i do the course it will be a one on one thing ,just me and the instructor ,this has several reasons as quality training were i have the instructors undivided atention and i can ask away and i admid to have some isues at times whit ppl as i am used to lead , (ex military he) so wile waiting i started to buy scuba gear so i can do the course with my own gear and get familiar with it. hope i can start the course soon as patiance is not very familiar to me at times hehehe thanks for all the info ya all redy shared and will share in the future. who knows you'l visit the Philippines some time in the future and we meet and dive togetter ,wich wood be a great expiriance for me . again thank youuuuu. greets , Belgian expat in the Phils

[@jeffoberin]

Hi James My wife and I are looking at becoming certified divers, and I am doing the research before we choose an organisation or instructor here in Australia. It's all cold water diving here so everything I watch on youtube I know will be a bit different to what I will experience diving locally. Thanks for providing so much information and advice. Keep up the great work!

[@DiversReady]

Hey Jeff, awesome that you guys are getting into scuba! Enjoy the journey of each dive! Appreciate the support and we love Australia!

[@ernestlcolemanjr]

I start my OW course Wednesday. I have been following you since January of 2020 at least some good came out of 2020.

[@Larutus]

Hey James, I did the owd with Padi early this year and prior to starting, I looked at several videos from various channels including yours. It gave me an opportunity prepare myself for the course. I have been looking at gear reviews, listening to podcasts and reading articles on a regular basis. Our instructor recently started the Advanced class with us and we are all looking forward to continuous growth as divers.

[@WaterlineShorts]

It's great to have a group you can continue to learn with.

[@Larutus]

Waterline Academy absolutely. This group bonded pretty well and we are gonna motivate each other towards becoming Rescue Divers when we have sufficient experience. We got a lecturer with 30+ years experience and 2 very capable dive masters that assisted on our first open water dive. The 7 students have all become friends and we may even register a sports club soon.

[@WaterlineShorts]

Larry Holder what a great idea. Best of luck

[@godbouty]

It is exactly what I'm doing. Doing researches prior to my first certification this summer with my daughter (dad-daughter shared passion).

[@chrisemata18]

My OWD training will start March 17th 2021 and i’ve been watching your helpful videos since last december 2020.and i’m learning alot now i am more confident to start my OWD training and i’ll be taking all the knowledge that i’ve learned from all of your videos!! Thank you so much! Keep on diving 😁

[@mjb2048]

Thank you for the excellent information.

[@sircorbalot5549]

I’m an junior advanced open water 😄

[@pauldarnbrough7515]

Did my O/W many years ago... info in video is spot on ...

[@DiversReady]

Thanks Paul!

[@Beau_ideal__]

I’m about to venture into scuba diving and a bit nervous about getting into scuba diving, thus your videos are very insightful and helpful. Thank you

[@mohoyyt]

Same here! Have you done it yet? I'm struggling to overcome my nervousness but really want to get my license

[@briandhuff]

Thanks James. Shared this to my social media and emailed a few friends that I've been trying to get (force) into diving. I got lucky. I didn't know to choose the instructor really. Just went to the LDS and signed up. There really wasn't much choice unless I wanted to drive a good distance. But the LDS owns a quarry and has a ton of instructors and DM's. Great community and I wound up with really good folks.

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for sharing! I appreciate it, Brian!

[@oceanman843]

Finishing my open water certification this weekend, your videos have been a great help! Keep the content coming

[@abyssalreclass]

Currently working on the first stage of my open water certification combined with dry-suit training (the water is cold here, even in the summer). Binging every video I can get my hands on. The dive center/instructor I am using came highly recommended to me by family, and included in the cost of the training is credit towards rental gear for additional dives afterward and tank fills.

[@robharris5245]

I must add my two pennorth. I was originally taking my open water course with a LDS in the UK. The instructor I was paired with was a PADI master instructor. What he didn't know about diving wasn't worth knowing. However his teaching skills in my opinion left a lot to be desired. So we didn't gel.I found a totally different instructor who was not only a PADI but also a BSAC instructor. We got on famously. However due to circumstances it took me longer than what is considered normal to qualify. My wife managed her OW and AOW in about 6 days I think. That was back in 2003. Since then she has dived about 20 times and hasn't been near a dive site in the last 9 years. I did the training, completed the course successfully. On the first dive post certification I realised I hated the whole thing. I never went anywhere near a pool. Lake, quarry or sea ever again that was 10 years ago. I feel sorry for the wife who was hoping we could go diving together. Sadly for her no way.

[@Kisame663]

I statred my open water cert training this year (still on going because of COVID) but I spent about 1 hour in the pool doing drills then the rest of the day diving a wreck and doing all the drills I learnt in the pool. A friend of mine is my instructor and the last time we did a dive was a few weeks ago from the shore and he said I was looking a lot better than on my first day in terms of kicks and trim but I still have to nail down my buoyancy since sometimes I would randomly just start floating up or descending while hovering. Been lots of fun tbh

[@Joe-uo2hm]

Thank you for this video and all the others you do. I have been following you for a couple months now trying to absorb every bit of knowledge I can before going to do my open water course. I feel very confident as I have been practicing every skill I can with mask and snorkel. I have also researched dive gear from your 5 important pieces of gear I should have video. I can’t wait to be part of the scuba diving family. Thank you again hopefully we can dive together some day.

[@DiversReady]

You are so welcome! Safe diving! James

[@ayaanchitty1596]

This a great video for new open water students - very informative and helpful information. The whole training agency issue has always been very emotive and it always will be! It's refreshing that you are cutting through all that and advising people not to be bogged down on this point; as you rightly say, there's subtle differences here and there but they are all fairly similar. There's good and bad divers from all agencies. At the end of the day, there's no substitute for building experience and confidence with a professional, experienced and supportive instructor. Sadly, many of the quick, cheap courses rarely achieve this.

[@DiversReady]

True story Ayaan! Thanks for watching. James

[@chrisp7644]

Just finished my e learning and confined water course this week. I do my OW Certification dives next week. I’m hella nervous. Never in a million years did I think I’d go diving

[@psychotimo]

to be fair, i'm interested in diving, but i haven't done any dives yet. vids like these help to get a good idea of what it entails to become a certified diver and help give an idea of what to expect+ of some of the necessary skills. knowing about some of those things beforehand mostly helps with keeping control of things. diving into something like this (pun intended) also entails putting yourself at actual risk of drowning if you fuck up, so having some of these vids to help teach you some basics helps motivate you to actually go ahead and get diving :P in short, keep making those vids :P

[@luikriaco]

Great !!!

[@davemarksman2205]

I personally take every opportunity I can to make use of any pool time going, to practise all my drills and buoyance.

[@Patsfan2938]

Good evening sir, I am getting ready to have my first class tomorrow and couldn't be more excited. Your videos have been really fun to watch and very helpful. Just wanted to thank you for putting out useful content that is well explained and fun to watch.

[@DiversReady]

Good luck and welcome to the world of scuba diving!

[@justinheberer2954]

thanks for this video james. im learning before my owd training next spring. your videos have been very insightful. im also sending good ones like this to my soon to be dive buddy! keep up the good viedos! dive safe.

[@MikeColes]

No certification yet here. I'd like to see videos on ancillary topics and the skills with discussion about what is going on. For the first, dive boat/excursion procedures & etiquette, how to find a 'buddy' when you have zero experience past your cert, how to hone your skills after you no longer have an instructor, and what you should be working on before tackling your next cert. For the second, there are plenty of videos of students doing their cert dives. I don't know what I'm looking at. A video that shows common mistakes and how to correct them would be beneficial. Thanks for taking the time to make your videos. They're appreciated.

[@douglasljdunn]

Great advice, should be compulsory viewing for potential OW students

[@kevinaltic4761]

i am doing my OWD course next week super excited about it

[@DiversReady]

Good luck!! Have fun! James

[@thomasw5430]

I wish this video was around when I went looking for the course. Then again options are limited where I live- short season to dive here and an even shorter list of dive shops around here. I did the courses online and pool saessions here, but went to Key West to do the certification dives. Getting better as time goes along with skills- just got my AOW certification a few weeks ago. Going to eventually need to go technical- seems everyone around where I lives are either using doubles or are using rebreathers. Rebreathers out of my budget right now- so it is doubles for me! Keep up the great work James!

[@angelacrager61]

Hoping to start my open water course soon. I've been researching different shops and watching lots of videos.

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for watching!

[@unluckyeddy7966]

I'm uncertified, I will be taking my course Open Water this winter.

[@iantetreault9796]

Love this video. Im going for my classes soon

[@DiversReady]

Thanks Ian! Have fun! James

[@BlackPearlCamaro]

Great video James! I just got my open water certification last month after doing a discovery dive in February. I've been watching all your videos and lake hickory's to get as much info as possible before starting my course. It help immensely! Thank you!

[@DiversReady]

That is awesome! Congratulations Ned!

[@edbodell6912]

Thank you for making this video it gave me alot more in sight to do before I take my first course. Have been enjoying your video's.

[@jodymcconechy9165]

your channel has been very informative, been collecting a lot of information to go take ow course. thanks!

[@DiversReady]

Great to hear! Thanks Jody! James

[@tiktak3559]

I just finished my OWD 😄 so it's kinda funny watching this . But definitely worth it 😎

[@matteo-cu8uv]

Hello James, what you say about the instructor being the most important factor is very true. However the idea that as a new customer u can go in the shop and interview the instructors and then choose your favourite is very optimistic, I think most dive shop owners would be baffled by the idea. My one certainly would have been! 😅

[@pyhoff]

Wish I would have found you earlier. I did OK, Nitrox and Advance Adventure with about 24 dives, I get about 2 dives a month in but want more, issue is the cost of boat diving. I have most of my equipment but would love to do beach dives just can’t find any good books for any decent reefs in Broward in SFL which is crazy. Google just points to dive boats

[@johnjob9523]

Great Video! I am one of those who are not certified but watch every video. I am hoping to get certified once the dive shop opens(COVID 19 messed up my plans)

[@mikkosport2300]

As an instructor I totally agree, Jamea. However one warning related to tip numer 2: be chritica about the information you find in the internet. There are also some misinformation or opinions based on misconception available. Therefore trust your instructor more than the net!

[@antrobusc1201]

Planning on learning scuba. Learning so much on your page and also safe diving. Keep the good content up👌

[@BlueHorizonDiving]

Awesome informative video as always mate.

[@uniquediver]

Great vid! I do slightly disagree with the statement that "It's not the agency, it's the instructor" everyone says these days. Take for example the open water manual you're holding up. In that latest version, the agency chose to exclude proper gas planning information. Another agency is still producing instructional videos teaching and endorsing the "quarter turn" during equipment assembly.

[@WaterlineShorts]

Yes agency approach has an impact as does instructor. Not easy to work out before hand when you're just starting out.

[@nicoscuba]

The quarter turn is one of the most entrenched belief you can witness on a diveboat. It used to be needed but that was in the early Jacques Cousteau days. Perhaps James you should make a video to kill that one for good ;)

[@omegadivingacademy7937]

@@nicoscuba the quarter turn in this day saves dive shops from the over zealous rambo divers who turn the valve so hard as if it can open or close a little more. Resorts have constant issues with over tightening both open and closed so it still helps. Service valves all the time!!!

[@joewelsh1804]

Great one James - love it. Over 20 years since I did mine and I was lucky with my choice of shop/instructor, although I know others that weren't so lucky. Nice to see that your following includes lots of potential/newby divers.

[@bubblesandboats4010]

I've said it before and I will say it again, I wish I had you as my dive instructor!! Ps:waiting for the 3 hour editor's cut of this video 🤣

[@diversdown2116]

well 22 yrs ago i did my open water and 4 yrs ago my son did his there was a difference from then to now

[@kylegrimm8808]

James, we need to talk/act more about quality of training. OW certified in 90s. Back then 6 weeks, twice a week to cert. Now they have weekend cert, geez. I'm always on the insta buddy scenario. It's terrifying diving today with new divers.

[@LodgeMan2011]

I’ve recently started to see folks agree that lakes and quarries and any body of water inland is not considered “open water” I’m glad you mentioned lakes and quarries as being open water. I’ve been certified for a few years and have only been in freshwater inland.

[@ronaldneelen2392]

If so, there is a awful lot of places you could not do "real dives". Here in the Netherlands we got plenty of sea within a 200km drive from the other side of ghe country, but with all the rough current and waves you got to have a hell lot of experience to even try doing it.

[@OrenNoah]

Nick: It's "open water," but it's very different from the oceans. If all of your experience is in lakes and quarries, be sure to take it very easy when you dive in an ocean. Consider having an instructor with you.

[@LodgeMan2011]

Oren Noah I agree. But most of my diving has been in waters less than 25 feet visibility So I’ve brought a different skill set to the table. I don’t plan on going unless I’ve got a guide/instructor

[@chrisrunch7348]

James, I started watching you when I was beginning my open water. Great content. Now I am finishing my Advanced and looking toward rescue diver. Can you do videos about each of the specialties of Advanced?

[@jacquelineshipton1351]

Woohoo I’m smart. 😂 Great informative videos. Thank you.

[@davidscafe3487]

I am one of those people doing my research before I do my certification course.

[@DiversReady]

Nice one David! Thanks for watching! James

[@scubasteveandunderwaterroc3547]

The funny part is my instructors name was Bret

[@wstrater]

Do you have to float or tread water? I thought the requirement was to tread water. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t swim. Been swimming and snorkeling for as long as a I remember. I also can’t remember a time when I could float. I can take a breath of air, curl up into a ball just below the surface and sink to the bottom. Took a Scuba Diver certification back in college when dive tables were 20 pages long and have been considering getting an Open Water certification and those 10 minutes scare me the most.

[@AcquaSubMergulho]

OWD PADI time is recommended in accordance with 2020 manual 31 hours.

[@DubaiDiver]

Hi James any progress on Critter Hunter’s challenge to you

[@Wfgross]

James - some additional info to be added here is what equipment should you be buying before your open water course. Many instructors/shops I know will sell you a cheap set of fins/mask/snorkel prior to the course. The newbie doesn’t have the knowledge to forward think on this and has a piece of wasted kit. I don’t think you should buy anything else until you have some real dives in your log.

[@ayaanchitty1596]

Great point. In my view this is quite subjective and ultimately down to personal choice - there's no right or wrong. Students definitely shouldn't feel compelled to buy any equipment they don't want or need before their course. However, on the other side of the coin, having something that fits well and is more comfortable than standard rental equipment can make for a better experience. It is a personal decision. In most cases, there is no real need to buy your own gear straight away but having things like a quality mask, snorkel, fins, suit or even a BC may be preferred by some - and it's not a wasted investment if it makes you more comfortable.

[@DiversReady]

Done and done! kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6axkGiGnLmti5I Thanks Warren!

[@treytaylor2594]

Hey James. My name is Trey and I'm in the middle of completing my open water cert, and I was wondering what would a good first regulator and BCD

[@scottkleeman4849]

Thanks for the videos James! For me, when deciding which course to take, a concern with regards to which agency’s materials were used was making sure my c-card would be accepted to higher levels of classes going forward with training, and I haven’t seen that discussed super broadly online.

[@DiversReady]

Thanks Scott! I discuss this topic in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX2ng3uJpqxglbs

[@mindy2rose]

Thank you for this and every video I go Monday 9/7 /2020 for my first trip to the pool Lol lol

[@levonebrathwaiteify]

So my class starts the week of Sept.24 is it smart to get a regulator now and learn to use it or just wait for the class? Thanks for the video

[@Dreadlock1227]

How in depth are the refresher courses? I did my open water back in 2019, and I haven’t dived since then. I’m really wanting to get into diving now, and Im wondering if a refresher course will be sufficient, or if I should just go ahead and redo my open water. I really don’t remember much at all, so I’m leaning towards redoing it, but I’m not totally sure

[@alphacentauri3069]

I’ve always found scuba diving to be fascinating but the ocean has always been a petrifying fear of mine. Maybe someday I’ll conquer it but until then, I remain curious about it

[@arthurcastle9304]

wich entry level courses could you reccomend. and any free diving tips?

[@redline870]

#askdiversready - one more for you, what are your thoughts on integrated secondary air inflators? I like the idea of having less hoses to get caught on stuff and less drag. I know they can be a bit more of a pain to use because of their short length constricting head movement, and how you have to remove your primary to pass to a buddy. I’m wondering why I don’t see you use one though, I imagine there’s a very good well thought out reason for it😉. Thanks!!!

[@DiversReady]

Here's your video to answer that one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4TEeqCvhNWSY7c

[@outdooradventure4167]

I wanna get started with signing up for open water should I do the nitrox with my open or should it be a separate focus. And when should you learn to do the rescue dive cours

[@jagdsapr1]

Thank you for doing this video! My wife and I just got back home from Cozumel Mexico where we went snorkeling and both of us got bit by the bug to become certified divers. This video is helpful with your 5 tips of what to do to get started. One question I have is, do you think it would be better to get the training here at home (Minnesota) then go back to Mexico? Or would it be just as good to go do a course with a reputable center in Mexico and be able to everything in sort of a one stop shopping type of situation?

[@countrysister700]

I don't know the answer for you, but my 2 cents is that I'm thrilled I've had NAUI certification via my local Y in a relaxed setting where I can get reps, my questions answered, and to a certain extent have training at my pace. I'm 66 yo widow who now dives with adult sons in settings where I'll enjoy the time but not hold back a large impatient group. I've heard the "cram course" format of many resort settings can work but it can also leave some with no clue as to what they "learned" and truly unprepared for open water. Having the ongoing friendship and guidance of a local dive pro after certification is invaluable.

[@AlexDerange]

i remember in one of my first trainings, we were supposed to take out stuff (like goggles, regulator), and at a point i got confused and lost my regulator, now, we were supposed to stay underwater, it was the exercise, right ? but how can i stay underwater with no goggles on and the regulator somewhere in my back ? so i got to the surface to breath (yeah i don't want to drown) and when the guy got to the surface he yelled at me saying i did not follow the exercise. I don't understand how an instructor could ever get mad at a student who failed an exercise, like, do you want him to understand and follow what you are teaching, even if he makes mistakes, or do you want to get to a yelling competition ? (yes i yelled back at him xD) (To add to my point : we were in a swimming pool)

[@ajaypratapsingh424]

Im 33 years old good swimmer... Want to join course but can i take it as career.. Can i get job after Completion of this course???

[@redline870]

#askdiversready - what are your thoughts on “Spare Air”?, ie the self contained mini back-up bottle of air with built in reg/mouthpiece. I’m a recreational diver and my buddy I dive with is ADAMANT about me using one of his. I usually give in an wear it to make him happy, but I almost think he wouldn’t even dive with me if I didn’t take it. The only negative I can think of is added weight/drag but I do like having a totally redundant back-up system in the event of a hose rupture/dragged down from an undercurrent/etc. Love the awesome content, keep it up!!!

[@redline870]

Complicated Mechanics he insisted on me wearing it because of something that happened when we were training in the pool. The instructor turned his air off on him to see if he would signal to me he was out of air (he wears a full face mask, so sharing air is a bit more complicated). He realized how out of shape he was and how urgent it was that he get air, and he just bolted to the surface rather than signaling to me. He thinks if you run out of air underwater, that the 10 or so breaths you get off a spare air can would be enough to save your life in the critical time it took you to alert your buddy and begin sharing air or performing a CESA.

[@complicatedmechanics9599]

@@redline870 If your buddy reacts to emergencies with panic and bolting, spare air doesn't fix it. It can be pretty dangerous to him and you. He needs more training, not more equipment.

[@punitalagappan5553]

What's the average costs ? With and without the buying stuff like masks and things. (USD or CAD is better too)