PADI Scuba Diving Courses

PADI Open Water Diver is your first full scuba certification. Learn with an instructor through three connected stages:

1. Build your knowledge: complete the required theory and learn about scuba equipment, dive planning and underwater safety.
2. Practise in the pool: develop breathing, buoyancy and other core skills in a controlled environment.
3. Explore open water: complete four training dives with your instructor and demonstrate the required skills.

After successful completion, adult Open Water Divers are trained to dive with a buddy to a maximum of 18 metres within their training and experience. Junior divers have age-related depth and supervision limits.

Private one-to-one training offers another way to complete Open Water. If you plan to finish your training while travelling, explore our Open Water referral course.

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver helps Open Water Divers gain experience with an instructor. It includes five Adventure Dives: deep diving, underwater navigation and three additional dives chosen around your interests and local conditions. The maximum training depth is up to 30 metres, with age-related limits for junior divers.

Choose a specialty for a skill you want to develop:

• Dry Suit Diver: drysuit use, buoyancy control and care for cooler-water diving.
• Wreck Diver: responsible wreck exploration, planning and line-and-reel skills.
• Deep Diver: deeper-dive planning, gas management and depth awareness.
• Night Diver: dive-light use, navigation and communication after dark.
• Underwater Navigation: compass and natural navigation skills.
• Search and Recovery: search patterns and object-recovery techniques.

Enriched Air Nitrox focuses on analysing your gas, oxygen exposure and setting your dive computer. Nitrox can extend no-decompression time in suitable circumstances; it does not increase your depth qualification. Check the exact course prerequisites and DGA inclusions before booking.

Your PADI certification does not expire, but a refresher can help when you have been away from the water. ReActivate combines a scuba knowledge review with in-water skills practice through DGA.

Revisit equipment assembly, buoyancy and familiar scuba skills with a dive professional. DGA offers pool or shore-based options; the team can help choose a session around your experience and confidence.

When enquiring, tell us your certification level, when you last dived and which skills you want to practise. Bring certification details and your logbook if available. Online review alone is different from the complete refresher: PADI’s ReActivated card also requires in-water practice with a dive professional.

Rescue Diver builds awareness, problem prevention and practical rescue skills. You practise helping yourself and other divers, then apply those skills in realistic training scenarios. Confirm your diving prerequisites and current first-aid/CPR training with our team.

Emergency First Response teaches CPR and first-aid skills for divers and non-divers. Emergency Oxygen Provider develops the skills to recognise situations requiring emergency oxygen and use the equipment. Check current availability on each listing.

Ready to work towards professional diving? PADI Divemaster develops leadership, dive-guiding and assistance skills. Review the entry certification, logged-dive, first-aid and medical requirements before enrolment.

Experienced divers can also discuss Self-Reliant Diver, Tec 40 and Gas Blender training. These have specific prerequisites and equipment requirements; the team will help confirm the appropriate next step.

Choose the training format carefully so you know which learning and practical sessions are included.

Check each DGA listing for its exact package. Referral completion fees, destination arrangements and practical training are separate unless the listing expressly includes them.

Age and experience: minimum ages, junior restrictions, certifications and logged-dive requirements vary by course. Ask our team to confirm eligibility for the exact DGA course before booking a junior or advanced program.

Open Water swimming skills: PADI requires a 200-metre swim, or 300 metres with mask, fins and snorkel, plus a 10-minute float or tread. There is no swim time limit. Discuss any concerns with your instructor before enrolment.

Medical paperwork: download and complete the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire before in-water training. Follow the instructions in the form and obtain medical clearance when the questionnaire or your course requirements call for it. Ask DGA which paperwork applies to your booking.

Download Diver Medical Form (PDF)↓

English · 3 pages · Version: 1 January 2026. Includes the medical examiner’s evaluation form. Other course paperwork is available on PADI’s downloads page.

Open Water equipment: DGA provides a wetsuit and scuba hardware for the full course. You supply your personal mask, snorkel, gloves, boots and fins. Equipment and hire arrangements differ on other courses. Check your chosen listing and organise suitable gear before training.

Equipment Maintenance can help you learn routine equipment care and troubleshooting; it is separate from a service-technician qualification.

Contact our Hallam team for current dates, availability and booking arrangements. Tell us your preferred course, existing certification, recent dive experience and whether you need a junior, private or referral booking.

Allow enough time for required eLearning and paperwork before your practical sessions. Training is based on completing the required knowledge and skills; follow the schedule and dive-site arrangements confirmed by your instructor.

Course payments: Afterpay is not available for course purchases. Ask the team about payment arrangements and review the booking terms for your selected course.

Giving a course as a gift? Confirm the participant’s eligibility and suitable dates before choosing a course. Our team can help with the right starting point.