Learn to Dive
The Open Water course is the first scuba certification level that allows you to dive independently (with a buddy but without an Instructor or other scuba diving professional).
A highly-trained instructor will teach you to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment. Learning to dive can be done in as little as 5 weeks, like all of the great sports - it can be learned quickly but take a lifetime to master!
Get Started
To start training, students must create a MySSI profile. This can either be done via the SSI website at www.divessi.com/register or by installing the MySSI App.
Simply download the app for either iOS or Android, set up the user profile, and access the world of diving in minutes! The MySSI App safely stores everything in one place, online or offline – training materials, logbook, and certification cards. This includes Recreational Scuba, Extended Range, Freediving and Mermaid.
Training Center Selection & Affiliation
Every student must select an SSI Training Center as their “Training Partner” during the course registration process. Affiliation ensures personalized service and a high-quality training experience.
Students can also change affiliation or choose to affiliate with multiple Training Centers in their user profile. When affiliating with a Training Center online or via the MySSI App, a Privacy Policy Agreement will be processed to comply with GDPR regulations.
The Theory
This is the studying component of the course in which you learn the theory of diving, the effects of pressure, how to communicate underwater, the role of scuba divers in marine and ocean conservation, oceanic eco-systems, tides, currents, diving skills, safety, equipment and a whole lot more. Start your digital learning materials anywhere in the world at your own convenience.
This might sound overwhelming, but it’s not because the theory is broken down into manageable-sized sessions which are accompanied by videos and visual aids, it’s easy and fun! Our instructors are never more than a zoom call / teams session away from helping you through and our classroom is open seven nights a week to help you through anything!
It's free and once they are completed, you can schedule your in-water training session with us.
Confined Water Sessions
Covering all the basics, you will practice the skills that you learned about in your Knowledge Development, these skills practiced in confined water, at The SCUBA Group we use a swimming pool for comfort and convenience.
By practicing the skills in calm conditions and the confines of a pool, you will build confidence. Your Instructor will explain the skills to you again, as well as give you a step-by-step demonstration before you try them for yourself.
The pool sessions are great fun and are possibly the first time you take a breathe underwater!
The Open Water Dives
This is the best part – it’s what you’ve been waiting for!
The open water element of your course includes four dives in open (unrestricted water), including bodies of water such as the sea, lake, or flooded quarries. We use one of several training centres where there are ample facilities and plenty to see; during your two days (two / three dives a day) you will demonstrate you're skills, experience Open Water diving and show the instructor everything you have learned before finishing the weekend as a qualified SCUBA diver with a globally recognised certification!
What kind of diver will you be?
All our courses cover the same basic content at different points, so you're not missing out on something doign a course a little differently, for example there are some extra bits if you're doing a Drysuit course in the UK as opposed to a referral in Egypt!
Below are the two most popular ways that our Customers learn to dive.
There are multiple ways to learn to dive, if one of the more popular routes doesn't suit you then why not check out the other ways to learn?
Fitness to Dive
Click the link on Fitness for diving to find out how fit you need to be for diving (you'll be surprised, it's definitely not as fit as you thought!)
Within the blog is also a copy of the medical form you'll be required to fill in so you can review it and talk to us about anything you're unsure of.
What next?
Learning to dive takes about 8 weeks, so check your diary and keep your evenings free on when our normal pool nights are.
There are some medical questions you need to answer and you need to choose what diver you think you'll be.
Already a diver?
If you're already a qualified diver then you might be in the wrong place?
Visit our page for qualified divers and see if we can help you blow some bubbles