It is a dream for many people to dive underwater and witness colourful corals, marine life, and even hidden shipwrecks. However, the ocean is not just a normal swimming pool where you can go in randomly without any preparation and training. This is where the PADI, or Professional Association of Diving Instructors, comes in. As one of the world’s leading diving institutions, it has trained many people to dive confidently and safely in the oceans with its courses.
Many beginners think they can’t dive or snorkel because they don’t know how to swim. In reality, diving requires far more than just swimming. You need the right skills and proper guidance. This article will help you understand all of that. So, don’t worry. You’re in the right place. PADI courses are made for everyone, from experienced swimmers to complete beginners who have never swum before.
It is also going to talk about a few important topics about this training body and clear some misconceptions that people often have. One of them is that it will be very expensive, and that is why they don’t even try to find out what the real cost of this training is. Other than that, you will also get an idea of the different levels of this course, what the exams are like, and insights about what people have to say after completing their training through one of these courses.
What is PADI?
It is the world’s largest organisation for diver education and certification. PADI was founded in 1966, and millions of people around the globe completely trust it to train and master the art of diving. The only reason is that its safe, structured, and enjoyable diving courses for all levels have helped many people to tick off their bucket list of experiencing the underwater world.
The best part about the certification from this institution is that it opens many doors for personal growth and career opportunities. Since the beginning, PADI has awarded almost 30 million certificates worldwide. And since it is recognised globally, certified divers can dive in almost any dive destination. Other than that, it has also opened career options for many and has become a successful side-income source.
Now that you know the benefits of PADI certifications, it’s also important to acknowledge the downsides, risks, and limitations. One documented case involved a certified diver who tragically lost his life, not due to panic or inexperience, but because of faulty equipment. Incidents like this highlight that even with recognised certifications and high training standards, risks still exist, especially when equipment is not properly maintained.
Different levels of PADI
Now that you know, diving is an entire journey and not a shortcut. You cannot take one or two sessions and expect to jump into an ocean. It requires clear progression that will lead you to become a professional diver. As discussed earlier, PADI also has different courses that are structured and tailored to all levels without skipping any steps in between.
This section is going to highlight the different levels of this certification programme. In this, you will notice that at every level, you are learning something and gradually growing in terms of your knowledge, skills, and also confidence. So, it is worth knowing the entire step-by-step path of becoming a professional diver.
Beginner courses
These courses are designed for beginners who want to try diving without a long-term commitment. The learning process is short and simple. Participants only learn basic skills and safety steps. After that, they follow a guided dive in shallow water under the supervision of a PADI instructor.
A very popular entry-level certification that PADI offers for these beginners is the Open Water Diver. It teaches skills like buoyancy control, underwater navigation, basic safety, and emergency procedures. Participants also train in closed water and have a chance to get four open dives in the ocean. With the accreditation, you can dive anywhere in the world up to 18 metres.
Intermediate/Advanced
For those who already hold the beginner certificate and want to learn more, this is the next step to develop your skills and experience. These courses allow them to experience 5 adventure-packed deep and night diving sessions. Other than that, they also learn about underwater navigation, drift diving, and wreck diving, and track the peak performance buoyancy.
This level of the PADI course focuses more on the diver’s safety and effective emergency management, and also teaches the participants the right rescue techniques. It teaches them how to act promptly in case of unplanned situations while avoiding panic and administering first aid measures.
Professional PADI courses
This level helps you to lead other certified divers, assist other instructors, and conduct diving activities by yourself. Those who have mastered these courses are expected to have advanced underwater diving knowledge and lead with confidence. It is also a stepping stone for someone who is looking to succeed in their scuba diving career.
However, you cannot just simply pass this level and expect to know all the ins and outs of diving. You also need extensive experience and the passion to have conquered all the setbacks and challenges for yourself first and then guide others through your own experiences, because you have already lived it yourself.
Speciality courses
PADI also offers specialised courses for those who simply want to master and focus on specific skills. Some of these are underwater photography, deep diving, wreck diving, and night diving. It helps divers to enhance their abilities, master their existing skills, and explore a new environment under a customised and professional diving instructor.
Cost of getting a PADI certificate
Now that you know the different levels of the PADI certification, it is also important to understand the cost of some of the most common courses. This is because cost is an important factor for some people who want to upskill or learn something new. Most of the time, people are hesitant to even start, simply because their budget doesn’t allow them.
Below is the breakdown of a few courses from the different levels of progression. It will also help you understand what you will be learning during the training sessions and whether or not your budget will allow you to invest in something that you are not sure if you will be continuing in the long term.
Open water diving course (beginner level)
This is the most common and the starting point for beginners to enter the world of scuba diving. It costs somewhere in the range of USD $350 – USD $600. Below is the list of what you will learn and get from this course:
- Classroom- or online-based learning modules
- Close water pool training
- Four guided open dives
- A professional instructor who will always guide you.
- Rental allowance for standard equipment such as masks, fins, a regulator, a BCD, a tank, and a wetsuit.
- A certificate that will acknowledge your beginner-level diving skills.
However, the cost of each course level depends mostly on the location. Prices are usually higher in Western countries. This is why many divers choose Southeast Asia instead. Places like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand offer more affordable PADI training.
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
This course doesn’t require a lot of theory; as a result, it is cheaper and faster than the beginner-level courses. It costs between USD $300 and $500, and it includes five guided adventure dives, guidance from professional instructors, and certification upon completion at a very nominal price.
Speciality Courses
These are mainly for those who don’t want to learn diving from scratch and focus on specific skills. It is cheaper than the above-mentioned courses. Participants can avail this level for USD $150 – $300 for each speciality. Some of the most common and popular options are night diving, underwater photography, and wreck diving.
Rescue Diver + Emergency First Response
This course is also expensive since it not only caters to teaching diving skills but also trains participants to handle emergencies during sessions. It is worth its price, because you might be a master in diving, but if you panic and don’t know how to solve emergencies, you might end up losing your life or somebody else’s life. Its typical cost is somewhere between USD $350 and $600, and it will include:
- Rescue Scenario Training
- Open water diving skills
- First-aid and CPR training
- Official certification and supervision from a professional instructor.
Divemaster (professional level)
This is the most expensive out of all the levels since it prepares you to be a trainer and then move towards training other people. It is also very intensive and requires several weeks of training, where you will be assisting real students during sessions and have dive theory exams, along with rigorous water skills training. The cost for this programme is somewhere between USD $800 and $1500.
Is the PADI exam difficult?
No, it is not difficult if you follow the course step-by-step. Every course is designed to keep the experience level of the participants in mind. So, all you have to do is trust the organisation; it knows the best, and the instructors will not let anything happen to you during sessions. Most people often associate their fear with the difficulty level of the exam. Just because they have a water phobia, they tend to make an assumption that the entire exam and the course are very difficult.
There are a few key points that you need to remember and make sure that you clearly achieve them. This will build your confidence and assure you that you can be better at this without any fear or panic. Most people who enrol in these PADI courses often try to outsmart the instructors, thinking that they will figure it out themselves. What they forget is that these professionals are there for a reason. Here are the key points to remember.
Knowledge development
This will cover all the basics of diving, such as the safety rules, equipment use, planning before a dive, and how to manage the common underwater problems. You are going to study this through online learning modules, quizzes, and self-study. After which, you will have a multiple-choice question exam. Most students find this easy because the questions are quite straightforward.
Confined water skills
In this part, you will actually face the water, but in a protected and shallow environment. You will learn about mask clearing, regulatory recovery, buoyancy control, and air sharing techniques. Those who have a phobia, don’t worry; a PADI instructor will be by your side and guide you patiently through each step until you are fully confident.
Open water dives
This is the time when you actually go for a real dive. It is the best time to apply what you have learnt in a real setting. The instructors are simply going to make sure that you can dive safely and comfortably without letting you be too dependent on them. The majority of the students feel that this is the most enjoyable part of their entire training.
Begin your underwater journey with Diving First.
Now that you understand how to begin learning to dive, this is the perfect time to start. If you’ve always dreamed of experiencing the underwater world, taking your first step now can make that dream real. You also don’t need to worry about the cost. It won’t put a heavy burden on your budget. Instead, think of it as an investment, one that gives you purpose, confidence, and a powerful sense of achievement.
If you want to start diving but don’t know who to trust, check out Diving First. They have skilled and certified PADI instructors. They guide you step by step. You won’t have to learn everything alone. They make the training safe and comfortable. With them, you can also explore amazing dive spots in Indonesia. These include Komodo Island, Padar Island, and Labuan Bajo. So, hurry up and check out what they have to offer and how they can help you get started.