PADI Advanced Open Water

If you have ever thought about taking your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, PADI Enriched Air Diver course, or PADI Rescue Diver course this video gives you an idea of what you can expect. These courses will help you achieve the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating!

Who should try this experience?

You don’t have to be “advanced” to take it – it’s designed to advance your diving, so you can start right after earning your PADI Open Water Diver certification. The course helps build confidence and expand your scuba skills through different Adventure Dives. You try out different specialties while gaining experience under the supervision of your PADI Instructor. You log dives and develop capabilities as you find new ways to have fun scuba diving.

Get credit! Each Adventure Dive may credit toward the first dive of the corresponding PADI Specialty Diver Course. If you’ve already taken a specialty diver course, ask your instructor if you’ve earned credit for an Adventure Dive.

PADI (Junior) Open Water Divers who are at least 12 years old are ready to step up and enroll in an Advanced Open Water Diver course. Young divers may only participate in certain Adventures Dives – check with your PADI Instructor.

If you’re already an Adventure Diver, you only need to complete two more Adventure Dives to earn the Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

What will you learn?

You’ll plan your learning path with your instructor by choosing from a long list of Adventure Dives. There are two required dives – Deep and Underwater Navigation – and you choose the other three, for a total of five dives.
During the Deep Adventure Dive, you learn how to plan dives to deal with the physiological effects and challenges of deeper scuba diving. The Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive refines your compass navigation skills and helps you better navigate using kick-cycles, visual landmarks and time.

The other knowledge and skills you get vary with your interest and the adventures you have – photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, exploring wrecks and many more.

You may be able to get college credit for the Advanced Open Water Diver course.

How can you start learning now?

Sign up for Advanced Open Water Diver Online – PADI’s eLearning option – to get started immediately. The web-based system lets you learn about seven of the most popular Adventures Dives – including the required Deep and Underwater Navigation Adventure Dives, plus Boat, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Naturalist and Wreck Adventure Dives. You study at your own pace through an easy to use, interactive program. You also have access to an online version of the Adventures in Diving manual and can complete sections for other Adventure Dives as directed by your PADI Instructor.

You can also choose to read the Adventures in Diving manual and watch the Adventures in Diving video (a book and DVD package). Stop A-1 Scuba Diving And Snorkeling Adventures to enroll in the course, get your materials and start learning. Your PADI Instructor will meet with you to schedule knowledge review sessions along with your Adventure Dives.

What scuba gear will you use?

Beyond using basic scuba equipment, you’ll need a compass and dive knife or dive tool. You’ll also use specialized gear depending on the Adventure Dives you choose. For example, you’d use a dry suit for the Dry Suit Adventure Dive or a sidemount configuration during the Sidemount Adventure Dive. Your PADI Instructor will explain the equipment that you need and may suggest additional gear, such as a dive light for night diving or lift bag for search and recovery diving.

Visit our dive center to learn more about the gear you will need to start your adventures in the Advanced Open Water Diver course.

Next Step

Breathing underwater for the first time is something you’ll never forget, so don’t wait.

Sign up for Open Water Diver Online and start learning right away.
Enroll in a PADI Open Water Diver course at A-1 Scuba Diving And Snorkeling Adventures.
Try scuba diving with the Discover Scuba Diving program.
Download a Medical Statement and Questionnaire (pdf).
Browse the scuba certification FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).

Check Out Our Reviews!

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A-1 Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Adventures

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David Goodwin

10:24 22 Apr 17

I have been certified to dive since 1994 and over the years I have been to Scuba shops all over the country. Imagine my surprise when my favorite store happens to be local to me. I found them when I wanted to get Nitrox certified and I have been going back ever since. This is the type of place where you are not just a number but everyone feels like family. This is the way dive shops should be, not just a place of business but a community. I would recommend A-1 to everyone.

Rick Fisher

15:21 15 Nov 14

Just completed dry suit certification at A1 Scuba with my son. Alan and all the staff did a great job teaching both the course and passing along their experience. Dives where packed with information and support from the great dive staff, plus a ton of fun. Highly recommend for any training needs. Can’t wait for our next class in the spring. Also purchased all our gear from A1. They have a great selection, and worked with us to find the right gear at a good price. Have looked at other local dive shops, but nobody does a better job getting to know us and finding the equipment to meet our needs and budget. Great local dive shop.

Mike Shaffer

01:15 17 Nov 14

Anyone who is looking for diving equipment or a place to be certified, need look no further than A-1 Diving. The owner Alan is a true diving pro as well as the rest of the staff. They really know their stuff and love telling you about various dive excursions whenever they have a chance. Also great for world class dive vacations especially North Carolina with the sharks and wrecks. They stock the best equipment. A-1 really works with you to make it one of the best experiences ever.

David Basara

17:17 17 Dec 14

The lessons offered were easy to understand, and the mentors were very kind. As an individual that has been afraid of water for a good portion of my life, I got my confidence back to start diving again. I have some excellent photos from my dives and the memories I made will be with me forever. Pumped up for the diving trip in '15! get your reservations NOW!!!

Robert nope

02:44 08 Jun 18

Great place for shopping or instruction

Jennifer Mayfield

13:16 08 Jun 18

Friendly helpful staff. Highly recommend

Sean Flynn

19:22 11 Jun 18

Great people, extremely knowledgeable. Wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Kevin Zuech

20:05 12 Jun 18

They were great, knowledge and willing to work around my busy schedule. They still invite me to join them on trips to utilize my cert. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to get into diving.

Melissa Bennett

23:09 19 Nov 14

I received my scuba certification from A-1. I love how flexible they are and how they work with people who have crazy schedules!!! They were so patient and really did everything they could to make you feel comfortable with the different exercises required for certification. I highly recommend them!!!

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I’ve been diving and teaching at A-1 since 2007. We are like a second family, and some of my best friends have come from this group. Come for the diving, stay for the people.

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