What Actually Happens in Your Open Water Course: A Day-by-Day Breakdown

Deciding to get your scuba certification is one of the most exciting choices you can make. It is a literal passport to explore the remaining 70% of the planet. But if you have never worn a wetsuit or breathed through a regulator, the process can seem a little intimidating. You might be wondering: Will I have to take a hard math test? What if I panic in the water? How long does this actually take?

At Cactus to Coral Scuba, we believe that removing the fear of the unknown is the first step to creating great divers. The SSI Open Water Diver course is designed to be progressive, meaning we never ask you to do something you haven’t been fully prepared for. It is broken down into three distinct phases. Here is exactly what happens during your journey to becoming a certified scuba diver.

Phase 1: The Academics (Knowledge Development)

Gone are the days of sitting in a stuffy classroom for entire weekends listening to lectures. Today, the academic portion of your scuba training is designed to fit your schedule.

• Digital Learning: As soon as you sign up, you gain access to the SSI digital eLearning platform. You can read the materials, watch the embedded videos, and take the quizzes on your phone, tablet, or computer from the comfort of your couch.
• What You Learn: You will learn the physics of how water pressure affects your body, the mechanics of your scuba gear, the rules of dive planning, and standard safety protocols.
• The Shop Review: Once you finish your digital learning, you will come into the shop. We don’t just hand you a test; we sit down with you to review the material, answer any questions you have, and make sure you truly understand the concepts before we ever get wet. We will also custom-fit you for your rental gear during this time.

Phase 2: Confined Water (The Pool Sessions)

This is where the magic happens. The confined water sessions take place in a clear, calm, shallow swimming pool. This is your safe laboratory.

The First Breath

We start in water shallow enough to stand up in. Your instructor will show you how to set up your tank and BCD. Then, you will kneel on the bottom of the pool and take your first breath underwater. It is a profound, unforgettable moment! We spend this first session getting you comfortable with the sensation of breathing compressed air and moving in the gear.

Building the Toolbox

Over the next few pool sessions, we introduce the essential scuba skills one by one. Your instructor will demonstrate a skill, and then you will practice it until you are comfortable. You will learn:

• Regulator Recovery: How to find and replace your mouthpiece if it accidentally falls out.
• Mask Clearing: How to effortlessly blow water out of your mask if it leaks, without surfacing.
• Buoyancy Control: Learning to use your breath and your BCD to hover weightlessly like an astronaut.
• Emergency Procedures: Practicing how to share air with a buddy in the unlikely event of an out-of-air situation.

By the end of your pool training, these skills will feel like second nature. You are now ready for the real thing.

Phase 3: The Open Water Checkout Dives

This is the final exam, but it feels much more like an adventure. Over the course of two days, you will complete four actual open water dives under the direct supervision of your instructor. At Cactus to Coral Scuba, we typically utilize two fantastic locations for this final phase:

• Lake Pleasant, Arizona: For the ultimate convenience, we complete dives right here in our backyard. Diving the lake is fantastic training. You will encounter varying visibility, learn to navigate natural topography, and practice your skills in a real-world environment. If you can dive Lake Pleasant, you are ready for anywhere!
• San Carlos, Mexico: For those looking to turn their checkout dives into a mini-vacation, we regularly run trips down to the beautiful Sea of Cortez. You will execute your skills while surrounded by colorful reef fish, sea lions, and the stunning ocean environment.

What Happens on the Dives?

During these four dives, you aren’t learning new skills; you are simply demonstrating the skills you already mastered in the pool. You will clear your mask, hover, and practice buddy communication. But you will also actually go diving! You will explore the site, look at the aquatic life, and get a feel for what it is like to be a certified diver.

Earning Your Certification Card

When you surface from that successful fourth dive, the hard work is done. You will log your dives, high-five your instructor, and officially become an SSI Open Water Diver. This certification is recognized worldwide and is good for life.

You are no longer a student; you are an explorer. The only question left is: where do you want to dive first?

Ready to take the plunge? Stop by Cactus to Coral Scuba to register for your SSI eLearning and let’s get you in the pool!