The eLearning course means you spend time at home learning rather than in-location, which makes it great if you have limited time.
The PADI Open Water Diver [eLearning] course consists of three main phases:
1) Knowledge development: you will complete this at your leisure at home, using PADI's e-learning system. This will cover everything you need to know about basic techniques, terminology and safety procedures in scuba diving. For each concept, you read the explanations and watch the demonstration on a video. You'll get the support of your local PADI Instructor via Video Call or email through the eLearning system and can schedule an in-person orientation with them.
2) Confined water dives: these are training sessions conducted in a pool or water with pool-like conditions. You’ll learn and practice the basic skills of diving as well as techniques to keep you safe and you’ll run though how to deal with a range situations should they occur. The sessions in the swimming pool are a lot of fun and give the opportunity to get familiar with the gear and techniques in a safe environment.
3) Open water dives: This is what it’s all about – making your first dives in the ocean! During the four open water dives, you will perform various dive skills both under water and at the surface to make sure that you are a competent and safe diver. The training portion usually only takes up the first part of the dive, meaning that you will get to spend a big part of your time diving with your instructor and exploring the underwater world.
As soon as your open water training dives are approved by your instructor you will be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver! This means you will be allowed to rent diving equipment and dive anywhere in the world down to 18 meters, lifelong!
