If you’ve always wanted to take scuba diving lessons, experience unparalleled adventure and see the world beneath the waves, this is where it starts.
The PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases. The first is Knowledge Development, which covers everything you need to know about basic techniques, terminology and safety procedures in scuba diving. The second is Confined Water Dives, which are training sessions conducted in a pool or water with pool-like conditions. They give you the opportunity to get used to the gear you'll be using and practice the basic skills of diving and techniques to keep you safe. The third is your Open Water Dives. This is what it's all about - you'll make your first dives in the ocean! During four dives, you'll perform various skills under water and on the surface to make sure you're a safe and competent 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/60 feet, lifelong!
The course cost covers your eLearning academics, instructor fees, certification fees, and use of a BCD, regulator, tanks, weights, and a wetsuit.
Each student will be required to have their own personal mask, snorkel, fins, boots, and octo necklace that can be purchased at 15% discount from Smoky Mountain Divers, inc.
Optionally, we recommend that each student purchase their own BCD, regulator, dive computer, and any other piece of gear they would like to have while they are training, so that while they are learning how to scuba dive they will also be learning in the gear they will be using. Students will receive a 15% discount on these gear items while they are still enrolled in the Open Water Diver course.
Scheduling notes:
During the months of November - May, our confined water pool sessions will primarily occur on Saturday, and some Sunday, mornings from 8:00am-11:00am. Our open water dives will be scheduled around monthly trips to the Florida Springs. Florida Springs Dive Trips are an additional cost, and may require additional personal gear to ensure a safe comfortable training experience.
During the months of June - October, we have the freedom to schedule confined water sessions and open water dives locally. Most confined water training will occur on Tuesday & Wednesday evenings, and open water dives will be on Saturdays and Sundays. Please contact us for specific scheduling needs and questions.
At the dive center
Address: 6635 Kingsport Highway, Gray, Tennessee, 37615, United States of America (USA)
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