SSI Open Water Diver Program
Open Water Diver Program Goal:
The SSI Open Water Diver (OWD) certification is a globally recognized entry-level scuba qualification that equips you with the fundamental knowledge and skills to dive safely and autonomously in open water environments.
The minimum age to enroll in a full, unrestricted Open Water course is 15 years old. After receiving your certification, you can dive autonomously with an equally- or more-qualified buddy up to a depth of 60 feet (18 meters) and without the supervision of a instructor.
For 12 – 14 years old (Junior Open Water Diver): after receiving your certification, you can dive with a certified adult buddy up to a depth of 60 feet (18 meters) and without the supervision of a instructor.
For 10 – 11 years old (Junior Open Water Diver): after receiving your certification, you can dive with an active dive professional, or a parent/legal guardian who is a certified diver up to a depth of 40 feet (12 meters) and without the supervision of a instructor.
Note: Junior certifications automatically upgrade to the standard Open Water Diver classification (inheriting the standard depth limits and regular buddy protocols) upon the diver's 15th birthday.
For children aged 6 to 9 who are not yet eligible for open water training, see the SSI Explorers program.
Course Description and Structure:
This course is designed to take you from a non-diver to a certified Open Water Diver capable of diving with a buddy independent of an instructor and limited to 60 feet (18 meters) or as a Junior Open Water Diver as described above.
The course is dived in 3 sections:
Online Training:
It's a self-study academic session (6 modules on physics, physiology, equipment, environment) accessible via browser or mobile app that you can do at your own pace. We recommended completing it before the pool sessions.
Pool Sessions:
Include 4 to 6 pool sessions held in Aqua-Hut private 88° F pool on your own schedule. You learn skills and practice them up to proficiency to become a comfortable and safe driver.
Open Water Check-out Dives:
You complete four dives in an open water environment to demonstrate proficiency and get your certification.
You have 2 main options to complete you check-out dive:
We are lucky to 2 nice and well structured local dive quarries where you can safely complete your certification. At 45 mins or 1 hour away and open from June up to October.
If timing does not work with your schedule, you can also complete your dives in another SSI Dive Center with our Universal Referral program.
Address
2543 N. Reynolds Rd.
Toledo, OH 43615
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