1. Introductory Briefing + Shallow Water Training

Most PADI Open Water Courses in Sri Lanka begin with a short introductory briefing covering:

• Basic scuba theory
• Equipment overview
• Breathing techniques
• Equalization
• Underwater signs
• Essential safety rules
• Simple skills like regulator recovery & partial mask clearing

This usually lasts 20–30 minutes.

Shallow Water Practice

Next, you’ll head into shallow water (water where you can stand). Here we practice:

• Breathing underwater
• Equalizing
• Basic comfort skills

Once you’re comfortable, you’ll begin your first 12m open water dive at a real dive site.

2. Confined Water (Pool) Training – 5 Separate Sessions That Can be done together  (PADI Standard)

The confined water portion of the PADI Open Water Course includes 5 training sessions, each building on the last.

This takes place in a swimming pool or calm, pool-like environment.

You’ll learn essential problem-solving skills such as:

• Mask removal & replacement
• No-mask swimming
• Regulator recovery
• Alternate air source use + ascent
• Cramp release
• Tired diver tow
• Buoyancy practice
• Equipment removal & replacement (surface + underwater)
• Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA)
• And much more

These sessions are designed to slowly build your comfort and confidence before entering deeper water.

3. Open Water Dives (12m & 18m)

Your PADI course includes two open water training dives at increasing depths:

• Open Water Dive 2 : Max 12 meters
• Open Water Dive 3 & 4  : Max 18 meters

During these dives, you’ll repeat some skills from the pool and practice real diving techniques in the ocean.

To pass, you must perform all skills:

• Fluidly
• Confidently
• In a repeatable manner
• According to PADI standards

Even 10-year-old students complete these successfully – that’s the minimum age for the course.

4. Dive Theory, Safety & Equipment Knowledge

Throughout your training, you will also learn the essential academic side of scuba diving, including:

• How diving equipment works
• How to clean and maintain your gear
• Pressure & buoyancy theory
• Decompression theory
• Diving illnesses and how to prevent them
• Lost diver procedures
• NDL (No-Decompression Limits)
• How to use a dive computer
• Environmental awareness & ocean safety

You will also receive a PADI manual for independent study. If you need support, your instructor will guide you.

Final Exam

The exam consists of 50 easy multiple-choice questions.

Passing score: 75%

Most students score above 95%.

5. Certification & Logging Your Dives

After completing all requirements, your instructor will:

• Approve your PADI certification
• Assist with logging your training dives
• Explain your next steps as a qualified Open Water Diver

You will officially join the global community of certified divers.

Course Schedule Note (Important)

Different dive centers may follow different timetables or teaching styles.

The structure above is the method our dive center is most familiar with, proven over years of training divers safely and effectively in Sri Lanka.

The skills, sessions, and PADI standards remain the same – only the schedule may differ.