SSI Open Water Diver
Your ticket to the underwater world - the OPEN WATER DIVER certificate. Your SSI Student Manual, DVD and water training sessions combined will help you learn everything you need to know to start your adventure the fun and correct way. The SSI Student Manual includes study guide questions at the end of each section to help you retain your new knowledge and test your retention. During your SSI Open Water Diver training sessions you will learn all of the necessary skills and safe diving procedures to be a comfortable confident diver.
SSI Open Water Diver certification cards are recognized throughout the world. They entitle you to dive with other certified divers, enable you to purchase/rent equipment and obtain air fills anywhere you choose to dive.
SSI Open Water Diver certification cards are recognized throughout the world. They entitle you to dive with other certified divers, enable you to purchase/rent equipment and obtain air fills anywhere you choose to dive.
Open Water Course Dates
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Please call the shop at
(250) 832-5737 or e-mail us if you would like to sign up or find out more information about the open water or specialty scuba courses.
Course Photos
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Course Schedule
Classroom #1: Meet at Copper Island Diving store for Introductions, Student folder and Short Video. We cover Chapters 1 and 2 in the course manual along with orientation of retail store and amenities. Learn to pre-assemble and dismantle Dive Equipment.
Pool #1: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment sizing and pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm Rec Centre. We Learn Snorkeling and Snorkeling techniques, cover safety precautions, underwater hand signals, mask clearing, and regulator clearing. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive anywhere in shallow end of pool, working on "Neutral" Buoyancy.
Classroom #2: Meet at Copper Island Diving store for classroom theory. Review Chapter 1 and 2 questions, cover Chapter 3 (Physics and Physiology of Diving).
Pool #2: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm Rec Centre. We review pool Session 1. New skills to learn are Entry Techniques into water with full Scuba Gear. We learn weight belt removal and replacement underwater. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive anywhere in shallow end of pool, working on "Neutral" Buoyancy.
Classroom #3: Meet at Copper Island Diving store for classroom theory. Review Chapter 3 questions, cover Chapter 4 (Dive Tables and Computer Diving).
Pool #3: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm rec Centre. We review pool session 1 and 2. New skills: more entry techniques into water with full Scuba Gear. Equipment removal and replacement underwater (while breathing on Scuba). Learn step one of sharing air with a Dive buddy. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive starting in the deep end of pool. "Neutral" Buoyancy is the main focus.
Classroom #4: Meet at Copper Island Diving store for classroom theory. Review Chapter 4 questions, cover Chapters 5 and 6 (Tides, currents, marine life, career options).
Pool #4: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm Rec Centre. We review pool session 1, 2, and 3. New skills: more entry techniques into water with full Scuba Gear, Equipment Removal and Replacement underwater (while breathing on Scuba). Move to deep end for remainder of class and learn step two of sharing air with buddy. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive focusing on "Neutral" Buoyancy.
Classroom #5: Meet at Copper Island Diving store for classroom theory. Review Chapters 5 and 6. Review Open Water Manual before written test.
Pool #5: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm Rec Centre. We review ALL pool sessions in deep end of pool and focus on basic rescue techniques. All skills this time to be preformed with cold water hoods, gloves, boots, and fins. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive focusing on "Neutral" Buoyancy and Underwater Games like: Frisbee, catch, fishing, and others will be explored.
Open Water Certification: Open Water means a body of water which is not confined or collected (like a pool). It is required that 4 Open Water Dives (Lake or Ocean) take place before certification can be issued. All in water skills that were taught in the pool will be demonstrated by students to Instructor in an Open Water environment for evaluation to gain a Certification card. Generally a 2 day weekend for local dives or a 3 day weekend for Coastal dives will be scheduled for this. Time and place of Open Water Dives will be determined with Students during 3rd or 4th Classroom theory sessions.
Pool #1: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment sizing and pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm Rec Centre. We Learn Snorkeling and Snorkeling techniques, cover safety precautions, underwater hand signals, mask clearing, and regulator clearing. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive anywhere in shallow end of pool, working on "Neutral" Buoyancy.
Classroom #2: Meet at Copper Island Diving store for classroom theory. Review Chapter 1 and 2 questions, cover Chapter 3 (Physics and Physiology of Diving).
Pool #2: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm Rec Centre. We review pool Session 1. New skills to learn are Entry Techniques into water with full Scuba Gear. We learn weight belt removal and replacement underwater. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive anywhere in shallow end of pool, working on "Neutral" Buoyancy.
Classroom #3: Meet at Copper Island Diving store for classroom theory. Review Chapter 3 questions, cover Chapter 4 (Dive Tables and Computer Diving).
Pool #3: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm rec Centre. We review pool session 1 and 2. New skills: more entry techniques into water with full Scuba Gear. Equipment removal and replacement underwater (while breathing on Scuba). Learn step one of sharing air with a Dive buddy. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive starting in the deep end of pool. "Neutral" Buoyancy is the main focus.
Classroom #4: Meet at Copper Island Diving store for classroom theory. Review Chapter 4 questions, cover Chapters 5 and 6 (Tides, currents, marine life, career options).
Pool #4: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm Rec Centre. We review pool session 1, 2, and 3. New skills: more entry techniques into water with full Scuba Gear, Equipment Removal and Replacement underwater (while breathing on Scuba). Move to deep end for remainder of class and learn step two of sharing air with buddy. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive focusing on "Neutral" Buoyancy.
Classroom #5: Meet at Copper Island Diving store for classroom theory. Review Chapters 5 and 6. Review Open Water Manual before written test.
Pool #5: Meet at the Dive Shop for equipment pre-assembly. Load into Shop truck and carpool to Salmon Arm Rec Centre. We review ALL pool sessions in deep end of pool and focus on basic rescue techniques. All skills this time to be preformed with cold water hoods, gloves, boots, and fins. The evening is finished off with free time to Scuba Dive focusing on "Neutral" Buoyancy and Underwater Games like: Frisbee, catch, fishing, and others will be explored.
Open Water Certification: Open Water means a body of water which is not confined or collected (like a pool). It is required that 4 Open Water Dives (Lake or Ocean) take place before certification can be issued. All in water skills that were taught in the pool will be demonstrated by students to Instructor in an Open Water environment for evaluation to gain a Certification card. Generally a 2 day weekend for local dives or a 3 day weekend for Coastal dives will be scheduled for this. Time and place of Open Water Dives will be determined with Students during 3rd or 4th Classroom theory sessions.