![[Learning to Dive the Easy Way] Graceful Diver Claire Takes on Open Water Scuba Certification — It's Easier Than You Think](/_images/13841c2af72a-1440w.webp)
（Don't forget to click below to watch the video!）
（Don't forget to click above to watch the video!）
Graceful diver Claire was talked into it by diving sweetheart Albee, and successfully brainwashed herself into earning her Open Water scuba diving certification in the summer of 2018. Diving really isn't that hard — as long as you have the heart for it, you can fall in love with this sport right along with us. Next time, look forward to seeing where graceful diver Claire and diving sweetheart Albee take us next!
Before you dive into this article, let's revisit a piece we shared earlier: Your First Step to the Ocean: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving & Freediving Explained. It gives you a solid introduction to snorkeling, freediving, and scuba diving. In this article, the Editor wants to share everything about the most foundational scuba diving certification — the Scuba Diving Open Water Certificate (Open Water Diver) — and what you need to prepare so you can safely and happily take your very first plunge into the deep blue.
There Are So Many Dive Certifications — Which One Is Right for Me?
Alright, let's take it step by step. Dive certifications are named differently depending on the agency, but the general progression for recreational diving goes something like this:
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Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert)
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Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI cert)
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Rescue Diver (PADI cert)
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Divemaster (PADI cert)
If you're a complete beginner ready to step into inner space, there's no question about it — earning your Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert) is your one and only starting point. From there, you can work your way up at your own pace.
What on Earth Are PADI (certification agency), SDI (certification agency), SSI (certification agency), and CMAS?
The above are some of the most common international scuba diving certification agencies. In terms of market share, PADI (certification agency) is the largest card-issuing organization in the world. But from the Editor's own experience, the agency itself isn't really the most important factor — the instructor who guides you into the sport is. As the saying goes: "A great instructor takes you to heaven; a lousy instructor…" Each agency has its own slight variations in teaching approach, and if you happen to have crossed multiple agencies over time like the Editor has, you may get to compare the differences firsthand.
Does "Recreational Diving" Mean Just Chilling Out Underwater?
No, no, no, dear. Recreational diving is a term used in contrast to technical diving. Within the framework of recreational diving, entering decompression mode is not encouraged — meaning you don't need to go through the more complex decompression process and can ascend directly to the surface. We know that probably sounds like gibberish right now, but the bottom line is: as long as you follow recreational diving guidelines, you are very safe. Of course, you can always venture into the world of technical diving — including cave diving, wreck diving, deep diving, multi-tank diving, and other advanced techniques — but that naturally depends on the depth of your wallet!
Are There Any Restrictions for Recreational Diving? I've Heard It Can Be Dangerous!
Every agency has its own regulations regarding learning scuba diving, including age requirements and medical conditions. For full details, check with your nearest dive shop. As for the dangers of diving — it's a lot like driving a car. Your driving school teaches you not to drink and drive and not to run red lights. If you insist on doing both, don't be surprised when bad luck comes knocking. Recreational diving is an extremely safe sport, as long as you apply the theory taught in the course and follow your instructor's guidance. You'll be enjoying the weightless inner space of the deep blue in no time.
Tuition Prices Vary Wildly — I'm Afraid of Getting Ripped Off!
Many new students make price their primary consideration, but as the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for." When a shop slashes prices to attract students, they may be cutting corners on your safety, or they may have a "teach it and forget it" attitude — rushing through the course because they don't expect you to come back. We recommend doing some research online beforehand, or asking friends, family, or acquaintances if they have an instructor they'd personally recommend.
In Taiwan, an Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert) certification typically costs between NT$11,000 and NT$18,000. This generally includes all equipment rental and scuba tank fees during the certification dives. Some shops even bundle in accommodation or complimentary gear as part of a special package, so it's well worth comparing your options. Teaching quality is another key consideration — some lower-priced courses are group classes, while higher-end options advertise small-group instruction. It pays to ask plenty of questions before signing up.
So What Exactly Do You Learn in an Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert) Course?
This is important! A complete Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert) course should include academic theory (written exam), confined water skills, and open water ocean dives.
Academic Theory (Written Exam): This covers the foundational knowledge you need for diving, including decompression theory, air management, and ocean hazards. It's not overly complicated — think of it as going back to junior or senior high school and listening to a teacher lecture!
Confined Water Skills: This takes place in a relatively safe, controlled body of water — usually a swimming pool in urban areas, or sometimes a harbor at dive shops on outlying islands. At this stage, you'll practice basic skills and learn how to assemble your equipment. If your dive shop skips the confined water sessions and takes you straight into the ocean to complete everything, that's a serious red flag for their safety standards!
Open Water Ocean Dives: Once you've completed your foundational practice in confined water, you move on to open water ocean dives. Here you'll encounter ocean swells, lower visibility than in confined water, and the challenge of buoyancy control at greater depths — all experiences that tend to leave a lasting impression on first-timers. Depending on the agency's standards, you should complete a minimum of 4 open water dives, during which you'll repeat all the skills practiced in the confined water sessions.
Requirements vary slightly between agencies, but here are the skills commonly covered in a standard Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert) course. If your course feels too brief or simplified, double-check whether you paid significantly below the market rate:
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Equipment assembly
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Mask clearing
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Buddy breathing / air sharing
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Second stage regulator recovery
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BCD auto-inflate removal
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Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA)
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Surface inflation to establish positive buoyancy
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Establishing neutral buoyancy underwater
What Level of Certification Should I Aim For?
Completing your Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert) is just the beginning — at this level, you're still a fresh face. Under the certification standards, your maximum depth is limited to 18m, and you cannot participate in special dives such as night diving. If you ever dream of traveling abroad to swim with Whale Sharks, the Editor strongly recommends going on to earn your Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI cert). This certification introduces you to specialties like deep diving, night diving, navigation, and boat diving — all essential skills for anyone who saves up to travel overseas and wants to make the most of every dive. Otherwise you might find yourself stuck at 18m watching everyone else's fins as they descend to 28m to visit pygmy seahorses (true story — this happened to the Editor).
On top of that, an Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) certification is an absolute must-have. Diving with enriched air nitrox (oxygen concentration above 21%) means you can stay underwater longer and enjoy a greater no-decompression limit (NDL). Ah — right, that probably means nothing to you yet. But word has it that breathing nitrox is great for your skin, keeps your brain sharp, and helps you score 100 on every test. If that irresponsible sales pitch isn't enough to make you call your instructor right now, we don't know what will!
Earning your certification is just the beginning — only by continuing to dive will you grow as a diver, and along the way, you'll come to appreciate everything the ocean has to offer.
Well, after all that rambling from the Editor, your head is probably spinning and you're not sure where to start. Click the links below to find the nearest dive shop and go in for a consultation. Once you feel that urge to learn to dive, all that's left is to sign up (and hand over the cash)!
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