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Dive Options

Dive Options

School students with a marine component to their expedition will need to select their dive/snorkelling option. We understand there may be confusion around which is which, so we have put together this list to help with choosing!

If you have any questions regarding your dive qualification, please get in touch with diving@opwall.com

For more information on filling out your Marine medical documents on the portal, click here.

Dive Options include

PADI Open Water - Learn to dive
Qualified Diver
Snorkelling
Referral Diver

PADI Open Water - Learn to Dive

This course is for students who would like to learn to dive, or do not hold a PADI Open Water Diver qualification (or higher, or equivalent) to SCUBA dive*. Whilst on site, students will take part in a series of practice dives in confined water, and 4 practical dives (with theory lessons in-between), gaining a full PADI Open Water qualification. This certification allows divers to go down to 18m. The cost of this course is included in the price of an Opwall expedition, with only the learning materials/equipment hire being added on additionally.

*If you have taken part in a PADI Bubblemaker, PADI Discover SCUBA Diver or PADI Seal Team course, you will also need to select this option, as these courses do not allow you to dive as a qualified diver on an expedition.
Qualified Diver

For those who have already received their qualification to dive.

Whilst we are affiliated on our sites with PADI or SSI, dive qualifications from other dive agencies are accepted (i.e BSAC, SSI, CMAS, NAUI etc). These need to be at least equivalent to PADI Open Water Diver or above. On site you will take part in a series of lectures about the marine environment you are in, and taught how to take part in surveys underwater.

As mentioned, if you have ever taken part in a PADI Bubblemaker, PADI Discover SCUBA Diver or PADI Seal Team course, you will need to select the ‘PADI Open Water – Learn to Dive’ option, as these courses do not allow you to dive as a qualified diver on an expedition.

Snorkelling

This option is for those who would prefer to snorkel instead of SCUBA diving, or those who are unable to get a medical sign off to take part in SCUBA diving activities. On site, you will take part in a series of lectures about the marine environment you are in, and be taught how to take part in surveys whilst snorkelling.
Referral Course

For those that will be finishing off their PADI Open Water Referral course whilst on site. Students have the option to complete half of their course whilst in their home country. This would involve finding a dive centre near you and an additional cost.

This involves completing the theory and confined water sessions at home, and 4 open water qualifying dives on the Opwall expedition in the first half of the week. The second half of the week they would join in with our qualified divers to learn how to take part in surveys underwater, and our lecture series on the marine environment they are in.

For more information on this course, please see:
opwall.com/dive-options/padi-referral-course/