Open Water Certification
Your passport to the underwater world begins with the SSI Open Water Scuba Diver certification. This class opens the door to the sport of scuba diving; by completing their coursework, Ocean First Diver’s graduates are instilled with the knowledge and skills necessary to be safe, responsible, conscientious divers. In addition to providing a complete educational program, we include an introductory lecture on marine biology to create greater accountability and awareness in our students.
Ocean First Divers limits our classes to 6 students, well below the maximum allowed by SSI, to ensure a better student-to-instructor ratio. We feel this is important in creating a fun, informative and safe scuba environment where focus is on education, conservation and diver safety.
In the Open Water Scuba course, you will acquire and refine all the skills necessary to ensure proper diving techniques, paving the way for future continuing education opportunities, while also learning about the importance and wonderful beauty of the underwater environment.
At Ocean First Divers, we have an exceptional training facility, complete with digital classrooms and an 88 degree, 12' deep pool. This affords students proper equalization practice and the ability to perfect their buoyancy skills without depth concerns.
Step 1: Choose your schedule and dates.
Contact us, or stop by to reserve your spot.
We happily arrange private classes as well!
Step 2: Stop by OFD to complete your store orientation and purchase your Open Water Diving System.
After enrolling we will provide you with a access pass to begin the online home study requirement. Please complete the entire online program PRIOR to the start of your class. We recommend allowing yourself at least a week to do the home study. If you don't already own your own set of mask, snorkel, and fins or if it's time to upgrade be sure to come by and check out our selection before your class begins.
Step 3: Come for your scheduled class and pool sessions.
In the classroom you'll review what you've learned from the homework and hear about exotic destinations and exciting dive tales from your instructor. After that, you'll hop in our pool and enjoy the feeling of weightlessness while you learn essential skills needed for diving. Pool sessions for the course include tanks, weights, BCD, regulator, dive computer, wetsuit and a well-trained SSI Instructor. Bring your mask, fins, and snorkel (as well as a swimsuit and towel) and be ready to experience another world!
Step 4: Do your required 4 Open Water Check-out dives to COMPLETE your certification.
Ocean First Divers offers several great options for finishing your certification. We offer monthly local training at the Homestead Crater in Utah. You can also join us for a short getaway to
the Florida Keys, to a week among the megafauna of Socorro Island, the sandy beaches of Bonaire, or halfway around the world to Micronesia; OFD has trips to suit all tastes and budgets.
If you're already planning your own beach vacation, OFD will give you a referral packet to take along so you may complete your 4 dives at your chosen destination. Prices for these dives varies depending on location.
Upon completion of all of the steps listed above, you will be an official SSI certified Open Water Scuba Diver!
Don't forget to keep your skills sharp and continue your journey with our continuing education programs.