PADI Advanced Open Water Course

Jacques Cousteau already said, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” When you will be underwater, nothing else will matter at all. You will experience the ultimate calmness. You will feel like an astronaut who is exploring a whole new planet. Everything will move slowly, including your fins and heartbeat. All your worries and problems will be left behind on dry land. You will simply breathe and enjoy whatever your eyes will witness. Fishes will come closer to you out of their curiosity. You will be an alien in their world. 

Taking the PADI Advanced Water Diver course means advancing your scuba diving skills. You will be practising navigation and buoyancy, diving deep, and making three speciality dives of your choice (like a speciality sampler platter). You can earn credit toward PADI speciality certifications for each speciality dive completed by you.

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Some of the Options are as Follows:

  • Deep
  • Digital Underwater Photography
  • Dive Against Debris
  • Dry Suit
  • Enriched Air Nitrox
  • Fish Identification
  • Night
  • Peak Performance Buoyancy
  • Search & Recovery
  • Underwater Naturalist
  • Underwater Navigation
  • Wreck Diver

Taking This course will Help You in:

  • Gaining more diving experience
  • Practising navigation
  • Sampling different types of diving

You Will Learn how to:

  • Explore below 18 meters/60 feet
  • Improve your buoyancy
  • Use a compass

PADI Advanced Water Diver course includes a total of five dives – a deep dive below 18 meters/60 feet, a navigation dive, and three specialty dives. You will gain experience, build confidence, and enhance your diving abilities.

  • Prerequisites - Open Water Diver/Junior Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification)
  • Total time commitment - Two to three days
  • Minimum age: 12 years or older
  • Depth: Maximum depth is up to 30 metres/100 feet. However, it will depend on your age. The maximum depth is 21 metres/70 feet for twelve to fifteen years old divers.

Speciality Dives

These Speciality dives are available almost anywhere:

  • Deep
  • Fish Identification
  • Night
  • Peak Performance Buoyancy
  • Digital Underwater Imaging
  • Search & Recovery
  • Underwater Naturalist
  • Underwater Navigation

The below-mentioned Speciality dives are not available at all locations. Contact your instructor or dive shop for confirming availability if you are interested in any of these: 

  • Adaptive Support
  • Altitude
  • Boat
  • Cavern
  • Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB)
  • Dive Against Debris
  • Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV)
  • Drift
  • Dry Suit
  • Enriched Air
  • Full Face Mask
  • Ice
  • Rebreather
  • Self-Reliant diving
  • Shark Conservation
  • Sidemount
  • Wreck

Top 10 effects to keep in mind while diving

  • Pick up a good day

    Diving is greatly affected by weather conditions. Underwater currents are created by waves and they make it tough to reach the point of immersion. If the conditions are unfavourable, then try another day. No compromise should be made in such a situation.

  • Get all your questions answered

    You should not go underwater with doubts in your mind because once you are down, then you will not be able to communicate. It is vital that you know what you should do at any time, the protocols, etc. In order to ensure total safety, ask everything from your instructor whatever is there in your mind.

  • Breathe

    Remember to breathe normally because you have an oxygen cylinder on your back. There may be situations when your nerves or instinct may make you keep from holding your breath while you dive. But just focus on relaxing along with inhaling and exhaling slowly as if you were on the land. Never hold your breath.

  • Follow your gut feeling

    Believe your instinct. We, humans, are wise and can perceive, instinctively, when something is not going as planned. In case of doubt, analyse the situation and contact your trainer.

  • Look but don’t touch

    Forget what you see in movies or documentaries. The basic rule under the water is to look at everything but touch nothing. Even if you want to. There are different fishes, seaweed, corals, etc. about which you don’t know anything. They may harm you if you interfere with their privacy. Be cautious.

  • Rise cautiously

    After the dive, do not be in a rush to return to the surface. By hurrying, you can hurt your lungs because of experiencing a sudden change in pressure. You should rise slower than the column of bubbles released with each exhalation of air.

  • Don’t move too much

    In comparison with air, water is nearly 800 times denser. Thus, any movement means much more effort. Try not to move too much so that you don’t get tired fast, and some air is saved. 

  • Be a good partner

    You only have one another under the water. So try to be a good diving partner always. Know your limitations as well as your partner’s- diving level, health status, underwater communication, equipment status, etc. 

  • Get ready (physically & mentally)

    Safe diving includes excellent physical fitness and attitude. It is essential that you maintain a positive outlook under the water and also be able to control your nerves in case you come across any trouble. 

  • Check the equipment

    Two pairs of eyes see more than one. So, make sure that you check yours as well as your partner’s equipment before the dive. Also, make sure that the neoprene and glasses adapt properly to your body.

    If you have decided to take that leap of faith, then Havelock Island (now known as Swaraj Dweep) is your one-stop destination. The island is known for the best diving spots in India. The azure waters are clear that ensure good visibility. Also, you may spot colourful corals at some sites. The PADI-certified, experienced divers at Aqua Nomads are committed to making sure that you have an experience of a lifetime under the water. The instructor will be with you during the whole time of your dive.

Medical requirements

A minimum level of health and fitness is required for scuba diving. In case you are suffering from any chronic health condition, or taking certain medications and/or had surgery recently, you will have to get written approval from a physician before diving. In order to avoid any confusion, you can simply download and review the Diver Medical Form to make sure that you will not require approval from a physician to dive. You should not ask your instructor, dive master, or dive shop staff for medical advice as they are not physicians. Only medical professionals can give medical clearance to dive if you do not have a minimum level of health and fitness.

Prerequisites & Minimum Age

Course prerequisites:

  • PADI Open Water Diver, Junior Open Water Diver, or qualifying entry-level certification
  • The minimum age to begin the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is twelve years.
  • Divers, who are fifteen years or older, earn an Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
  • Divers, who are between the age of twelve and fourteen years, earn a Junior Advanced Open Water.
  • Diver certification divers of ten and eleven years can earn a Junior Adventure Diver certification. They can complete the deep dive upon turning twelve years. They can also earn a Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

At the age of fifteen years, Junior Advanced Open Water Divers automatically become Advanced Open Water Divers. An Advanced Open Water Diver (not Junior Advanced Open Water Diver) certification will be shown automatically in case of any replacement certification card or ecard purchased the day after the diver’s fifteenth birthday.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. 1 : How long does it take to complete the PADI Advanced Open Water Course?

    Answer: The PADI Advanced Open Water Course usually takes about 2 to 3 days to complete. The duration is entirely dependent on the dive center/resort as well as their scheduling of adventure dives. The overall course comprises 5 adventure dives, inclusive of three elective dives, a necessary underwater navigation dive, and one deep dive. One can complete the knowledge development part of the course in a classroom setting or via eLearning. The exact time required for completing the PADI Advanced Open Water Course can also vary on the basis of factors like student progress, equipment availability, and weather conditions.
  • Q. 2 : Do you have to carry your own scuba diving equipment for taking the PADI Advanced Open Water Course?

    Answer: Although it is highly recommended that you carry your own scuba diving equipment for familiarity and comfort, it is not compulsory for you to bring your equipment to take the course. A majority of resorts and dive centers provide the students with rental equipment, encompassing tanks, regulators, masks, fins, and wetsuits. Nonetheless, it is crucial to ensure the equipment fits you right and is in an acceptable condition ahead of using it. If you ask us, we would suggest you think about buying your own fins, snorkel, and mask for better comfort and proper fitting.
  • Q. 3 : How much does a PADI Advanced Open Water Course cost?

    Answer: The PADI Advanced Open Water Course cost depends on the resort or dive center along with its location. Generally, the course fee is inclusive of the certification fee, equipment rental, and instructions. Additional expenses may comprise course materials, accommodation, and transportation. We recommend you perform thorough research and comparison of several resorts or dive centers in order to look for the best value for your preferences as well as your budget before you finally pick one.
  • Q. 4 : Can one complete their PADI Advanced Open Water Course via eLearning?

    Answer: Yes, PADI provides PADI Advanced Open Water Course through eLearning, which enables individuals to finish their knowledge development part of the course online at their own pace. Individuals are still required to take the five adventure dives under the guidance of a certified PADI instructor at a resort or dive center. The choice of opting for eLearning can be a flexible and convenient option for completing the course, particularly if one has a limited period of time or wishes to get over with their knowledge development part prior to their arrival on the dive spot.
  • Q. 5 : Do you have to be a proficient swimmer to take the PADI Advanced Open Water Course?

    Answer: The answer is no. Even though being proficient in swimming can turn out to be greatly helpful for scuba diving, one does not necessarily have to be an expert in swimming in order to take the PADI Advanced Open Water Course. The course is entirely focused on diving knowledge and skills and you will usually be utilizing fins along with other equipment to pass through the water. Nonetheless, you must be comfortable in the water and be able to swim for short lengths if required.
  • Q. 6 : What is the key difference between the PADI Rescue Diver Course and PADI Advanced Open Water Course?

    Answer: While both PADI Rescue Diver Course and the PADI Advanced Open Water Course are scuba diving certification courses, the two are focused on varying areas of diving. The latter is created to aid certified divers to obtain more skills and experience in various areas of diving, like underwater navigation and deep diving. Contrary to this, the first is focused on developing emergency response techniques and rescue skills, like undertaking rescue scenarios, administering first aid, and identifying and responding to diving accidents. Essentially, the PADI Rescue Diver Course is known to be a more advanced course as compared to the PADI Advanced Open Water Course.
  • Q. 7 : Can you take the PADI Advanced Open Water Course even if you have a medical condition?

    Answer: The answer to the question is dependent on the kind of medical condition you have and the extent to which it affects your driving abilities. Prior to taking a scuba diving course, including PADI Advanced Open Water Course, you will be required to fill out a medical questionnaire and obtain clearance from a physician if required. While some medical conditions need additional accommodation or precautions, others may prevent you from performing the sport. Remember, never lie about your medical condition just for the sake of doing the course - it can turn out to be extremely risky and has the potential to harm you. Always be honest about the same and discuss all your concerns with your PADI instructor and your doctor before you participate in the course.
  • Q. 8 : What sort of certification will you get after the completion of the PADI Advanced Open Water Course?

    Answer: Once you are done with the PADI Advanced Open Water Course, you will get the PADI Advanced Open Water Course certification. It will enable you to take a plunge to the highest depth of 100 feet or 30 meters with a certified companion. The same is recognized across the globe and can be utilized for partaking in additional advanced diving courses as well as exploring novel diving destinations and sites.
  • Q. 9 : What is covered in the PADI Advanced Open Water Course?

    Answer: The PADI Advanced Open Water Course covers a wide array of knowledge and skills associated with diving. The necessary Deep Dive is concentrated on deep diving techniques, such as proper buoyancy control, emergency decompression procedures, and nitrogen narcosis management. The Underwater Navigation Dive includes navigation techniques, like natural navigation and the use of a compass. The elective dives can comprise topics like search and recovery, peak performance buoyancy, drift diving, wreck diving, and night diving. The course further consists of knowledge development on dive safety, dive planning, and dive theory.


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