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Open Water Dives
There are Four (4) Open Water Dives (on all four dives, you will be expected to put your gear together by yourself AND do a buddy check prior to entering the water):
Dive One -- Starts with doing a "weight check" to make sure you can sink -- but not too fast. The goal is to have sufficient weight, but not too much. Then we go for a "tour" of the dive site with a maximum depth of 40 feet for about 25 minutes total time. The average depth will be about 20 feet. The tour is for you to get a feel for the difference between diving in a warm pool and diving in dark, cloudy, cold salt water. This is the time to just relax, look around and "feel" your gear.
It is good to do another "weight check" at the end of the dive to see if you have too much weight or are just about right.
We may also do some "surface skills" -- regulator snorkel exchange, tired diver tow and cramp removal
Dive Two -- Starts with a weight check and then out to the float for descent down the line. At the bottom (or a little above the bottom), you'll spit out your second stage, recover and replace it. You'll demonstrate that you can partially flood and fully flood and clear your mask (yes, twice). In addition we'll do air sharing as both a donor and recipient. We'll then go out for another tour, again with a max depth of 40 feet and about a total time underwater of 25 minutes. At the end of the dive you'll demonstrate how to release your weights (dump your weight belt or weight pockets).
Day Two -- Dive Three -- Starts with a weight check and then out to the float for descent down the line. At the bottom (or a little above the bottom) you'll demonstrate orally inflating your BC to establish neutral buoyancy. You'll also flood and clear your mask and then do a CESA (Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent). You may also do a navigation exercise of going out and coming back using your compass.
You'll do some more surface skills -- navigating to the float using your compass and removing and replacing your gear in the shallow water.
Dive Four -- Starts with a weight check and then out to the float for a descent but without looking at anything except your buddy. If you have sucessfully done all of the prior skills, we will then go on tour. During the tour you will demonstrate removing and replacing your mask while in the water column (either being still or moving, but NOT hitting the bottom, going to the surface or hanging onto something). You will also demonstrate buoyancy control by hovering in place -- typically while looking at critters on a piling. At the end of this dive, as long as everything has gone smoothly, you will be confirmed as a PADI Open Water Scuba Diver.