What is an Open Water Diver Course?
The Open Water Diver is your introductory course to recreational diving. The certification you earn is called a brevet and is recognized by dive centers and schools worldwide.
How deep can I dive as an Open Water Diver?
The OWD allows you, after successful completion, to conduct recreational dives up to 18 meters deep together with your dive buddy.
How does the Open Water Diver course work?
We offer this dive course with a maximum of 4 dive students per instructor; the first open water dive is even conducted in a 1:1 ratio with the Professional.
What does the Open Water Diver cost?
For the course, you book here in the window: course fee + eLearning Kit (SSI or PADI) + swimming pool entrance and, if you wish, the (physical) SSI certification card.
What theoretical knowledge do I need for the Open Water Diver?
The dive theory is taught via eLearning. Tauchsport Pape will provide you with the materials.
When registering for the course, we need your email address and your date of birth for eLearning registration and for dive insurance.
Duration
Theory via e-learning beforehand (in addition to the pool sessions)
3 practical sessions in the swimming pool.
4 dives over 2 days in open water
Minimum age: 15 years (from 10 years Junior OWD)
How do I register for the Open Water Diver course?
You register here with your preferred date and choose the online training materials you would like (SSI or PADI) and the swimming pool entrance. Then you will receive an email from us, which gives you access to the online theory. You can start with the dive theory in advance and also take the final exam during the course.
How long does the Open Water Diver course take?
- 3 evenings of theory and pool sessions
- 2 days in open water
On 3 dates (mostly evenings), our dive instructors will conduct scuba diving exercises with you in the swimming pool in Hofgeismar (where our dive shop is). You will learn safety procedures, how to move well underwater and how to hover (buoyancy).
What equipment do I need for diving?
You only need to bring your swimwear; we will provide the equipment.
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Wetsuit
- Regulator
- Dive Tank
- Regulator
- Dive computer
- Compass
- Signal buoy
Once you are familiar with the diving equipment, have successfully completed all pool exercises, and passed the final exam, we will conduct 4 dives with some exercises over 2 days in open water in a nearby lake. If you have met all requirements for scuba diving, you will receive the certification (diver's ID) in electronic form as an e-brevet in the SSI or PADI APP. With SSI, you can also order a certification card in credit card format immediately.
If something doesn't go well, or you need more training, we will arrange additional individual appointments with you.
Additional costs
Mask and snorkel (from EUR 59.00)
Teaching materials and certification
Swimming pool entrance fee
With SSI eLearning, you can start learning for your course online at home even before your course begins. You register at mySSI, then choose Tauchsport Pape as your training center and contact us; then you will receive your teaching materials from us.
For the PADI OWD course, you register with Tauchsport Pape by booking the course on your chosen date. Then we will activate your access to PADI eLearning.
We offer the OWD course from May to October, depending on weather and temperature in our lakes.
What is a Referral Course?
- Pool dives and theory with us in Germany
- Open water dives in your holiday country
In the winter season, we offer you the so-called Referral Course. We conduct the pool lessons and theory, and provide you with a referral. You can then complete the 4 open water dives in your holiday country and receive your certification (diver's ID) there. We can recommend dive centers around the world.
Am I insured during the dive course?
During your dive training, you are automatically insured through your instructor. To go diving, you must be healthy and be able to answer the health questions with no.
Click here for the health questionnaire
If you cannot answer all questions with no, you will need a medical certificate (dive fitness) to go diving.
Additional info for your start in the underwater world
Course Dates:
August 3, 4, and 7 Pool 7-10 PM and Theory, August 8 and 9 Open Water
Instructor: Uwe
September 7, 8, and 11 Pool 7-10 PM and Theory, September 12 and 13 Open Water
Instructor: Uwe
September 28, 29 and October 1 Pool 7-10 PM and Theory, October 3 and 4 Open Water
Instructor: Uwe
October 19, 20, 22 Pool 7-10 PM and Theory, October 24 and 25 Open Water
Instructor: Uwe
Appointment overview
Important Notes on Our Diving Courses
To go diving, you must be healthy. If you can answer all of the medical questions below with no, then you can go straight into the water. If not, then you need a diving medical certificate from a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are you currently suffering from an ear infection?
2. Have you had ear diseases, hearing loss or balance disorders in the past?
3. Have you had surgical interventions on your ears or sinuses in the past?
4. Are you currently suffering from a cold, gastrointestinal illness, sinusitis or bronchitis?
5. Have you had breathing difficulties, serious bouts of hay fever or allergies or lung diseases in the past?
6. Have you had a pneumothorax (collapsed lung), diseases or surgical interventions in the chest area in the past?
7. Do you suffer from active asthma, emphysema or tuberculosis?
8. Are you currently taking medication that contains warnings about any impairment of your mental or psychological abilities?
9. Do you suffer from behavioral problems or disorders of the central nervous system?
10. Are you or could you be pregnant?
11. Do you have an artificial bowel?
12. Have you had heart disease, a heart attack, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery in the past?
13. Have you had or do you currently have high blood pressure, angina or are you taking blood pressure-regulating medication?
14. Are you over 45 years old and are there cases of heart attacks or strokes in your family?
15. Have you had or do you suffer from bleeding or other blood problems?
16. Do you suffer from diabetes?
17. Have you had seizures, fainting spells, convulsions, epilepsy in the past or are you taking medication to prevent them?
18. Do you have problems with your back, arms or legs as a result of surgical interventions, injuries or fractures?
19. Do you suffer from panic attacks, agoraphobia or claustrophobia?
If you can answer all these questions with no, then jump into the water!
1. I currently have a cold (blocked nose).
2. I have/had respiratory problems or diseases.
3. I have/had asthma, tuberculosis, or emphysema.
4. I currently have an ear infection.
5. I frequently experience ear problems, diseases, or have had ear surgeries.
6. I have/had a sinus condition.
7. I have significant trouble equalizing the pressure in my ears in the mountains/on an airplane.
8. I am diabetic.
9. I have/had heart conditions (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, angina pectoris, heart attack).
10. I suffer from dizziness, fainting, or other seizures.
I suffer from a nervous system dysfunction.
11. I suffer from behavioral disorders or mental/psychological disorders (panic attacks, claustrophobia).
12. I have/had back problems or a spinal injury.
13. I am currently taking medication(s) that contain a warning that they may impair physical or mental performance (with the exception of anti-malarial medication).
14. I have recently had an illness or surgery.
15. I am currently receiving medical treatment or have a chronic illness.
If you can answer all these questions with no, then jump in the water!
When diving, it is important to be able to read your instruments well. Your glasses do not fit under the diving mask.
If you have a significant visual impairment, you can order a diving mask with prescription lenses from us. If you wear contact lenses, you must close your eyes when you remove your mask underwater.
If you have specific diving interests, then take a look to see if there's a specialty course for you.
For example, if you'd like to photograph or film underwater, are interested in wrecks or sidemount, or simply want to improve your buoyancy. Maybe there's something there for you.
If you want to start a Tec diving course, you will definitely need a valid diving medical certificate and diving insurance (DAN, Aquamed, etc.). For the Advanced Nitrox or higher, you'll need the Deep and Nitrox certifications, and of course, the recommended equipment for the course. You can also rent some of this equipment from us.
