Committed to our blue planet, PADI is making the wonder of the underwater world accessible to all. Encouraging people around the world to experience, explore and take meaningful action to protect the world beneath the surface, as a scuba diver – or as a mermaid!

‘Mermaiding’ is a growing trend around the globe and PADI’s Mermaid Courses are designed to offer ocean enthusiasts an exciting new outlet for exploring the underwater world in an entirely unique and magical way while learning new skills.

A great way to keep physically fit and mentally healthy while adding a bit of sparkle to your summer. No previous dive experience is required. Anyone over the age of 6 can start their mermaid journey, with PADI Mermaid Centres around the world ready to teach you the art of tail flipping in a truly transformational journey.

Harness your own magic and learn to become a PADI Mermaid, where you will learn to master the art of breath holding, how to swim, dive and perform mermaiding skills with a monofin and tail, while interacting with marine life and learning how to be a voice for the ocean and all life that calls it home.

While there’s a lot of fun involved, PADI Mermaids supports ocean advocacy. It highlights the importance of looking after the ocean and driving conservation initiatives such as ocean clean-ups and kelp restoration projects, as well as making the ocean accessible to all.

PADI Discover Scuba Diving

If you’re a complete novice to scuba diving and you want to see if it’s for you, why not enrol in a PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD), a short try-diving experience for adults and children aged 10+?

You’ll take your first breaths underwater with this course that introduces you to the basics of scuba diving without certifying you as a diver. The DSD programme is a single-day activity, so it’s a great introduction for those interested in trying scuba but lacking spare time.

The PADI DSD program typically involves a detailed briefing on the effects of water pressure, underwater communication, equipment use and diving safety. Then, you’re ready to go!

PADI Open Water Certification

Quite simply, diving is a life-changing experience. Chances are, if you’ve tested the waters with a PADI DSD, you’ll be thinking about becoming a diver. As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to dive in and learn to scuba. The weather is generally better; the waters are warmer and the seas calmer. These conditions are ideal to get scuba certified.

The first step is to book your PADI Open Water Diver Course with a verified PADI Dive Centre. In doing so, you can be assured you’re receiving top training from qualified dive professionals. They will guide you as you begin this exciting journey underwater.

The Open Water Course

PADI’s Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular and widely recognised scuba diving certification. You can become a certified diver in as little as four days, or over the course of a year. Once certified, you can:

• Scuba dive with a partner (without supervision)
• Rent or purchase scuba diving gear
• Book excursions with dive boats and resorts
• Get air fills at local dive shops
• Call yourself a certified diver!

A scuba certification course is much more than just learning how to explore the underwater world safely (but that’s definitely covered). It’s a great way to reconnect with the natural world.

What’s in the PADI Open Water Course?

Phase 1: Knowledge Development

You must be at least 10 years old, able to swim, and in good physical health to enroll in a scuba diving course. In some countries, you may be required to attend a medical with a physician (your PADI Dive Centre will advise you if this is the case). If you meet these qualifications, the first thing you’ll do is learn scuba diving fundamentals during phase one, ‘Knowledge Development’.

During knowledge development, you’ll learn all about scuba equipment, familiarise yourself with scuba terminology, and watch videos of diving skills. It is self-study, so you control the time it takes for you to comfortably go through the material. Most people pace themselves and complete their knowledge development over a few weeks, but it can be completed in a matter of days.

The most popular choice for knowledge development is PADI eLearning®, an independent study option where you read, watch videos, and take quizzes using your computer or mobile device. Complete your scuba studies whenever, wherever it’s convenient. On average, the programme requires eight hours to complete.

At the end of knowledge development, you’ll take a final exam to ensure you have a thorough understanding of scuba diving essentials. Your PADI Instructor will answer any questions you may have along the way.

Phase 2: Confined Water Dives

During phase 2, you’ll take your first breath underwater in a calm environment such as a swimming pool or tranquil lagoon (known as “confined water”). You’ll practice basic diving skills such as clearing water from your mask, ascending and descending. Your instructor will demonstrate and review the skills with you until you’re comfortable performing them on your own. When you feel ready, you’ll move on to the final phase – open water diving!

Phase 3: Open Water Dives

You’ll learn by diving to a maximum depth of 18 metres/60 feet. The open water course includes four open water dives in total, usually done over two days. With your instructor by your side, you’ll practice the skills you learned in confined water and explore the underwater world.

Most student divers complete their dives close to home, in the ocean, or other body of water. You can also complete your four “check out dives” on a tropical holiday; ask your PADI Instructor about an Open Water referral which allows you to take the knowledge development and confined water sessions in one place, and your ocean dives in another!

After completing four open water dives and all course requirements, you become a certified diver – a title that will last a lifetime. Now you are free to explore the other two-thirds of our ocean planet!

To get started on your PADI Open Water Diver Course contact your local PADI Dive Centre.

For more information about PADI visit www.padi.com