Open Water Diver (OWD) is an entry-level autonomous diver certification for recreational scuba diving. Although different agencies use different names, similar entry-level courses are offered by all recreational diving agencies and consist of a combination of knowledge development (theory), confined water dives (practical training) and open water dives (experience) suitable to allow the diver to dive on open circuit scuba, in open water to a limited depth and in conditions similar to those in which the diver has been trained or later gained appropriate experience, to an acceptable level of safety.
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Minimum training standard
The OWD training standard of most agencies complies with the minimum requirements of international Standard ISO 24801-2. Autonomous diver.[1]
Agencies issuing certification named Open Water Diver
The "Open Water Diver" certification name is used by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI),[2] Scuba Schools International (SSI),[3] the National Academy of Scuba Educators (NASE) Worldwide,[4] Professional Technical and Recreational Diving (ProTec OWD) and the Sub-Aqua Association (SAA),[5] which is recognised by the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) as a CMAS 1-star certification.[6]
Equivalent certification issued by other agencies
The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) entry-level course is called Scuba Diver.[citation needed] The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) calls its equivalent qualification 'Ocean Diver'.[7]
See also
- Diver training – Processes by which people develop the skills and knowledge to dive safely underwater
- Advanced Open Water Diver – Recreational scuba diving certification slightly above minimum entry level
References
- ^ "ISO 24801-2". International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Retrieved 2015-01-17.
- ^ "Open Water Diver". PADI. 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
- ^ "Open Water Diver & Scuba Diver". SSI. 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ "Learn to Scuba, Scuba Diving and Scuba Lessons". NASE Worldwide. 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ "SAA Diver Grades". Sub-Aqua Association. Retrieved 2014-04-13.
- ^ "Cross-overs". Sub-Aqua Association. Retrieved 2014-04-13.
- ^ "Diving Course Syllabus". British Sub-Aqua Club. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-27.