Open Water Diver Course
Want to learn to scuba dive with a real instructor in the room? This is the course for you.
Open Water Diver - Classroom
The SDI Open Water Diver course is your first step to becoming a certified diver. You learn in person in Bountiful, practice your skills in the pool, then finish with four certification dives at Blue Lake. We keep the pace comfortable so you can actually enjoy learning.
The Dive Shop’s Open Water Scuba Diver Certification price is all inclusive. Your price includes books, equipment rental for 4 class/pool sessions conducted over two weeks and equipment for your 4 Open Water certification dives. The only additional costs would be for transportation/food/lodging, and admission fees for the Open Water dives (click here for the certification dives).
Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy: Because we will not be able to refill a seat in a class, cancellation or rescheduling of your training within 7 days of your scheduled event is subject to a cancellation or rescheduling fee ($35). Prior to the 7 days window of your event, cancellations are eligible for a full refund and rescheduling is done free of charge.
Availability: In Stock
How the Open Water Course Works
There are three parts. Classroom and pool come first, then your certification dives, then you're a certified diver.
1. Classroom and Pool Training
Classwork runs over two weeks. Pick the schedule that fits your life:
- Tuesday and Thursday nights: 6:30 to 10 pm
- Saturdays: 9 am to 3 pm
You'll learn how your gear works, how your body handles pressure, and how to plan a dive. Then you'll practice the skills in the pool until they feel natural.
2. Certification Dives
To finish, you show us what you've learned on four open water dives. We run these at Blue Lake near Wendover the last weekend of each month.
We schedule the dives separately from class on purpose. That way you can pick the weekend that works best for you. See certification dive dates.
Prefer somewhere else? We can also do your dives at the Crater in Midway, UT, by special arrangement. The Crater is private property and charges admission, so there's an added fee.
3. You're Certified
Once you've shown us the skills, you're an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver. That's your ticket to start exploring, whether it's a local lake or a reef on the other side of the world.
What You'll Learn
- Buoyancy control and proper weighting
- How to put your gear together and take care of it
- How to plan a dive
- How pressure affects your body, and how to handle it
- The underwater environment and marine conservation
- The basic skills you need to dive safely
What's Included in the $350
- Your books and course materials
- Gear rental for class and pool sessions
- Gear for your four open water certification dives
The only extra costs are your own transportation, food and lodging for the open water dives. If you choose the Crater, add the admission fee. We never make you buy gear you don't need.
Before Your First Class
Everyone fills out a liability release and medical form before the first class. Students under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign too.
- Liability Release and Medical Form
- Physician's Form (only needed if you answer yes to any medical question)
- Guidelines for your doctor (SDI's guide for physicians who don't see much diving medicine)
If you do need the physician's form, get it signed before any pool activities and bring it to your first class.
Cancellations and Rescheduling
We can't refill a seat once a class is close, so here's how it works. Cancel or reschedule more than 7 days before your scheduled event and you get a full refund or a free reschedule. Within 7 days, there's a $35 fee.
Prefer to Study Online?
If a classroom schedule doesn't work for you, take a look at our Online Open Water course. Same SDI certification, with self-paced online lessons in place of classroom nights.
About SDI Certification
The Dive Shop is an SDI (Scuba Diving International) training center. SDI is a sister agency to TDI (Technical Diving International), which describes itself as the largest technical certification agency in the world. SDI describes the Open Water certification as your passport to dive around the globe. You can read more about the course on SDI's Open Water page.
Open Water Course FAQ
How much does the SDI Open Water course cost?
The course is $350. That covers your books, gear rental for class and pool sessions, and gear rental for your four open water certification dives. You only pay extra for your own travel, food and lodging for the dives. If you do your dives at the Crater in Midway, there's also an admission fee.
How long does it take to get certified?
Classroom and pool training runs over two weeks, either Tuesday and Thursday nights or two Saturdays. Your four certification dives are scheduled separately, so you can pick the weekend that works for you. Our dives at Blue Lake happen the last weekend of each month.
Do I need to know how to swim?
You need to be comfortable in the water. Our weeknight classes begin with a swim test in the shallow end, so we get to see where you're at in a relaxed setting. If you're nervous about it, call us at (801) 295-5445 and we'll talk it through.
Where are the certification dives?
At Blue Lake near Wendover, Utah, the last weekend of each month. We can also run them at the Crater in Midway, Utah, by special arrangement. The Crater is private property and charges admission, so there's an added fee.
Do I have to buy my own gear?
No. Your price includes gear rental for class, pool and certification dives. We never ask you to buy equipment you don't need. When you're ready to buy your own, we're happy to help you pick.
Is there a medical form?
Yes. Everyone fills out a liability release and medical questionnaire before the first class. If you answer yes to any medical question, your physician needs to sign the physician's form before any pool activities. If your doctor doesn't know much about diving medicine, SDI has guidelines you can hand them.
Can my child take the course?
Students under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the forms. SDI also offers a Junior Open Water Scuba Diver course for ages 10 to 14. Call us at (801) 295-5445 to talk about what makes sense for your family.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
More than 7 days before your scheduled event, you get a full refund if you cancel and a free reschedule. Within 7 days, there's a $35 fee, because we can't refill the seat.
What if I'd rather study online?
Take a look at our Online Open Water course. It swaps the classroom nights for self-paced online lessons, and you finish with pool training and the same four certification dives.
Is SDI certification good everywhere?
SDI is an international training agency, and it describes the Open Water certification as a passport to dive around the globe.
