Online Open Water Course
Want to skip most of the classroom time? Learn the book part online, on your own schedule, then come see us for the fun part.
Open Water Diver - Elearning
This is the same SDI Open Water certification as our classroom course, with online lessons in place of classroom nights. You study at home, then spend one week with us in Bountiful: a Wednesday night and a Saturday in the pool. Then you finish with four certification dives at Blue Lake.
$350 covers your online course, your gear rental for pool sessions, and your gear for all four certification dives. Pick a start date below and add it to your cart.
Classes run 1 week; Wed from 6:30 to 10 pm AND Sat 9 am to 3 pm. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
The required Certification Dives are scheduled seperately here: Certification Dives
Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy: Once the online course has been started, the cost of the course cannot be recovered, so cancellation at any time after course initiation will incur an online fee of $250. A request to postpone or reschedule your training within 7 days of your scheduled event is subject to a rescheduling fee ($70). Prior to the 7 days window of your event, rescheduling is done free of charge. No-shows, reschedules or cancellations within 24 hours of the event waives the right to a refund.
Availability: In Stock
How the Online Open Water Course Works
Three parts. Online lessons first, then pool training with us, then your certification dives.
1. Online Lessons
Do the classroom part from your couch, on your schedule. You'll learn how your gear works, how pressure affects your body, how to plan a dive, and how to look after the underwater world. Your online access codes are issued after you register.
2. Pool Training in Bountiful
You come in for two in-person sessions during one week:
- Wednesday night: 6:30 to 10 pm
- Saturday: 9 am to 3 pm
This is where you practice the skills in the water with your instructor. Attendance at all sessions is required.
3. 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. They're scheduled separately from pool training, so you can choose the weekend that works for you. See certification dive dates.
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.
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 online course
- Gear rental for your two 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.
Good to Know About Payment
The full price is due when you register. Once your online codes are issued, the price is non-refundable. Your pool sessions can still be rescheduled if you give us 7 days' notice.
Before Your Pool Session
Everyone fills out a liability release and medical form before the first in-person session. 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 class.
Online or Classroom: Which One is for you?
Pick the online course if your weeknights are packed and you'd rather study on your own time. Pick the in-person classroom course if you like learning with an instructor and other students in the room. You end up with the same SDI certification either way.
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 on SDI's Open Water page.
Online Open Water Course FAQ
How much does the online Open Water course cost?
The course is $350. That covers your online course, gear rental for your two pool sessions, and gear 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 much time do I spend in person?
Two sessions in one week: a Wednesday night from 6:30 to 10 pm and a Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. Attendance at all sessions is required. Your four certification dives are scheduled separately.
Is this the same certification as the classroom course?
Yes. Both lead to the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver certification. The difference is how you learn the book part: online on your own schedule, or in person in a classroom.
Do I need to know how to swim?
You need to be comfortable in the water. Your first in-person session includes 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 your pool sessions 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 in-person session. 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.
Can I get a refund or reschedule?
The full price is due when you register, and it's non-refundable once your online codes are issued. Pool sessions can be rescheduled with 7 days' notice. Within 7 days, rescheduling has a $35 fee, because we can't refill the seat.
