Open Water Diver

OPEN WATER DIVER

(RECREATIONAL DIVER LEVEL 1)

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

Diving is unlike any other water sport. It allows you to be a part of the underwater world and to experience the largest ecosystem on Earth as if you were its inhabitant. Add a sense of adventure to your life and challenge yourself to experience beautiful and serene underwater landscapes few people have seen.

Open Water Diver is the first course to take you beneath the surface while developing your independence as a new diver.

From shallow reefs to historic wrecks, you get to decide where you want to play.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Whether you are new to the diving world, you've taken a course outside of GUE before, or you’re looking to improve your skills after a few years of not diving, the GUE Open Water Diver course is a great starting point. This course will build the foundations for your diving skills no matter what attracted you to diving.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The GUE Open Water Diver course is designed to develop the essential skills required for all sound diving practice. It allows the non-diver to cultivate a platform that supports comfort, confidence, and competence in the water, as well as more advanced training in the future.

A GUE Open Water Diver certification means that divers will be certified to dive with their diving team without the supervision of a dive professional, to a maximum depth of 70 ft/21 m.

prerequisites and duration

Applicants for a GUE Recreational Diver 1 program must:

Be a minimum of 12 years of age.
Be physically and mentally fit.
Be a non-smoker.
Be able to swim.
Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for use of prescription drugs, except for birth control, or for any medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.
For a full list of course prerequisites, click here.

The Open Water Diver course is usually conducted over five to six days and includes at least ten aquatic sessions (confined water sessions) and six open water dives, and at least 40 hours of instruction, encompassing classroom, land drills, and in-water work.

I am so thankful for my Rec 1 course with GUE. I did not have any prior experience with diving and do not live in an area that is close to the sea. I usually dive a few times a year, but because of the in depth training I feel comfortable and confident underwater even with the gaps. The muscle memory is there because we spent the time developing it, so when I do dive it is still enjoyable.

Amanda W., Rec 1

My instructor was really, really nice! He pushed us to our limits. He was very demanding - he made us do all the kicks, and all the drills over and over again until we really, actually mastered it. I am glad he did it, because now I feel more confident that if I really need to use it in a real situation I will be able to do it!

Gabriela A., Rec 1

The GUE training was an incredible and very complete experience. The instructor proved to be professional and approachable, teaching and helping in the best way possible, always ensuring well-spent and fun classes. I liked the organization and the useful study material. In short, everything was perfect and guaranteed memorable moments.Thank you for introducing me to the world of diving.

Miguel A., Rec 1

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVER

There is so much of the underwater world for you to explore. There are thousands of wrecks and reefs hidden at depths that you may not yet be able to reach without further training and experience.

You can add more adventure to your dives and head deeper into the aquatic world by advancing your diving skills with the GUE Advanced Open Water Diver course (formerly Recreational Diver Level 2).

DRYSUIT PRIMER

If you want to spend more time in-water by extending bottom times, increasing depth, or simply diving in colder climates calls for proper thermal protection which can be provided by using a drysuit, this course is for you.

GUE’s Drysuit Primer is designed to prepare divers for drysuit diving using proper equipment and techniques.