diving courses

What are Diving Courses?

Recreational diving courses

As we have already said, in recreational diving there is a wide variety of courses, starting from the initiation level and becoming a diving professional. So we are going to see each one of them, using the courses of the PADI organization, which today ranks first in the diving market internationally.

Discover Scuba Diver or Sea Baptism (DSD)

It's a perfect experience for those who want to learn to breathe underwater, experience the sensation of gravity, discover the seabed with their own eyes, and have a great time in the fun company of their instructor. This activity is perfect for solo, couples, family, friends, or coworkers. It also makes a great gift for any occasion.

The activity can be carried out in the pool or in the sea, from the coast or from a boat.

First, there's a theoretical introduction, where the basic rules of diving and the operation of the scuba equipment are explained. Once in the water, you'll briefly practice some simple, basic exercises. Then, you'll explore underwater at a maximum depth of <strong>12 meters/40 feet</strong>, although most of the time it doesn't exceed 6 meters. This also depends on the legislation of each country.

What do you need to do Baptism Diving?

• Be at least 8 years old
• Have good health
• Feel comfortable in the water

Scuba Diver (SD)

This is an intermediate course between Discover Scuba Diver and Open Water, designed for people who want to learn to dive but don't have enough time to complete a full Open Water Diver course. However, you can complete the Open Water course at a later time, completing only the remaining part.

In the theoretical part only 3 of the first 5 chapters of the Open Water book are done. In the practical part, approximately half of the sessions in the pool and sea

Upon completion of the course, the certification is issued, which allows you to dive to a maximum depth of12 meters/ 40 feet. and you always have to be accompanied by a diving professional, who can be a Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Diving Instructor.

What do you need to do the Scuba Diver course?

• Be at least 10 years old
• Have good health
• Feel comfortable in the water

Open Water Diver and Junior Open Water Diver (OWD)

This is the complete course that makes you an autonomous diver. This means you can dive without the supervision of a Diving Professional. However, you must always be accompanied by a diver who can have the same certification as you or a higher level. With this certification, you can dive to depths of up to 18 meters / 60 feet anywhere in the world.

In the theoretical section, you'll learn the basic principles of diving, including physics and physiology, equipment, dive planning, and the environment. The theory can be completed through independent study, in the dive center classroom, or online. Upon completion of the theoretical section, an exam is given.

In the practical part, 5 confined water sessions are carried out, which can be inside a swimming pool or the sea, where the conditions will be the same as a swimming pool. And 4 sessions in open water, where the exercises are repeated and a walk is taken.

Through some exercises that you will practice in confined water and open water, you will learn all the necessary skills to make your diving completely safe. You will learn to prevent and solve problems in the water, manage different situations together with your partner.

What do you need to do the Open Water Diver course?

• Be at least 10 years old
• Have good health
• Feel comfortable in the water

Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD)

The beauty of this course is that apart from learning more about diving and becoming an advanced diver, you can try different diving specialties such as: pecios, nocturna, bajo hielo, diving from the boat, nitrox, fish identification, navegación, profunda, flotabilidad, corrientes, scooter, traje seco, high-altitude diving, oxygen administrator, equipment specialist, multinivel, Sidemount diving, fotografía submarina, video submarino, búsqueda y recuperación. ")

In the theoretical section, you'll learn the basic principles of diving, including physics and physiology, equipment, dive planning, and the environment. The theory can be completed through independent study, in the dive center classroom, or online. Upon completion of the theoretical section, an exam is given.

The course consists of 5 dives, of which the "Deep Diving" and "Underwater Navigation" experiences are mandatory. You can schedule the remaining 3 dives with the dive center where you will be taking the course. Keep in mind that not all centers will be able to offer all the adventure dives available, as this depends greatly on the geographical possibilities of the area. In any case, the dive center itself can recommend the best options they have to offer and perhaps what would be best for you based on your diving level.

At the end of the course, you will receive the Advanced Diver certification, which allows you to dive anywhere in the world to a maximum depth of 30 meters.

What do you need to do the Advanced Open Water Diver course?

• Be at least 12 years old
• Title Open Water Diver / Junior Open Water Diver

Rescue Diver

Without a doubt, it is a very useful course for divers, which provides the necessary knowledge for emergencies that may arise in the water. By having these knowledge you will feel safer and more confident as a diver.

You'll learn self-rescue techniques, equipment and emergency management, recognizing and managing stress in divers, search techniques, and rescuing panicked divers and unconscious divers.

In the practical part, you will simulate real-life emergency situations. This is where you will practice rescue exercises, which will help you respond correctly in certain situations. To take this course, you must be an advanced diver and have completed the course. Emergency First Response or first aid performed within the past year. You can hire this course at the same diving center and you can even do it together with the Rescue Diver course. In many places they offer both together for a cheaper price.

What do you need to do the Rescue Diver course?

• Be at least 12 years old
• Adventure Diver / Junior Adventure Diver (or qualification certification) with full underwater navigation immersion;
• EFR primary and secondary care training (or qualified training) within 24 months

Emergency First Response (EFR)

This course is part of the requirement for the Rescue Diver course.

The goal is to build confidence in non-professional rescuers and increase their readiness to respond to a medical emergency. Course participants learn easy-to-follow emergency care steps and practice applying skills in a stress-free learning environment. All courses are supported by self-study materials and quick-reference charts to enhance learning and allow you to begin learning immediately.

You will learn primary and secondary care techniques, shock prevention and treatment, BLS (Basic Life Support), rescue breathing, CPR, AED use, first aid equipment use, spinal injury management, and more.

What do you need to do the Emergency First Response (EFR) course?

• want to help others

divemaster

If you love the underwater world and like the idea of working in diving, this course would be your first step toward a professional career.

Through the knowledge-building sessions, exercises, underwater workshops, and practical assessment included in this course, you will become a Dive Leader.

You'll be your instructor's right-hand man. You'll learn how to guide divers, conduct introductory dives or DSDs independently, and assist with the organizational and logistical aspects of the dive center.

This course teaches more than just diving! In addition to developing new skills both in and out of the water, you will spend the day surrounded by fun people willing to share with you their new experiences full of unforgettable emotions.

What do you need to do the Divemaster course?

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a minimum of 40 logged dives
• Have completed the Rescue Diver course
• Have completed the EFR within the last 24 months
• A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months.
• A minimum of 60 logged dives at the end of the course.

Open Water Scuba Instructor (IDC)

This course is what finally makes you a Diving Professional, with the right to teach courses and certify students with your name and instructor number. It opens the door to the diving profession, allowing you to enjoy your passion while getting paid for it. You can explore different parts of the world, meet people, practice languages, and of course, discover new underwater locations while you're working. Doesn't that sound good?

You'll learn self-rescue techniques, equipment and emergency management, recognizing and managing stress in divers, search techniques, and rescuing panicked divers and unconscious divers.

And your professional career doesn't end there. With experience and a desire to learn, you can achieve the following instructor levels: Specialty Instructor, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, IDC Staff Instructor, Master Instructor, and finally, Course Director, which is the highest level in the entire PADI professional career.

What do you need to do the Diving Instructor course?

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have at least 60 logged dives and 100 dives to attend an IE.
• Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.
• A medical statement signed by a doctor within the last 12 months
• You also need to be an Emergency First Response Instructor, but you can earn this level during your instructor training.

Where can I do my Diving Instructor course?

• IDC in Barcelona
• IDC on the Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar
• IDC in Grenada

technical diving

It's a very different type of diving than recreational diving, as the dives are usually deeper (starting at 40 meters/130 feet), and therefore are almost always decompression dives. During decompression stops, technical divers use alternate gases, which reduce the stop time. They also have a lot of extra equipment, such as double tanks instead of a single one, tanks with a different gas mixture for the decompression stop, two regulators, two masks, and two flashlights. All of this makes their dive safer even if something unexpected happens. Equipment configuration and dive planning are also different from recreational diving. So, as we can see, this type of diving requires the diver's experience, equipment, and proper preparation.

As a technical diver, you can explore the same places as a recreational diver, as well as deeper locations with other types of life, wrecks like sunken ships from World War II that you've always dreamed of visiting, and even some caves that have always caught your attention.

Technical Diving Courses in Spain

• PADI Essentials

• Tech 40-45-50 PADI

• Advanced Nitrox 40m. TDI
• Decompression Procedures 45m. TDI
• Extended Range 55m. TDI

• Extended Range Xr Nitrox SSI

• XR Foundations SSI
• Extended Range Nitrox Diving SSI