What you need

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Course and fees

Open Water Diver course (eLearning plus pool plus open water dives)1 · Book at a local dive shop. Ask what is included, such as gear rental, air fills and park entry fees.
$400-$800
Medical check by a doctor (only if needed)optional1 · Needed only if you answer yes to something on the medical form.
$0-$150
Open water dive certification fees or referral divesoptional1 · Only if you do pool training at home and the ocean dives somewhere else.
$0-$250

Personal gear (buy first, fit matters)

Dive mask1 · Try it in a shop if you can. It should seal on your face without the strap.
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$30-$100
Snorkel1 · Many courses require one.
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$15-$40
Open heel fins1 pair · Needs dive boots. Check what your shop recommends.
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$50-$150
Dive boots1 pair · Wear them with open heel fins.
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$30-$80
Anti-fog gel for mask1 · Baby shampoo also works.
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$6-$12
Mesh gear bagoptional1 · Helps with carrying wet gear.
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$25-$60

Rental or later purchase

Regulator setoptional1 · Rent at first. Buy only after you know you love diving.
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$250-$700
BCD (buoyancy control device)optional1 · Rent first to find your style.
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$200-$600
Wetsuit 3-7 mmoptional1 · Included in most course rentals. Thickness depends on water temperature.
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$100-$300
Dive computeroptional1 · Great safety tool. Often rented at first.
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$200-$500
Dive knife or cutting tooloptional1 · Check local rules.
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$20-$60
Surface marker buoy (SMB)optional1 · Useful for boat diving.
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$25-$60

Extras

Logbookoptional1 · Needed to record dives. Often included in the course.
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$10-$20
Quick-dry towel and warm clothesoptional1 · Cold after dives is common.
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$15-$30
Reef-safe sunscreenoptional1 · Protects coral. Helpful for boat trips.
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$10-$20
Motion sickness tabletsoptional1 pack · Only if you get seasick.
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$8-$15

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Certificates and registration

Certificate recommended

Open Water Diver certification (PADI, SSI or NAUI)

No government license is needed in the US, but in practice you need a C-card to rent gear, get air fills and join dive trips. Kids aged 10 to 14 can get the Junior Open Water certification, and a parent or guardian must sign the forms. You must fill out a medical questionnaire. If you answer yes to any question, a doctor must sign off before you get in the water. You also need to swim 200 yards (any stroke) and float or tread water for 10 minutes.

Find a local PADI, SSI or NAUI dive shop and ask about Open Water courses and prices
Fill out the medical questionnaire and see a doctor if needed
Do the online or book theory (eLearning) at home, about 8 to 12 hours
Complete 4 to 5 confined water (pool) sessions with an instructor
Do 4 open water dives in a lake, quarry or ocean (can be done in one weekend or on a vacation trip with a referral)
Get your digital or plastic C-card, valid for life

Can I start right away? Today: swim 200 yards at a local pool to test yourself, then call a local PADI, SSI or NAUI dive shop and ask about the next Open Water course or a Discover Scuba trial.

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What you need to know

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Golden rules of safety

Never hold your breath. Breathe slowly and continuously. Always dive with a buddy. Ascend slowly (no faster than 30 feet or 9 meters per minute) and do a 3-minute safety stop at 15 feet. Never dive if you feel sick or have a cold.

Equalizing your ears

Pressure builds as you go down. Pinch your nose and gently blow to equalize, starting at the surface and every couple of feet. Stop descending if it hurts and go up a bit. Never force it.

Buoyancy control

Use the BCD and your breathing to stay neutral. Small air changes in your lungs help you rise or sink slowly. Good buoyancy saves air and protects reefs.

Gear basics

Tank holds your air, regulator reduces the pressure so you can breathe, BCD controls buoyancy, gauge shows your air, and the dive computer tracks depth and time. Check your gear with your buddy before every dive (BWRAF: BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final check).

Flying after diving

Wait at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive, and at least 18 hours after multiple dives or multiple days of diving, before flying. This lowers decompression sickness risk.

Health and when to see a doctor

See a dive-friendly doctor if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, ear or sinus problems, or are pregnant. Never dive after drinking alcohol. DAN (Divers Alert Network) offers dive medical info and insurance.

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Where to learn it

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Online-Kurs und Kurs vor OrtPADI Open Water Diver courseLargest agency with eLearning and local shops across the US.Browse online courses

Kurs vor OrtSSI (Scuba Schools International)Digital learning is often free with a dive center.Browse online courses

VerbandNAUINon-profit style agency with many local instructors and universities.

VerbandDivers Alert Network (DAN)Safety info, medical hotline and dive accident insurance.

BuchThe Last Dive or Scuba Diving For DummiesSearch for beginner guides like Scuba Diving for Dummies for easy reading.Book on Amazon

Kurs vor OrtLocal community college or YMCA scuba programOften cheaper and with pool access. Call your local YMCA or college.Browse online courses

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Key websites and creators

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Websites

padi.comPADIFind courses and dive shops near you.Visit

divessi.comSSIDive centers and digital learning.Visit

naui.orgNAUIInstructors, courses and safety info.Visit

dan.orgDivers Alert NetworkDive medical info, FAQ and insurance.Visit

Creators and channels

YouTubeScuba Diver Magazine / Scuba Tech TipsSearch for scuba tech tips for beginners. Verify the channel before following.Visit

YouTubeCressi SubGear demos and diving tips from a scuba brand.Visit

YouTubeScuba Diving MagazineGear reviews and diving travel ideas.Visit

Recommended by the AI, not paid. Please check them yourself.

Are you a creator or do you run a related website? Get featured here

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Step by step

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Check your health and swimmingRead the medical questionnaire. Practice swimming 200 yards and treading water for 10 minutes. See a doctor if needed.
1-2 weeks
Done
Find a dive shopVisit two or three shops, ask about group size, price, rental gear and open water locations. Try a Discover Scuba session to test it.
1 week
Done
Buy mask, snorkel, fins and bootsGet a good fit at the shop or online. Rent the rest of the gear during the course.
1 week
Done
Do the theoryComplete the eLearning modules at home and pass the quizzes.
1-2 weeks
Done
Pool sessionsPractice breathing, mask clearing and buoyancy in the pool with your instructor.
1-2 weekends
Done
Open water divesDo 4 dives in open water, show your skills and get certified.
1-2 days
Done
Keep divingLog your dives, join a local club and take Advanced Open Water.
ongoing
Done

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Your timeline

5

What to do when, from the first week to the first year.

Week 1
- Read the medical form and check your swimming skills
- Call 2 to 3 local dive shops and compare courses
- Book a Discover Scuba trial or your course
Weeks 2-4
- Buy mask, snorkel, fins and boots
- Finish the eLearning theory
- Start pool sessions
Months 2-3
- Complete your open water dives
- Get certified and start your logbook
- Dive again within 4 to 6 weeks with a buddy or shop trip
Months 4-6
- Do 5 to 10 more dives to build confidence
- Try a new site such as a quarry, reef or wreck
- Consider renting a dive computer or buying one
Months 7-12
- Take the Advanced Open Water course
- Plan a dive vacation
- Decide which gear to buy, such as regulator and BCD
- Think about DAN membership for dive insurance

Downloads a calendar file with one reminder per phase, starting today (Google, Apple, Outlook).

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Product reviews

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Experiences from signed-in users. We do not verify whether the product was purchased.

Guide: Learn scuba diving