Your first breath underwater
PADI Discover Scuba Diving: try scuba diving
Course description
PADI Discover Scuba Diving is a first, fully controlled diving experience: a chance to see what the world underwater looks like, without signing up for a full course and without any commitment.
The programme is for people who want to try and see whether this environment suits them. Everything happens under the direct supervision of an instructor, who guides you step by step through every stage. First you learn the basics of how the equipment works, the rules of breathing underwater and the most important safety rules. Then you make your first dive.
The experience focuses on comfort and on understanding what is happening. The aim is not to log a dive but to consciously experience a first contact with a new environment, at a pace set for you, with the option to stop at any moment.
Good to know straight away: Discover Scuba Diving is not a course and does not end with a certificate. It is an introductory experience. If you like it enough to go further, the natural next step is the Open Water Diver course, and part of the material you have completed can count towards it.
A few hours: a short theory introduction and a practical part in the water, run at a calm pace.
One dive under the direct supervision of an instructor. If conditions are favourable, a second dive is possible.
Usually up to 6 metres, at most 12 metres, depending on conditions and the participant’s comfort.
A maximum of 4 participants per instructor, which ensures constant supervision and an individual approach on a first contact with diving.
Air. No previous qualifications or knowledge are required.
Open water or a controlled pool facility, e.g. DeepSpot. Stable conditions and very good visibility help with the first dive.
- Age: minimum 10 years;
- Swimming: basic ease in the water, you do not need to be a good swimmer;
- Health: no contraindications to diving, confirmed by a completed medical form;
- Certifications: none, the programme is intended for people with no diving experience at all.
The dive centre provides all the equipment. A typical set includes:
- mask, snorkel and fins,
- regulator,
- jacket (BCD),
- diving cylinder,
- weight system,
- thermal protection suited to the conditions.
It is worth bringing a swimsuit and a towel. The instructor selects and prepares the equipment, and the participant learns its basic use in a controlled way.
Programme fee
The price is set individually, depending on the location and logistics.
Registration and certification fee
None, the programme does not end with a certification.
Additional costs
Equipment rental is included. Any entry to the dive facility and travel are charged separately.
Theory
A short introduction, no unnecessary theory, just what you need to get into the water with confidence:
- how to breathe underwater and why you never hold your breath;
- the basics of how dive equipment works;
- equalising the pressure in your ears;
- communication underwater, a few basic signals;
- the most important safety rules.
Practice
Your first dive, step by step, under the direct supervision of an instructor:
- preparing and putting on the equipment;
- getting used to breathing through the regulator in shallow water;
- a calm descent and pressure equalisation;
- basic buoyancy control;
- moving around and observing your surroundings.
The instructor stays in direct contact the whole time and adjusts the pace to the participant. You can stop at any moment, this is not an exam.
FAQ
The next step on your path
Possible next steps on the PADI recreational path:
- PADI Open Water Diver: full diving qualifications, diving with a buddy to 18 metres;
- PADI Scuba Diver: a shortened option if you are short on time; it allows diving with a professional to 12 metres;
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver: the next step after the basic course;
- programmes for children and teenagers, if you are thinking about family diving.
Part of the Discover Scuba Diving material counts towards the Open Water Diver course, so it is worth asking about this when you sign up.
Trips
A first dive often happens on a trip, and it is a good place to start:
- warm water and good visibility make a first contact clearly easier;
- you can take part in the programme during a Long Deco trip;
- the Open Water Diver course can be done on a trip, in comfortable conditions;
- you can return to the same place as a certified diver, with a completely different ease;
- family trips, where part of the group dives and part is just starting.
We keep the trip calendar separately. If you are thinking about a course on a trip, it is worth planning it in advance.
