PADI Open Water Skills List
This PADI Open Water Skills List contains a full list of all the scuba dive skills that you can expect during the PADI Open Water Diver Course. To be able to safely enjoy scuba diving you first need to learn some basic skills that can help you underwater to solves problems, this is the Ultimate PADI Open Water Skills List.
Scuba Diving is considered a fairly safe activity and problems rarely occur. If problems do occur during a scuba dive you can in almost all cases easily solve them by knowing these skills from this PADI Open Water Skills List.
You can learn these PADI Open Water Skills by enrolling in a PADI Open Water Diver Course at any PADI Dive Shop. You can check out the nearest dive shop using the PADI Dive Shop Locator. After you successfully completed the course with a PADI Instructor you receive the PADI Open Water Certification.
PADI Open Water Skills List:
Further on this page we explain every skill with video's, so keep reading 👇
You can learn these PADI Open Water Skills by enrolling in a PADI Open Water Diver Course at any PADI Dive Shop. You can check out the nearest dive shop using the PADI Dive Shop Locator. After you successfully completed the course with a PADI Instructor you receive the PADI Open Water Certification.
PADI Open Water Skills List:
- Dive Equipment Assembly
- Put on dive equipment using proper technique
- Buddy Check
- Giant Stride Entry
- Inflate/Deflate BCD at the Surface
- Buoyancy Check at the Surface
- No Mask Breathing Surface
- Snorkeling
- 5 Point Descent Over Sensitive Bottom
- Regulator Clearing Two Methods
- Regulator Removal & Recovery
- Partially Flooded Mask
- Alternate Air Source Stationary for 30 Seconds
- Swim Maintaining Buoyancy
- Air Check
- Skin Dive
- Snorkel to Regulator Exchange
- Fully Flooded Mask
- Mask Removal & Replacement
- Air Depletion & Signal
- Mask Removal & Replacement for 1 Minute
- Exit Using the Ladder
- Cramp Release at the Surface (with a buddy)
- Neutrally Buoyant (Fin Pivot LPI - Optional)
- Cramp Release Underwater (with a buddy)
- Hover for 30 seconds
- Alternate Air Source Swim for 1 Minute (with a buddy)
- CESA - Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent
- Tired Diver Tow 25 Meters
- Scuba Unit Removal & Replacement at the Surface
- Hover Orally Inflate for 1 Minute
- Free Flowing Regulator for 30 Seconds
- No Mask Swim
- Emergency Weight Belt Drop
- Weight Belt Removal and Replacement Underwater
- Scuba Unit Removal and Replacement Underwater
- PADI Mini Dive
- PADI 5 Point Ascent
- Orally Inflate the BCD at the Surface
- Equipment Disassembly
Further on this page we explain every skill with video's, so keep reading 👇
Are the skills from this PADI Open Water Skills List hard to learn?
A lot of people worry that the PADI Open Water Skills are difficult to learn. Well, I can tell you right now please don’t worry. The PADI Open Water Skills are surprisingly easy to learn and most people enjoy practicing them a lot. Best of all you get rewarded with a scuba diving certification after completing all the skills.
Tips to Complete the PADI Open Water Skills List
Practicing the scuba skills from this list can be fun, but sometimes also stressful. Every person is different and it depends on your comfort level and motor skills how easy completing the PADI Open Water Diver Skills will be.
Tip 1: Stay relaxed and calm. Enjoying scuba diving and being underwater mainly depends on you breathing in a relaxed manner through your scuba regulator. We recommend you to breath in slowly and deeply at all times. This makes you feel really relaxed and then you can focus much more easier on completing the Open Water Skills.
Tip 2: Choose a dive shop and PADI Dive Instructor that you feel comfortable with. In every industry we have good and bad dive instructors and the same counts for the dive industry. Some diving instructors are amazing while other, just rush and only think about money. Also choose a PADI Dive Shop with good facilities to learn your open water diver course skills with. Finding a good dive shop and diving instructor is not always easy, so please check this article with great tips on how to find the best dive shop.
Learn more on how to find the best dive school
Tip 2: Choose a dive shop and PADI Dive Instructor that you feel comfortable with. In every industry we have good and bad dive instructors and the same counts for the dive industry. Some diving instructors are amazing while other, just rush and only think about money. Also choose a PADI Dive Shop with good facilities to learn your open water diver course skills with. Finding a good dive shop and diving instructor is not always easy, so please check this article with great tips on how to find the best dive shop.
Learn more on how to find the best dive school
Tip 3: Don’t rush! You can easily complete all the PADI Open Water Skills within a few days, but if you feel uncomfortable then just ask for more time or choose a dive shop that has a more flexible schedule.
Tip 4: Choose a small or larger group depending on what you prefer. You cannot always choose the PADI Open Water Course group size, but if you can then think about what you feel more comfortable with before starting the course. Small groups can be great for personal attention and more time to practice, while larger open water groups can be really fun and you will be able to learn from each other.
Tip 4: Choose a small or larger group depending on what you prefer. You cannot always choose the PADI Open Water Course group size, but if you can then think about what you feel more comfortable with before starting the course. Small groups can be great for personal attention and more time to practice, while larger open water groups can be really fun and you will be able to learn from each other.
Tip 5: Clearing your scuba mask is not so hard if you stay calm and relax. Just remember that you breath into your mouth and then gently out of your nose while looking up. A lot of people overthink this, get stressed and then breath in with their nose. This is not got you just remember to breath out of your nose.
Please check some video's below on how to do the mask clearing skill easy. Also it really helps that you have your own mask as the latex from the scuba mask will form around your face. If you worry the mask clearing skill, I highly recommend you to get a MARES Liquid skin mask as that is very soft latex for an amazing seal. Check it out on Amazon:
Tip 6: Try to have fun and don’t overthink your diving skills. That is why we made this PADI Open Water Diver Skills list to prepare you for what is to come. Hopefully you can see that the skills can be easily done and don’t forget that you are learning these scuba diving skills to be able to enjoy an incredible underwater environment with amazing aquatic life!
Learn more on how to pass your PADI Instructor Exam here
Learn more on how to pass your PADI Instructor Exam here
Full PADI Open Water Skills List
You will find the full PADI Oper Water Diver Course List below. In this PADI Open Water Skills list we explained the steps on how to perform the skills and each skill with have a YouTube Video related to the scuba diving skill.
On most video you will have a voice over, so don’t forget to turn on the sound. Please enjoy watching these skills and if you ever think about teaching these skills one day then check out our PADI Diving Instructor course.
Dive Equipment Assembly
There are different styles on How To Assemble Dive Equipment, in this video we follow these steps on How To Assemble Dive Equipment:
1. Inspect the tank, visual inspection sticker and the hydrostatic test date
2. Check the O-Ring
3. Open the tank valve and give a little burst to clean the valve
4. Put the BCD correctly over your scuba cylinder
5. At least 4 fingers from the top
6. Attach the Safety Strap
7. Make sure everything is attached correctly
8. Grab your regulator and unscrew the dust cap from the first stage
9. Place the first stage over the valve
10. Gently screw the first stage on the tank valve (Only 3 finger tight)
11. Attach the low-pressure inflator hose to the BCD
12. Attach the alternate air source
13. Streamline everything
14. Turn the SPG glass away from anyone
15. Slowly open up the tank valve
16. You finished assemble the dive equipment
After finishing Assembling the Dive Equipment, you should do a full dive equipment check up:
1. Inspect the tank, visual inspection sticker and the hydrostatic test date
2. Check the O-Ring
3. Open the tank valve and give a little burst to clean the valve
4. Put the BCD correctly over your scuba cylinder
5. At least 4 fingers from the top
6. Attach the Safety Strap
7. Make sure everything is attached correctly
8. Grab your regulator and unscrew the dust cap from the first stage
9. Place the first stage over the valve
10. Gently screw the first stage on the tank valve (Only 3 finger tight)
11. Attach the low-pressure inflator hose to the BCD
12. Attach the alternate air source
13. Streamline everything
14. Turn the SPG glass away from anyone
15. Slowly open up the tank valve
16. You finished assemble the dive equipment
After finishing Assembling the Dive Equipment, you should do a full dive equipment check up:
1. Fully inflate the BCD to check for leaks and the LPI
2. Orally Inflate the BCD
3. Purge, smell and breath through the second stage, while checking the SPG
4. Check the alternate air source
5. Make sure the dive equipment is streamlined
6. Gently place your equipment on its side and that is How To Assemble Dive Equipment
Learn more about Dive Equipment Assembly
2. Orally Inflate the BCD
3. Purge, smell and breath through the second stage, while checking the SPG
4. Check the alternate air source
5. Make sure the dive equipment is streamlined
6. Gently place your equipment on its side and that is How To Assemble Dive Equipment
Learn more about Dive Equipment Assembly
Put on dive equipment using proper technique
Helping your diving buddy into his dive equipment the correct way is important so you minimise the risk of a back injury.
PADI Buddy Check on this PADI Open Water Skills List
Steps for the PADI Buddy Check Scuba Diving BWRAF:
1. First we need to test each others BCD's
2. Using the LPI button, start inflating your buddy's BCD (you can do this at the same time to save some time
3. Once you are sure the power inflator works and your buddy's BCD is not leaking, then deflate the BCD.
4. Next step for the Buddy Check in Scuba Diving is to Orally inflate each others BCD, this time a few breaths will be enough as you already tested for leaks before.
5. After checking the BCD, check the weight system, making sure nothing is entangled, streamlined, no weights are missing and that the weight system quick release mechanisms works properly
6. Then check the releases on your buddy's dive equipment, no entanglement, all releases secure, especially check your Buddy's Cylinder Band / Strap
7. After that, the most important part of the buddy check scuba diving is checking your buddy's Air
8. First make your you Buddy's Air is fully open (Double check which way is open and close on the side of the turn valve)
9. After you both checked each others tank valve, grab your regulators and purge, smell and breath from them while looking at your SPG (When you breath the pressure gauge needle should NOT move)
10. Then check the alternate air source on each other for the Buddy Check
11. Finally the Final OK in the Buddy Check, which means fully check all the dive equipment, do we have fins, a scuba mask, snorkel, are all hoses streamlined... If all good then give the Final OK to your Buddy and then we are ready to Scuba Dive!
Learn more about the PADI Buddy Check BWRAF
1. First we need to test each others BCD's
2. Using the LPI button, start inflating your buddy's BCD (you can do this at the same time to save some time
3. Once you are sure the power inflator works and your buddy's BCD is not leaking, then deflate the BCD.
4. Next step for the Buddy Check in Scuba Diving is to Orally inflate each others BCD, this time a few breaths will be enough as you already tested for leaks before.
5. After checking the BCD, check the weight system, making sure nothing is entangled, streamlined, no weights are missing and that the weight system quick release mechanisms works properly
6. Then check the releases on your buddy's dive equipment, no entanglement, all releases secure, especially check your Buddy's Cylinder Band / Strap
7. After that, the most important part of the buddy check scuba diving is checking your buddy's Air
8. First make your you Buddy's Air is fully open (Double check which way is open and close on the side of the turn valve)
9. After you both checked each others tank valve, grab your regulators and purge, smell and breath from them while looking at your SPG (When you breath the pressure gauge needle should NOT move)
10. Then check the alternate air source on each other for the Buddy Check
11. Finally the Final OK in the Buddy Check, which means fully check all the dive equipment, do we have fins, a scuba mask, snorkel, are all hoses streamlined... If all good then give the Final OK to your Buddy and then we are ready to Scuba Dive!
Learn more about the PADI Buddy Check BWRAF
PADI Giant Stride Entry
Steps for the Giant Stride Entry Skill:
1. Add air into your BCD (70% full)
2. Stand on the side of the pool or boat, with your toes on the side and your fins going over
3. Put your left hand on your weight belt and hold the buckle (if you have a weight belt)
4. Make sure you have your scuba mask on you face and your regulator in your mouth
5. With your right hand hold your regulator and mask in place (regulator in the palm of your hand and 2 fingers on your scuba mask
6. Look down and check if nothing is in the water and you are clear to enter
7. When everything is ok, look straight forward to the horizon
8. Make a big step (not jump) forward (Giant Stride) into the water
9. When you surface keep holding the regulator into your mouth and you scuba mask on your face
10. first fully inflate the BCD
11. Then you can take out your regulator (remember mouth piece down)
12. Switch to your snorkel
13. Give an ok signal to anyone that looked after you entering the water
14. Swim away so other scuba divers can also enter the water
Learn more about the Giant Stride
1. Add air into your BCD (70% full)
2. Stand on the side of the pool or boat, with your toes on the side and your fins going over
3. Put your left hand on your weight belt and hold the buckle (if you have a weight belt)
4. Make sure you have your scuba mask on you face and your regulator in your mouth
5. With your right hand hold your regulator and mask in place (regulator in the palm of your hand and 2 fingers on your scuba mask
6. Look down and check if nothing is in the water and you are clear to enter
7. When everything is ok, look straight forward to the horizon
8. Make a big step (not jump) forward (Giant Stride) into the water
9. When you surface keep holding the regulator into your mouth and you scuba mask on your face
10. first fully inflate the BCD
11. Then you can take out your regulator (remember mouth piece down)
12. Switch to your snorkel
13. Give an ok signal to anyone that looked after you entering the water
14. Swim away so other scuba divers can also enter the water
Learn more about the Giant Stride
PADI Inflate/Deflate BCD at the Surface
How to perform the PADI BCD Inflate and Deflate skill:
1. Make sure you have your mask on and your snorkel in your mouth
2. Fully inflate your BCD by pushing the inflator button until air releases from your BCD
3. Lean Backwards
4. Make sure that you are completely positively buoyant
5. Float a bit
6. Stand back up make sure you are completely vertical
7. Stretch that deflator hose as high as you can
8. Fully deflate your BCD
9. Use your right hand to squeeze the last remaining air out of your BCD
10. Simulate that you are going down
Learn more about BCD Inflate & Deflate
1. Make sure you have your mask on and your snorkel in your mouth
2. Fully inflate your BCD by pushing the inflator button until air releases from your BCD
3. Lean Backwards
4. Make sure that you are completely positively buoyant
5. Float a bit
6. Stand back up make sure you are completely vertical
7. Stretch that deflator hose as high as you can
8. Fully deflate your BCD
9. Use your right hand to squeeze the last remaining air out of your BCD
10. Simulate that you are going down
Learn more about BCD Inflate & Deflate
PADI Buoyancy Check at the Surface
Steps for the PADI Buoyancy Check Surface Skill:
1. Make sure your have your scuba mask on your face
2. Put your regulator in your mouth
3. At the surface deflate your BCD fully, while holding a full breath (holding your breath at the surface is ok, make sure you NEVER do this underwater)
4. While holding a full breath, with a deflated BCD, you should float at eye level
Learn more about the PADI Buoyancy Check at the Surface
1. Make sure your have your scuba mask on your face
2. Put your regulator in your mouth
3. At the surface deflate your BCD fully, while holding a full breath (holding your breath at the surface is ok, make sure you NEVER do this underwater)
4. While holding a full breath, with a deflated BCD, you should float at eye level
Learn more about the PADI Buoyancy Check at the Surface
PADI No Mask Breathing Surface
Do you struggle with Mask Clearing? Then try No Mask Breathing at the surface first! No Mask Breathing is an amazing trick that can help you later perform any scuba mask clearing skills more easier. This is not officially part of the PADI Open Water Skills list, but is a very affective way to learn how to breath through your scuba regulator.
Learn more about No Mask Breathing at the Surface
Learn more about No Mask Breathing at the Surface
PADI Snorkeling
Steps for the PADI Snorkeling Skill:
1. Make sure your BCD is fully inflated
2. Have your scuba mask on and your snorkel in
3. Lay on your belly face down
4. Look forward and breath slowly though the snorkel
5. Start swimming by kicking your legs
6. Stay streamlined and only use your legs to swim while snorkeling
1. Make sure your BCD is fully inflated
2. Have your scuba mask on and your snorkel in
3. Lay on your belly face down
4. Look forward and breath slowly though the snorkel
5. Start swimming by kicking your legs
6. Stay streamlined and only use your legs to swim while snorkeling
PADI 5 Point Descent Over Sensitive Bottom
Steps for the PADI 5 Point Descent Over a Sensitive Bottom Skill:
1. Signal to your buddy: OK to go Down
2. Orientate yourself and look underwater
3. Switch from your snorkel to your regulator
4. Check your dive computer / watch
5. Equalise your ears and deflate your BCD
6. Slowly descent, equalize your ears and stay close to your buddy
7. Make sure you look down and add some air to the BCD to achieve neutral buoyancy and don't touch the bottom during the descent
Learn more about the 5 Point Descent Over a Sensitive Bottom
1. Signal to your buddy: OK to go Down
2. Orientate yourself and look underwater
3. Switch from your snorkel to your regulator
4. Check your dive computer / watch
5. Equalise your ears and deflate your BCD
6. Slowly descent, equalize your ears and stay close to your buddy
7. Make sure you look down and add some air to the BCD to achieve neutral buoyancy and don't touch the bottom during the descent
Learn more about the 5 Point Descent Over a Sensitive Bottom
PADI Regulator Clearing Two Methods
Steps for the PADI Scuba Diving Regulator Clearing Two Methods Skill in this list:
1. For the first method take a deep breath
2. Take out your regulator
3. Remember to have the mouth piece down and blow bubbles
4. Keep holding onto the regulator
5. Put the regulator back in your mouth
6. Clear it by exhaling forcefully (Like a spit)
7. For the second method take another deep breath
8. Remember to have the mouth piece down and blow bubbles
9. Keep holding onto the regulator
10. Use your tongue as a "splash guard"
11. Clear the regulator by gently pressing the purge button
Learn more about the PADI Regulator Clearing 2 Methods
1. For the first method take a deep breath
2. Take out your regulator
3. Remember to have the mouth piece down and blow bubbles
4. Keep holding onto the regulator
5. Put the regulator back in your mouth
6. Clear it by exhaling forcefully (Like a spit)
7. For the second method take another deep breath
8. Remember to have the mouth piece down and blow bubbles
9. Keep holding onto the regulator
10. Use your tongue as a "splash guard"
11. Clear the regulator by gently pressing the purge button
Learn more about the PADI Regulator Clearing 2 Methods
PADI Regulator Removal & Recovery
Steps for the PADI Regulator Recovery and Clearing Skill:
1. Take a deep breath in
2. Take out the regulator, have the mouth piece down and blow bubbles
3. Move your hand to the right and drop the regulator behind the shoulder
4. Lean right, stretch your right arm, touch your knee, the tank and slide your arm in a sweep forward
5. Catch your regulator on your right arm
6. Recover the regulator, make sure it's the right way up
7. Replace the regulator in your mouth
8. Clear it either way you like it, by exhaling or purging
9. Resume breathing
Learn more about the Regulator Removal, Recovery and Clearing
1. Take a deep breath in
2. Take out the regulator, have the mouth piece down and blow bubbles
3. Move your hand to the right and drop the regulator behind the shoulder
4. Lean right, stretch your right arm, touch your knee, the tank and slide your arm in a sweep forward
5. Catch your regulator on your right arm
6. Recover the regulator, make sure it's the right way up
7. Replace the regulator in your mouth
8. Clear it either way you like it, by exhaling or purging
9. Resume breathing
Learn more about the Regulator Removal, Recovery and Clearing
PADI Partially Flooded Mask
Here are some easy tips and trick on How To Clear Mask When Scuba Diving:
1. Remain calm and think that it will feel the same as putting your face under the shower
2. Believe that this skill is easy, and it is in a way. Into your mouth and out of your nose
3. Put water in the scuba mask from the bottom and not the top of the scuba mask
4. Put water just under eye level
5. Try NOT to look down, like many scuba dive instructors teach, just look forward
6. Important: Just tilt your head SLIGHTLY up,
7. Take a relaxed and MOST important slow breath into your mouth
8. Exhale through your nose, while again just slightly looking up
9. If there is still some water in the scuba mask, then relax and repeat breathing out of your nose until the mask is clear.
Learn more about on How To Clear a Partially Flooded Mask
1. Remain calm and think that it will feel the same as putting your face under the shower
2. Believe that this skill is easy, and it is in a way. Into your mouth and out of your nose
3. Put water in the scuba mask from the bottom and not the top of the scuba mask
4. Put water just under eye level
5. Try NOT to look down, like many scuba dive instructors teach, just look forward
6. Important: Just tilt your head SLIGHTLY up,
7. Take a relaxed and MOST important slow breath into your mouth
8. Exhale through your nose, while again just slightly looking up
9. If there is still some water in the scuba mask, then relax and repeat breathing out of your nose until the mask is clear.
Learn more about on How To Clear a Partially Flooded Mask
PADI Alternate Air Source Stationary for 30 Seconds
Steps for the PADI Alternate Air Source use Stationary Skill:
1. Signal your buddy that you are out of air
2. Your buddy will now present his/her alternate air source
3. Take a breath and switch to the alternate air source (don't forget to blow bubbles)
4. clear the alternate air source anyway you like
5. Stay close to your buddy by holding each other with a roman arm shake
6. Signal: OK and UP to each other
7. Elevate the LPI and press the deflator button
8. Breath comfortably though the alternate air source for at least 30 seconds
9. Simulate and ascent by moving a bit (PADI Dance), but stay stationary underwater
Learn more about the Alternate Air Source
1. Signal your buddy that you are out of air
2. Your buddy will now present his/her alternate air source
3. Take a breath and switch to the alternate air source (don't forget to blow bubbles)
4. clear the alternate air source anyway you like
5. Stay close to your buddy by holding each other with a roman arm shake
6. Signal: OK and UP to each other
7. Elevate the LPI and press the deflator button
8. Breath comfortably though the alternate air source for at least 30 seconds
9. Simulate and ascent by moving a bit (PADI Dance), but stay stationary underwater
Learn more about the Alternate Air Source
PADI Swim Maintaining Buoyancy
How to perform the PADI Swim Over a Sensitive Bottom skill:
1. It’s important that you are in perfect trim
2. Make sure you are completely streamlined with your equipment
3. You can put your arms in front of you and have them close together
4. To swim around you can use the scissor kick or the frog kick, we recommend the frog kick if you can
5. Throughout the swim make sure that you check that you don’t touch the bottom accidentally
6. Don’t touch the surface
7. Keep checking if your equipment is still streamlined
8. Keep swimming nicely and slowly
9. Keep swimming around the pool
1. It’s important that you are in perfect trim
2. Make sure you are completely streamlined with your equipment
3. You can put your arms in front of you and have them close together
4. To swim around you can use the scissor kick or the frog kick, we recommend the frog kick if you can
5. Throughout the swim make sure that you check that you don’t touch the bottom accidentally
6. Don’t touch the surface
7. Keep checking if your equipment is still streamlined
8. Keep swimming nicely and slowly
9. Keep swimming around the pool
PADI Air Check
This Air Check Scuba Diving Skill video explains in an easy way how to check your air while scuba diving for the PADI Open Water Diver Course.
PADI Skin Dive
The PADI Skin Dive is an easy skill to learn and greatly helps people confidence, swimming and equalising techniques without Scuba Equipment - Skin Diving is the same as Free Diving.
PADI Snorkel to Regulator Exchange
Steps for the PADI Snorkel to Regulator Exchange Skill:
1. Stay fully buoyant on the surface
2. With your face in the water, please take a few breaths into your snorkel
3. Then take out your snorkel, blow bubbles and switch to your regulator (clear it anyway you like)
4. After a few breaths through you regulator, take a deep breath and switch back to your snorkel
5. Clear the snorkel by using the blast method
6. Take a few breath through your snorkel
1. Stay fully buoyant on the surface
2. With your face in the water, please take a few breaths into your snorkel
3. Then take out your snorkel, blow bubbles and switch to your regulator (clear it anyway you like)
4. After a few breaths through you regulator, take a deep breath and switch back to your snorkel
5. Clear the snorkel by using the blast method
6. Take a few breath through your snorkel
PADI Fully Flooded Mask
Steps for the How to clear a scuba mask underwater skill:
1. Fully flood the scuba mask by pulling down the top of the frame
2. Touch the top of the frame with your fingers
3. Breath into your mouth
4. Breath out of your nose while gently looking up
5. If there is still a bit of water in the mask then repeat the previous steps
6. Until the scuba mask is clear from water
Learn more about the Fully Flooded Mask
1. Fully flood the scuba mask by pulling down the top of the frame
2. Touch the top of the frame with your fingers
3. Breath into your mouth
4. Breath out of your nose while gently looking up
5. If there is still a bit of water in the mask then repeat the previous steps
6. Until the scuba mask is clear from water
Learn more about the Fully Flooded Mask
Mask Removal & Replacement
How to perform the PADI Mask Removal and Replacement skill:
1. Take off your mask with the left hand
2. With the right hand take off the strap
3. Then take off the mask and snorkel from your face
4. Make sure that you hold onto it, and you don’t drop it
5. Then make sure the snorkel is on the side and feel the nose pocket
So the mask is not upside down
6. Move the strap away and take your hairs out of the away
7. First, put the mask on your face
8. Then put the strap all around and make sure it is not twisted and the strap is high above your ears
9. Double-check that everything is OK,
10. With two fingers touch the top frame of your mask
11. Breath in through your mouth and out through your nose while gently looking up until all the water is removed from the mask.
Learn more about Mask Removal, Replacement and Clearing
1. Take off your mask with the left hand
2. With the right hand take off the strap
3. Then take off the mask and snorkel from your face
4. Make sure that you hold onto it, and you don’t drop it
5. Then make sure the snorkel is on the side and feel the nose pocket
So the mask is not upside down
6. Move the strap away and take your hairs out of the away
7. First, put the mask on your face
8. Then put the strap all around and make sure it is not twisted and the strap is high above your ears
9. Double-check that everything is OK,
10. With two fingers touch the top frame of your mask
11. Breath in through your mouth and out through your nose while gently looking up until all the water is removed from the mask.
Learn more about Mask Removal, Replacement and Clearing
PADI Air Depletion & Signal
This Air Depletion and Signal Out of Air Skill video explains in an easy way how to recognise running out of air and how to deal with that situation for the PADI Open Water Diver Course.
PADI Mask Removal & Replacement for 1 Minute
Steps for the PADI Mask Removal and Replacement 1 Minute Skill:
1. Grab the scuba mask with left hand
2. Remove the scuba mask strap with your right hand
3. Take off the scuba mask and remember to hold onto it
4. Hold it in your hands for 1 minute and breath without your mask
5. A tip is to breath slowly in and out of your mouth only
6. After 1 minute, replace the scuba mask on your face
7. Make sure the the scuba mask strap is high above the ears and no hair in the mask
8. Touch the scuba mask frame with your fingers
9. Breath into your mouth and out of your nose while gently looking up to clear you mask
Learn more about PADI Mask Removal and Replacement for 1 Minute
1. Grab the scuba mask with left hand
2. Remove the scuba mask strap with your right hand
3. Take off the scuba mask and remember to hold onto it
4. Hold it in your hands for 1 minute and breath without your mask
5. A tip is to breath slowly in and out of your mouth only
6. After 1 minute, replace the scuba mask on your face
7. Make sure the the scuba mask strap is high above the ears and no hair in the mask
8. Touch the scuba mask frame with your fingers
9. Breath into your mouth and out of your nose while gently looking up to clear you mask
Learn more about PADI Mask Removal and Replacement for 1 Minute
PADI Exit Using the Ladder
This is how you perform the Exit Using the Ladder skill:
1. First of all grab the ladder with two hands
2. Then put your two feet on the ladder
3. Make sure that everything is clear around you
4. And especially no one is behind you
5. Then slowly pull yourself up
6. Step for step
7. With all your equipment on and climb out of the pool
8. Grab your fins
1. First of all grab the ladder with two hands
2. Then put your two feet on the ladder
3. Make sure that everything is clear around you
4. And especially no one is behind you
5. Then slowly pull yourself up
6. Step for step
7. With all your equipment on and climb out of the pool
8. Grab your fins
PADI Cramp Release at the Surface (with a buddy)
Steps for the PADI Cramp Release Diving at the Surface Skill:
1. At the surface Signal to your buddy that you have a cramp in your leg
2. Grab (or let your scuba diving buddy grab) the top of your fin
3. Stretch your leg, while pulling back the top of your fin
5. You can also massage your calf
4. Balance yourself with your other arm
1. At the surface Signal to your buddy that you have a cramp in your leg
2. Grab (or let your scuba diving buddy grab) the top of your fin
3. Stretch your leg, while pulling back the top of your fin
5. You can also massage your calf
4. Balance yourself with your other arm
Fin Pivot LPI
Steps for the PADI Fin Pivot Skill:
1. Make sure you are fully deflated
2. Lay flat on your belly
3. Spread your legs and try to stretch them
4. Inhale and see if you start to rise
5. If not than add a little bit of air into your BCD by using the inflator button of your LPI
6. Take another deep breath (if you still don't rise, then repeat the steps before)
7. When you inhale you should start to rise
8. When you start rising start exhaling as there is a delay in buoyancy and the size of your lungs
9. try not to kick, scull and do "push-ups" with your hands
10. Be streamlined and only rise and fall using your lungs
Learn more about the Fin Pivot
1. Make sure you are fully deflated
2. Lay flat on your belly
3. Spread your legs and try to stretch them
4. Inhale and see if you start to rise
5. If not than add a little bit of air into your BCD by using the inflator button of your LPI
6. Take another deep breath (if you still don't rise, then repeat the steps before)
7. When you inhale you should start to rise
8. When you start rising start exhaling as there is a delay in buoyancy and the size of your lungs
9. try not to kick, scull and do "push-ups" with your hands
10. Be streamlined and only rise and fall using your lungs
Learn more about the Fin Pivot
Cramp Release Underwater (with a buddy)
Steps for the PADI Cramp Release Scuba Diving Skill:
1. Signal to your buddy that you have a cramp in your leg
2. Grab (or let your scuba diving buddy grab) the top of your fin
3. Stretch your leg, while pulling back the top of your fin
5. You can also massage your calf
4. Balance yourself with your other arm
1. Signal to your buddy that you have a cramp in your leg
2. Grab (or let your scuba diving buddy grab) the top of your fin
3. Stretch your leg, while pulling back the top of your fin
5. You can also massage your calf
4. Balance yourself with your other arm
Hover for 30 seconds
Steps for the PADI Hover Scuba Diving Skill:
1. Make sure you are fully deflated
2. Breath in and see if you start to rise
3. If not, add a little bit of air into the BCD by using the LPI (Repeat if needed)
4. Breath in and you start to rise
5. While breathing in, start slowly breathing out to slow down the rise
6. When you start to sink , start slowly breathing in (it takes time for the longs to adjust buoyancy)
7. By using normal breathing try to stay level for at least 30 seconds
8. After 30 seconds deflate the BCD
1. Make sure you are fully deflated
2. Breath in and see if you start to rise
3. If not, add a little bit of air into the BCD by using the LPI (Repeat if needed)
4. Breath in and you start to rise
5. While breathing in, start slowly breathing out to slow down the rise
6. When you start to sink , start slowly breathing in (it takes time for the longs to adjust buoyancy)
7. By using normal breathing try to stay level for at least 30 seconds
8. After 30 seconds deflate the BCD
Alternate Air Source Swim for 1 Minute (with a buddy)
Steps for the PADI Alternate Air Source Swim for 1 Minute Skill:
1. Signal your buddy that you are out of air
2. Your buddy will now present his/her alternate air source
3. Take a breath and switch to the alternate air source (don't forget to blow bubbles)
4. clear the alternate air source anyway you like
5. Stay close to your buddy by holding each other with a roman arm shake
6. Swim for at least 1 minute
7. After 1 minute swimming on the alternate air source signal to your buddy: OK and UP to each other
8. Elevate the LPI and press the deflator button
1. Signal your buddy that you are out of air
2. Your buddy will now present his/her alternate air source
3. Take a breath and switch to the alternate air source (don't forget to blow bubbles)
4. clear the alternate air source anyway you like
5. Stay close to your buddy by holding each other with a roman arm shake
6. Swim for at least 1 minute
7. After 1 minute swimming on the alternate air source signal to your buddy: OK and UP to each other
8. Elevate the LPI and press the deflator button
CESA - Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent
How to perform the PADI CESA Confined Water skill:
1. Start the CESA by being neutrally buoyant
2. Simulate the ascent position, with your right above your head and your left hand on the deflator button
3. Take a couple of deep breaths
4. Whenever you are ready, take a final breath in and start swimming slowly while exhaling continuously by making an aaaaaaaaaaah sound
5. Keep swimming slowly with-out touching the bottom or the surface
7. Keep exhaling making that continuous sound
8. Swim for at least 9 meters until the CESA is Finished
Learn more about the CESA - Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent
1. Start the CESA by being neutrally buoyant
2. Simulate the ascent position, with your right above your head and your left hand on the deflator button
3. Take a couple of deep breaths
4. Whenever you are ready, take a final breath in and start swimming slowly while exhaling continuously by making an aaaaaaaaaaah sound
5. Keep swimming slowly with-out touching the bottom or the surface
7. Keep exhaling making that continuous sound
8. Swim for at least 9 meters until the CESA is Finished
Learn more about the CESA - Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent
Tired Diver Tow 25 Meters
Steps for the PADI Tired Diver Tow Skill:
1. Approach the tired diver and ask him/her if they are ok and what happened
2. When they response: "I'm Tired", ask the to inflate their BCD fully and put the mask and snorkel in
3. Explain to the tired diver that you will tow him/her back to the boat or shore
4. Grab their tank valve / first stage
5. Start swimming on your back
6. While swimming relax the tired diver by talking to them
1. Approach the tired diver and ask him/her if they are ok and what happened
2. When they response: "I'm Tired", ask the to inflate their BCD fully and put the mask and snorkel in
3. Explain to the tired diver that you will tow him/her back to the boat or shore
4. Grab their tank valve / first stage
5. Start swimming on your back
6. While swimming relax the tired diver by talking to them
Scuba Unit Removal & Replacement at the Surface
Steps for the PADI Scuba Unit Removal and Replacement at the Surface Skill:
1. Make sure you are fully inflated
2. Unclip the chest strap
3. Release the shoulder straps
4. Unclip the BCD / Scuba Unit buckle and remove the velcro
5. Take off the BCD / Scuba Unit
6. Remember to hold onto the BCD / Scuba Unit
7. Put back on the BCD / Scuba Unit - A trick is to sit on it
8. Secure the velcro, belly clip, shoulder releases and the chest strap
9. Double check if all your equipment is streamlined
1. Make sure you are fully inflated
2. Unclip the chest strap
3. Release the shoulder straps
4. Unclip the BCD / Scuba Unit buckle and remove the velcro
5. Take off the BCD / Scuba Unit
6. Remember to hold onto the BCD / Scuba Unit
7. Put back on the BCD / Scuba Unit - A trick is to sit on it
8. Secure the velcro, belly clip, shoulder releases and the chest strap
9. Double check if all your equipment is streamlined
Hover Orally Inflate for 1 Minute
Steps for the PADI Hover and Orally Inflate the BCD for One Minute Skill:
1. Make sure you are fully deflated
2. With your left hand grab the low pressure inflator hose
3. Take a deep breath into your regulator
4. Remove your regulator with your right hand (remember to hold onto it)
5. Make sure that you blow bubbles
6. With your left hand press the LPI deflate button and gently blow some air into the BCD
7. Replace your regulator into your mouth and clear anyway you like it
8. Take a deep breath in and see if you rise (if not the repeat step 1 to 7)
9. When you rise start to exhale to slow down the ascent
10. When you go down start to inhale to slow your sinking
11. Try to stay neutrally buoyant and hover on normal breathing
12. Don't kick or scull, be streamlined
13. After 1 minute hovering, deflate the BCD
14. Done with Hovering
Learn more about the Hover Orally Inflate for 1 Minute
1. Make sure you are fully deflated
2. With your left hand grab the low pressure inflator hose
3. Take a deep breath into your regulator
4. Remove your regulator with your right hand (remember to hold onto it)
5. Make sure that you blow bubbles
6. With your left hand press the LPI deflate button and gently blow some air into the BCD
7. Replace your regulator into your mouth and clear anyway you like it
8. Take a deep breath in and see if you rise (if not the repeat step 1 to 7)
9. When you rise start to exhale to slow down the ascent
10. When you go down start to inhale to slow your sinking
11. Try to stay neutrally buoyant and hover on normal breathing
12. Don't kick or scull, be streamlined
13. After 1 minute hovering, deflate the BCD
14. Done with Hovering
Learn more about the Hover Orally Inflate for 1 Minute