Open Water Dive Courses Cairns

Please note: You may be required to complete an Australian Dive Medical (in compliance with Australian Standards AS 4005.1) prior to / in conjunction with this course. This is an additional cost and can be undertaken locally at several Cairns doctors / medical clinics. Contact us for more information about a Cairns Dive Medical.

Over 150,000 people have learnt to scuba dive on Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef. Cairns operators offer both PADI and SSI dive certification, with all courses including dives on the Outer Great Barrier Reef.

PADI vs SSI Dive Courses

So, what is the difference between PADI and SSI learn to dive courses? Essentially, there is no difference. PADI and SSI are both a “brand” of scuba diving learning and certification. They were developed, by different organisations with the same intention: to provide divers with a “safe standard” and “code” of learning and professionalism. Much like Coke and Pepsi are both cola soft drinks, with a slightly different taste, so it is with PADI and SSI diving.

PADI – the Professional Association of Diving Instructors – and SSI – Scuba Schools International – both offer internationally recognised diving certifications, qualifications and licenses. Cairns has professional PADI and SSI scuba schools, with more than 60 years combined experience and over 150,000 dive courses to their credit. So you know you are in safe, experienced hands.

How do you choose? The good news is that there is no right or wrong choice to make. Cairns is a safe place to learn to scuba dive and the PADI and SSI dive centres offer professional equipment, classrooms, instructors and boats. As above, referral courses are available, but the most popular option is to complete the entire course in Cairns.

When booking an Open Water learn to dive course there are a few options. To make your decision easier, we’ve provided a brief overview of the differences.

4 Day vs 5 Day Courses

All Cairns Learn to Dive Open Water courses include 2 days of classroom theory and basic skills work in a swimming pool. In this time you are given a thorough introduction and briefing on scuba diving. You learn about the equipment, safety signals (and how to communicate under the water), correct dive swimming techniques, buoyancy control, how to equalise, how to avoid decompression sickness, breathing underwater, mask clearing, regulator retrievals, buddy air sharing and emergency ascents. Textbooks are provided and tests are given and must be passed, before you can proceed to the open water component of the course.

All basic skills are practiced in swimming pools, where you will also be required to demonstrate that you are able to swim 200m and tread water for at least 10 minutes. Once everything has been completed to the satisfaction of your qualified dive instructor, you proceed to the open water component of your learn to dive course on the Great Barrier Reef.