An open water scuba diver certification is a lifetime certificate. This allows you to go diving with a buddy, rent gear, belong to a community of friends, constantly have good stories for work on Monday and have unlimited fun diving both here and while traveling.
The process of learning to scuba dive takes about 25 hours. You will need 8 hours of classroom for the academics, 8 hours of pool time to learn, practice and play in the water and finally about 8 hours out in the lake, quarry or ocean to make sure you are comfortable diving and have mastered all the safety procedures. The extra hour is for laughing and telling stories.
Here is the information you need.
What is the schedule for classes?
The open water diver program consists of three sections. You need to complete each section to finish your certification.
- OW1: Classroom
- OW2: Pool
- OW3: Checkout dives
The classroom section is on weeknights, weekends or even a mixed set of days at Fontana Sports on the westside of Madison. There also is an elearning option for classroom if you can’t find a time that works for you.
The pool section is conducted at McFarland High School Pool only once per month. The pool section has two parts and is only Saturday evening (4p - 8p) and Sunday morning (8a – noon) and you need to attend both parts to finish your pool section.
The checkout section is in Lake Mendota here in Madison. This section, like the classroom, is offered weeknights, weekends or combinations. You do have to complete sections 1 and 2 before section 3.
We understand that people’s lives are busy and sometimes it is hard to make schedules work. That having a job thing always seems to be in the way. Ask us to help you and we can usually work out some combination or special section time that lets you finish your scuba certification. To choose your class sections visit the calendar to view all the possible dates. Remember, you need to choose a date for each section.
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What does the class cost?
The entire class costs $320.00 and includes the books, certification fee, pool session cost, rental gear and your certification card and a fair amount of good stories. You need to bring or purchase your own mask, snorkel and boots to ensure proper fit and comfort.
You can purchase your mask, snorkel and boots the day of the class if you wish to do it then. If you have your own or just purchased a mask, make sure you follow these cleaning instructions prior to class. If you are purchasing a mask the day of the class, which is ok, we will have all the stuff you need at the pool to clean it as well.
We highly recommend you buy a wetsuit for diving, even in the pool at 80º, people get cold. No matter where you dive, you will probably want your own wetsuit.
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What is the process and cost if I want to finish on vacation?
This process is called a “Referral” and means that you will need to finish your OW1: classroom and OW2: pool sessions here and then simply take your checkout dives on your vacation. The cost for classroom and pool only is $285.00.
The only catch is sometimes the checkout dives can be expensive while on vacation. You need to confirm the prices with dive shop you plan on taking your checkout dives with before you go.
To choose dates visit the calendar to view all the possible dates. Remember, you need to choose a date for each section.
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What are the requirements to to be able scuba?
You need to be able to swim at the most basic level, have reasonable health, be willing to explore, be at least ten years old and have a willingness to laugh while spending time with friends.
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I am not sure that scuba is for me. How can I tell?
Sometimes it is hard to know if you’re going to like something until you try it, like asparagus. The same is true with scuba. So often people will sign up for a discover scuba class which lets you basically try diving in the pool without having to spend a lot of money or time. This choice is really popular with kids who are not sure if they want to do it or merely as just something fun to do on a weekend. MOM I’m Bored Syndrome. We offer this class on the same weekend as the open water pool session.
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This sounds great how do I sign up for class?
You need to come to the Fontana Sports Dive Shop, pay for your class, pick up your books, choose your class dates, get some great free magazines and a good joke. You can also sign up via the eLearning system and start today.
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What do I need to do before class?
You should have received a student pack which contains a book or CD, brown student information folder, logbook and an electronic recreational dive planer eRDPML. (The blue calculator thingy) If you didn’t get all of these pieces please contact us right away.
- You need to have read your book or watched your CD and completed all knowledge reviews prior to class and bring these knowledge review sheets to class with you. You need to print out the CD version answers. We also understand you will have questions and concerns, especially with the dive planner. We will be reviewing all the materials in class as well. So bring your own questions too.
- You need to complete the student profile / emergency contact Information section and the diver’s medical questionnaire section of your brown folder. Please answer “Yes” or “No” (not Y or N) to each question. If you answer “Yes” to any question, you must have a medical release / physician’s written permission form to participate in the pool and open water sections. You can obtain the medical release from the shop or you can download and print the medical release (PDF).
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You can purchase your mask, snorkel and boots the day of the class if you wish to do it then. If you have your own or just purchased a mask, make sure you follow these cleaning instructions prior to class. If you are purchasing a mask the day of the class, which is ok, we will have all the stuff you need at the pool to clean it as well. We highly recommend you buy a wetsuit for diving, even in the pool at 80º, people get cold. No matter where you dive, you will probably want your own wetsuit.
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