PADI confined and open water skills list

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Heatheroe

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I tried searching but can't seem to find a comprehensive answer. I also emailed the shop we're considering using but haven't gotten a response yet. So what are the skills we'll need to perform for the confined and open water portions? I read a thread about the "don and doff" skill and that scares the heck out of me.


Aside from the swim test, I know we'll have to clear mask, retrieve reg, etc but what else? I want to be as prepared as possible. Do shops usually tell you everything or do they keep some things a secret to test your abilities with a surprise skill?
 
Open Water Scuba Diving Course Skills

That list actually has a couple that weren't taught in my class (air depletion and free-diving techniques) but for the most part that list covers the skills fairly well.

I can't find anything directly listing skills on the PADI website, though I may have missed it.

I don't think shops keep secrets to surprise you with skills but I suspect they don't all highlight "this is a skill we're going to test". In my class they just demonstrated a skill and had us do it a few times while they watched. No big deal.
 
You do not do any of the skills in isolation. Each skill will be explained, the why and how, demonstrated to you (maybe even more than once), and you will be given the opportunity to do the skills. You will perform the skill until you are comfortable and confident. Maybe you "get" it in one try. You might need more attempts until you are comfortable and confident. You should have lots of opportunity to practice those skills. Do not fall into the trap of thinking "I've done it and I don't need to do it again". Practice as much as you can while you are in the pool.

Your Open Water Diver Manual lists all the skills to be done on each Confined Water Dive and each Open Water Dive. It's all there.
 
You do not do any of the skills in isolation. Each skill will be explained, the why and how, demonstrated to you (maybe even more than once), and you will be given the opportunity to do the skills. You will perform the skill until you are comfortable and confident. Maybe you "get" it in one try. You might need more attempts until you are comfortable and confident. You should have lots of opportunity to practice those skills. Do not fall into the trap of thinking "I've done it and I don't need to do it again". Practice as much as you can while you are in the pool.

Your Open Water Diver Manual lists all the skills to be done on each Confined Water Dive and each Open Water Dive. It's all there.
Good point about the manual, but that assumes the OP already has a manual. Most don't get the manual until they actually sign up for the course, which sounds like hasn't happened yet.
 
Don and doff isn't a big deal. As long as you keep control of the regulator in your mouth, nothing can happen. However, if it's not part of the official course standards, they can't fail you for not doing it.
 
Good point about the manual, but that assumes the OP already has a manual. Most don't get the manual until they actually sign up for the course, which sounds like hasn't happened yet.

Yup, and I though about that when I answered the question...had a little debate with myself before I typed.

My thought process? Why worry until you have the book in front of you and the time comes? That's just me though.

---------- Post added April 3rd, 2013 at 08:55 AM ----------

Don and doff isn't a big deal. As long as you keep control of the regulator in your mouth, nothing can happen. However, if it's not part of the official course standards, they can't fail you for not doing it.

There you go...how are you defining "don and doff" to a new student. What is your definition?

Heathroe will do a "scuba unit remove and replace". Take off the scuba unit and put it back on, both on the surface and underwater. It is an "official course standard".


 
I definitely didn't do a don/doff underwater for my PADI OW course. We did a mask/snorkel retrieval exercise that was our "no mask swim" skill and "mask clearing" skill combined. I already know our class had a couple of "lacking" things though, so I'm not surprised.
 
I definitely didn't do a don/doff underwater for my PADI OW course. We did a mask/snorkel retrieval exercise that was our "no mask swim" skill and "mask clearing" skill combined. I already know our class had a couple of "lacking" things though, so I'm not surprised.

Yup, you were lacking in things. I love how you had three mask skills combined. Combining skills, skills out of order, not conducting required skills....all Standards Violations.

Geeze, the no mask swim does not come until CW4. By that time you would have cleared a partially flooded mask, removed and replaced the mask, breathed for a minute without a mask, and have some neutral buoyant swimming work. It's all supposed to be a progression.

Remove and replace comes in CW5.

So, in that light Heatheroe's OP brings up a good point - knowing what the skills are as listed in the Manual, she (I'm assuming here!) will know if something is lacking. The video also has a Confined Water Preview.
 
Here is the list from the 2012 PADI Instructor Manual of the performance requirements for each CW dive.

Dive Flexible Skills

• Skin Diving — During any Confined Water Dive, have student divers demonstrate:

1. Proper hyperventilation when skin diving.
2. A vertical dive from the surface in water too deep in which to stand (without excessive splashing or arm movement).
3. Clearing and breathing from a snorkel upon ascent.

• Equipment Preparation and Care —
1. Have student divers assemble and disassemble the scuba unit fi ve times during confi ned water training.
a. At least three times by the end of Confined Water Dive 3.
b. At least fi ve times before the end of Confined Water Dive 5.
c. The last three times with little or no assistance.

2. Have divers streamline and secure equipment for confined water dives.
3. Have student divers demonstrate proper post-dive care of scuba equipment by the end of Confined Water Dive 3.

Dive 1 Performance Requirements
At the surface:
1. Put on and adjust mask, fi ns, snorkel, BCD, scuba and weights with assistance.
2. Infl ate/defl ate a BCD using the low pressure inflator.

Underwater in shallow water:
3. Breathe compressed air by breathing naturally, without breath-holding.
4. Clear a regulator using both the exhalation and purge button methods, then resume breathing from it.
5. Recover a regulator from behind the shoulder.
6. Clear a partially flooded mask.
7. Breathe from an alternate air source supplied by another diver for at least 30 seconds.

Underwater:
8. Swim with scuba equipment while maintaining control of both direction and depth. Equalize the ears and mask to accommodate depth changes.
9. Locate and read the submersible pressure gauge and signal whether the air supply is adequate or low based on the gauge’s caution zone.
10. Recognize and demonstrate standard hand signals.
11. Ascend using proper technique.

Dive 2 Performance Requirements
At the surface:
1. Perform the buddy predive safety check.
2. Demonstrate appropriate deep-water entry.
3. Clear a snorkel using the blast method, then resume breathing through it without lifting the face from the water.
4. Exchange snorkel for regulator and regulator for snorkel repeatedly without lifting the face from the water.
5. Swim at least 50 metres/yards while wearing scuba and breathing through a snorkel.
6. Adjust for proper weighting — fl oat at eye level at the surface with no or minimal air in the BCD and while holding a normal breath.
7. Orally inflate a BCD to at least half full in water too deep in which to stand, then fully deflate it.
8. Remove weights using the quick release mechanism with minimal assistance
9. Remove weights, scuba unit and fins (if necessary) in water too deep in which to stand and exit using the most appropriate technique. (Buddy assistance allowed.)

Underwater:
10.Descend using the five-point method.
11. Remove, replace and clear a mask.
12. Breathe without a mask for at least one minute.
13. Disconnect the low pressure hose from the inflator in shallow water (either underwater or at the surface).
14. Respond to air depletion by signaling “out-of-air” in water too deep in which to stand.
15. Ascend using the five-point method.

Dive 3 Performance Requirements
At the surface:
1. Perform a tired diver tow for 25 metres/yards in water too deep in which to stand.
2. Demonstrate the cramp removal technique for self and buddy (at the surface or underwater).

Underwater:
3. Use both oral and low-pressure BCD inflation to become neutrally buoyant. Gently rise and fall in a controlled manner, during inhalation and exhalation.
4. Swim at least 10 metres/yards while maintaining neutral buoyancy.
5. Respond to air depletion by signaling “out of air,” and securing and breathing from an alternate air source supplied by a buddy. Continue for at least one minute while swimming.
6. Supply air to another diver using an alternate air source.
7. Breathe effectively from a free-fl owing regulator for at least 30 seconds.
8. Simulate a controlled emergency swimming ascent by swimming horizontally for at least 9 metres/30 feet while emitting a continuous sound.

Dive 4 Performance Requirements
Underwater:
1. Swim without a mask for at least 15 metres/50 feet, then replace and clear the mask.
2. Hover using buoyancy control for at least 30 seconds,without kicking or sculling.

Dive 5 Performance Requirements:
At the surface:
1. Remove, replace, adjust and secure the scuba unit and weight system in water too deep in which to stand, with minimal assistance.


Underwater:
2. Remove, replace, adjust and secure the scuba unit on the bottom in water too deep in which to stand, with minimal assistance.
3. Remove, replace, adjust and secure weight system.
• With weight belt – on the bottom in water too deep in which to stand.
• With weight integrated BCDs (or weight harness systems that require reassembly after weights are removed) – in shallow water.

---------- Post added April 3rd, 2013 at 12:14 PM ----------

Where in NC do you live? What PADI shop are you taking your class with?
 
Your instructor will be *rightthere* for every skill you do to make sure you are ok. For the take off/put back on skills he/she will be right next you, possibly even holding on to you. The best advise is to take it slow. It isn't a race to get the skill done. Think about and visualize what you are going to do. Take deep breaths and be methodical. If you want more practice, ask to do the skill again to feel comfortable doing it.
 

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