PADI is the worlds largest diver certification organization. For more than 40 years, PADI has set the standard in diver education.

More divers participate in PADI programs than any other, making PADI the most recognized and respected diver credential in the world.

PADI’s materials are available in 23 languages and are in use in more than 175 countries and territories around the world.

PADI’s training programs and educational products, including manuals, instructor guides, videos and CD-ROMs, are recognized in the dive industry as being the most current, educationally valid and effective training products available.

Serpent Aquatics is a recognized PADI Training Facility. Learning to dive with us is your first fin kick into the wonders of the underwater world.

Learning to dive starts with the PADI Open Water Certification Course. This is your first fin kick to discovering and safely enjoying our underwater world.

The PADI Open Water course allows you to dive with any certified diver to a maximum depth of 60’.

You have a couple of options to attain this rating

Option #1

Complete the entire two week course here in the Okanagan by participating in 4/5 pool sessions and 4 open water dives. Included in the course is a PADI Academic Student Kit and all your gear except the following personal items - Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Boots and Gloves.

Our store carries a great selection of this gear with prices ranging from $200.00 to over $500.00

If you have your own gear, your welcome to use it and we have a rental package available for $50.00 + GST.

If you choose to rent and decide to purchase sometime during the course we will credit the $50.00 against the package price.

We provide students with Dry Suits for the Open Water dive. There is no charge for this option, but if you’re interested you can receive a PADI Dry Suit Specialty Course rating for a fee. You are not obligated to purchasing this rating.

The advantage in learning to dive here is that having a certification card identifying you as a cold water diver is recognition when you travel to warmer waters. There are more challenges to diving cold water but in the end you’re more proficient.

The PADI Student Kit is designed for self-study so we spend less time in the classroom and more time in the pool and open water. The training, manual is divided into 5 sections. At the end of each section is a Knowledge Review which you write like an open book exam. When you come to the class session we focus on the academics you find challenging rather than review information you know. We test you with 4 quizzes and a final exam and you’re expected to get a passing make of 70% for certification. Each section of the manual outlines the Confined Water pool sessions and you’re provided with a DVD for the course for a visual picture of the skills you learn.

Option #2

Complete the Academics and the 4/5 pool session only. This option is designed for those who are planning a tropical holiday. Once you’ve met the requirements for the academics and pool portion of the course we provide you with Referral Documents that are presented to a Dive Training Facility at your travel destination. With this facility you complete the required 4 open water dives and they process your certification. The cost for the Open Water dives runs anywhere from U$250.00 to U$350.00. The dives are usually conducted from a boat and should include the dive gear.

Academic options

You have two choices for the academic portion of the course.

· Included in the above fees is the PADI Student Kit. The kit includes the manual, a Log Book and training Record and a calculator for planning dives.

· Or you can choose to complete the academic using the PADI E-Learning program. The cost for this option is U$120.00 and allows you to learn in the comfort of your home on a computer. This eliminates classroom sessions at the store and you focus on the pool sessions and open water dives. We have students from North and South of us in the Okanagan Valley and others on holidays that use the option to maximize their time and still meet the PADI training requirements. With this option you have to purchase a Logbook and Dive Planning Calculator package for $48.95.

· If you choose to register for the E-Learning package, register on-line @ www.padi.com and input Serpent Aquatics as the training facility. Our store number is 30160. PADI notifies us by e-mail that you’re on-line and then we work out scheduling for the pool and or open water dives.

Continue to learn and expand your knowledge and skill sets with the PADI Advanced Diver Certification Course. Learn to dive safely to a depth of 100 feet along with advanced skill sets that allow you to Navigate, Night Dive and more.

There is a unique relationship between PADI Adventure Dives, the Advanced Course and Specialty Course certifications. If you participate in Adventure dives, they can be used as a credit towards either your Advanced or Specialty course certifications.

The PADI Rescue Diver teaches you skills to help yourself and buddies in and underwater. Take the challenge, improve your skills while acquiring skill sets specific to making your dive adventures as safe as possible.

And if you acquire 10 Specialty Course Certifications, you are recognized as a PADI Master Scuba Diver, the highest rating you can receive as a recreational diver.

During July and August Serpent Aquatics offers Adventure Dives weekly. Contact the Dive Centre to find out what activity is planned for these fun filled learning experiences.