The theory of each diving level
In short
Four levels take you from your first certification to Divemaster. Each one adds theory: pressure and your body first, then deep diving and navigation, then rescue, then the physics and physiology a dive professional needs. With PADI, adult Open Water Divers stay above about 18 m (60 ft), and Advanced Open Water takes them to 30 m (100 ft).
Whether you have just signed up for a course or are choosing the next one, each page below covers one level: what it lets you do, who can start it, the theory it adds and how your knowledge is checked, with a study plan and questions taken from the app.
- Open Water Diver: what you can do, what you learn, how it’s testedWhat an Open Water Diver can do, the depth limits and minimum ages, the theory in each module, how the final exam works and how to prepare for it.
- Advanced Open Water: the dives, the depth limit and the theoryWhat Advanced Open Water lets you do, the five training dives, the 30 m (100 ft) limit, the theory of deep, navigation and nitrox dives, and how to study.
- Rescue Diver: what the course asks of you and what to studyRescue Diver course theory: who can enroll, how stress, panic and missing-diver scenarios are taught, first aid principles, the final exam and study tips.
- Divemaster: the role, the prerequisites and the dive theoryWhat a divemaster does, the prerequisites, the dive theory behind the final exam (gas laws, physiology, equipment, leading divers) and a study plan.
