PADI Open Water Diver Course

Open Water Diver course offered by Metropol Underwater Club. 

What is it?

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Course in Open Water Scuba Diving

Who may join?

• Any current or past member of the Toronto Police Service (Uniform or Civilian)
• Any current member of the A.A.A. (Amateur Athletic Association)
• Any member of another Police Service.
• Any member of a recognized Emergency Service (Ambulance - Fire etc.)
• Any immediate family members of the above listed.
• Other persons who are referred by existing members and approved by the Metropol Executive.
• MINIMUM age accepted is 10 years. (Instructor will evaluate). A release signed by the parent or a legal guardian is required.

When  does it start?

 Contact US for further information.

Where are classroom and pool sessions held?

Toronto Police Service Training College

Finch Ave East at Brimley Rd., Scarborough

(Week 1 is orientation, sign up and classroom only. Pool sessions start in week 2.)

What are the requisites?

• You must be in generally good health (even though we’re weightless under water, scuba equipment is heavy on land) and you must be comfortable in the water.
• There’s a lot of paperwork. You will need to complete:
  • Metropol Underwater Club Membership application form and Police College Liability Release
  • PADI Statement of Understanding, Liability Release and Medical Form

What does the course consist of?

The PADI Open Water Course is designed with three major components

1. Academic instruction
2. Pool skills training
3. Open water certification

1.  Academic Instruction:

The PADI Open Water course is a modular format consisting of five classroom sessions including demonstrations and video/CD Rom presentations. Topics include the equipment and techniques of scuba diving, physiological and medical effects of pressure, as well as environmental familiarisation and diving safety procedures.

You will complete short assignments (knowledge reviews) to demonstrate your understanding of the material from your PADI Open Water Manual, which is supplied with the course.

After completing the academic portion, there’s an exam consisting of 50 multiple choice; true/false and fill-in-the-blank questions.

2.  Pool Skills Training

The second component of the course is the pool skills training.  Each classroom session will be followed immediately by a pool session from approximately 7:45 pm to 9:00 pm.

You don’t have to be an excellent swimmer; however a certain degree of ability in the water must be demonstrated and we’ll lead you through swimming and snorkelling exercises as well as treading water for a measured (short) period of time.  These standards can be met by anyone in fair physical condition who is capable of swimming (any style) for even short distances. 

Any one who is considering the course, but is not confident in swimming ability should contact an Instructor.

You will learn to assemble, wear and use scuba equipment, using Metropol club equipment. The skills we teach you are practical and useful and prepare you for your open water certification.  These skills are taught in a progressive fashion, with certified assistant instructors and dive masters available to assist each student on an individual basis, should anyone encounter any difficulties.

3.  Open Water Certification

Open water certification consists of 4 scuba dives (and one snorkel dive) held over two days where you put your pool training to practical use and is not included in the course fee.

After successful completion of your open water certification, you will be issued a photo identification card that enables you to rent or purchase scuba equipment or book dive charters anywhere in the world, and to begin to explore this amazing new underwater world you’ve just become an elite member of.

From there, you can continue your scuba diving education, or you can simply enjoy the realm that has opened up to you as a PADI Open Water Diver. The card is a lifetime issue, with no renewal required.

You can do your open water certification dives in one of two ways:

What does your course fee cover? 

• One year’s membership with Metropol Underwater Club, which entitles you to use the club facilities, participate in any of the club’s functions or organized scuba dives

• Classroom materials and training including:

o       Instruction (demonstration and video/CD presentation) in scuba diving

o       PADI Open Water Training Manual

o       PADI Recreational Dive Planner (table version)

o       PADI Open Water examination

o       PADI Training Dive Log

o       Head and shoulders photograph to be included on certification card

• Use of pool training items including:

o       Scuba tank

o       Buoyancy Control Device (vest or jacket)

o       Regulator with submersible pressure gauge and alternate second stage (octopus)

o       Wetsuit (limited availability and sizes)

o       Additional lead weights

• Certification Referral

o       The referral signed by your instructor will allow you to complete the required open water dives at any location (tropical or local) with an instructor of your choice

Provided by student (not included in course fee) **

• Scuba Mask **
• Fins **
• Boots (if using strapped fins) **
• Snorkel **
• Weight belt and six pounds of lead weights**

** If you don’t already have them you don’t need to purchase any of these pool training items until after the first classroom session where we will provide information as to the proper types of equipment.

What does the course (classroom and pool) cost?

·        AAA members receive a special discount of $25.00. AAA class and pool course cost is $195.00.

What is the cost of the Open Water certification dives through Metropol?

• Metropol Certification Option ($50.00) Includes:

o       Completion of 4 open water dives and 1 snorkel dive led by a qualified PADI instructor

o       Certification & registration costs

o       PADI Open Water Crest & Metropol - PADI Open Water Certificate*

Note: If you do your certification with a dive shop or other PADI facility, you may not receive a diploma or crest. This is a Metropol club offering.

• Provided by Student (not included in certification fee)

o       Full open water scuba gear (rental is approx. $80 - $100 for the weekend in the Toronto area)

o       2 filled scuba tanks

o       Mask – Snorkel - Fins

o       Weight belt (with approx. 24 lb. of weight)

o       Transportation, meals, accommodations and incidentals

There are no other direct costs involved in completing the course and becoming a certified diver.

Note: If you choose to do your open water certification dives through a local dive shop or in another location (e.g. the Caribbean), certification costs vary from location to location. The internet can provide information on current pricing options.

Certified Metropol Dive Instructors:

Sandy Robb