PADI is the leading certification agency for recreational scuba diving. Open Water certification enables the diver to buy and rent scuba equipment, and to dive without instructor supervision. Learning to dive is fun and can be accomplished by anyone who is at least 10 years old, able to swim, and reasonably comfortable in the water.

 The PADI Open Water Diver course begins with academic training, designed to provide the knowledge necessary to begin diving safely. Use of diving equipment and diving skills are then practiced in a swimming pool. Learning how to apply the newly acquired knowledge and skills are then practiced during four open water dives over two days.

 Monte Lee Thornton, PADI Master Instructor and Irene Scott Thornton, Master Scuba Diver Trainer teach the PADI Open Water Diver certification course in a flexible format tailored to meet your needs. Varying degrees of independent study is available through the use of books, video tapes, DVD, and computer CD-ROM. Pool sessions can be conducted in a public facility. Open water dives are possible at a variety of Texas locations in Houston, Huntsville, and Austin, New Braunfels or at a tropical resort.

Fees are consistent with those charged by local dive shops. We will be happy to provide your basic personal equipment items such as mask, fins, and snorkel for the course, and in the course you will learn about the equipment features and benifits of the differences before your selection. Most Dive resorts will rent you everything you need to go diving.

The PADI Open Water Diver course materials include the textbook, recreational dive planner, and dive log.