As a dive instructor I worked both in the UK and in various tropical S.E. Asia locations. Now when I worked in the UK a typical PADI open water course would take around 4-6 weeks, weather dependant. This would involve some classroom work and pool session during the week and open water dives at the weekend.

This type of schedule worked for some but not others who would have other commitments. We would offer individual schedules but people would have to pay for this privilege.

Teaching people on holiday would take around four days. These types of courses very rarely went beyond the four days so people who started their dive course pretty much knew when it would end. As I said my teaching was in S.E. Asia so those I taught were here for longer than a week's break so time wasn't of an issue. If you're on holiday for only a week then maybe four days on a diving course wouldn't be the best thing to do.

So the answer to where to get your diver training is really a personal choice and only you can decide were you will have the time to do it. What you should remember though is that there will be no difference in your diving course structure wherever you learn to dive.

There are many different agencies out there that will teach you diving and I'm not here to say who is best or point a finger at those that are poor.

I choose to be a PADI instructor because I wanted to travel the world while having a means of getting cash. After some research it worked out best for me to train in the PADI structure. I however first learnt to dive as a BSAC diver during my days at university when diving was still a hobby to me.

With that in mind I will tell you what you will do as a PADI open water diver.

The course is spit into 3 parts:

1. Knowledge Development - This is broken down further into 5 chapters of a book with mini exams at the end of each chapter. These mini exams are only used to let you know what areas you need to work on. At the end of his section there is an Exam with a high pass mark to get through. So far I have yet to see anyone fail this, at least on the second attempt. :-)

2. Confined Water Training - This should be conducted in a pool setting with a shallow area and a deep are. You will start to learn the skills you need when on your open water dives and practice them in a safe environment first. This builds your confidence and knowledge of the requirements to move onwards and outwards to the Open Sea.

3. Open Water Training - This is the final part of the course and the reason you want to dive. You will have 4 dives in open water and on each dive you will repeat the skills you learnt in the pool. These skills by now should only take 15mins at the most, so you can just explore the underwater world for the rest of your dive time.

So now you know what you will be doing what are you waiting for go LEARN TO DIVE!

As you start any scuba diving course you should not have to buy any equipment. Everything you need should be included in the cost of the course.

However for your own comfort and hygiene it is recommended that you buy at least the basics sometime during the academic and pool sections, or least before you get to the open water. The reason for this is that you will get a chance to test it out in the pool before you have to use it in open water.

The Basics

So what are the basics? For most this includes a mask and snorkel set and a pair of fins. Depending on the type of fins you buy you may need some water shoes as well.

These basics can be used on other holidays were you may want to do some snorkelling, so they are not really something you will only use when scuba diving. If you purchase full foot fins they you will have to be careful when cross sharp coral reef shoes may help with this but its best to avoid walking on coral reef all to gather.

The Advanced

The list of Scuba gear you will eventually need will depend strongly on the type of diving you want to do. All kit lists however will include a regulator to breath with and alternative air source (AAS), a contents gauge to tell you how much air you have and maybe a compass. You should then look at BCD's and choose what is right for you. You can wait a very long time to get an air cylinder, thats if you ever get one at all. The type of exposure suit you will get will depend on the amount of diving you do and what temperature the water will be.

The Luxury

Not really something you will look to get at the start of your diving but an Underwater Digital Camera will allow you to record what you see on your dives. I have been on an Open Water Diver Course once were the students had a disposable underwater camera which is not really a hazard if the rules of its use during the dives are stated before you enter the water.