Initial Certification

The PADI Open Water Diver Course is the most recognized certification in the world, opening all of the oceans for
exploration and adventure. The course provides new divers with the knowledge and training to safely explore our
exciting undersea world.

It is a performance based curriculum, enabling students to progress at their own speed. The course includes three
elements, academic, pool and open water instruction. State of the art teaching techniques and tools are included in
the curriculum in order to ensure the content is up to date and exciting.

Blue Horizons offers complete course flexibility by allowing you to design the program that works best for you. You need to select one option from each column below.

Choose only one academic option, one pool option and one open water option from the grid below.

Academics   Pool Session   Open Water
E-learn $120   Group $275   Local $275
Classroom $115   Flex $375   Escorted Trips $275
    Private $475   Referral $35

Call us, 610-558-1101, or email us with your preferred options.


Academic options:

E-LEARNING - $120 – we feel strongly that the new e-learning option provides the most convenience for students.

  • • Complete anywhere you get an internet connection
    • Classroom time reduced to one short session
    • Instructor available anytime throughout your e-learning sessions for consultation via telephone and email
    • Available at any of our venues but is especially perfect for our Philadelphia and other off site locations.

How do I complete elearning?

  • • click on e-learning and select open water course in your desired language from the pull down menu.
    • Once you complete the sessions print out the certificate.
    • We will review the material with you to make sure you have complete understanding then proceed
       with the pool sessions and the real fun!

CLASSROOM - $115 – If the internet is not your thing we offer a traditional classroom setting using a
textbook and DVD. With this option we schedule 6 hours of classroom session concurrent with your pool session.

Pool Schedule Options:

GROUP POOL SESSIONS - $275 – at the Blue Horizons location in Glen Mills the course is completed in one Thursday
evening from 6:00PM to 9:30PM and the following Saturday from Noon to 5:30PM. If you selected the traditional classroom option above the classroom session will be held on Saturday from 9:00AM to Noon and Sunday from 11:00AM to 3:00PM.

In Philadelphia group lessons are on Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 5:00PM. If you selected the traditional classroom sessions option above the academic sessions are held Saturday and Sunday from 9AM to Noon.

FLEX POOL SESSIONS - $375 - Our unique Flex Schedule allows you to set your own schedule. We will conduct your academic sessions in the store anytime we are open; you need only give us 24 hours notice. You can complete your pool dives in Glen Mills or Philadelphia. We go to the pool on the first and third Thursday of every month in Glen Mills. We go to the pool on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month in Philadelphia. Most students can complete the course in three pool sessions, some prefer more. These sessions need not be consecutive and you can use both locations if time is short.

PRIVATE POOL SESSIONS - $475 - For those looking for the ultimate in flexibility, we offer private lessons at your place or ours. You set the schedule. Get the ultimate in personal attention. Blue Horizons can also structure a class specifically for you and your friends.

Open Water Certification Dive Options

The third element of certification is demonstrating your abilities through four open water dives conducted over two or more days. Consistent with our commitment to flexibility and fun, Blue Horizons offers three options for completing this training phase and becoming certified - local Blue Horizons tropical escorted tripsor a referral

LOCAL OPEN WATER - $275 - The most convenient option for most divers is to join us for a local weekend of diving. Blue Horizons offers these training weekends at Dutch Springs, near Allentown, PA monthly from April through November. All equipment rentals and air fills are included in the fee. You will need to pay the entrance fee to Dutch Springs each day and provide your own lunch. We take care of all the rest! Also included is your permanent photo certification ID card. Our staff will conduct the dives for any course in the PADI curriculum each weekend; perfect for a friend or spouse who wants to come along.

ESCORTED TRIP - $275 - Training dives are also offered during any of the escorted trips led by Blue Horizons
during the year. Each of our trips is led by a Blue Horizons instructor so you may complete your certification in a tropical location. Equipment rental and your permanent photo certification ID card are included.

REFERAL - $35 - As a final option, training dives can be performed at any PADI dive facility in the world by referral.
We will provide you with your permanent photo certification ID card and a letter of introduction to your next instructor.

 

Upcoming Classes
March 18, 20, 21 in Glen Mills
April 10, 11 in Philadelphia
April 15, 17, 18 in Glen Mills
May 20, 22, 23 in Glen Mills
June 5, 6 in Philadelphia
June 17, 19, 20 in Glen Mills
July 15, 17, 18 in Glen Mills
August 7, 8 in Philadelphia
August 19, 21, 22 in Glen Mills
September 16, 18, 19 in Glen Mills
Oct 2, 3 in Philadelphia
Oct 14, 16, 17 in Glen Mills
Nov 11, 13, 14 in Glen Mills
Dec 16, 18, 19 in Glen Mills

Equipment
All of our course options include use of all equipment necessary to complete the program. You are not required to
purchase any additional equipment. We do think it best for each student to own, and learn in, the equipment they
will be using once certified. At a minimum you should own your own mask snorkel and fins. We offer two special
student packages at a significant discount for purchase before or during your course.

Local & Tropical Diver - $189 (40% off!) - Your choice of any mask, your choice of any snorkel, a pair of Aqualung
Caravel open heel fins, a pair of 5mm booties, an equipment bag and mask defog.

Tropical Diver - $145 (35% off!) - Your choice of any mask, your choice of any snorkel, a pair of Aqualung Caravel
full foot fins, an equipment bag and mask defog.

Graduation Package
Blue Horizons graduates receive the following with their open water certification:

10% off a trip taken within the following 6 months
10% off a complete equipment package purchased within 3 months
10% off their next course taken within 3 months

Blue Horizons currently teaches at the following locations:

  • Blue Horizons Dive Center
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Thomas Jefferson University
  • Friends Select School in Philadelphia
  • JCC in Talleyville (Wilmington) DE

Prerequisites
No prior experience is needed.

Course Outline
The PADI Open Water Course academic sessions are segmented into five modules and an orientation session.
Students will be introduced to concepts in the classroom, and practice specific skills from each module in the pool.

Orientation
Getting Acquainted
Gearing Up for Fun
Administration and Paperwork

Module 1

  • Buoyancy
  • Comfortable Descents and Ascents
  • Breathing Underwater

Module 2

  • Staying Warm
  • Streamlining Yourself
  • Diving Together

Module 3
  • What it’s Like Where We Will Be Diving
  • Care for Yourself
  • Care for Others
  • Solution Thinking Underwater
  • Offshore Adventures

Module 4

  • Nitrogen Narcosis
  • Decompression Sickness
  • Dive Tables Introduction
  • Using the Recreational Dive Planner

Module 5

  • Making Safety Stops
  • Emergency Decompression
  • Altitude Consideration for Divers
  • Finding a Minimum Surface Interval
  • Electronic Dive Planning