As a PADI Professional, one of the most common things I hear from divers is that they would love to do their next PADI course but they don’t know if they can find the time. With most people working longer hours during the week, it is a legitimate excuse for many… including this writer!
The more and more I hear this response, it seems that the problem isn’t finding the actual time to complete the inwater training of courses, it’s rather the thought of having to sit in a classroom for the day to complete the theory sections that stops a lot of divers from continuing on with their training.
It was only natural that back in 2007, PADI launched the PADI eLearning® program. Back then, PADI started off with PADI Open Water Diver eLearning course in English. As the popularity of PADI eLearning increased, divers demanded new courses, and in turn, more languages. In 2023, there are now 26 course available in a multitude of languages, and this is only going to increase as we move into 2024 and beyond.
So What is PADI eLearning in a Nutshell?
PADI eLearning lets you complete the knowledge development sections of selected PADI courses online. Traditionally, this section was completed in the classroom of a PADI Dive Shop before your course. With PADI eLearning, you can complete these sections online at your own pace.
Yes, that’s right – if classrooms aren’t your thing, you can complete the relevant sections wherever you can connect to the internet. Whether this is in the comfort of your own home, on the train ride to work, or you can even be a bit sneaky and complete the sections at work… on your lunch break, of course!
This online section during which you will learn about scuba diving principles and terminology is the first step in the certification process. PADI eLearning is the independent study option that lets you read, watch videos, and take quizzes at your own pace, providing the fundamentals you need to confidently advance to the second step of the certification process: In-water training with a PADI Instructor (see below). You will complete the in-water step at a PADI Dive Shop at a separate cost. PADI has over 6,500 Dive centers and Resorts worldwide to choose from!
How Long Does eLearning Take?
Different PADI courses can be completed in different time frames. It also depends on how quickly you’re able to move through the content! When browsing the PADI courses online, you’ll find the time commitment in the “More Info” section on each course page. Certain courses, like the Open Water Diver Course, have more content and will naturally take longer.
What About the In-Water Part of the Course?
Once you’ve completed the necessary knowledge development via eLearning, it’s time for the skills portion of the course, which is usually completed in the water but sometimes also topside. Your PADI Instructor will complete this with you in person. Whether at your local dive shop or on your next dive trip, this part of the course can be done at a PADI dive shop near you.
Author: Brandon Scott – PADI OWSI
Credit: PADI Worldwide
