Who should take this course? The PADI Scuba Diver course is a subset of the PADI Open Water Diver course. If you’re short on time but really want to become a diver, the PADI Scuba Diver rating might be right for you ̶ particularly if you expect to go scuba diving primarily with a dive guide. This course is an intermediate step for earning an Open Water Diver certification, if that’s your ultimate goal. PADI Scuba Divers are qualified to: Dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet. Continue dive training by completing the PADI Open Water Diver certification and taking certain specialty diver courses. What will you learn? The PADI Scuba Diver course consists of three main phases: Knowledge Development to understand basic principles of scuba diving – just the first three of five sections of the Open Water Diver course. Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills – just the first three of five dives of the Open Water Diver course Open Water Dives to use your skills and explore – just two of four dives of the Open Water Diver course.