Open Water Diver Certification (Texas)

Step One: Choose Your Class
Select your preferred weekend from the class list above. All in person training is completed in one weekend. Warm season classes meet at The Scuba Ranch. Cold season classes meet at Balmorhea State Park.

Step Two: Select Your Personal Gear and Tanks
Choose your package on the Gear Packages page, or visit us during shop hours to mix and match from our full selection of masks, fins, boots, and snorkels with a 25% Open Water student discount.

Step Three: Complete Your Forms and eLearning
Fill out the Diver Information Form. You will receive your digital forms and SDI eLearning through PandaDoc.

If you live in West Texas and want a Balmorhea only option, visit our West Texas page for full details.

• Complete certification in one weekend: Finish all in person training in a single structured weekend once your eLearning is complete.
• Convenient for DFW families: Train close to home at The Scuba Ranch during warm months.
• Efficient training: On location pool facilities remove wasted drive time and keep the schedule focused.
• Flexible options: Join group classes or book private training for your family or troop.
• Modern registration: Sign up online, select your gear package, and receive digital forms and eLearning without visiting in person.
• In person support: Visit during shop hours to explore gear or ask questions. View our full gear catalog.

• May through October: Training takes place at The Scuba Ranch near DFW.
• November through April: Training moves to Balmorhea State Park, which provides warm, clear water year round.
• West Texas divers: You may complete your entire certification at Balmorhea. Visit our West Texas page for full details.
• All class dates are published in advance. View our training calendar.

The Open Water Diver course builds real skills so you feel confident and in control underwater. Training is clear, structured, and designed for beginners.

• Buoyancy control: Learn to adjust your position in the water without effort.
• Mask skills: Clear water from your mask and handle minor leaks calmly.
• Regulator skills: Recover and clear your regulator with confidence.
• Air management: Monitor your gas supply and plan safe turn points.
• Buddy procedures: Communicate clearly and support each other during every dive.
• Safe ascents: Make controlled ascents and complete safety stops correctly.

This course is built for real families and busy divers who want a clear plan and instructors focused on safety and skill development.

• Families: Parents and kids who want to learn together.
• Scouts: Troops preparing for high adventure trips or scuba awards.
• Busy professionals: Adults who need a structured weekend format.
• Travelers: Divers preparing for cruises or resort trips.
• Returning divers: Certified divers who want to refresh skills.
• Divers from closed shops: Families whose previous PADI or NAUI shop closed and need a stable training home.
• Ages ten and up: Ideal for youth and family groups.

You complete your entire certification in one weekend because every minute is planned for efficiency without reducing training standards.

• On location pool facilities: Confined water and open water dives happen at the same site.
• Self paced eLearning: All knowledge development is completed at home before the weekend.
• No wasted drive time: Training takes place at one location, which removes repeated setup and breakdown cycles.
• Clear schedule: You know exactly what to expect each day.
• Focused sessions: Skills are grouped logically for better learning.
• Family friendly pacing: Breaks and debriefs are built into the schedule.
• Private weekday and custom schedules: Contact us and we will get you scheduled.

All required pool and open water training is completed during the same weekend. Here is a typical schedule once your eLearning is complete.

1. Before the weekend: Complete eLearning, finish required forms, and select your gear and tanks.
2. Day One: Arrive at the training site, set up gear, complete confined water skills, and begin open water dives if conditions allow.
3. Day Two: Complete remaining dives, review key skills, and finish with a clear plan for your next steps.

Exact schedules vary slightly by class and location. Full details are provided in your confirmation email.

1. Knowledge Development: Complete self paced eLearning at home.
2. Skills Development: Practice in the pool with your instructor.
3. Open Water Dives: Four lake dives to earn your certification.

Each diver must have personal gear and tanks for training. All personal gear and tanks must be obtained through OCD Divers to ensure proper fit and safety. Gear can be picked up or delivered to your class location.

We keep a wide selection of masks, fins, boots, and snorkels in stock so you can build a custom package that fits you correctly. If you prefer a simple option, our pre selected packages are 25% or more off regular pricing and can be delivered directly to the lake for your class weekend. Open Water students also receive a 25% discount when selecting gear in person during shop hours.

• Fit and safety: Properly fitted masks, fins, boots, and exposure protection reduce stress.
• Consistent experience: You train in the same style of gear you will use on future dives.
• Quality control: We know the service history of every tank and piece of equipment used in training.
• Support after class: Our team can help you adjust, maintain, and upgrade your gear.

If your previous dive shop closed and you are unsure what you already have, visit our Dive Shops Closing page for guidance.

Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes. You must be able to swim two hundred yards in any style and float or tread water for ten minutes.

Do I need prior experience?
No. The course is designed for beginners ages ten and up.

How long does certification take?
The course includes about eight hours of eLearning followed by one and a half in person days.

How can certification be completed in one weekend?
We use self paced eLearning for the knowledge development portion, which removes the need for weeknight classes. All in person training takes place at the same location, which eliminates back and forth drives and repeated setup and breakdown cycles. This allows us to meet every training standard in a focused, efficient weekend format without reducing the time spent on skills.

Is SDI accepted everywhere?
Yes. SDI and PADI are both members of the RSTC, which means their certifications follow the same international standards and are accepted worldwide.

My dive shop closed. Can my family still train with OCD Divers?
Yes. Many families come to us after their PADI or NAUI shop closed. SDI follows the same international RSTC standards, which means your certification is fully compatible with our programs. Visit our Dive Shops Closing page for guidance.

What equipment is required?
Each diver must have personal gear and rent tanks for training. All personal gear and tanks must be obtained through OCD Divers to ensure proper fit and safety. Pre selected gear packages are 25% or more off regular pricing, and Open Water students receive a 25% discount when selecting gear in person during shop hours. We also keep a large selection of masks, fins, boots, and snorkels in stock for custom packages.

Where are training dives held?
Training dives are held at The Scuba Ranch from May through October or Balmorhea State Park from November through April.

Is the certification internationally recognized?
Yes. Your SDI Open Water Diver certification is accepted worldwide.

Open Water is the beginning of your diving journey. Many divers continue training while skills are fresh.

• Advanced Adventure: View our Advanced Adventure programs.
• Nitrox: View our Nitrox options.
• Rescue Diver: View our Rescue Diver training.
• Specialties: Explore all continuing education options.

Certification opens the door to real adventures. OCD Divers organizes trips planned with the same attention to safety and clarity that we bring to training.

• Beginner friendly trips: Destinations chosen with new divers in mind.
• Family focused options: Trips where kids, teens, and parents can dive together.
• Skill building experiences: Opportunities to practice buoyancy and navigation in real conditions.