Private Open Water Diver Certification
Learn to scuba dive with a private instructor dedicated entirely to your family or friend group. This program is designed for comfort, safety, and flexibility—whether you're training in the DFW area, West Texas, or preparing for a vacation. Private training allows you to learn at your own pace with personalized attention and a schedule built around your needs.
Private classes are ideal for families, teens, adults, travel groups, and anyone who prefers a calmer, more supportive learning environment. Certified divers can join as refreshers, and younger students benefit from the individualized pace. You may complete your full certification with OCD Divers or begin your training at home and finish your open water dives on vacation.
Availability: In Stock
PRIVATE OPEN WATER DIVER CERTIFICATION
Choose Your Certification Path
Full Certification
Complete your entire SDI Open Water Diver certification with OCD Divers in Texas.
- Self‑paced eLearning
- Private pool sessions at our Colleyville pool (Scuba Ranch or Balmorhea available by arrangement)
- Four open water certification dives with OCD Divers
Tuition by group size:
- 1–2 divers: $799.99 each
- 3–4 divers: $699.99 each
- 5–6 divers: $599.99 each
- 7–8 divers: $499.99 each
Referral Certification
Begin your certification at home, then finish your open water dives on vacation.
- Self‑paced eLearning
- Private pool sessions at our Colleyville pool (Scuba Ranch or Balmorhea available by arrangement)
- Complete your four open water dives at your travel destination
Tuition by group size:
- 1–2 divers: $699.99 each
- 3–4 divers: $599.99 each
- 5–6 divers: $499.99 each
- 7–8 divers: $399.99 each
Full Certification Process
The full certification pathway includes all training required to become an SDI Open Water Diver with OCD Divers.
- eLearning: Complete your online coursework before pool training.
- Pool Training: Up to ten hours of private instruction at our Colleyville pool (Scuba Ranch or Balmorhea available by arrangement).
- Open Water Dives: Four certification dives at The Scuba Ranch (May–Oct) or Balmorhea (Nov–Apr).
- Gear: Rental BCD, regulators, dive computer, tanks, weights, and wetsuit included for pool and lake training.
Referral Certification Process
The referral pathway allows you to complete your eLearning and pool training with OCD Divers, then finish your four open water dives at your travel destination.
- eLearning: Complete your online coursework before pool training.
- Pool Training: Up to ten hours of private instruction at our Colleyville pool (Scuba Ranch or Balmorhea available by arrangement).
- Destination Dives: Schedule and complete your open water dives with a qualified instructor from SDI, PADI, SSI, NAUI, or another recognized agency.
- Gear: Rental gear included for pool training only. Destination shops provide gear for your open water dives.
A Simple Vista
- Certification: SDI Open Water Diver
- Format: Private eLearning + private pool + private open water dives
- Locations: Colleyville pool (default); Scuba Ranch or Balmorhea by arrangement
- Open Water: Scuba Ranch (May–Oct) or Balmorhea (Nov–Apr)
- Referral Option: Finish your dives on vacation
- Gear: Personal gear required; rental gear included for pool (Referral) or pool + lake (Full)
How Private Training Works
Private scuba training gives families and friend groups the flexibility, comfort, and personal attention they need to learn at their own pace. Instead of being placed with strangers or rushed through a crowded class, you get a dedicated instructor who focuses entirely on your group’s needs, schedule, and learning style. This creates a calmer, safer, and more personalized path to certification.
Training Locations
- Pool (default): Colleyville
- Pool (by arrangement): Scuba Ranch or Balmorhea
- Open Water (Full): Scuba Ranch (May–Oct) or Balmorhea (Nov–Apr)
- Open Water (Referral): Destination dive shop
West Texas Divers: Full certification can be completed entirely at Balmorhea through our West Texas program.
What You Will Learn
- Buoyancy control and trim
- Mask clearing and comfort skills
- Regulator recovery and clearing
- Air management and dive planning
- Buddy communication and teamwork
- Safe ascents and safety stops
What to Expect
- Before training: Complete eLearning, medical forms, and personal gear selection.
- Pool sessions: Up to ten hours of private instruction.
- Open water dives (Full): Two half‑days of lake dives with OCD Divers.
- Open water dives (Referral): Completed at your travel destination.
Exact schedules vary by group size, season, and location.
What Is Included
- Knowledge Development: Self‑paced eLearning
- Skills Development: Private pool instruction
- Open Water Dives (Full): Four certification dives with OCD Divers
- Referral Option: Universal referral paperwork
Required Personal Gear
Each diver must have personal gear and tanks for training. All personal gear must be obtained through OCD Divers to ensure proper fit, safety, and consistency during training.
Personal gear can be picked up at our Colleyville pool during your private session. Pre‑selected packages are twenty‑five percent or more off regular pricing and can be delivered directly to the lake for full‑certification groups.
If your previous dive shop closed and you are unsure what you already have, visit our Dive Shops Closing page for guidance.
How to Sign Up
Private classes are scheduled individually and must be arranged in advance. Because these programs use dedicated pool time and instructor availability, sessions cannot be taken on a drop‑in basis. Our staff will work with you to build a schedule that fits your needs while aligning with available training times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are private pool sessions held?
All private pool sessions are held at our Colleyville pool. Additional pool locations at The Scuba Ranch or Balmorhea may be available by special arrangement.
Is gear included for private training?
Full Certification includes rental gear for both pool and lake training. Referral Certification includes rental gear for pool training only. Destination dive shops provide gear for your open water dives.
Can we pick up personal gear at the pool?
Yes. Personal gear can be picked up at our Colleyville pool during your private session.
Can multiple families or friend groups train together?
Yes. You bring the group — we build the private class. Pricing is based on total group size.
Is private training better for nervous or younger divers?
Yes. Private training is ideal for youth, new divers, and anyone who benefits from a calmer, more supportive learning environment.
Where do the open water dives take place?
Full Certification dives take place at The Scuba Ranch (May–Oct) or Balmorhea (Nov–Apr). Referral divers complete their open water dives at their travel destination.
Do referral divers get gear for their open water dives?
No. Referral divers use the gear provided by their destination dive shop.
Do you offer bilingual instruction?
Yes. Bilingual instruction is available through our instructor Rafael Flores, who teaches in both English and Spanish.
Is the eLearning available in multiple languages?
Yes. The SDI eLearning is available in English, Spanish, and more than fifteen additional languages.
Can certified divers join as refreshers?
Yes. Certified divers can join as Inactive Diver Refreshers and participate alongside their family or group.
Do I need to visit the shop to sign up?
Yes. We request in‑person sign‑up during our published shop hours so we can review requirements, discuss options, and set up your training plan.
Can we train entirely in West Texas?
Yes. Full certification can be completed entirely at Balmorhea through our West Texas program. Referral students may also complete their private pool session at Balmorhea by special arrangement.
Do you deliver gear to the lake?
Yes. For Full Certification private groups, we can deliver rental gear and any personal gear purchased through OCD Divers directly to The Scuba Ranch or Balmorhea.
Continue Your Training
Dive Trips and Destinations
Certification opens the door to real adventure. OCD Divers organizes local and international trips designed for safety, skill development, and unforgettable experiences.
- Beginner‑friendly destinations
- Family‑focused travel options
- Opportunities to build confidence in real‑world conditions
