I’ve Got My PADI Open Water Certification. What Next?

So I’ve “got my PADI”. I am a PADI Open Water Diver. I am now qualified to dive to 18m or shallower with a buddy in conditions similar or better than those I was trained in anywhere in the world. Should I stop there? Or what options are open to me now I’ve “got my PADI”?

Get Some Dives Logged

You became a PADI Open Water Diver because you want to experience the underwater world. Now you should not just leave this to only diving once a year on vacation. 

There are so many diving options available to you that you should try and get as many experience dives as possible. You get better at things by practicing them. 

So find out what is available to you in your local area to go diving. For example: East African residents are entitled to join the Ocean Tribe Dive Club where they can log as many dives as possible over the year.

Take PADI Continuing Education Courses

Do you want to extend the range of where you can dive or learn further diving skills?

The PADI Open Water Diver certification restricts you to depths of 18m or shallower. You also learn basic navigation on the PADI Open Water Diver Course. 

To extend your range and improve your navigation, you should consider taking the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course.

On this course in addition to the deep and navigation dives you can also do adventure dives that interest you. 

For example: Wreck diving, underwater photography, search and recovery diving, peak performance buoyancy and many more.

As well as increasing your depth limit to 30m, the PADI Advanced Open Water course adventure dives can be counted as the first dive of the corresponding specialty diver course. So you could then move directly into PADI Specialty Diver courses that interest you.

Want to increase your range to the creational limit of 40m? Complete the PADI Deep Diver course. It’s just an example but there are so many options available to you and you can take a step forward in the PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge..

Get Involved in Environmental Activities

As divers we have a duty to protect what we dive to see and love. The ocean has so many threats and we as divers can make a difference. 

You can join activities such as beach and underwater clean-ups (every first Saturday of the month at Ocean Tribe) and environmental ocean monitoring programs. 

You can increase your education on the subject by taking AWARE specialty diver courses such as AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, Project AWARE, AWARE Dive Against Debris and AWARE Fish ID specialties.

Above all you can talk to people about protecting the reef, practice safe diving practices and be environmentally aware. We want to keep our waters as healthy as possible.

Invest in Your Own Set of Scuba Diving Equipment

I’ve got my PADI. The rental equipment seemed ok. Why do I need to buy my own set of diving equipment?

Having your own set of scuba equipment is the same as having equipment for any pastime you enjoy. 

Your own equipment is set up to suit you, in precise sizing and diving style. 

Divers who have their own equipment enjoy their dives more and are more likely to dive often.

Remember that rental equipment is generic and has to fit and suit a massive range of divers. 

Your own dive equipment can be a lot more specific to you and your own style. 

BCD’s with integrated weight systems, balanced regulators, dive computers with more features, an exact fitting wetsuit, your own mask and fins. The list is endless. 

You will enjoy your diving more with your own gear.

Ocean Tribe will be delighted to assist you in planning and purchasing your own personal scuba diving equipment, with recommendations based on budget and the type of diving you would like to do.

Take a Dive Career Internship

Many of us have become so addicted to diving following our Open Water course that we have decided to make a career of it. But that can be very expensive doing each course one by one and paying for diving at the same time.

Ocean Tribe dive career internships to PADI Divemaster or PADI diving instructor levels package it all together. You make savings of literally thousands of dollars. 

Our dive career internships include:

• All core PADI courses needed
• A full set of your own personal scuba equipment
• Unlimited diving during the internship (most interns leave with 100+ dives)
• Dive club membership for a year.
• Mentorship from some of the top PADI educators in the business.

Dive career internships can be started from any diver level, even beginner. They are a great way to advance to the pro levels and can be done over any time scale you pick.

There are a few answers to the question of “what should I do now I’ve got my PADI.” You have so many options. 

But the main thing is. Keep diving. Dive as much as you can. Become an active ambassador for the ocean we know and love. 

Don’t let it stagnate and leave yourself open to diving opportunities.

You have joined the most inclusive group of people we know. Take advantage. Happy diving!