We provide the diving equipment for the course, so for your first course you mostly need what you would take to a swimming pool, plus a completed medical questionnaire. Below is what to bring to the Divemen Open Water Diver (OWD) course, which documents you need and how to prepare for the dives.
What we provide
The course price includes the theory, the practice with four open-water dives, the diving equipment, the exam and the certificate. You don't need your own mask, fins or suit for the course: on it you learn to assemble and check the equipment, control your buoyancy, communicate underwater with hand signals and stay calm when something unexpected happens.
What to bring to the pool
The pool sessions take place in the Lazdynai swimming pool in Vilnius. Under the pool's house rules you need:
- swimwear (no longer than the knee);
- a swim cap;
- slippers suitable for wet areas;
- a towel and toiletries: you must shower with soap before going into the pool area and after leaving it.
What to bring to Lake Galvė
The open-water dives take place in Lake Galvė, Trakai. Lithuanian lakes are cold: even in midsummer the water is only 12–15 °C at 10 m. So bring a towel and warm clothes to put on after the dives. We provide the diving suit for the course.
Medical questionnaire and other documents
Diving requires good physical and mental health, because some medical conditions can be dangerous underwater. So before the course you fill in a diving medical questionnaire: it shows whether you need a physician's evaluation. PADI uses the international Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire, and SDI its own medical form (SDI Medical Statement). It is important to answer honestly.
- If you answer "no" to all ten main questions, no medical evaluation is needed: you simply sign the form.
- If you are over 45, the form has extra questions about smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure and heart disease in your family.
- If you answer "yes" to certain questions (for example that you struggle with moderate exercise, had surgery in the last 12 months or take prescription medication), you need to take the form to a physician. You can take part in the course only with the physician's approval.
- The SDI standards say a physician-signed approval is valid for up to 12 months if your health has not changed.
- The form also says: if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, do not dive.
- If you have health concerns the form does not ask about, talk to your physician before diving.
Our Open Water course requirements list a medical statement that nothing prevents you from diving. Ask which document you need when you register.
Before the course you also sign the training organisation's forms: SDI, for example, requires a liability release and express assumption of risk form. Minors need parental consent: SDI requires it in writing, and on the medical questionnaire PADI uses, a parent or guardian signs for a minor.
Do you need your own mask and fins
No. The course is a good chance to try different equipment and get an idea of what you need. If you want to buy your own later, our instructor advises starting with a mask, snorkel and fins; how to choose a mask that fits is explained in a separate tip. If you already have a mask that fits you, ask the instructor whether you can use it on the course. If you wear glasses, tell the instructor too: there are masks with prescription lenses.
How to prepare for the course
- Swimming. You must be able to swim and be comfortable in water. During the course you will swim 200 m in any stroke (SDI also accepts 300 m with mask, snorkel and fins instead) and stay afloat for 10 minutes. PADI does not time the swim.
- Theory. You can study the theory at our centre at Justiniškių g. 144C-1 or online.
- Rest. According to DAN, lack of sleep affects attention, reaction time, judgement and decision-making, all of which matter when diving. Get a good night's sleep before the dives.
- Health and alcohol. If you feel unwell, don't dive, and if you think you may have a contagious disease, protect yourself and others by staying away from the training. Alcohol slows your reactions and affects coordination, its effects can last even after it has left your blood, and it also disturbs sleep.
- Flying after the course. If you will fly after the course, DAN recommends waiting at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive and at least 18 hours after multiple dives or several days of diving. You will dive several times on the course, so plan a break of at least 18 hours.
If you have any questions before the course, write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring my own equipment to a diving course?
No. The diving equipment is included in the course price. For the pool you need swimwear, a swim cap, slippers and a towel.
Do I need a doctor's certificate for a diving course?
Before the course you fill in a medical questionnaire; if you answer "yes" to certain questions, you need a physician's approval. Our Open Water course requirements list a medical statement that nothing prevents you from diving.
How well do I need to swim?
You need to be able to swim and be comfortable in water: during the course you swim 200 m in any stroke and stay afloat for 10 minutes.
How long after diving can I fly?
DAN recommends waiting at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive and at least 18 hours after multiple dives or several days of diving.