During this course, you will learn the basic skills and knowledge necessary to independently plan and make a dive with a dive buddy. This course is broken down into 3 parts. Part 1 is knowledge development. Here, you will learn the basic theory behind diving. This can be done online or with an instructor. Part 2 is done in shallow water. This is where the students practice and get comfortable in the water. Part 3 is done off the boat. It involves 4 open-water dives that are done over the course of several days. Before certification is issued, the student must show that they have mastered the necessary skills.