SCUBA DIVING UNIVERSITY / TRAINING
PADI courses & pathways
Explore entry-level certification, continuing education, specialties and professional training.
10 COURSE TUTORIALS · EXERCISES & FAQs
Choose a direction
These are learning directions, not automatic eligibility sequences. Specialties are choices; each course has its own prerequisites. Experience and assessment matter between steps.
Start and develop
Choose a specialty
Professional direction
PADI · Entry level
Open Water Diver
Build the knowledge and practical skills for your first scuba certification. Learning takes place through theory, confined-water practice and open-water training.
Start the tutorial →PADI · Continuing education
Advanced Open Water Diver
Try different types of diving with an instructor and develop experience beyond entry-level training.
Start the tutorial →PADI · Rescue and prevention
Rescue Diver
Develop awareness of problems, self-rescue, assistance and coordinated responses to diving emergencies.
Start the tutorial →PADI · Breathing gas specialty
Enriched Air Diver
Learn to plan and manage recreational enriched-air nitrox use.
Start the tutorial →PADI · Recreational specialty
Deep Diver
Develop planning and awareness for deeper recreational dives under appropriate instruction.
Start the tutorial →PADI · Core skills specialty
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Refine weighting, trim and buoyancy so you can control position with less unnecessary effort.
Start the tutorial →PADI · Equipment specialty
Dry Suit Diver
Learn how a drysuit changes preparation, buoyancy and in-water responses.
Start the tutorial →PADI · Environment specialty
Wreck Diver
Develop awareness, planning and techniques for exploring wrecks within the course’s defined scope.
Start the tutorial →PADI · Professional
Divemaster
Develop the skills and knowledge used to assist instructors and support certified divers within professional standards.
Start the tutorial →PADI · Instructor
Open Water Scuba Instructor
Prepare for teaching through instructor development and the required evaluation process.
Start the tutorial →A selection of core pathways, not the agency’s entire catalogue. YouDive is independent and does not issue agency certifications. Explore the official PADI information ↗