The first step is to make a deposit of CHF150 to secure your place on the course. Please read the booking terms and conditions for instructions on how to make this payment. Once payment has been made please inform your instructor and email your address and contact numbers.

You should also download, print and complete the forms found here. Of particular importance is the medical form. If you answer "yes" to any question you will have to visit a doctor to obtain clearance before you can participate in any in-water activities. Since getting a doctor's appointment can sometimes be an issue, you would be advised to address this situation early.

You will receive the Open Water Diver manual and two DVDs, usually by post (or other arrangement). You will need to allocate ample time to study this material prior to the course (more about this later), therefore it is critical that you register early for the course you would like to participate in.

In the past, the Open Water Diver (OWD) course took two full weekends and at least four evenings during the week where theory lessons were given. Almost all other schools in Zurich still teach the old method. At Zurich Divers you will complete the course in a single weekend, while completing all performance requirements, and maintaining all required PADI standards. By completing the course in a single weekend many people find that they are more easily able to schedule a date to do it. This is made possible only when you study the theoretical components of the course on your own, in your own time. By completing these sections independently, your instructor is able to focus mainly on the practical part of your course, thereby using time more efficiently. You are also spared the boredom of sitting in a classroom, and can choose when you would like to complete the work.

The OWD manual (also DVD) is dived into five chapters. At the end of each chapter are a series of questions called knowledge reviews. Please fill in and remove all of these knowledge reviews and hand them to your instructor when the course starts. He will then check your answers and administer some simple quizzes to evaluate how well you've understood the material. If he sees that you need work in a particular area he will cover only the topics that need to be covered to ensure you have a good understanding of the subject matter.

This initial session will usually take place on the Friday evening before the weekend of your course. Since you will be going directly into the water the following day, you need to give a commitment to have completed these knowledge reviews by the time you meet. Failure to do so may mean that you are unable to continue with the activities on the weekend, and by signing up for the course you are also giving your implicit agreement that you will hand this work in on time.

Other administrative work will be completed on this evening, and your instructor will explain the next steps. Please remember to bring your completed medical form (or medical clearance from your doctor) along with two passport sized photos. If you have not yet paid the remainder of your course fees, please bring this with you.

Prior to the course you will need to organise certain equipment. Your equipment is included in the course price, but you will need to buy neoprene boots in your size. It is also strongly recommended that you buy your own personal mask, snorkel and fins. You are free to buy suitable equipment anywhere you like, but your instructor may be able to advise you or assist you with this. The remainder of your equipment will be supplied to you, but you will have to make yourself available to ensure that you get a correctly fitting wetsuit, etc. A suitable time for this is usually arranged with your instructor, and is usually on the Friday afternoon before the course. Please note that during the course you will be responsible for the care, transport and storage of your equipment. If you do not have your own car please inform your instructor as soon as possible to ensure that alternative arrangements can be made. Diving is not a sport that works with public transport...

On the Saturday morning you will start early (usually 8-9am) and will meet directly at the swimming pool. Please bring your swimming costume, a towel and some warm clothes (depending on the weather), as well as something to drink. Please ensure that you are well rested, and have eaten a good breakfast. You will complete modules one to three (depending on your progress) of the confined water modules in the swimming pool. You will most likely finish around 1pm, where you will then move directly to the dive site WZT on Lake Zurich. Please bring a packed lunch with you, as there will not be sufficient time to locate food, or eat in a restaurant. You will complete open water dives one and two in the afternoon, and depending on how the day has progressed will finish around 6pm, or possibly later. Please do not schedule any major activities or appointments on the Saturday evening, you will be very tired and you need to ensure that you are well rested for Sunday.

Sunday runs with almost the same schedule as Saturday, with an early start. Confined water modules four and five are completed in the swimming pool, though we usually finish a little bit earlier and move to the lake a little earlier. We complete open water dive three, then sit together during the break and complete the exam. This is a simple multiple choice or short answer test of 50 questions. You need to score 75%, with the possibility to do a second test if necessary. If you have completed your knowledge reviews and quizzes passing this test should be no problem at all. After the test you will complete dive four and earn your Open Water Diver certification. Again, please don't schedule any appointments for early on Sunday evening - our exact finishing time cannot be guaranteed.

If you would like to know exactly what will be done in any of these pool or open water modules simply look at the appropriate section of your OWD manual or DVD. Each exercise will be explained in detail both in the book/DVD and by your instructor. You will also see references to Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) in your manual. You will have the chance to complete your fourth open water dive using Nitrox (without additional cost), which will count as credit towards a future Enriched Air Diver certification. You can discuss this in detail with your instructor if you would like more information.

All the best for your course - you'll have a great time!