Pre-requisites
Our PADI Scuba Diver course is open to all aged 12yrs+, able to swim 25 metres and tread water for 10 minutes unaided in water too deep to stand in and are medically fit to dive.
Before You Book
Before you book a PADI Scuba Diver course, please read our terms and conditions and FAQs and check that you can answer no to the questions on page 1 of the PADI Diving Medical form. You will complete this form digitally when you sign-up for the e-learning, but you need to check it before you book in case you require a Doctor's sign-off. If you need to answer yes to any of the questions on page 1, you should print the whole form and give it to your doctor for sign-off. Your GP may ask you to see a private diving doctor, as a GP is not qualified to sign-off on all conditions. We have a list of UK diving doctors, so please contact us.
FAQs
What is the PADI Scuba Diver course?
A PADI Scuba Diver course is an entry level life-long qualification that certifies you to dive to a depth of 12m with a PADI dive professional
What age can you learn to scuba dive?
You can learn to scuba dive with us from age 12+
Do you need to be a good swimmer to learn to scuba dive?
To take part in a PADI Scuba Diver course you need to be able to swim 25m unaided and tread water for 10 minutes in water too deep to stand in
Do I need a dive medical/doctor’s sign-off before I learn to dive?
Before you book a diving course, it is essential to check the PADI Diving Medical form (available to download from our website) to see if you have any health conditions that require a doctor’s sign-off before you learn to dive. If your GP isn’t comfortable to sign you off they may refer you to a private specialist diving doctor. We have a list of private specialist diving doctors so let us know if you need any assistance
What's Involved in the PADI Scuba Diver course?
After you book you will receive a link to set up your PADI account and access your elearning pack, where you will take your first steps to becoming a diver working your way through high quality learning resources. The PADI e-learning pack is perfect for busy lives, as you can access it on a mobile or computer whenever you have time. Individuals learn at different paces, but you should allow around 5 hours to work your way through the e-learning pack. We are always on hand to support you should you have any queries.
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Then it's onto equipment and pool training. You'll meet us at our dive centre for an introduction to the scuba diving equipment and you will learn how to set-up and breakdown the equipment. After a comprehensive dive brief, it's into our outdoor heated pool for a fun-packed training session with one of our friendly and experienced PADI Instructors. You will do a 10 minute treadwater unaided in water too deep to stand in, learn key dive skills and have time to hone your buoyancy control. Allow for a 5.5 hour training session.
You will then be ready for the thrill of your first sea training dives. You'll meet us at our dive centre to collect your scuba equipment, then we'll head to Larkstone Cove, where there is a super-safe roped off area of sheltered water, which is like diving in a giant rock pool. After a comprehensive dive brief, we'll take you for 2 shallow dives where you may encounter an array of crab species including the impressive Spider Crab in July/August, Lobster, Dog Fish (the UK's smallest shark), Jelly Fish and passing shoals of fish. We'll find a sandy patch and take you through the key dive skills training circuit that you mastered in the pool and then go for a short dive. We'll take a brief surface interval during which we will cover off the surface skills requirements for the course and then head back below for our 2nd training dive. Allow half a day for this section of the course. Occasionally we have to cancel or abort training due to visibility or sea conditions making it unsafe to dive on the day. You will receive a refund if this is the case and you can either join us at a later date or continue your diving training with any PADI Dive School in the world within 1 year.
Ideally you will have done a minimum of a swimming pool try dive before embarking on a PADI Scuba Diver course.