• The first step in learning to dive is to come for a Try-Dive to experience being underwater using real SCUBA equipment. Try it yourself or makes an ideal gift for those who express an interest, perhaps having been hooked by the Blue Planet!

    Try dives can be carried out for children between the ages of 8 and 18: however prior consent is required from their parent or guardian who should also be present for the try dive (ie pool-side).

    Coming along to one of these sessions gives you the chance to find out about us and about scuba diving. One of our instructors will tell you what it’s all about, give you a short safety briefing and then take you into the pool so that you can experience the thrill of being underwater with an aqualung. If you already have your own mask, fins and snorkel, you should bring them, although the club can provide these if not. You may also wish to bring a t-shirt to wear over your swimsuit when in the pool for added comfort.

    Beware - it can be very addictive as our members will agree!

    To arrange this please contact us. It only costs £15 (reduced rates for groups or families).

    Once bitten by the bug, the next step is to participate in the British Sub-Aqua Club training program which is run by BEDSAC. This will gain you qualifications which are recognised worldwide.

    The first of these qualifications is Ocean Diver which consists of :

    - Six theory lessons

    - Five lessons in the swimming pool

    - Four lessons in open water

    How long does it take?

    There is no fixed course length. The five pool lessons are normally done over five weeks on a Wednesday evening and the Open Water lessons over two days. However, our aim is to produce safe and confident divers and students learn at different rates; some master the skills very quickly while others take longer but still progress to become competent divers. If it takes a bit longer to master the skills, that is no problem to us, there is no pressure to complete the course in an allotted time.

     

    What will this qualify me to do?

    As a qualified Ocean Diver, you can dive buddied with another Ocean Diver, under the supervision of a Dive Manager – so long as you stick to familiar locations and conditions you have encountered during your training.

    If you want to expand your experience by exploring different locations and conditions, you can easily do this accompanied by a Dive Leader or higher-grade diver.

    Your open water diver certification will be recognised worldwide. That means you will be qualified to use breathing gas mixtures of up to 36 per cent Nitrox to increase your safety on dives (you’ll learn all about Nitrox on the course). Many ‘learn to dive’ courses don’t teach Nitrox or rescue skills, but at BSAC we believe they are important skills to start learning from the start of your scuba journey.

    What Diving Experiences will this open up for me?

    At depths of down to 20m, Ocean Divers have plenty of chances to encounter a fascinating variety of wildlife and shipwrecks in seas, rivers, quarries, lochs and lakes. 

    Imagine finning over a rocky reef teeming with fish and covered in sessile life such as seasquirts, sponges and brightly coloured anemones, spending precious moments watching grey seals at play, or exploring a historic wreck.

     

    Full details of the Ocean Diver Course are here