The course begins with an evening class with a talk on diving around the world illustrated with pictures from our gallery.
There will be a lecture on Pressure and Buoyancy, basic diving equipment, what SCUBA is and how it works, all explained with working models. You will then be taught how to assemble the various components of SCUBA i.e. the regulator, the buoyancy control device (BCD) and air cylinder.
Do not be frightened. This is information that you can absorb on your first session, and is in keeping with our primary aim to train you to a very high standard from the start. Light refreshments will be served.
We will then go into the pool and learn how to use mask, fins and snorkel, but not before we have conducted a swim test. One should be able to swim a minimum of 200 meters and tread water comfortably. You will assemble your own set of diving equipment and enter the water in standing depth where you will see how easy it is to breath and see underwater.
We will start by doing basis exercises whilst standing in water at chest level and then repeating those exercises kneeling on the pool floor with the water just above your head. Our unique pool will be set so that the floor is slanting and as you become more confident we will fin off to the deeper end and repeat the exercises.
By the end of the evening your will be finning around independently, able to confidently complete mask and ear equalisation, removal and replacement of the regulator (blow out/purge). Regulator sweep recovery, correct finning action and inflation and deflation of the BCD.
From the evening class, you get an excellent chance to see our facilities and operation.
Saturday follows the same format as the previous evening session. Lecture topics include the underwater world, diving equipment, the buddy system, adapting to the underwater world, respiration, diving communications, and buddy system procedures.
Pool sessions comprise repetition of skills learnt on the previous Monday, BDC inflation/deflation, introduction to mask clearing, proper weighting, ascents and descents, pre-dive safety drill, controlled seated entry, cramp action, towing - long arm and closed, and fully equipped exit by ladder.
After the break we continue with the following lecture topics; the diving environment, dive planning, boat diving procedures, problem management, accessory diving equipment, health for diving, breathing air at depth, introduction to dive tables and using the Recreational Dive Planner.
New exercises include stride entry, neutral buoyancy, fin pivot and hover, alternate air source, buddy breathing, controlled emergency swimming assent and no mask swim.
Audio/visual tapes will illustrate the above lectures and short quizzes test information retention.
On your last formal session, lecture topics include Recreational Planner (special circumstances), using the Dive Planner - continued, compass navigation, continuing education and safety. In order to complete your diving theory and have your log book 'signed up', you will have a short final test.
The last formal pool session:
Starts off with a repetition of first evening's and Saturday's pool exercises.
New exercises include backward roll entry, remove and replace weights and BCD, air depletion and free flow breathing.
We believe that by this last session you will be very familiar with diving theory and practical exercises. Indeed, you will have been taught to a high standard and we will be pleased to complete your logbook for a safe and enjoyable holiday.
After having complited the weekend course with us you become members of our club. As such you can come back and have practise sessions know as "bubbles". This is particularly useful if there is a period of time between completion of the course and your holiday. Indeed by having "bubbles" throughout the year will preclude you from having to do a scuba review.
Contact Seth either by e-mail or telephone on 07976 660468.