SCUBA Courses - Beginners' Courses
So you fancy learning to dive? You have a number of options, and it can be very confusing deciding which course to do and which agency to use.
The good news is that you don't have to make a big commitment to get started.
The first question: have you ever tried diving? If the answer is no, then a good place to start is a Try Dive session. This is conducted in a heated swimming pool so don't be put off by thinking it will be cold! During this session you will have all of the equipment explained to you, a briefing on the various safety aspects of diving, and then you experience your first breath underwater with a professional instructor guiding you throughout. This is taken at a nice gentle pace, with you deciding how much you want to do. After a few minutes you will be swimming around the pool like an ace! More about Try Dives
OK, so you are now hooked! The next question is, which agency should you train with? There are a number of different diver training groups in the world, but the two major agencies in the UK are the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC). BlueFish diving can train divers for both PADI and BSAC, and we will be happy to give you advice on which route is best for you.
More about PADI
More about the BSAC
Remember, Diving is fun, and that reflects our training ethos. Whether you choose PADI or BSAC the course is run to your schedule. We all learn in a different style and at different speeds; our aim is use your style so that you get the most from the course.
Don’t worry about getting equipment at this stage. We will provide you with everything you need at the start. As you progress you will probably want to start getting your own equipment, and we will give you advice on what to get, when and where from.
Lets look at some phrases that we use in the explanations. Confined Water training, or sheltered water lessons, are to be conducted in “swimming pool like conditions”. The best place to find these is a swimming pool! So you will be in one of our local swimming pools for this element of the training. The pool is, of course, warm and clear, so you will not need much exposure protection at this stage (although you will get a bit chilly after an hour in the water and might need a “shortie”).
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Mastering buoyancy control in the pool |
Open water training refers to diving in natural water in the outside world. You can dive nearly anywhere there is water, salt or fresh, sea or lake or river, but for your initial training we will use a freshwater dive centre. There are a number in the country, BlueFish Diving mainly use Capernwray (near Carnforth in the Lake District), Ecclestone Delph (off Jct 27 of the M6) and Stoney Cove (near Sapcote, Leicestershire). Being open water the temperature and visibility are controlled by greater powers than a thermostat and filter, so suitable exposure protection needs to be worn. BlueFish Diving will prepare you fully with an explanation and training in the necessary suit (wetsuit or dry suit), and all equipment is provided on the entry level courses.
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Mask clearing during open water training |
So have a look at the choices below and give us a call on
01606 884125 or
complete an enquiry form to start
your experience of a lifetime.
