Snorkelling Courses

Snorkel diving remains the foundation skill of Scuba diving, and is the cheapest way to get in the water. Although linked to Scuba diving, many people who take a Snorkelling course do not want to learn Scuba Diving, and the courses outlined below accommodate this fact.

On the face of it, using a snorkel looks easy. However, just because it looks simple doesn’t mean that it is and there are skills that you can learn that will not only increase your enjoyment but also your safety.

At BlueFish Diving we can offer Snorkel courses to gain experience and to gain a certification, under both PADI and the BSAC. So whether you just want to snorkel around the bay whilst on holiday or seriously get into Snorkel Diving, we have a course for you.

PADI Courses

PADI has a very simple snorkelling philosophy:

  1. People snorkel because they want to see and interact with the underwater world
  2. Snorkelling is easy and safe
  3. Snorkellers may not want to be scuba divers

Discover Snorkelling

This course does not lead to a certification but does give valuable experience in the basic skills needed to snorkel safely. It will look at the equipment needed, adjustment and donning and basic safety concepts. It is primarily aimed at getting the student into the water quickly and follows the PADI philosophy of “Dive Today”. During the course the student will be able to snorkel on the surface and see the undersea world from there.

Skin Diver

This course concentrates on teaching the student not only about the equipment and surface techniques but also about the skills needed to snorkel underwater whilst breath holding. The training looks at breath holding techniques, swimming underwater and the problems associated with it, as well as the main safety aspects. After completing at least twelve hours of training, the student can be certified as a PADI Skin Diver.

BSAC

The BSAC use the “Ocean Explorer” training route for snorkel divers, which follows the guidelines below. It is important to know that Membership of the BSAC is mandatory to embark on these training courses.

Basic Snorkel Diver

This is an introductory course, available to anyone who is confident in the water and capable of swimming. It will train them in the use of basic snorkelling equipment of mask, fins and snorkel in a pool environment. No age limit is imposed but younger students should be confident in the water.

Snorkel Diver

After achieving the level of Basic Snorkel Diver, the student will progress with pool training to be proficient in the basic snorkelling skills and then be assessed for readiness for open water snorkelling. On completion of training the student should be competent in the safe and correct use of mask, fins and snorkel for surface and brief breath-hold dives in warm waters.

Ocean Snorkel Diver

From Snorkel Diver the student takes further training to take a full and active part in open water snorkelling activities, including rescue techniques and further advanced exercises.

This grade of student, on completion of training, should be competent in the safe use of all appropriate open water snorkelling equipment including protective clothing and should be able to act safely as one of a buddy pair of snorkellers.

Course content:

  1. six theory Lessons
  2. seven or eight practical Lessons
  3. three open water snorkel dives

Advanced Ocean Snorkel Diver

This grade continues to build on the previous skills with a greater level of theoretical knowledge in all aspects of snorkelling and a broad practical experience of snorkel diving.

The Advanced Ocean Snorkel Diver should know how snorkelling skills might be applied to specialist activities.

Course content:

  1. four theory Lessons
  2. one practical Lesson
  3. one pen water Practical Lesson
  4. five open water snorkel dives

Snorkel Dive Marshal

The highest grade of snorkel diver, this involves further theoretical knowledge of snorkel diving and having practical experience of snorkel dive planning and leadership of snorkelling activities.

The Snorkel Dive Marshal must also hold the BSAC Advanced Snorkel Lifesaver Award and, on completion of the course, will be capable of organising and supervising group snorkelling activities.

Course content:

  1. one theory Lesson
  2. five open water snorkel dives

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