We've gathered together a list of the most frequently asked questions about the courses but please
contact us if you have any other questions.
Why train in the UK?
How do I stay warm?
Is it really difficult? What happens if I can't do it and fail?
What's included in your price?
Where will I dive?
When does the next course start?
Why PADI?
How many people in each class?
Do I need a medical?
How long will it take?
What will I do on the course?
Are there payment options?
Why train in the UK?
Training in the UK, rather than abroad offers many advantages:
1. Saves valuable holiday time in the classroom
2. Relieves pressure of you having to finish it in a week
3. Means that you are qualified to dive in the UK, if you want to
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How do I stay warm?
Choosing the right exposure protection is key to keeping you warm in the
water. We will advise you about the water temperature and provide you
with the correct •clothing• to keep you warm.
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Is it really difficult? What happens if I can't do it and fail?
The courses aren't designed to be difficult, they're FUN! PADI's philosophy
is that courses should be time-based, not performance-based so the reality
is that no-one can "fail", we will just spend a bit more time
with you until you are confidently meeting the performance requirements.
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What's included in your price?
We don't believe that you should have to keep forking out money throughout
your course, which is why we try to include everything in your initial
price (see individual courses for more details). The only extra costs
that you need to worry about are getting there and lunch if you want it.
When comparing prices, please look for:
• Whether gear hire, materials, air fills, entrance fees etc. are
included
• Safe diving practices e.g buddy checks performed, oxygen available
at all times, rescue diver in the water, surface cover on the shore
• How many people are going to be on your course with you (set dates
usually mean fully filled courses).
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Where will I dive?
We use a swimming pool in Liverpool for our confined dives and aim to
use a selection of the best open water sites in England including:
• Capernwray Diving Centre, Lancs.
• Eccleston Delph, Chorley.
• Trearrdur Bay, Anglesey.
• Vivian, Wales.
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When does the next course start?
We do not advertise specific start dates for each course as we aim to
try to be as flexible as possible to suit your schedule. Arranging fixed
sessions also means that courses tend to be jam-packed and we aim to keep
our instructor:student ratios as low as possible to keep our training
personal and effective.
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Why PADI?
For many reasons:
• PADI is recognized worldwide
• Their support materials are excellent and provide a flexible learning
experience based on what suits you
• The amount of courses that they offer is very comprehensive and
progressive
• Their diver education system is strongly researched and is world-reknown
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How many people in each class?
Large classes mean that you will have less of the instructor's time. We
aim for a personal service so that you can ask questions and learn at
your own pace. Our flexible approach to scheduling means that you will
work in small groups. We aim for student: instructor ratios no higher
that 3:1
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Do I need a medical?
For non-leadership PADI courses, the medical is self-certification. It's
in the form of a Questionnaire that lists medical problems and you have
to place a yes/no answer next to each of them. If you answer yes to any
of them, then we will require the doctor's authorization to allow you
to dive.
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How long will it take?
There are no time limits to how long your course will take, you pace the
learning. See terms and conditions for more details.
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What will I do on the course?
You will learn most of the information at home, in your own time with
whatever method of learning suits you - CD Rom, Manual, DVDs etc. and
then we will go through any areas you are unsure of in the classroom.
Most new skills will be learned in the pool first and then taken into
open water once you are comfortable.
Please see specific courses for more information.
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Are there payment options?
All courses require a deposit for course materials etc. You
can pay in installments (arranged with the instructor beforehand) throughout
the course, but certification will not be given until course fees are
paid in full.
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