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I have never dived before, what do I do?
If you want to learn to scuba dive, the first step is to take an SSI Open Water Diver course. Your journey into scuba diving can start today visit our courses section and find out all the details. Your Open water pack can be at your door (usually) within 24 hours. In a few days, you could be experiencing the joys of the underwater world.
What is scuba diving like? When you dive you discover what its like to fly, to hover weightless suspended in water. From the moment you enter the water you are escaping to a part of our world that most only get a glimpse at from the surface. There are massive collections of plant life, multitudes of fish in every colour of the rainbow.
Is it hard to do? Learning to dive is a lot easier than most folks think. You should be in reasonable health and be comfortable around water, and have a sense of adventure and a desire to visit the underwater arena. Every year literally thousands of people around the planet take the steps to explore the underwater environment.
Are there any age restrictions?
There are no maximum age restrictions, the minimum age to learn to dive is 12 years of age. Upon completion of the dive course students under the age of 15 are issued with a Junior Open Water Certification, this can be upgraded once they turn 15.
How long does the dive course take? Our standard Course is conducted over 4 days. We do have a condensed three day course.
Do I have to be able to swim? You are required to show proficiency and a degree of comfort in the water by completing a 200 metre swim. There is no time limit on this swim and there is no particular style of swimming to complete the task. Be is backstroke breaststroke dog paddle or freestyle as long as you complete the 200 metres (without stopping at the shallow end for a breather)
What does the classroom portion of the course involve?
The benefit of our dive course is that you complete the majority of you theory at home –using our home study method. Upon receipt of your deposit we will issue you manuals and the dvd (or video). By completing the theory work at home we can achieve a couple of things. You can relax while you study and ingest the theory at your pace not everyone else’s. We can spend more time doing what you are paying us for -teaching you to scuba and have fun. It also allows to give you 6 open ocean dives rather than the standard four open ocean dives most others offer. When you attend the theory session your instructor will revise what you have viewed at home.
What if I don't like it?
You will find yourself in the pool, completing your confined water training, midway through day 1. Both you and your instructor will know from the confined water session whether you are enjoying it or not. If you decide not to continue then you are entitled to a refund for the course. There would be a fee for any parts of your open water pack which have been written in, and there would also be a fee for day one.
What if I can’t finish the course?
We can be flexible and understanding. If you find you cannot complete your scheduled courses we can always allow you to join in one of our other courses at a later date.
What happens in the pool?FUN!! The pool is your first experience at breathing underwater. Having oriented you in your classroom session with the dive equipment we then get you in the pool where you are taught to master basic skills such as breathing underwater; buoyancy control; weight removals; entry techniques and ascending and descending techniques.
Where will we dive? The first day of your course leads you to the local pool where you will complete a 200 metre swim, as well as a number of under water skills with your scuba equipment. All the open water dives are completed at Bass Point. Usually we conduct our Open Water dives at a dive site called The Gutter.
Isn’t diving expensive?
The price of the course is less than $100. per day which is less than a dinner for two with drinks. It is a good idea to purchase the basics – mask snorkel fins boots and wetsuit, it is not mandatory as, equipment is available for hire. Or if you are interested in purchasing we can organise no interest ever repayments and a take home laybuy!!!!!!!
Will I be required to buy equipment?
We do not require any of our students to purchase gear for our open water course, we provide all the gear necessary during your open water training, and thus give you the opportunity to try a couple of different styles of equipment, before you decide if you want to purchase any. You will find it all very confusing to begin with but once you have learnt a little about diving and dive equipment during your course, you will have ample opportunity to ask questions, use different styles of software and hardware. Software is mask snorkel fins boots and wetsuit. These should be your first equipment choices and can be fitted during your course should you elect to do soHardware includes BC, regs, computer or gauges are better to be purchased once you have an opportunity to see what your individual requirements are. More information on purchasing is available here WHAT ABOUT SHARKS???
It is a common human fear and belief that by jumping into the ocean, you will be attacked by a shark. We can blame movie makers and the media for the hysteria attached to these “demons of the deep”. The truth is that most marinelife is shy and will steer clear of humans, sharks included. More truths – more people are killed in Australia on a yearly basis by bee stings or falling coconuts, than attacked by sharks. So the chances of seeing a shark let alone being bitten by one are remote. We are not normal prey of sharks, in fact most shark attacks are accidents. Fact is we spend a lot of our time underwater trying to see these elusive sea creatures in their natural state, and as such we conduct many trips away to other dive areas. Read the story of my first ever dive with sharks
I have been told that diving will cause pain in my ears? Sometimes I get a pain in my ears when I snorkel dive under the water. The pain or tightness is air trying to equalize. Have you ever driven down a steep descent and had to yawn or wriggle your jaw to “Pop’ your ears? This is the exact same effect that you get when you dive underwater. One of the first things you will learn on your course is how to equalize your ears, and to do it early and often.
Are there any other costs not included in the course fee? Everything required for the dive course is included in the course fees. You are required to pass to pass a scuba medical (AS4005.1). The fee payable for the medical is usually between $50 and $80 dependent on the doctor you see. What will be involved in the dive medical? Most people pass the scuba medical, however if you suffer from any of these conditions, it is unlikely that you will pass the medical examination; Heart surgery, Pneumothorax, Epilepsy, Insulin dependent diabetic, Asthma, Pregnancy. To download the current dive medical form used here, please click here.
What happens if I fail my medical?
Although it has not happened before should you fail the medical any money you have paid is refundable, subject to the return of any educational materials in their original condition.
How many people in a course?
SSI sets maximum numbers for courses. The maximum numbers are: During pool sessions, 10 students:1 Instructor. During Open Water Training, 8 students:1 Instructor. However we have always kept our numbers down. Our average maximum number of students per course is 4. The minimum for a course to proceed is 1 student.
How deep do we go?
During your dive course you will dive to the depth your instructor thinks you will be comfortable with, but the maximum allowable is 18 metres.
What happens after I have finished the dive course? At the end of your course you will be qualified to basically dive anywhere around the world, the dive sites are endless. We can offer you dive buddies every day of the year, and we can rent you all the equipment you need for a days diving. With a choice of over 30 local dive sites (from shore or boat) the fun is limitless. We even conduct regular overseas and interstate trips and weekends away. When you are ready we can even guide you through any of the specialty (ConEd) courses, to continue you your dive education. What continuing Education Courses are available?
After your Open Water course (or equivalent) there are a number of continuing education courses available. SSI Specialty diver with a variety of specialties to chose fromSSI AdvancedSSI Stress Rescue DiverSSI Master DiverSSI Dive ControllerSSI Instructor What will we see underwater?Life in the underwater environment is as diverse as the life on the surface of our planet. The local marinelife includes rays, wrasses, gropers, cuttlefish, we even have a resident turtle and a seasonal seal. Bass Point our local dive site has its own pod of dolphins which are commonly sighted. We have nudibranchs - a brightly coloured small slug like creature (although slug does apply a rather gross thought). There are gobies and oldwives and many other fish creatures. Weedy sea dragons are a personal favourite. Plant type matter includes sponge gardens of lilac, blue, pinks, yellow and white, gorgonian fans and oh so much more. |
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