LEARNING TO DIVE
LEARNING TO DIVE
SCUBA diving is not a cheap sport but at Morpeth Dolphins we believe in keeping costs to an absolute minimum. We are a 'not for profit' club with only the member's interests at heart, not some commercial organisation with profits and shareholders to worry about. We provide excellent value for money at a minimum cost because of the goodwill of our members, many of whom lend a hand whenever possible.
So you fancy a try...Then come along for a try-dive (£5 for an hour with all the equipment and 1-to-1 instruction)
Aqualung training with our club is open to everyone aged 12 or over who is medically fit to dive. The training is carried out by trained instructors at the individual’s own pace to build confidence, with safety as a key factor. The first BSAC diver grade is ‘Ocean Diver’* and this involves theory lectures, in-water training in the swimming pool and then progresses to open-water training in local quarries or in the sea. Theory lectures are held at regular intervals, and pool sessions are from
8pm – 9pm every Thursday evening at the Riverside Leisure Centre, Morpeth.
The course includes a theory test and practical in-water assessment to ensure that trainees have the level of knowledge essential to perform dives in open-water. Further progressive training courses are held within the branch.
Basic costs:
Free pool instruction max. group size = 2 students per instructor (on average it takes 8 weeks in the pool)
Free Theory training: (student training pack must be purchased at a cost of £30)
Free Open water training
(Many providers will charge £200+ for the above course !!!)
Free Further courses (Oxygen administration, boat handling etc) Other commercial providers charge hundreds of pounds for these!
Requirements:
£120 per annum Membership of Morpeth Dolphins which includes as much air as you can use (normally costs £3 per fill)
£48 Membership of the British Sub~Aqua Club which includes 12 issues of DIVE Magazine (cover-price £3.25) and third party insurance
So for less than £168 you get ALL the training you will ever need up to a very high level (BSAC Advanced Diver), boat handling, oxygen administration etc. Free air and use of the club boat for a low fee of £5 per dive. Many others charge more than this without BSAC membership or free air.
Questions and answers
Q Why so cheap?
A We are a club and because we members charge nothing for our time we can provide exceptional value for money. All we expect is that having learned how to do it, you do the same for others.
Q But isn't the diving gear expensive?
A Diving gear isn't cheap but you can hire all the necessary stuff from the club for a very small fee making diving affordable to all.
Q Do I need to be able to swim?
A You only need to be able to do some basic swimming
Q Am I not too old?
A You're never too old, anyone aged 14 and over can do it.
Q What about medical conditions?
A See below
Q So what do I do next?
A Contact us and come along for a try-dive (£5 for an hour with all the equipment and 1-to-1 instruction)
Medical and other conditions:
Anyone with a medical history of diabetes, blackouts (epilepsy etc) perforated ear drum, untreated high blood pressure, any lung or respiratory disorder will not be permitted to dive
You must never dive with a cold or ear infection
Diver training is available on the understanding that the person partaking is aged at least 12 and:
Considers themselves fit and not suffering from any of the disqualifying conditions mentioned above
In the interests of safety, undertakes to comply with all the instructions given to them
Is able to swim 100 metres freestyle
Every precaution will be taken for the safety of the persons taking part and therefore the Morpeth Dolphins Sub~Aqua Club reserve the right to refuse or terminate any instruction should there be doubt as to fitness or suitability to dive.