jess Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Hello there Do any of you SCUBA dive in the northwest, I'm thinking of getting my boyfriend a taster session or maybe introductory lesson for Christmas, and there's a few in the North West and if anyone had been to them? He only has snorkeling experience. Thanks for reading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Can't help with a north west recommendation but DD and DS1 did a two hour scuba 'try dive' with PADI instructors at a diving pool in Bristol recently and absolutely loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 What sort of stuff did you do on the try dive? I'd love to hear about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 They had a briefing on basic safety, how the body reacts to changes in pressure under water and on the hand signals divers use to communicate. They then got shown the equipment, how to put it on, use it and take it off. They did a bit of snorkelling with full scuba equipment on then got to dive a few feet and resurface. They learnt how to clear their masks under water and how to take out and replace their mouthpieces. When the instructors were happy that they knew what they were doing thus far (and not all swimmers in the group managed this in the 2 hours) they moved from the swimming pool to the diving pool and got to go deeper for longer. They learnt how to swim down safely and how to resurface slowly from deep water. The 'Try Dive' gave them the first stage of a PADI recognised introduction to scuba and they could now go on to do a simple dive in open water under the supervision of qualified instructors. I think it is a great idea for a present Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 ahh I didn't realise try dives could give you credits towards the PADI that's very interesting thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 me and kev started to learn PADI, but the instructor went bust , then did a runner, and we never managed to finish I had a friend who was a qualified BSAC instructor and she went mad with me, she said BSAC is better (more expensive, but more thorough) she also said that she would have taught us if I had shouted up before she sold all her kit http://www.bsac.com/ is the link if you are interested cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Both DD & OH are PADI trained (openwater, advanced openwater & specialist certs). PADI is international so if you are going to dive whilst on holiday abroad that is the one for you as it is most recoginised. BSAC is more a club, so if you want to dive in the UK and join a local group they are for you. BSAC qualification takes a lot longer to complete. Diving in the UK (unless a pool try-dive) is not practical until March/April particularly as a beginner. I am not sure how much you want to spend, but this is an expensive intro, but a great present: http://sharkdives.blueplanetaquarium.com/shark_encounter/shark_encounter.asp it is a discover scuba PADI dive (suitable with no previous training) at an aquarium in Cheshire. You dive in the shark pool in the aquarium. 2 spectators get in free to watch you and it looks a fun day out. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
