How old do I have to be to learn to dive?
The minimum age for participation in an Open Water Diver Course is 12 years of age. It is strongly encouraged that participants of this age do the course with a parent or guardian. The participant will receive, upon successful completion of the course, a Junior Open Water Certification. This allows the card holder to dive to a maximum restricted depth accompanied by a certified adult.
How fit do I need to be to do an Open Water Course?
Providing you are a generally healthy active person, your fitness level should be fine. Only a doctor can provide you with a correct determination of your health. Many people of all ages and fitness levels have learnt to dive – they choose to dive in conditions that suit their own skills and ability.
During a dive, you burn calories as you would do during aerobics. The amount of calories you burn will depend on your level of fitness, the temperature of the water, and any prevailing currents. Scuba Diving is a fun and enjoyable form of exercise.
Why do I need to do a dive medical?
Australian Standards 4005.1 determines that any person participating in a scuba diving course in Australia must have a current diving medical. Prior to booking in with your local doctor, make sure you ask if they are able to conduct Scuba Diving Medicals in compliance with AS 4005.1. A list of diving doctors can be found by visiting www.spums.org.au/diving_dr/list and finding a diving doctor in your area.
We have our own preferred diving doctor that can conduct medicals at our facility on request. This can be done during the week or during your open water course. Booking is essential.
The Hyperbaric Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital are also able to conduct a dive medical. They can be contacted during business hours on 82225116.
Are there any medical conditions that will restrict me from diving?
If you currently suffer from Asthma, Diabetes, Epilepsy or are pregnant, may preclude you from diving. Only a diving doctor can make this assessment if you are fit to participate in Scuba Diving.
I’m not good at swimming, is this going to be a problem?
You don’t have to be a super fish to scuba dive. During your Open Water Course you will be required to swim for 200 meters (any style) without the use of aids. You will also be required to float/tread water for a minimum of 10 minutes unassisted.
We will teach you to use scuba equipment so that you are comfortable and confident as a diver – you may never need to swim on the surface whilst wearing scuba equipment; however we will teach you how!
I am an odd size and shape. Will your equipment fit me?
Southern Blue Water Diving has a large range of Wet Suits and Diving Equipment that should fit most people. Prior to doing your course, it is advisable to try on our equipment. If we do not have any that fits you, we will endeavour to acquire some that will fit best.
Can I try diving before I book into a course?
Absolutely! Southern Blue Water Diving offers both half and full day Resort Dives (Try Dives).
A half day Resort Dive will consist of you filling out a medical declaration, going through some basic essential requirements with diving and Scuba Diving with a Dive Professional in a swimming pool.
A full day Resort Dive will consist of the same as the half day with a Scuba Dive in the ocean to cap off the day.
How long is an open water course?
The Open Water Course is usually conducted over two consecutive weekends. The course can also be structured over 3 evenings and one weekend. We can be as flexible as you are!
How many people will be on the course?
We aim to have a maximum of 8 students per instructor to enhance individual attention. In the event of a group of friends that wish to do the course together, we can extend the number of students with the assistance of other dive professionals.
What does the Open Water Course entail?
Prior to commencing the course, it is mandatory to have a Diving Medical pursuant to Australian Standards 4005.1 signed off by the doctor as “Fit to Dive”.
You will also be required to do some home study. This will be explained more thoroughly when you receive your student materials.
Once on the course you will learn about Scuba Diving Theory and practice (and do an exam), participate in scuba skills in a pool or confined water, complete a 200 metre swim (any stroke/no time limit), tread water or float for 10 minutes, and participate in Open Water Dives.
How many open water dives do we do throughout the course?
Australian Standards suggests that a minimum of 4 Open Water Dives must be conducted on an Open Water Course. We believe that for your comfort and safety and increased enjoyment, we offer a minimum of 6 Open Water Dives. In the event that you are unable to complete the 6 dives on the course, you will still be certified as an Open Water Diver, however you will still be required to complete a further 2 dives with a Dive Control Specialist or Instructor appointed by Southern Blue Water Diving. You will then receive your certification card.
Where do we do the course?
Theory and Pool sessions are conducted either in the Northern or Southern Suburbs of Adelaide. We utillise either The Parks Community Centre, Cowan Street, Regency Park where we have a class room purposely set up to conduct all our theory components in comfort or our shop at Port Noarlunga. The choice is yours - we requuire minimum numbers to conduct the course at either locations.
In the event of conducting courses in regional areas, appropriate facilities will be chosen.
We teach at Port Hughes, Edithburgh, Port Pirie, Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, Ceduna and other regional areas. We are able to come to you - please contact us for futher information!
What equipment do I need to do an Open Water Course?
You will be required to provide your own mask, snorkel, fins and wet suit booties. Southern Blue Water Diving is able to assist you with your selection from our range of Beuchat and Atomic Aquatics equipment. The remainder of Scuba Equipment will be supplied as part of your course by Southern Blue Water Diving.
What if I start an Open Water Course and decide that diving is not for me?
If you decide that Scuba Diving is not for you, you will receive a reimbursement for the remainder of the course. You must notify the intent of withdrawal to the Instructor prior to commencement of the following session. A withdrawal midway through a session will preclude a reimbursement for that day. (We still have to pay your Instructor wages)
Day 1 – Session 1 Withdrawal (Theory/Pool)
Day 2 – Session 2 Withdrawal (Theory/Pool)
Day 3 – Session 3 Withdrawal (Open Water Day 1)
I am interested in a course, what now?
You can book by phoning Southern Blue Water Diving on 8186 0066 or sending an enquiry to contact@bluewaterdiving.com.au . Once you have determined the dates and structure of your course and paid a deposit, you will receive your student materials. YOU MUST HAVE A DIVING MEDICAL PRIOR TO COMMENCING YOUR COURSE.
You can commence your SSI Open Water Diver Course On-Line at any time. This must be completed prior to commencing the pool sessions.
We are able to assist you with your selection from our large range of Masks, Snorkel, Fins and Wetsuit booties and fit you out with scuba equipment for use during your Open Water Course.
I haven’t dived for a while and want to go diving overseas, what should I do?
If you haven’t dived for a while it is strongly recommended that you participate in a Refresher Course. A Southern Blue Water Diving Professional will take you through essential diving theory and practice including 2 Open Water Dives.
I’m scared of Sharks, will I see them?
Every Summer, the Great White Shark is greatly publicised throughout the media. The fact is that as more and more people enter the water over this busy period, sharks are being spotted along our coast. It is renowned that Australia has Great White Sharks in the ocean, however it is extremely unlikely that you will come across one, nevertheless there are preventative measures that we take in the event that we do stumble across a Great White Shark.
What preventative measures do you have to avoid Sharks?
For your comfort and enhanced safety, all our dive professionals and Open Water Students wear Shark Shields. When you become a scuba diver and invest in your own personal scuba diving equipment, we recommend that you also invest in a Shark Shield.
After you have completed Open Water Training and you wish to partake in Continuing Education Programs or dive on our vessel, it is mandatory that students wear a Shark Shield. They can be hired from Southern Blue Water Diving, however, it is recommended that you invest in your own personal scuba equipment at this level.
I want to continue to dive following the course but don’t know any other divers, where do I go?
Southern Blue Water Diving provides regular opportunities for everyone to dive on our Charters or regular diving weekends away. Our Dive Professionals are always diving socially, and would love newly trained students to dive with them and introduce you to other safe divers.
Southern Blue Water Diving has a number of independent Scuba Diving Clubs that are always willing to provide regular diving opportunities to new members.
