| Theory Training | | | | These start with mask clearing. It is essential that |
| Your diver training will probably start with a brief | | | | you can clear water out of your mask whilst still |
| introduction to how the course will be structured and | | | | underwater and you will learn and practice this |
| then you will be shown a series of instructional DVDs | | | | technique. Once you and your instructor are happy, |
| about all of the skills you will be learning during the | | | | you will then completely remove the mask and |
| course. After each DVD segment, your instructor will | | | | replace and clear it. |
| then spend time talking you through what you have | | | | There are then a few exercises to carry out with |
| seen, making sure that you understood what was | | | | the full scuba gear, such as taking your first breaths |
| discussed and ending with a brief multiple choice test | | | | under water, practicing altering your buoyancy to get |
| to check that it has all sunk in. | | | | it absolutely spot on and buddy breathing. They are |
| | | | all a fun afternoon in the pool! |
| Pool Training | | | | Open Water training |
| After the classroom work you are ready to progress | | | | Finally you are ready to take your scuba gear into |
| to the pool work. You will be given for the first time | | | | the water for real. The first dive will be quite shallow |
| the gear that you will be diving in and taken to a | | | | and you will begin with practising some of those |
| suitable swimming pool to learn how to safely use it. | | | | exercises again - mask clearing in the sea and so on. |
| But, there is something to do before you start to kit | | | | After that your instructor will take you on your first |
| up and that is the swimming tests! Nothing | | | | dive followed by logging it and then using the tables |
| complicated - you just have to show that you can | | | | to calculate your nitrogen saturation. |
| propel yourself through the water for a prescribed | | | | After a suitable break you will return to the water |
| distance and then float for a prescribed amount of | | | | for a further 3 dives, each one taking you deeper |
| time. It does not matter whether you are a fast or | | | | until on dive 4 you should reach around 18 metres. |
| slow swimmer. | | | | Final Exam |
| Once this is completed, you can then assemble your | | | | The final exam can follow the classroom work, but |
| diving equipment with the help of your instructor. | | | | finishing with it is better as there are some aspects |
| There is a set order to put everything together in | | | | to the test that you might only fully remember when |
| and you will need to learn this. Next you will enter the | | | | you have tried them out. It is a simple multiple choice |
| water, probably with only the mask and snorkel, and | | | | test and once all of these stages are complete, it is |
| start the basic exercises. | | | | photograph time and you are a qualified diver! |