Aquaventure Scuba Club, Bristol. "Scuba Diving Bristol sinks to new levels of professionalism"

Course Detail

Remember this....

"If its quick and cheap it wont be good
If its quick and good it won't be cheap
If its good and cheap it won't be quick "

Here is the fine detail about the courses detailed in the learn to dive section.

Quick Links: click the name of the course you are interested in to go straight there.
Bubblemakers (Kids Fun)
Seal Team (Kids serious diving preparation)
Discover Scuba (Try Dive)
Scuba Review (qualified divers refresher experience)
Discover Local Diving (Qualified divers)
Snorkeling and Skin Diver Courses (no age limit snorkeling, 8yrs for skin divers)
Open Water Course (The entry level qualification)
Advanced Open Water (Take the next step with 5 adventure dives)
Rescue Course (Moving up to important skills)
Divemaster (First Professional qualification and first step towards Instructor rating)
Assistant Instructor (Last Stage before full Instructor)
Speciality Courses (Hone your skills and knowledge in particular areas)

Bubblemaker Kids.....

Bring your parents diving! For young adventurers aged 8yrs and upward like you, the Bubblemaker program is an introduction to the thrill of breathing underwater with real underwater diving in the pool. If you're eight or nine years of age, now is your chance to take the plunge with a PADI Instructor and go pool diving. Start out on the right fin, jump into the PADI Bubblemaker program today!

What will I do?
A pool based fun time experience! You will learn some easy basic skills then dive like a young aquanaut. Real Diving BEWARE this becomes addictive!

What will I need?
A sense of adventure
Swimming costume
Your Mum, Dad or carer

Where can I go from here?
The only way is up (or down!). You can continue with the pool sessions, then at the age of 10, on to the next step!!

PRICE £30-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

PADI Seal Team.......

Step up the fun in some serious way with great course materials.

What will I do?
A pool based fun time experience again for 8yrs and upward but you will complete 5 Aquamissions over 5 different days. If you want to take on the real challenge and become a Master seal Team diver then a total of 15 Aquamissions is your target including such cool things as Inner Space specialist, Wreck specialist, Search and Recovery specialist and a host other other great missions.

What will I need?
A sense of adventure
Swimming costume
Your Mum, Dad or guardian

Where can I go from here?
This is serious preparation for the full Junior Open Water Diver Course and beyond.

PRICE £100 for Seal team Diver £250 for Master Seal Team Diver-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

PADI Scuba Review...........

This is a much sought after refresh for qualified divers, tune up before holidays or upgrade for Junior Qualifications, so much so that we have added a detailed section to the web site which you can find under the 'Learn to Dive' tab on the main page. Aquaventure provides some additional sections to really make your review special for you.

PRICE £30-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

Discover Scuba Diving?

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving program lets you experience the thrill of diving under the supervision of a PADI Professional in the pool. During your adventure, you'll master some basic concepts and scuba skills.

What do I need to start?
Minimum age: 10
A completed and signed Discover Scuba Diving brochure

What will I do?
When you participate in a Discover Scuba Diving program, you discover excitement and adventure - freedom and serenity. Nothing compares to the "weightless" exhilaration of breathing underwater. Only a diver knows the feeling! How long will it take? Get ready to dive today. Whether you watch the short PADI Discover Scuba video, or are briefed with the Discover Scuba Diving Flip Chart, you'll enter the water quickly and ready for your scuba adventure. We now have an extensive Discover Scuba Diving section from the drop down list under 'Learn to Dive' on the main web site.

What will I need?
A sense of adventure (again)
Discover Scuba Diving brochure

Where can I go from here?
As soon as you Discover Scuba Diving, you're on your way to an internationally recognized certification. That's because you may learn skills used in the PADI Open Water Diver course during your Discover Scuba Diving adventure. If you and your instructor elect to practice these skills, they may be credited toward the PADI Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver certifications. Ask your Instructor for more information

PRICE £30----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

Discover Local Diving...

New to the area or want to explore a local dive site you haven't been to previously and with a PADI Pro as a guide? This experience program is what you need.

What do I need to start?
Need to be a qualified Junior Scuba diver or above (10yrs upwards)

What will I do?
You will spend either a morning, afternoon or full day at your chosen dive site and will participate in dive planning preparations, local hazards and procedures and any site specific techniques plus all local safety amenities..

What will I need?
Your diver qualification

Where can I go from here?
Following this experience you will confidently be able to return to the site and dive.

PRICE dependant on site and duration----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

Discover Snorkeling and Skin Diver Courses.......

Two similar but different courses to consider, especially if you are going abroad and don't want to scuba dive but still explore the underwater world. Snorkeling is conducted at the surface and the skin diving course teaches you how to make repeated dives below with top tips and tricks and equipment differences.

What do I need to start?
Any age for discover snorkeling, the younger the better. The Skin Diver Course is a minimum age of 8yrs.

What will I do?
Snorkeling techniques and kit considerations for the first and a total of 16 confined water performance areas plus a knowledge development session for the Skin Diver Course. This is an ideal program for groups and parties, loads of fun and challenges to complete during the session.

What will I need?
Just your swimming gear, we provide the rest.

Where can I go from here?
Probably on holiday!

PRICE £20 Snorkeling, £30 Skin Diver----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

PADI Open Water Diver Course

The most popular dive program in the world! This is your ticket to a lifetime of intense underwater adventure with PADI, the dive company that sets the standards in the global diving community.
Why PADI Open Water? As a certified PADI Open Water Diver, the most widely recognized and respected rating in the world, you have the freedom to dive with a buddy independent of a professional. If you already tried a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience or are PADI Scuba Diver certified, check with your instructor to see how credit from these courses may apply to the open water program.

What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification. If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Open Water Diver program available. A PADI Junior Open Water Diver between the ages of 10 and 12 years may only dive with a PADI Professional, a certified parent or certified guardian to a maximum depth of 12 metres.

What will I do?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You earn this rating by completing five or so pool sessions and knowledge development sessions and by making four open water (ocean or lake) dives.

How long will it take?
PADI programs are performance based. You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you.

What is included in the course?
PADI Open Water Crew-Pak
PADI Open Water Video or DVD
Log Book
Registration with PADI
All pool sessions & instruction
All Kit and air fills

Where can I go from here?
Continue the adventure with PADI’s Advanced Open Water program, you next step in exploring the underwater world. See below for more information on the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver programme.

Enrolled on the Open Water Course? Go here to download the necessary forms

Click here for more detail about how the club ensure top quality for your course

PRICE £350---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

You complete your Deep Adventure Dive, Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive and three Adventure Dives for a total of five, you can earn your Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
Why Advanced Open Water Diver? After your five dives, you'll be more experienced, feel more comfortable in the water and simply enjoy diving more because you better understand the underwater environment.

What do I need to start?
PADI Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)
Minimum age: 15 (12 for PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver)

What will I do?
This certification includes five Adventure Dives, including the Deep Adventure Dive, the Underwater Navigator Adventure Dive and three of the following: Altitude Diver Boat Diver Drift Diver Deep Diver Dry Suit Diver Diver Propulsion Vehicle Multilevel Diver Night Diver Peak Performance Buoyancy Search and Recovery Diver Underwater Naturalist Underwater Videographer Underwater Photographer Underwater Navigator AWARE Fish Identification Wreck Diver

How long will it take?
Recommended Course Hours: 15
Minimum Open Water Training: five dives over two days

What is included in the course?
Adventures in Diving Crew-Pak
Adventures in Diving Video
Log Book
Registration with PADI
Kit is available is you don't have your own (small additional charge)

Where can I go from here?
PADI Advanced Open Water Divers at least 15 years of age can enroll in PADI Wreck or Deep Diver Specialty courses and continue on to the PADI Rescue Diver or Junior Rescue Diver course.

PRICE £300------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

Revamped Course Content

Why PADI Rescue Diver?

The PADI Rescue Diver will expand your knowledge and experience beyond purely recreational level because you'll learn to look beyond yourself and consider the safety and well being of other divers. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence.

What do I need to start?
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)
Minimum age: 15 years old (12 for PADI Junior Rescue Diver)
Successful completion of a sanctioned CPR program within the past 24 months

What will I do?
Rescue Diver training will prepare you to prevent problems and, if necessary, manage dive emergencies. This is now changed to enable skill development to take place in the pool (10 exercises plus self rescue techniques) followed by two open water rescue scenarios to test all the skills. This is a real improvement on the previous set up. During the two open water scenarios , you'll cover all the training exercise skills conducted in the pool during two challenging real life simulations.
In addition you will prepare an emergency assistance plan for the site where the rescue scenarios are to be conducted.

How long will it take?
Recommended Course Hours: 25
Minimum Open Water Training: two sessions now over a single day proceeded by at least one day pool work developing skills

What is included in the course?
PADI Rescue Diver Crew-Pak
PADI Rescue Diver video
Use of a pony set up
Free pool use during skill development stages

Where can I go from here?
The PADI Rescue Diver certification is a prerequisite for all Professional level PADI courses, beginning with the PADI Divemaster certification. Enroll in a PADI Rescue Diver course and prepare yourself for what lies ahead.

PRICE £350--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

PADI Divemaster.

Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you'll expand your dive knowledge and hone your skills as you become a dive professional. PADI Divemaster training develops your leadership abilities by training you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers.

What can PADI Divemasters do?
Work at local dive centers, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations Assist PADI Instructors with students Lead PADI Scuba Divers on guided dive tours
Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers Teach PADI Discover Snorkeling programs
Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
Lead certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences
Teach Emergency First Response programs after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course.

What do I need to start?
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or qualifying certification from another training organization
PADI Rescue Diver certification or qualifying certification from another training organization.
Medical clearance signed by a physician
20 logged dives
18 years old

What will I do?
Learn dive leadership through classroom and independent study sessions
Complete water skills and stamina exercises in confined and open water
Training exercises to test organizational and problem solving abilities
An internship or series of practical training exercises

How long will it take?
From Two weeks - six months
Option to work in a dive centre abroad for one week included

What materials are needed?
Divemaster Training Package
Divemaster Video
Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
Diving Knowledge Workbook
PADI Instructor Manual
Log Book

PRICE £350------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

Try your knowledge at some RDP problems here

Download your own dive planning templates here

FREE! HSE Diver at work risk assessment forms

The PADI Assistant Instructor Course

This the first portion of the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). You'll not only gain additional experience as a PADI Professional but you'll also start learning the PADI System of diver education. We have now trained a number of Assistant Instructors, most of whom have progressed onto the full instructors course: all who have taken it through this route have passed!

What can PADI Assistant Instructors do?
Teach academic presentations under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor
Evaluate Open Water Diver surface skills under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor
Teach the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy and digital underwater photography Specialty courses
Teach Project AWARE Specialty courses
Conduct PADI Discover Scuba experiences
Teach Emergency First Response after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course
Conduct the Discover Local diving experience
Teach Discover Snorkeling and Skin Diver Courses
Conduct additional open water dives under the DSD experience

What will I need to start?
PADI Divemaster rating or qualifying certification from another certification organization
At least 18 years old
Have 60 logged dives, including night, deep, and navigation dives
Have been a certified diver for at least 6 months

What will I do?
Knowledge development through self-study, quizzes, lectures and presentations
Confined water skill review and assessment, workshops and presentations
Open water workshops, rescue assessment and candidate presentations

How long will it take?
The course can vary from as little as three days to more than two weeks

What materials are needed?
PADI Instructor Manual Instructor Candidate Workbook
Open Water Lesson Planning Slate
Confined Water Lesson Preparation Slate
Open Water Aquatic Cue Cards
Confined Water Aquatic Cue Cards
The Law and the Diving Professional
The Business of Diving
The Best of The Undersea Journal
Log Book
Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Instructor Specialty Instructor Outline
Project AWARE Specialty Program Instructor Outline
Aware Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Instructor Outline
Open Water Diver Manual
Recreational Dive Planner, The eRDRml and table, and Instructions for Use Booklets
Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exam booklet
Adventures in Diving Manual
Rescue Diver Manual
Rescue Diver Final Exams Booklet
Divemaster Manual
Divemaster Final Exams Booklet

PRICE £300------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top of page

The following insurance details are now required if you teach/assist in teaching

Speciality Courses

Why take a speciality course? You might have an interest in say photography, want to develop your deep diving skills, want to become really confident in Night Diving or hone your buoyancy skills in the Peak performance buoyancy course. These and many other benefits come as a result of completing a speciality course. Many enhance your fun and interest such as fish identification, safety including navigation and SMB courses, some are important for self or buddy care such as the Oxygen Administration course but all add increased knowledge and skills under your belt as you continue to expand your diving adventures. Once you have clocked up 5 speciality courses you may qualify as a Master Scuba Diver, the highest non professional PADI achievement.

Wreck Diver

This is an excellent course where we take you to different wrecks and show you and introduction to wreck diving and what it has to offer to the diver. There is 1 theory session and 4 dives for this course. We recommend you take the SMB Speciality in conjunction with this course.

What is included:
Manual

Price: £250 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peak Performance Buoyancy

Want to glide through the water effortlessly, just like your instructor? Want to breath less air and be more streamlined? It isn't rocket science but this course will help you become a better diver, period. This can now be included as part of the Open water Diver course or be a stand alone speciality course of its own right, either way we strongly recommend it for all new divers, it really will help. Theory and 2 open water dives are all it takes and you will soon be hovering and gliding with the best.

What's included?
PPB manual
Use of different weight systems

Price: £125 as part of Open water Course, £150 separate --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dry Suit Diver

This course is almost essential for diving year round in the UK. The dry suit course shows you how to use a dry suit involving going on dives to help you get used to diving in a dry suit and how to help trapped air escape. You will also learn emergency procedures and repairs. This course will involve 1 theory session 1 pool session and 2 open water dives with the dry suit.

What is included:
Manual

Price: £150.00 or £100 as part of Open water Course --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Project Aware Specialist, Aware Fish ID and Aware Coral Reef Conservation

Three great AWARE courses are available for the eco protectors amongst us (and that must be all divers). These are all available from the age of 10yrs with the Fish ID having 2 dives, the remainder are classroom awareness courses. These are very suitable for the younger members of diving as they learn important aspects of protecting the underwater world that will stand us all in good stead for the future.

What's Included?
Different manuals and reference materials
2 open water dives for the fish ID

Price: £80 Aware and Coral Reef, £100 Fish ID --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deep Diver

This course is designed to train you in the essential skills needed to dive deeper, to a maximum depth of 40 metres. The course teaches you how to ensure problems do not occur and also to take you on several deep dives to give you more experience regarding deep diving. There is 1 theory session and 4 dives.

What is included:
Manual and Certification

Price: £250.00 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drift Dive Speciality

Ever fancied jumping on the conveyer belt and watching the reef flow by? This is where you learn to make it happen and dive in currents that push you along. This is particularly useful for the Red Sea and Maldives where strong currents are welcomed as they pull in the big fish. We have some excellent coastal sites that provide the necessary drift currents to train in. 2 Dives make up this speciality.

What's Included?
Drift Diving crew pack

Price: £150.00 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enriched Air

For more time underwater... How many times have you been enjoying an excellent dive, perhaps on your favorite wreck, or on a new site only to reach the end of your planned bottom time with still so much to see? Enriched Air diving could be the answer, with greatly extended 'no-stop' bottom times available, particularly in the 20 to 30 metre depth range, choosing the right mix could extend your usable time to double at some depths! The open water dives give you the opportunity to experience enriched air diving. The emphasis of the course is heavily on enjoyment whilst at the same time covering all you need to know to safely use enriched air (Nitrox), maximising your bottom time. The PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) course is conducted over two days, the first is theory and the practical aspects of verifying ‘mix’, dive planning etc. Day two consists of planning and conducting two dives using enriched air. Prerequisites: To take part in the course you need to be qualified to PADI Open Water Diver. Minimum age 15.

What is included:
PADI Enriched Air Diver Manual PADI EANx Dive tables (32% and 36%), and Oxygen Exposure table Certification Use of Nitrox clean cylinders, regulator and O2 test equipment during the course

Price: £175 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider (Non-diving*)

This course is here to help you to administer oxygen safely and correctly to a conscious or unconscious person depending on the problem. We will show you how an oxygen kit works and how to use it safely and correctly which could help you to save a life. Oxygen Administration is now a required skill for HSE if teaching in the UK. It is highly desirable for all divers to be trained in this skill.

What is included:
Manual
Use of Marinox O2 kit

Price: £80 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Emergency First Response (Non-diving*)

This course is a 1 day course in basic first aid and CPR. This is a prerequisite for a the rescue diver course, but it can also be for non-divers to participate in. It is a recognised First aid certification which you receive a card at the end and last you for 2 years. This courses covers a variety of problems from a small cut which requires a plaster to dealing with an unconscious person needing assistance and care until a medical team arrive.

What is included:
Deluxe Binder First Aid Kit

Price: £75 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: you do not need to be a certified diver to participate in Non-diving* courses.

Boat Diver

Okay, so this picture isn't a direct comparison to UK Boat diving! That is why this is an excellent course to enroll on. try your hand at rib diving and hard boat diving with us along the South west Coast with 2 boat dives. You'll learn about: Boat diving planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards Proper boat diving etiquette, including equipment storage and conduct Common boat terminology Specific and local boat diving laws and ordinances Overview of emergency and safety equipment needed on- private dive boats

What is Included?
Boat diver crew pack
NOTE Boat fees will be payable extra

Price : £150----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SMB Speciality

Another critical course for UK diving be it diving in a inshore area where you should signify your presence to other water users or when boat diving where a delayed SMB is required. This course is surprisingly not taught anywhere else. You will complete a theory session, one pool session and two open water dives using all the different types of SMB.

What is included?
Use of SMBs and reels and a free pool session

Price: £80----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Underwater Navigation Speciality

Seems like common sense but you need to find your way back after the dive! here you will learn to use a compass effectively underwater, rely on natural navigation features and other tips to ensure you don't get lost or off track. 3 open water dives are completed during this course

What is included?
Navigation Crew Pack

Price : £150----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment Specialist

A non diving essential tool in your dive kit. Learn how your kit works, how to maintain and look after it, professional maintenance requirements, overcoming problems and kit configuration.

What is included?

Price : £80----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Search and Recovery Speciality

This is a fabulous course with 4 open water dives. The minimum age is 12 years and the dives follow through compass navigation, various search patterns, the use of lift bags and knot tying. This speciality really adds value to a divers knowledge and skills.

What is included?
Search and Recovery Crew pack
Use of reels and lift bags

Price: £250-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Digital Underwater Photographer

Capture those underwater memories forever using the latest digital cameras and housings. Learn all the tips and tricks and have your photos professionally reviewed over 2 dives.

What's included?
Digital Underwater Photography crew pack
Use of camera and housing
Free pool session

Price: £150-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Speciality

Serious fun here folks over 2 dives. You will learn DPV dive planning organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards equipment considerations, diver etiquette and how to avoid harming fragile aquatic life, oh and you will blast around underwater until you can't laugh anymore.

What's Included?
DPV crew pack
Use of a DPV

Price: £180-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Diver

Why night dive? Well the reef and sea come alive after dark. See all the animals in their true colours at night. You'll learn night dive planning, organization, procedures, techniques and potential problems. You'll also learn how to control your buoyancy, navigate and communicate at night. Since many of the plants and animals you'll see are different, you'll also get an introduction to nocturnal aquatic life. 3 night dives make up this course.

What is included?
Night Diver Crew pack

Price: £150-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gas Blenders Course

A natural progression from the PADI Nitrox course where you learn the technicalities of gas blending, O2 cleaning and then obtain hands on experience blending and testing different mixes.

What is included?
Gas Blender manual and associated software

Price: Nitrox Blender £75 Trimix Blender £95-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*THE MASTER SCUBA DIVER RATING*

Gain 5 of the above specialties (or others such as Peak Performance Buoyancy, photography, videography etc) and you qualify to apply to PADI to gain the MSD rating. This is the highest non professional qualification you can achieve and signifies a high level of ability and experience across a variety of diving opportunities. Club members benefit from a 2010 deal with the club instructors, get 5 speciality ratings for the price of 4.