Everyone has seen divers on underwater programmes on the television and thought "that looks fun, I'd like to give it a try but how do I go about it? Will I be able to do it?"

Well you have made the first move by approaching the Colchester Diving Club, now we can tell you how to go about it.

Who are we?

We are a branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC 54) whose rules we follow when training and diving.

We meet in the club house at Boxted Sports & Social Club which is situated in Cage Lane, Boxted (turn right at the end of Boxted Straight Rd by the village sign) on Monday evenings from 8:00 p.m. This a social evening intended to incorporate theory lectures for trainees together with a club meeting about past and forthcoming dives & events and of course socialising at the bar.

Our pool session is on Friday night at Colchester Leisure World from 8:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. and is open house to family and friends who can swim and snorkel in the half the pool not being used for training.

Pool session Costs: Divers £3, Adult Swimmers £3, Child Swimmers £1

How can I be sure that I will like diving before I start spending lots of money?

Come along to our ‘TRY-DIVE’ sessions. This is an open invitation to have a go at our ‘INTRO TO SCUBA’ which gives you an insight into the training program with the equipment under supervision by an Instructor.

First you have to do your training for OCEAN DIVER qualification and for that you need to join the club.

Before you can join you will need to have a DIVING MEDICAL to make sure that you are fully fit to dive.

How do I get the medical?

You will need to get a Diving Medical Form from either the Secretary or the Treasurer, which must be completed by a doctor or one of the Medical referees listed on the form. The fee will depend on what the doctor charges, normally from £25 -£60. The surgery on Shrub End Rd will do a medical from around £45 – Telephone 01206 573605 to book a diving medical.

Now I've got my medical, how do I join the club?

Bring your medical form to one of our meetings and the Club Membership Secretary will complete a membership form so you can pay your subscription. This will mean you are now a member and will given a Qualification Log Book to keep your membership/medical certificates in; it will also need a passport size photo. You will need this book as a record of all your training.

Now that I have joined the club, when will I start my training and how long will it take?

The Diving Officer will put you in a small group and introduce you to your Instructor to start your OCEAN DIVER training.

On Mondays there are a series of theory lectures at Boxted and Friday’s pool training at Colchester Leisure World, finishing with 5 open water dives.

Your training will take about 3 months to complete and the only equipment you will need to start will be a mask, fins and snorkel. The club will hire you the rest for the duration of your pool training.

A good fitting mask is essential so talk to the people in the club and at the Dive shop about what you should be looking for when buying a mask.

• 9 Lectures followed by a Theory Test.
• 5 Pool Lessons followed by a Pool Assessment and a Full Kit Lesson.
• 5 Open water dives followed by an Assessment.

Basic equipment costs

During the middle of Ocean Diver Training you will need to buy a suit (which could be wet, semi-dry or dry), a pair of gloves, hood and boots. You will need this to finish your open water training although there is a possibility to borrow suits from other club members or hire one from dive shops.

• Gloves £15 - £30
• Hood £15
• Boots £20 - £35
• Wet/ Semi dry £90 - £200
• Dry Suit £300 - £800 (boots attached)

All equipment can be purchased at any Dive shop – some of the nearest:

Diveline Ltd, St. Johns Works, St Johns Road, Ipswich. IP4 5DQ. Tel: 01473 715533

Galaxsea Divers, 174 Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8EE. Tel: 01473 711818

Aqualand Divers, 47 Church Street, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex. CM2 7JA. Tel: 01245-477701.

How will I know when I qualify as an Ocean Diver?

After each theory lecture and pool session you need to get your Instructor to sign your Logbook. This is the only record that shows what training you have completed.

Having finished all the Ocean Diver lectures and pool training you are then required to take theory and pool assessments followed by a full equipment check in the pool. You then carry on with your Ocean Diver training with open water training dives and a further assessment. Once completed you can be signed up as Ocean Diver.

Now that I am an Ocean Diver, what happens next?

As an OCEAN DIVER you are qualified to dive with another Ocean Diver in open water but certain restrictions apply. How far you go on to further qualifications depends entirely on you, as an individual and what type of diving you want to do.

The next qualification is SPORTS DIVER, which allows you to dive with fewer restrictions. This qualification follows the same method of training as Ocean Diver; you can then proceed on to Dive Leader or even Advance Diver, along with these qualifications you can start Instructor training.

When do I start buying the rest of my equipment and what do I need?

Towards the end of pool training you will need to start consider buying your kit ready for pool Full Kit assessment. You might be able to pick up good bargains in second-hand kit at the club and you are always welcome to seek advice from experience members of the club.

• Basic Kit Approx costs: Demand Valves & Gauges £250+
• Cylinder £120+
• Buoyancy Jacket £350+
• Weight Belt £30+

IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DIVING PLEASE COME ALONG TO OUR MONDAY OR FRIDAY SESSIONS AND TALK TO SOME OF OUR CLUB MEMBERS OR ONE OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO CAN GIVE YOU ALL THE INFORMATION YOU REQUIRE ON HOW TO START AND WHAT TO EXPECT.

DIVING SHOULD BE FUN – SO WHATEVER LEVEL YOU ARE AT REMEMBER SAFETY FIRST AND ENJOY YOURSELVES!!!

Mick Holland  07714-703337  mail@worldofscuba.co.uk
Bryan Judge  01206-824778/ 07889-879261  bryan@thejudges.org.uk