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Diving Programmes
There are different programme options for you to choose from, depending upon your current diving experience and how far you wish to progress. All of our courses follow the PADI standard, however, if you have trained to the BSAC (British Scuba Aqua Club) equivalent, our programme can ensure you receive all of the correct training to the PADI structure. Our programme options include:
1. Beginner Programme – gain your Open Water and Advanced Open Water qualifications to be certified to dive down to 30 metres worldwide! This is a popular option for those short on time, but still keen to witness the variety of fish and coral life lurking beneath the surface. This programme includes a few days off at the end for you to relax and enjoy the island atmosphere or complete additional dives (at your cost).
2. Rescue Programme – a fun programme for those keen to enjoy and qualify in diving for a whole month, whilst gaining the responsible and rewarding skills to rescue individuals in distress. You train and qualify in the necessary qualifications up to this level (Open Water, Advanced Open Water, EFR and Rescue Diver).
3. Divemaster Programme – the first step on the professional diver ladder (where you can get paid work worldwide in the dive industry!). This course is geared towards those who are serious about diving, but also to those who want to learn as much as possible about the different elements of scuba in a fun and rewarding environment. On this programme you will gain a number of different important skills, as well as the qualifications to be a key member of a dive centre team. You train and qualify in the necessary qualifications up to this level (Open Water, Advanced Open Water, EFR, Rescue Diver and Divemaster).
4. Instructor Programme – the pinnacle of the diving professional. This course is an add-on to the Divemaster Programme and will train you to the standard where you are able to work as a scuba diving instructor, teaching fellow enthusiasts the skills you have gained. The programme can open many doors to you and enable you to work all over the world. It is possible to start your journey to Instructor status if you have had your Open Water Qualification for more than 6 months.
If you already have any of your PADI qualifications but wish to join one of the programmes above, then you can either complete a shorter course (at a reduced rate) or you can exchange your time and credit for specialist diving qualifications. See the Specialist Diving section below for more details.
Scuba Qualifications
There are different diving qualification levels, each of which is pre-requisites before undertaking the next level of diving. The main qualifications are outlined below:
Level 1: PADI Open Water – this 4-day course gives you your basic license to dive anywhere in the world to a maximum depth of 18 metres. It consists of studying 5 academic modules, with 6 confined dives and 4 open water dives.
Level 2: Advanced Open Water – this course takes 2-3 days to complete (depending upon the electives chosen), with certification allowing you to dive to 30 metres. You need to complete 10 dives, choosing from night dive, deep dive, underwater photography, underwater videography and more.
Level 3: Emergency First Response – this non-diving qualification is a pre-requisite course for all divers, looking to go beyond Advanced Open Water Level. It teaches you both primary and secondary care, which involves learning how to resuscitate someone, develop CPR skills, identify how to treat someone etc. This course is completed at the same time as the Rescue Diver qualification on this programme, though in most cases it is conducted separately.
Level 4: Rescue Diver – this 4-day programme requires you to complete 5 academic modules that enable you to be a competent rescue diver. You learn emergency management, how to identify equipment problems, ways of identifying diver stress and panic, and how to administer diver first aid.
Level 5: Divemaster – this professional qualification is the most sought after of all diving qualifications and a starting point for a scuba diving career. It allows you to work in a scuba diving school/centre and to work alongside Instructors, teaching real students. The course takes 8 full days (42 dives) to complete and covers a wide range of theory, practical instruction and dive mentoring.
Level 6: Instructor Development Course - this course takes 11 days and requires all students to have completed the modules/qualifications above. The course is split into 2 main parts; the first is the Assistant Instructor programme, where you help to train students in various modules and you assist the main instructor. The second part is the OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor) Programme. The purpose of these 2 different parts is to prepare students with business skills and all other necessary skills to work in and/or run a dive centre.
Specialist Diving Qualifications
If you already possess a qualification included in the programme you wish to join (e.g. Open Water for the Divemaster programme), there are some specialist diving qualifications that can be completed in its place. So rather than completing a shorter programme, it is advisable to do an alternative qualification(s). Some of these include:
- PADI Deep Diver – a 2-day course that enables you to dive to depths of 40 metres.
- PADI Enriched Air Speciality – a 2-day course that allows you to dive at depths of 20-30 metres for longer periods. You are taught to use nitrox, an enriched air that contains up to 40% oxygen.
- PADI Wreck Diving – a 2-day course where you are taught the fundamentals of diving around wrecks safely. At the end, you may have the chance to do a limited penetration of the wreck.
Please Note: Most of the speciality courses are completed after you have finished your Advanced Open Water qualification.
Diving Add-ons or Alternatives
We have a few options available to you if you already hold some diving qualifications. These include:
- A paid videography internship – this allows you to train to be an underwater cameraman and then receive paid work opportunities recording people’s first diving experiences. It’s a great way to get extra dive experience and to subsidise your travels!
- A deep technical diving course and wreck diving programme – on this programme you will learn how to dive to deeper depths, before learning all about the safety for diving around wrecks. The area has many World War II shipwrecks, so it’s a great way to experience the surreal atmosphere of the deep.
Dive Equipment
If you are training to be a PADI divemaster or Instructor, included in your programme fee is a full set of diving equipment to keep; this is very important for anyone looking to pursue a career in the diving industry. The dive equipment includes:
1. Wet-suit
2. Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)
3. Regulator and gauge
4. Kit bag
5. Dive knife
6. Safety Pack (signalling devices)
7. Fins
8. Mask and snorkel
9. Wetsuit boots
10. Safety marker buoy
The equipment consists of some of the leading brands in Scuba Diving equipment including Scuba Pro, Mares and Seakodive. If you already possess your own set of equipment, then the cost of the equipment you possess can be subtracted from the programme. If you wish to upgrade some of your equipment to higher performance gear (not necessary but some may choose to), then this can be done locally at the start of your programme. The cost to do this varies, according to which items you upgrade.
Project Age Limit
Minimum age 18, maximum decided on potential participant’s health
Health Requirements and PADI Indemnity Forms
All students looking to participate on this programme need to ensure that they are reasonably fit and free from any conditions that may prevent or be a danger to you when diving. Before departing the UK, it is best to consult your doctor.
To become a certified dive-master, you need to pass a medical at the end of your programme (if you are on the dive-master course). This can be done in Koh Tao and is easily arranged through the dive centre. The cost of this is approximately £5.
In addition to the medical requirements, it is also necessary for you to complete several PADI indemnity forms. This stipulates that you will follow all of the necessary codes of conduct and that you accept the inherent risks of partaking in a scuba diving programme. Failure to complete these forms will prevent you from joining the course.
Accommodation and Meals
Accommodation is included. You will stay in a comfortable guesthouse for the duration of your stay, with your own private room. Most rooms have a double bed, fan, fridge and a hot shower. During busier periods, you may be required to share a twin room.
The guesthouse is located 2-3 minutes walk from the dive centre. It has a small convenience shop on-site and there are a number of bars and restaurants a short walk away. Sairee beach, a popular place to sunbathe and swim is just over 200metres from the guesthouse.
All meals are also included during your stay. You will eat at the guesthouse restaurant where you will have a daily budget to spend on a wide choice of foods, including a number of western dishes. The menu has a good variety and caters to a number of different diets.
Programme Support
Throughout your programme, you will have the support and supervision of our qualified Instructors and Dive Masters. Each are fully qualified and experienced, and are able to provide you with all the instructional and safety support necessary on a programme like this. They will also provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay. The accommodation staff will be on hand throughout the day and the dive centre director will be available to you 24 hours a day if you have any serious problems or emergencies.
In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Orientation
At the start of your programme you will receive a local orientation, to go alongside your pre-departure handbook. This orientation will be conducted by our programme coordinator and will cover the following areas:
- Course Outline and Criteria: You will be briefed on what the course requirements are and what is expected of you at the assessment stage of each qualification.
- Koh Tao: An outline of the local amenities, places of interest and what to do in your free time.
- Safety: How to keep safe in the local area and how to ensure everyone’s safety whilst on the programme.
- After course options: Where the centre can help you find work, further training etc.
- Questions/Answers Session: An opportunity for you to ask any further questions.
Job Finding Assistance
Once you are fully qualified divemaster/instructor, the dive centre is able to offer assistance in finding employment in the diving industry in Australia and in various parts of Asia. This is a fairly informal service, however, the centre has a good track record in finding their students employment. This stems from their reputation for providing an excellent standard of service.
Bangkok Stopover and Transfer to Koh Tao
On arrival into Bangkok, you have a 2-night stopover before transferring to Koh Tao. This is a great opportunity for you to relax after your long journey and to see the sights of Bangkok during your time in Thailand. You will stay at the Royal Hotel, however, meals are not included during this part of the programme. On day 3, you will be collected from your hotel and be taken to the bus station, where you catch an overnight bus to Chumporn. From Chumporn, you will catch a ferry to Koh Tao, where a representative will meet you at the ferry dock.
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