Blue Hippo Diving

Tell me more The AWARE Coral Reef Conservation course teaches you about the vital role of coral reefs in the marine environment. The course also familiarises you with the current state of the world's coral reefs and how you can help. You will learn about the Project AWARE Foundation, how coral reefs function, why they are so important, why many reefs are in serious trouble and what you can do to prevent further decline. As there are no prereqs for this course divers and non-divers alike can enjoy learning about the aquatic environment.

Click here to watch a video about the AWARE Coral Reef Conservation course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about coral reefs and how to conserve them. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the A.W.A.R.E. Our World, Our Water manual and a Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. There is no diving involved in this course.

How much does it cost? The cost of £75 includes the A.W.A.R.E. Our World, Our Water Manual and AWARE Coral Reef Conservation certification card.

Where can I go from here? The AWARE Coral Reef Conservation course is a stand-alone course but we would recommend you continue your further education with the Peak Performance Buoyancy, Digital Underwater Photographer or Project AWARE Specialist courses. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Boat Diver course allows you to explore spectacular dive sites which are not easily accessible from the shore. Imagine no entries through surf, no long surface swims, no navigational wizadry to find the site and no air gone from your cylinder to arrive at the reef you want to explore! Instead, imagine effortlessly entering the water from the transom of a boat and, in moments, you and your buddy descend to the dive site, eyes wide open in anticipation of the aquatic marine life you'll see. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Boat Diver course is Open Water Diver.

Click here to watch a video about the Boat Diver course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about boat diving procedures including types of dive boats, boat diving terminology, etiquette, safety etc. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Boat Diver Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 boat dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your boat diving skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £125 includes the Boat Diver Crewpack and PADI Boat Diver certification card. Please note that equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants. Boat charter fees are also not included.

Where can I go from here? The Boat Diver Adventure Dive conducted during the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses may count as the first dive towards this specialty, at your instructor's discretion. Similarly divers who successfully complete Boat Diver Open Water Dive 1 and Knowledge Review Part 1 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Deep Diver course familiarises divers with the skills, procedures, techniques, problems, hazards and enjoyment of diving between the depths of 18 meters and 40 meters. It's a rare diver who hasn't felt the urge to dive deep. Deep diving opens the door to many new exciting dive sites like deeper wrecks, reefs and walls. As a rule, divers tend to be adventurous people, and deep diving - whether to visit a wreck or take photos - can certainly be called adventurous. It's only natural that, like most divers, you have some interest in deep diving. The philosophy of this course is to focus on making smart decisions for a stress-free, deep diving experience with an emphasis on safety. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Deep Diver course is Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver.

Click here to watch a video about the Deep Diver course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about deep diving procedures including deep diving objectives, optimal depth limits for recreational divers, deep diving equipment, narcosis, decompression sickness etc. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Deep Diver Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 4 deep dives, which can be completed in 2 days, where you can apply and further develop your deep diving skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £175 includes the Deep Diver Crewpack and PADI Deep Diver certification card. Please note that equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants.

Where can I go from here? The Deep Diver Adventure Dive conducted during the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses may count as the first dive towards this specialty, at your instructor's discretion. Similarly divers who successfully complete Deep Diver Open Water Dive 1 and Knowledge Review Part 1 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Digital Underwater Photography course is PADI's second most popular specialty, after Enriched Air Diver, and is a 2-part introduction to digital underwater photography centred round today's point-and-shoot digital cameras. Ever looked at those fascinating pictures in the dive magazines and wondered just what it takes to produce such images, or perhaps you would like to capture that special encounter on your dives? The course helps you develop the knowledge, skills and practical techniques necessary to obtain excellent photographs with a digital camera, even on your first photo dive. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Digital Underwater Photography course is Open Water Diver.

Click here to watch a video about the Digital Underwater Photography course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about the Digital Revolution, digital underwater camera systems, the PADI SEA Method, digital file formats, examining and adjusting underwater exposure, photo composition etc. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Digital Underwater Photographer Manual and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 digital underwater photography dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your digital underwater photography skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £125 includes the Digital Underwater Photographer Crewpack and PADI Digital Underwater Photography certification card. The course may be taught concurrently with the Open Water Diver course at a reduced cost of £75. Please note that, apart from a digital camera and housing, equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants.

Where can I go from here? Divers who successfully complete Digital Underwater Photography Level 2 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Dry Suit Diver course shows you how to safely don, dive with, doff and store a dry suit. When you have the right cold water scuba diving attire, you can stand up to the elements and take advantage of the generally better visibility offered by winter months. As a dry suit diver, you're equipped to scuba dive some of the world's incredible dive sites in the world's cooler regions that are best enjoyed in a dry suit even in their warmer months. Let's face it, in the cold waters of Scotland you'd have to be mad to even contemplate entering the water without a dry suit! So, if you're gonna use a dry suit, let us show you how to use it correctly! The minimum prerequisite certification for the Dry Suit Diver course is Open Water Diver.

Click here to watch a video about the Dry Suit Diver course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about types of dry suit, problems, hazards, procedures, techniques and safety considerations for proper buoyancy control, dry suit maintenance etc. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Dry Suit Diver Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 dry suit dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your dry suit skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £125 includes the Dry Suit Diver Crewpack and PADI Dry Suit Diver certification card. The course may be taught concurrently with the Open Water Diver course at a reduced cost of £75. Please note that equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants.

Where can I go from here? The Dry Suit Diver Adventure Dive conducted during the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses may count as the first dive towards this specialty, at your instructor's discretion. Similarly divers who successfully complete Dry Suit Diver Open Water Dive 1 and Knowledge Review Part 1 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is PADI's most popular specialty and is designed to qualify you to use enriched air ("nitrox") for no-stop recreational diving. The program addresses the use of enriched air with 22% to 40% oxygen, with emphasis on 32% and 36% oxygen. The primary benefit of using nitrox is to extend your no-decompression limits (NDL) beyond those of normal air. For example, a dive to 22 metres on air gives you a NDL of 37 minutes, whereas using 32% nitrox gives an NDL of 60 minutes and 36% nitrox gives an NDL of 70 minutes! It's easy to see why it's popular as it gives you more time underwater, especially on repetitive dives. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Enriched Air Diver course is Open Water Diver, or you must be an Open Water Diver student diver taking the Enriched Air Diver course concurrently.

Click here to watch a video about the Enriched Air Diver course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about advantages and disadvantages of diving with Enriched Air, equipment required for Enriched Air diving, how to fill Enriched Air cylinders, oxygen exposure, oxygen analysis and obtaining Enriched Air fills, diving emergencies and Enriched Air and using Enriched Air computers. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Enriched Air Diver Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review followed by an exam confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by 2 Practical Applications where the instructor will demonstrate some of the concepts covered in your Knowledge Development. The critical objectives of the Enriched Air Diver course are both learned and applied out of the water, and centre round the physical procedures or gas analysis (and related use of logs and contents stickers). As such, the Enriched Air Diver course no longer requires you to make the Enriched Air dives and, instead, you will participate in 2 Predive Simulation Exercises.

How much does it cost? The cost of £95 includes the Enriched Air Diver Crewpack and PADI Enriched Air Diver certification card.

Where can I go from here? The Enriched Air Diver Adventure Dive conducted during the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses may count as the first dive towards this specialty, at your instructor's discretion. Similarly divers who successfully complete Enriched Air Diver Training Dive 1 or 2 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Multilevel Diver course teaches you how to plan dives that extend your bottom time by crediting you for slower nitrogen absorption when you ascend to a shallower depth. You'll learn what multilevel diving is and why you want to plan for multilevel dives. You'll also get to see the various types of multilevel dive calculators (including dive computers) as well as learn about multilevel dive planning, organisation, procedures, techniques, and potential problems. You'll plan a multilevel dive profile and dive it with your PADI Instructor. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Multilevel Diver course is Open Water Diver.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 2 hours of self-study where you'll learn how to use the eRDPML (Electronic Multilevel Recreational Dive Planner) using the eRDPML Instructions for Use and Study Guide. It also involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you will learn about decompression, repetitive diving, multilevel diving and decompression theory. You'll complete this primarily with your instructor and a Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 multilevel dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your multilevel dive skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £125 includes the eRDPML and PADI Multilevel Diver certification card. If you already have the eRDPML from a previous course the cost is £115. The course may be taught concurrently with the Open Water Diver course at a reduced cost of £75. (or £65 if you have an eRDPML). Please note that equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants.

Where can I go from here? The Multilevel Diver Adventure Dive conducted during the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses may count as the first dive towards this specialty, at your instructor's discretion. Similarly divers who successfully complete Multilevel Diver Open Water Dive 1 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course teaches you how to improve your buoyancy control skills beyond the Open Water Diver level. What is neutral buoyancy? Scuba divers like to be neutrally buoyant so they neither sink nor float. It can be a tricky thing. Divers who've mastered the highest performance levels in buoyancy stand apart. You've seen them underwater. They glide effortlessly, use less air and ascend, descend or hover, almost as if by thought. They interact gently with aquatic life and affect their surroundings minimally. Now it's your turn! The minimum prerequisite certification for the Peak Performance Buoyancy course is Open Water Diver.

Click here to watch a video about the Peak Performance Buoyancy course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 2 hours of self-study where you'll learn how to trim your scuba gear so you're perfectly balanced in the water, how to determine your weight so you're not too light nor too heavy by even the slightest degree, how to streamline to save air and move smoothly through the water and how to hover effortlessly in both vertical and horizontal positions. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Peak Performance Buoyancy DVD and enclosed booklet and a Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 Peak Performance Buoyancy dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your neutral buoyancy skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £125 includes the Peak Performance Buoyancy DVD/booklet and PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy certification card. The course may be taught concurrently with the Open Water Diver course at a reduced cost of £75. Please note that equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants.

Where can I go from here? The Peak Performance Buoyancy Dive conducted during the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses may count as the first dive towards this specialty, at your instructor's discretion. Similarly divers who successfully complete Peak Performance Buoyancy Open Water Dive 1 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The Project AWARE Specialist course teaches you about some of the most pressing problems facing the world's most fragile and important aquatic ecosystems and everyday actions you can take to help conserve these vulnerable environmentsm. It's informative, interesting and most importantly, you learn how to make a difference. You will learn about the Project AWARE Foundation which is is the scuba diving industry's leading nonprofit environmental organisation dedicated to conserving the aquatic environment through education, advocacy and action. The underwater world needs heroes. Do you want to make a difference? As there are no prereqs for this course divers and non-divers alike can enjoy learning about the aquatic environment.

Click here to watch a video about the Project AWARE Specialist course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about the ocean commons and coastal zone issues, fisheries challenges and sustainability, coral environment overview and inhabitants and the role of the scuba diver in protecting aquatic environments. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the A.W.A.R.E. Our World, Our Water manual and a Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. There is no diving involved in this course.

How much does it cost? The cost of £75 includes the Project A.W.A.R.E. Our World, Our Water manual and Project AWARE certification card.

Where can I go from here? The Project AWARE Specialist course is a stand-alone course but we would recommend you continue your further education with the Peak Performance Buoyancy, Digital Underwater Photographer or AWARE Coral Reef Conservation courses. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course will teach you effective ways to find objects underwater and bring them to the surface. Have you ever dropped something in the water? Are you looking for lost 'treasure'? Small, large or just awkward, there is a way to bring them up. Find lost items and bring them to the surface using a lift bag. Not only are these skills fun, but very practical and ultimately useful because eventually, you'll lose something in the water. If you can find the time to become a Search and Recovery Diver, you'll know how to search for and recover it. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Search and Recovery course is Advanced Open Water Diver.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about search and recovery dive planning, organisation, procedures and techniques, how to locate large and small objects using search patterns, how to use a lift bag and other recovery method and limited visibility search techniques. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using Search and Recovery Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 4 search and recovery dives, which can be completed in 2 days, where you can apply and further develop your search and recovery skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £175 includes the Search & Recovery Crewpack and PADI Search & Recovery certification card. Please note that equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants.

Where can I go from here? The Search and Recovery Adventure Dive conducted during the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses may count as the first dive towards this specialty, at your instructor's discretion. Similarly divers who successfully complete Search and Recovery Diver Open Water Dive 1 and Knowledge Review Part 1 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) course will teach you the safest and easiest techniques to efficiently deploy a delayed SMB whilst static underwater and also whilst swimming. Whether you're planning on coastal diving here in the UK or on your holiday, having an SMB will increase your safety and comfort and will alert boat traffic and other divers to your location. If you're ever involved in drift diving from a boat then a delayed SMB will allow your boat skipper to follow your dive and pick you up promptly upon surfacing. They are also a great visual reference on your ascents too. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Surface Marker Buoy Diver course is Open Water Diver.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 2 hours of Knowledge Development where you will learn about types of SMB and reels, currents and tides, methods of delayed SMB deployment and SMB risks and hazards. You'll complete this primarily with your instructor. This is followed by your 2 SMB dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your SMB skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £100 includes the PADI Surface Marker Buoy Diver certification card. Please note that, apart from an SMB, equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants.

Where can I go from here? We would recommend you continue your further education with the Boat Diver course. You may credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Underwater Navigator course teaches you a systematic, methodical approach to enjoying underwater navigation. Finding your way is not a matter of luck! When everyone's buzzing about a reef or checking out a shipwreck, they're having a great time...until it's time to go. Then they turn to you, because as a PADI Underwater Navigator, you know the way back to the boat. Underwater navigation can be challenging, but in this course, you'll master the challenge, be the diver everyone wants to follow and make your sense of direction legendary! The minimum prerequisite certification for the Underwater Navigator course is Open Water Diver.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about navigation patterns, natural navigation (ie without a compass), compass navigation, underwater map making, dive site relocation, how to follow irregular courses with the Nav-Finder and how to estimate distance underwater. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Underwater Navigator Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 3 navigation dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your underwater navigation skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £150 includes the Underwater Navigator Crewpack and PADI Underwater Navigator certification card. If you already have the Nav Finder from a previous course the cost will be £140. Please note that equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants.

Where can I go from here? The Underwater Navigator Adventure Dive conducted during the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses may count as the first dive towards this specialty, at your instructor's discretion. Similarly divers who successfully complete Underwater Navigator Open Water Dive 1 and Knowledge Review Part 1 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Wreck Diver course introduces you to wreck diving and helps you develop the skills and knowledge necessary for safe and fun wreck diving. The lure of exploring sunken vessels, airplanes and automobiles is something most divers can't resist. You may find yourself attracted to the challenge of exploring the wreck, have a fascination for its historical nature, want to use the wreck for its picture potential or simply enjoy seeing the aquatic life which is always attracted to artificial reefs. The aim of this course is to teach you a safe, systematical and methodical approach to enjoying wreck diving. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Wreck Diver course is Adventure Diver.

Click here to watch a video about the Wreck Diver course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about wreck diving procedures, wreck diving laws, hazards to avoid, wreck diving equipment, the basics of wreck penetration etc. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Wreck Diver Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 4 wreck dives, which can be completed in 2 days, where you can apply and further develop your wreck diving skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £175 includes the Wreck Diver Crewpack and PADI Wreck Diver certification card. Please note that equipment hire is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants. Boat charter fees, if required, are also not included.

Where can I go from here? The Wreck Adventure Dive conducted during the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses may count as the first dive towards this specialty, at your instructor's discretion. Similarly divers who successfully complete Wreck Diver Open Water Dive 1 and Knowledge Review Part 1 may receive credit as an Adventure Dive towards the Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.