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 which can be downloaded free from here, 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 £85 includes the AWARE Coral Reef Conservation certification card.

Where can I go from here? You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating. We would recommend you continue your further education with the AWARE Fish Identification, Peak Performance Buoyancy or Project AWARE Specialist courses.

Tell me more The AWARE Fish Identification course provides you with the fish identification basics so that next time you're diving and you ask yourself 'what was that?', you'll know the answer. You'll find you enjoy your dives even more when you recognise the creatures that you see. The fun part about this course is you can use the skills you learn on every scuba diving vacation because once you learn the main fish families and characteristics it will help you decipher the species you see all over the world. For example, a butterfly fish in the Caribbean has a similar shape to a butterfly fish in Southeast Asia, but their colours and markings may be wildly different. If you know what fish family it belongs to, it becomes much easier to look up the local name or at least be able to intelligently ask the local scuba instructor what you saw. That works better than asking about a 'yellow thingy with a funny tail fin!'. The course is designed to emphasise the importance of Project AWARE and involve people personally in the conservation of marine ecosystems. The minimum prerequisite certification for the AWARE Fish Identification course is Open Water Diver.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn how to identify characteristics of local fish families and species; fish survey techniques and strategies and how to practice fish identification dive planning, organisation and procedures. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the A.W.A.R.E. Our World, Our Water manual, which can be downloaded free from here, and your fish ID slate and a Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 open water dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can try and identify some of the fish you've learned about.

How much does it cost? The cost of £145 includes a fish ID slate and AWARE Fish Identification 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 AWARE Fish Identification 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 AWARE Fish Identification Open Water Dive 1 and the Knowledge Review 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. We would recommend you continue your further education with the AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, Digital Underwater Photographer or Project AWARE Specialist courses.

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 open water 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 £155 includes the Boat Diver Crewpack and PADI Boat Diver certification card. The course may be taught concurrently with the Open Water Diver course at a reduced cost of £95. 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 open water 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 £265 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 Advanced Open Water Diver certification. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

STOP PRESS: The Digital Underwater Photographer eLearning certification pak is now available. The web-based system guides you through the principles of great underwater photography, with a bonus section on underwater imaging (including video). You study at your own pace through an easy-to-use, interactive program and have access to an online version of the Digital Underwater Photographer Manual. Please note that an internet connection is required every time you access eLearning.

Tell me more The PADI Digital Underwater Photographer 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 Photographer course is Open Water Diver.

Click here to watch a video about the Digital Underwater Photographer 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 open water 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 £155 includes the Digital Underwater Photographer Crewpack and PADI Digital Underwater Photographer certification card. The course may be taught concurrently with the Open Water Diver course at a reduced cost of £95. Replace the crewpack with the eLearning certification pak for only £50 extra! 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 Photographer 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 Diver Propulsion Vehicle course opens up a thrilling way to see a lot of underwater territory in a brief amount of time. They scoot you through the water without kicking and it's a whole lot of fun! Whether making a shore dive or diving from a boat, a DPV is a great way to see more and have a blast doing it. The only downside to DPVs is that once you start using them, you'll want to have one all the time! The minimum prerequisite certification for the DPV course is Open Water Diver.

Click here to watch a video about the Diver Propulsion Vehicle course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about DPV dive planning organisation, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards as well as equipment considerations, diver etiquette and how to avoid harming fragile aquatic life. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the DPV Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 open water dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your DPV skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £155 includes the DPV Crewpack and PADI DPV 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 DPV 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 DPV 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 Drift Diver course introduces you to the coolest magic carpet ride you'll ever experience. This course shows you how to enjoy rivers and ocean currents by 'going with the flow', staying with your dive partner, communicating with the dive boat and knowing where you are the whole time. Drift Diving is nearly effortless and relaxing. You simply glide along and enjoy the rush of flying underwater while the current does the work. It is especially suited to areas with mild to strong currents with long reefs, kelp forests or other topography within recreational dive limits and the current allows the diver to see more aquatic life and underwater formations than usual. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Drift Diver course is Open Water Diver.

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

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about planning, organisation, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of drift diving; an introduction to drift diving equipment ie floats, lines, reels; buoyancy-control, navigation and communication for drift diving; site selection and overview of aquatic currents and techniques for staying close to a buddy or together as a group. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Drift 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 open water dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your drift diving skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £155 includes the Drift Diver Crewpack and PADI Drift 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 Drift 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 Drift 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 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 brave 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 open water 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 £155 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 £95. 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 Emergency Oxygen Provider course teaches you how to help a fellow diver should the need arise. Oxygen, water and food are fundamentally important to all animals and, of these three basic essentials, the lack of oxygen leads to death most rapidly. First Aid with emergency oxygen is useful or necessary as a treatment for many injuries, diseases and intoxications that interfere with oxygen reaching the blood or tissues. Providing emergency oxygen has become the standard of practice for treating injured scuba divers since it provides oxygen to starved tissues and aids in bubble reduction. Though suited for divers, this course has no prereqs and doesn't include dives, which means it is equally applicable to those who are around divers eg boat crew, non-diving buddies, shore staff etc. You don't need any previous CPR or First Aid training to take the course.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about recognising diving illnesses treatable by emergency oxygen, how to properly setup equipment and how to administer emergency oxygen. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Emergency Oxygen Provider manual and a Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. Your instructor will then give you a hands-on session where you can put the theory into practice. There is no diving involved in this course.

How much does it cost? The cost of £95 includes the Emergency Oxygen Provider Pack and PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider certification card.

Where can I go from here? We would recommend you continue your further education with the Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response courses. 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 simulator 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 manual, simulator access card and PADI Enriched Air Diver certification card.

Where can I go from here? You may credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

STOP PRESS: The Equipment Specialist Touch, for iOS and Android-based tablets, is now available. It has integrated, short video clips along with interactive images and is a great supplement to the Equipment Specialist course. Please note that an internet connection is required to download the Touch to the PADI Library App.

Tell me more The PADI Equipment Specialist course teaches you about basic scuba equipment maintenance, care and adjustments. Don't miss a dive due to a scuba gear issue! Whether it's a blown o-ring, regulator problem, wetsuit tear or a broken fin strap, you can learn how to manage basic scuba equipment adjustments. In addition, you'll learn interesting background information about how your gear works, how it's repaired and other information that helps you with your equipment investment. The more you know about how your dive gear works, the more comfortable you are with it, the better performance you get from it and the better you can care for it. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Equipment Specialist course is Scuba Diver.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about the theory, principles and operation of scuba diving equipment; recommended care and maintenance procedures and equipment storage; how to overcome common problems with equipment; recommended professional maintenance procedures (which may include a demonstration of repair procedures); simple suggestions for comfortable equipment configurations and an introduction to new gear. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Encyclopaedia of Recreational Diving book or DVD. Your instructor will then give you a hands-on session where you can put the theory into practice. There is no diving involved in this course.

How much does it cost? The cost of £115 includes the Encyclopaedia of Recreational Diving book or DVD (£20 extra) and PADI Equipment Specialist certification card. Add on the benefits of the Equipment Specialist Touch for only £10 extra!

Where can I go from here? 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 open water 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 £155 includes the eRDPML and PADI Multilevel Diver certification card. If you already have the eRDPML from a previous course the cost is £145. 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 Night Diver course teaches you the techniques involved in night diving within recreational limits while avoiding disturbing delicate marine life. As the sun sets, you don your dive gear, slip on your scuba mask and bite down on your dive regulator. A deep breath and you step off the boat into the underwater night. Although you've seen this reef many times before, this time you drop into a whole new world and watch it come to life under the glow of your dive light. Introduce yourself to the whole new cast of critters that comes out after the sun goes down. See your favorite dive sites from a whole new perspective at night. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Night Diver course is Open Water Diver.

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

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 3.5 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about night dive planning, organisation, procedures, techniques and potential problems; how to control your buoyancy at night; entries, exits and underwater navigation at night and nocturnal aquatic life, since many of the plants and animals you'll see are different to those you see throughout the daylight hours. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Night Diver Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 3 open water dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your night diving skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £185 includes the Night Diver Crewpack and PADI Night Diver certification card. Please note that equipment hire, apart from lights, is not included but we offer discounted hire rates for course participants.

Where can I go from here? The Night 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 Night 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 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 manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 open water 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 £155 includes the Peak Performance Buoyancy Crewpack and PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy certification card. The course may be taught concurrently with the Open Water Diver course at a reduced cost of £95. 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 which can be downloaded free from here, 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 £85 includes the Project AWARE certification card.

Where can I go from here? We would recommend you continue your further education with the AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, AWARE Fish Identification, Digital Underwater Photographer or Peak Performance Buoyancy 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 methods and limited visibility search techniques. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the 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 open water 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 £265 includes the Search & Recovery Crewpack and PADI Search & Recovery certification card. Please note that equipment hire, apart from lift bag, rope and reels, 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. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Self-Reliant Diver Specialty course teaches you to recognise and accept the role of the buddy system and its contributions to diver safety whilst identifying and developing self-reliance and independence when diving. This course is amimed at the experienced diver who wants to develop the skills of planning and carrying out dives without a partner, when preferred or necessary, and to sharpen his skills of diving self-reliance, making the diver a stronger partner in a dive pair or team. This course covers when diving alone may be applicable, and the need to compensate for those situations, including dive planning, life support system readiness, adaptive training, equipment and responsibility. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Self-Reliant Diver course is Advanced Open Water Diver, with a minimum of 100 logged dives and you must be at least 18 years old.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 2 hours of Knowledge Development where you will learn about the value and application of the buddy system; the philosophy of, and motivation for, diving without a partner; the potential risks of diving alone, and how to manage those risks; the value of equipment redundancy and what back-up equipment is needed and dive planning and gas management. You'll complete this primarily with your instructor. This is followed by your 3 open water dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your Self-Reliant skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £185 includes the PADI Self-Reliant 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? We would recommend you continue your further education with the Twin Set Diver course.

Tell me more The PADI Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) course teaches 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 open water 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 £135 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 Twin Set Diver course teaches you the introductory skills involved in diving on a twin set, including kit configuration and emergency procedures. Ever wondered if recreational twin set diving is for? Are you interested in the idea of technical diving, but still haven't made up your mind whether or not it is for you? If you think that learning to dive with a twin set would be a cool experience or you're aiming at getting into the technical side of diving, this course, which was written specifically for the UK diving market, will give you a full overview of how easy diving with a twin set really is. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Twin Set Diver course is Advanced Open Water Diver.

How long will it take? The course involves approximately 2 hours of Knowledge Development where you'll learn about advantages and disadvantages of diving with twin sets, types of twin sets, components of a twin set system and gas management. You'll complete this primarily with your instructor before your confined water training session where you will become familiar with the required skills. This is followed by your 2 open water dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your twin set diving skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £165 includes the PADI Twin Set Diver certification card and your pool fees. Please note that 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 Tec 40 course. You may credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Tell me more The PADI Underwater Naturalist course teaches you about why some creatures behave the way they do and what their role is in the aquatic ecosystem. Look closer to see more on your next dive. Look for symbioses, predator/prey and other relationships between aquatic plant and animal life. Learn not just what fish and animals are, but how they interact with each other and the environment. If you're interested in aquatic life then this course is for you as it's an introduction to the underwater aquatic environment and will help you develop safe and responsible aquatic life interaction techniques. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Underwater Naturalist 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 the major aquatic life groupings, interactions and factual information that dispels negative myths; the role of aquatic plants, food chains and predator/prey relationships; responsible interactions with aquatic life; the underwater naturalist's view of organisms and their roles in the environment. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Underwater Naturalist Manual and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 open water dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your underwater naturalist skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £155 includes the Underwater Naturalist manual and PADI Underwater Naturalist 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 Underwater Naturalist 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 Naturalist 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 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 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 open water 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 £185 includes the Underwater Navigator Crewpack and PADI Underwater Navigator 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 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 Underwater Photographer course is a more traditional photography course designed for conventional film equipment. 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 traditional film camera, even on your first photo dive. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Underwater Photographer 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 basic photographic principles, including exposure and focus, strobe and available light photography, camera-handling techniques and composition; selecting, preparing, caring for and maintaining underwater photographic equipment; taking underwater photographs that are properly composed, focused and exposed. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Underwater Photographer Manual and DVD and a 2-part Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 2 open water dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your underwater photography skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £155 includes the Underwater Photographer Crewpack and PADI Underwater Photographer 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 Underwater Photographer 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 Photographer 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 Underwater Videographer course shows you how to create videos that are interesting, entertaining and worth watching again and again. Other than taking someone diving, there's only one way to show someone the sounds, motion and dynamics of the underwater world: video! Show your scuba diving adventures to your friends and family and use your editing skills to share your clips with the world through Facebook etc. By the time you complete the course, you'll have gone through the entire basic video production process and you can turn more of your friends into dive buddies. The minimum prerequisite certification for the Underwater Videographer 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 the selection, maintenance, care and handling of underwater video equipment; safe diving practices while using underwater video equipment; exposure, focus and maintaining color with video equipment; shot types, lengths and camera moves; developing a story line and shot sequencing; planning, organisation, procedures, techniques and problems of underwater videography. You'll complete this primarily in your own time, using the Underwater Videographer Manual and DVD and a Knowledge Review confirms you've picked up the information you need. This is followed by your 3 open water dives, which can be completed in 1 day, where you can apply and further develop your underwater videography skills.

How much does it cost? The cost of £185 includes the Underwater Videographer Crewpack and PADI Underwater Videographer 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 Underwater Videographer 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 Videographer Open Water Dive 1 and the Knowledge Review 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 open water 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 £265 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 Advanced Open Water Diver certification. You may also credit this specialty towards the Master Scuba Diver rating.