Learning to dive in the UK

Col_M · 11 Aug 2014 at 13:08

I was speaking to my hairdresser the other day as he is off to Egypt on a diving holiday. That conversation sparked an interest in me and I'm pretty sure I want to give it a go but I have some questions.

If I do end up getting hooked what will it cost me to get the essential kit for diving in the UK? (will probably want to do it in the UK so a dry suit is probably needed right? and the relevant specialty qualification)

Courses:

A taster pool dive seems to cost about £40, no questions here

I live in Surrey but I'm from Plymouth, this means I can do my PADI open water course up here where the open water dives will be in lakes/reservoirs, or in Plymouth where they'll be in the sea. Is there any appreciable difference that would make one option better than the other?

I mentioned a dry suit above, from what I understand you can do the add on specialty for ~£200 or the advanced open water course which includes dry suit use, is that right?

Col_M · 12 Aug 2014 at 20:55

No worries, thanks for taking the time to reply.

Everything you mentioned was pretty much exactly the same as the other advice I've been given i.e. do a try dive or two, if it's for me then get PADI open water and dry suit certified then join a BSAC club to get out and dive.

I'm going to hold off on any kit until I've got a qualification but if you can give a rough kit ball park it'll be a good indication of what I'm letting myself in for

Col_M · 9 Sep 2014 at 23:15

Thanks for posting, it reminded me about this thread!

I'm pretty sure I'm going to do my Open Water course with Aquanauts in Plymouth, I popped into the store when I was last down visiting family and got good advice, questions answered and a good chat.

I'm moving next month so it's a bit of an awkward time for me right now but once that's over and I have some time I'll make it happen.

I've also heard good things about the Hellfins dive club which is going to be very close to where I'm moving to so should have someone to dive with on a regular basis.

I wish I could do it right now but it can't hurt to wait a few months.

Col_M · 10 Sep 2014 at 12:41

If you did a mini dive in turkey I guess you don't have any qualification.

The PADI Open Water course will be about £400
It'll also make sense to do a dry suit specialty too, if you do it as part of your open water it seems most places do it for about £60 extra. If you do it at a later date it seems to be about £150.

From my chat with the guy in the diving shop you're probably looking at £2000 of kit to dive in the UK. However if you're a member of a club you can rent/borrow gear.

How I found out you replied is easy. Like you say this section is deep down in the bowels of the forum where I hardly ever visit so I subscribed to it to get notification emails

In the top right under thread tools there's an option to subscribe to a thread.