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Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)...
Here are some of our most commonly asked questions but please contact us if these don't help you...
Q : -How much will the Professional diving course cost me?
A : -If you are a University of Plymouth student then the course is offered at a special price but still a substantial outgoing. As well as your course training fee you will need to successfully complete a HSE medical and X-ray, a HSE First Aid at Work course, an oxygen administration course and a powerboat course. You could also benefit from sea survival skills and marine radio communication. The only dive kit you will need is a drysuit - everything else is included. For current prices please contact us.
Q : -What is a HSE Professional SCUBA Diver?
A : -The HSE Professional SCUBA Diver course allows you to work as a diver ie get paid! We are the only University in the country that teaches this qualification to undergraduates as part of their chosen university degree (selected disciplines only, limited numbers). Briefly, the course includes using full face masks with diver-to-diver communications, lifelines, UK diving regulations, commercial methods and techniques and how to work underwater using basic underwater tools.
Click on the Professional Diving link on the main page to find out more.
Q : -How can I start learning to dive as a hobby?
A : -The University of Plymouth has it's own recreational diver training school affiliated to the British Sub-Aqua Club (BS-AC). We teach the BS-AC's Ocean Diver qualification which will allow you to dive recreationally anywhere in the world with another equivalently qualified diver. We then offer recreational diving once a week at hugely discounted student prices - all dive kit is included!
Click on the Recreational Diving link to find out more.
Q : -How much diving does the University of Plymouth do?
A : -The centre started in September 1992. We are extremely busy. As at the end of 2001, we had put nearly 40,000 student and staff divers in the water. That's about 12 divers, every single day, continuously for 9 years!
Q : -Where is the Diving & Marine Centre?
A : -The Diving & Marine Centre is situated on waterfront near the Barbican in Plymouth.
Click on the Contact Us link for details.
Q : -What is the RYA?
A : -The RYA stand for the Royal Yachting Association. To find out more click on the link in our Useful Links section.
Q : -How far away is the Diving & Marine Centre from the main University campus?
A : -It's about a 20 minute stroll from the centre of Plymouth, through the Barbican and then across Sutton Lock footbridge. Click on contact us for more detailed directions
Q : -How long does the diving course take?
A : -For the recreational diving course: The recreational diving course has 7 x 2hr lectures plus 11 practical diving sessions. It is run on 2 nights a week from February to May with a completion 4 days usually during the easter vacation.
For the HSE professional diving course, this is attended as part of your chosen degree by enroling into the relvant academic module. Currently it takes 1 year for Applied Marine Sports Science, Ocean Science/Exploration, Engineering and Environmental Science students (attending 1 day per week) and 4 weeks for Marine Biology students (attending full time during the summer vacation). Click here for more details
Q : -Do I have to be a diver already to start diving with you?
A : -For our recreational course: no, you start from scratch. Our instructors will take you from complete novice to competent diver.
For the HSE Professional Diver course: no, you start from scratch also. (However, from 2002 students attending the 4 week course will need to enrol holding several pre-requisites one of which is BSAC Ocean Diver or equivalent. This can be gained here at the University in your first year.)
Q : -What's the HSE Professional Diving Course like?
A : -It's no good us telling you how good our own course is(!). Have a look at our students comments page to see what the students say about the course.
Q : -Can I take advantage of the Centre's facilities if I'm not a student or member of staff at the University of Plymouth?
A : -Not at the moment, sorry. We can only just cater for the high demand within our own institution but this may change in the future. |
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