Learn To Dive

Learning to scuba dive opens up an exhilarating world of underwater adventure and can be a life-changing experience.

If you’re keen to learn to dive BSAC’s Ocean Diver course is the place to start. This entry-level diving qualification will equip you with the core skills to dive to a maximum of 20 metres in open water, in the UK and abroad.

For more information click here to view an introduction to the Ocean diver course.

To get started

We recommend you come along to a try dive. Try dives are a fun and easy way to find out if diving is for you. We spend 30 minutes running through the equipment and safety before taking you into the pool for an hour to try out the equipment that we use. Click Here To Book Now

What you will learn

Your instructor will start by getting you comfortable breathing underwater in a pool or sheltered water and then develop your skills so that you are competent to dive safely in open water. After that you’ll head out for a series of at least four dives to develop your skills and confidence in open water.

You’ll learn how to use basic dive gear, control your buoyancy and move about underwater. You’ll also learn some basic safety skills and how to plan and manage your diving. The course includes six theory modules, at least five sessions in a pool or sheltered water, and at least four open-water dives.

It’s a continually assessed course so after your classroom and in-water training and a short theory exam you’ll have the grounding to continue your scuba diving journey.

What you’ll be qualified to do

Qualified Ocean Divers can be dive buddied with another Ocean Diver, under the supervision of a Dive Manager – so long as you stick to familiar locations and conditions you have encountered during your training.

If you want to expand your experience by exploring different locations and conditions, you can easily do this accompanied by a Dive Leader or higher-grade diver.

Your qualification will be recognised worldwide and you will be qualified to use breathing gas mixtures of up to 36 per cent Nitrox to increase your safety on dives (you’ll learn all about Nitrox on the course). Many ‘learn to dive’ courses don’t teach Nitrox or rescue skills, but BSAC believes they are important skills to start learning from the start of your scuba journey.

What diving experiences will this open up for me?

At depths of down to 20m, Ocean Divers have plenty of chances to encounter a fascinating variety of wildlife and shipwrecks in seas, rivers, quarries, lochs and lakes.

Imagine finning over a rocky reef teeming with fish and covered in sessile life such as seasquirts, sponges and brightly coloured anenomes, spending precious moments watching grey seals at play, or exploring a historic wreck.

What does it cost?

Fees listed bellow are for a year’s membership to Warrington SAC. The total price includes a BSAC membership (see BSAC.com for member benefits) and our club fees. Discounts are available for joint membership please ask for details.

Type Of MembershipBSAC Membership FeeOur Club FeeTotal Price
Adult£68.50£125.00£193.50
Junior (Under 18)£37.00£68.80£105.80
Student (18+)£37.00£79£116.00
Course Price
Ocean Diver (First step in becoming a diver)£156.50
Sports Diver£100.00 *
Dive Leader £100.00 *
Advanced Diver£100.00 *

Prices include all equipment needed for pool sessions but additional kit may be required for open water lessons.

* All prices do not include expenses that may need to be added. Details of this will be given per course.

** All prices are correct of 04/11/2024 and are subject to change

Ready to Start?

To book we need a £150 deposit that can be paid by booking a ticket bellow the remaining balance will be due before the first pool session. 

The course

The course consists of

  • 1 Introduction Session (covering paperwork and introduction to the club)
  • 6 theory modules
  • 5 One-hour pool sessions (More may be added if required)
  • 1 Dry suit training session
  • 4 Open dives

Please Note  

  • You will be required to complete a self deceleration medical form before your pool sessions begin this can be found here if you answer yes to any question you will need to obtain a medical from a diving doctor.
  • When training outside a student will cover their own costs. 
  • Trainees will pay for their own air during training. This is in the region of £5-£10 a fill which should last for a couple of pool sessions.
  • Trainees are encouraged to start getting their own kit for use in open water, but as a club we are all there to give advice (the club has some items available for hire)
  • Trainees are responsible for looking after the kit during the pool training period, this includes keeping it at home and bringing it to the pool.
  • As an individual starts in this sport the main thing we ask for is commitment. The instructors at Warrington SAC give their time and support freely. Pool time is expensive and we make every effort to keep our costs low to enable people to take up this sport we enjoy.
  • Should you not complete the course in the designated time frame small fees may be payable for additional sessions to cover the additional cost the club has to pay. These will be in the region of £5 – £20 depending on what is required. Extra sessions are normally only chargeable if you have failed to turn up (Without a good reason) during the allocated slots.

Kit

During the pool sessions all kit is provided (Excluding swimwear) as part of the course fee. Once you go into open water you will be required to buy or hire the bellow items. You can find kit widely available second hand in very good condition. If you need advice on any kit we will be here to help.

Item

Price to hire from WSAC Per day

Price to hire from dive site (aprox) Per day

Price to buy new (aprox)

Mask

£5

£3

£20

Fins (Open Heal)

Not Available

£3

£45

Hood/Gloves

Not Available

£6

£50

Regulators

£10

£10

£350

Cylinder (12L)

£5

£9

£200

Dry suit & Under suit (Recommended but a wetsuit is acceptable)

Not Available

£25

£500 +

Weight belt and weight

£5

£4

£10 for belt + £11 per kg

Watch

Not Available

Not Available

Huge range

Knife

Not Available

Not Available

£30

Buoyancy control device (BCD)

£10

£10

£250

Sets are available to hire at a lower rate

WSAC package (Regs, cylinder, BCD, weights and mask) £25 per day

Dive Site Typical package (Cylinder, regs, BCD, dry suit, under suit, mask, fins, snorkel, hood, gloves, weights) £45 per day.