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So you want to learn to dive, where do you start? To assist you we have compiled a list of questions
that will help you make your decision as to where you learn to dive & with whom. You need to ask these
questions when shopping for the dive course that best suits you and is able to give you what you need
and want from your diving.
SSI (Scuba Schools International) is our certification agency of choice, and were the first agency to
"move with the times" by understanding that today's diver needs flexibility in their diver education.
As such they have invented a program that allows you to learn the basics at home in your own time
and have your instructor supplement your knowledge in class with a number of classroom sessions
which work hand in hand with your home study program.
Scuba diving is an equipment orientated sport, lets face it, you can't go trail riding without a
motorcycle, you can't go canoeing without a canoe. We are up front in telling you about equipment
purchase expectations, that's why on our information sheet we detail all inclusions and exclusions.
Don't be fooled, you only get what you pay for. Make sure you read any fine print.
By doing an SSI course you can obtain a statement of attainment. All our courses have been
mapped against the Outdoor Education training package, and all training is Nationally Recognised
training, this enables you to receive a statement of attainment on the completion of the course. The
statement gives you credits for prior learning at a tertiary level and enables you to get a head start
and to have your dive course work harder for you.
Statements of attainment are available at an extra cost and are issued through a third party RTO.
At SCUBA CULTURE, all our Open Water instructors have been trained by our resident Instructor
Certifier who has over 20 years of experience in training divers, and who has personally certified
over 3000 divers.
We have a very tight quality control system in place ensuring that all aspects of your course are
taught far in excess of what any other training facility may deliver.
Your safety and enjoyment is paramount to us and our years of experience speak for themselves.
There are no "Zero to Hero" instructors at Scuba Culture, and when it comes to you, there are no
shortcuts.
SSI demands and promotes a low student to instructor ratio to insure that you have the attention
given to you that is personal enough to make sure that you become a safe, competent diver.
Australian standards allow a ratio of 1 instructor to 8 students, at Scuba Culture our Instructor /
Student ratio is 1 / 6, with more often than not, an assistant instructor to further reduce ratios,
providing greater safety, personal service and attention where and when needed.
Our years of experience have demonstrated that plenty of physical diving experience during your
course is vital in helping you become a safe, competent and confident diver. With SCUBA
CULTURE you will be taught over & above minimum standards where many will only teach to
minimum standards, this places a ceiling on the amount that you can learn.
At Scuba Culture you will receive approximately 7 to 8 hours of pool training as a minimum &
approximately 6 hours over 8 dives (on scuba) of OPEN WATER EXPERIENCE.
Dive courses only offering 4 or 5 dives only really introduce you to scuba diving and do not allow you
to become independently proficient.
SSI demands that boat dives are provided at an open water level. Boat dives enable you to explore
sites further afield, get to deeper waters and more remote reefs (in comfort). Boat dives also enable
you to experience boat dive protocol & get used to the way boat operators run dives. At SCUBA
CULTURE you will do 2 boat dives.
Your SSI certification will be recognised worldwide, your certification is based on your actual
achievements, and we will take you to a depth of 18mts because that is what your certification will
allow you to dive to anywhere on earth.
Some places will not dive you to 18mts, yet they will certify you to that depth! Scary really when you
think about it, you will be certified to dive to a depth where you have absolutely 0 experience.
Learning to dive with SCUBA CULTURE is an experience that, we are proud to boast can not be
equaled anywhere else. All divers that train through us automatically receive free membership to our
dive club for the remainder of the membership year, you will receive all the benefits associated with
our membership program. The benefits are numerous and start with regular newsletters advising
you of our dive schedules, our dive travel trips overseas, interstate and local, our club activities,
priority notification of any equipment sales specials, discounts on scuba gear hire & purchases, as
well as regular club nights, guest speakers, and many other social activities. Annual membership is
$84 and runs from November to November (the equivalent of $7 per month!)
Scuba Diving is an adventure sport that carries a certain element of risk. Risk is minimised by
education and experience. At the end of the day there are many ways to do serious harm to your
body whilst diving, and if you are not made aware of these or shown how to identify them and give
the appropriate first aid, how can you ever hope to prevent these from occurring or help a dive buddy
who may have received an injury? And at the end of the day, wouldn't you like to know that the
person you are diving with can give you the equal attention and assistance that you can give them?
The above questions will very quickly paint a very clear picture of what you can expect out of a dive
course with the various operators around the place. This will also tell you why SCUBA CULTURE is
the choice of people who recognise the importance of experience, safety and value for money.
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