 CAPE
TOWN DIVING
Cape Town, the beautiful cosmopolitan city of South Africa,
finds itself on the most South Western tip of Africa. The
city is unique in that it has two major oceans on either side
of it. On the False Bay side you have the Indian Ocean characterized
by the warmer Agulhas current, and on the Western side you
have the Atlantic Ocean with the colder Benguela current.
These two ocean bodies ensure that diving in the cape offers
a distinctly unique experience.
The area is best known for its kelp and wreck diving and
is one of the best places to get yourself qualified as an
Internationally registered PADI diver. Cape Town is a hardy
dive experience and because of this fact it is the ideal place
to learn how to dive and how to do it right. Once you qualify
as a diver in Cape Town you are well prepared to dive in any
conditions around the world. African Budget Safaris together
with our local partner offer the following courses. (See bottom
for details on our dive school and what a PADI qualification
is.)
PADI OPEN WATER 1 - R2600 per person
OVERVIEW: Whatever your reasons for wanting to dive,
this is where your adventure begins for real. Become qualified
to dive independently with your buddy. Discover for yourselves
the mysterious wrecks around our shores, or travel to exotic
destinations and sample the different cultures and stunning
marine life of the coral reefs. Become an Open Water Diver
and begin to live your dreams.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
The full course runs over a period of 4-5 days. Although
the course can be tailor made over a longer period should
you so wish.
Day 1-2 is used for classroom knowledge development and confined
water pool dives. We usually aim to get together at 9:00 am
(unless otherwise arranged). For the next two days you will
be covering modules 1-5, completing quizzes and learning the
basics of diving.
1. Academic Training (classroom and independent study)
2. Confined Water Training (swimming pool sessions)
3. 4 Open Water Dives (under close supervision)
COURSE OUTLINE: Pre-course independent study of
the Open Water manual and 5 knowledge reviews to be completed
prior to day 1 of the course (unless time constraint).
Days 1 to 2 are for classroom knowledge
development and confined water pool training, followed by
a final multiple-choice examination.
Days 3 and 4 are spent at open water; normally
sheltered dive sites are used for safety reasons. During these
two days you will complete 4 open water dives under instruction,
demonstrating your skills to your instructor, who upon your
successful completion of these dives, will sign your certification
documents and issue you with your temporary certification
card. After completion your certification details are sent
to PADI International for registration, and they will then
issue you your permanent certification card.
COURSE TIME TABLE upon signing up for your course
you will be issued with your crew pack, this includes your
student record file, which you must complete, including the
medical statement and your personal details. The main item
is the open water manual; once you get this home you should
begin your own independent study by reading through the manual
and completing all the short quizzes and the five main knowledge
reviews, one at the end of each chapter! The knowledge reviews
will be required by your instructor on the first day of your
course, so this independent study section of the course is
very important, unless again there is a time constraint.
Day 1: You should aim to arrive at the dive
school at about 09:00 am, unless otherwise specified. Upon
arrival you will meet your instructor and complete any outstanding
course registration paperwork, etc. You will then meet the
rest of the course participants. After a short talk on site
health and safety, you will be shown around the facilities
and be introduced to the rest of the staff at the dive centre
before returning to the classroom to begin the formal part
of your academic training, going through modules one to five,
including a quick quiz at the end of each section.
In module one you will learn the principles of buoyancy,
pressure and its relationship to volume, density at depth.
You will begin to look at dive equipment and the buddy system.
In module two you will look at the effects of being underwater
on sight, sound, heat loss, movement and respiration. You
will take a more detailed look at certain items of equipment
and exposure suits. You will learn about communication signals
and pre-dive safety checks, (BWRAF). You will also look at
some of the water skills you will be learning, and why they
are so important.
In module three you will learn about the dive environment,
dive planning, aspects of boat diving, problem management
and basic general open water skills. You will look at some
of the confined water skills that you will be doing in pool
session two.
In module four you learn more about various dive equipment
accessories etc. You will look at health and fitness for diving,
the effects of breathing air at depth, Nitrogen Narcosis and
Decompression Sickness; you will be introduced to the recreational
dive planner/ tables and dive computers and special considerations
when planning repetitive dives.
Module five covers special dive table and computer procedures,
using a dive computer, basic compass navigation and additional
study of the recreational dive planner, dive safety practices
and a section on continuing your diving education.
Day 2: Dependant upon the pool start time
for day two you will at some point leave the shop area and
go to the kit room where you will be shown how to assemble
your own equipment, this will be followed by a detailed briefing
on what is expected in the first pool session.
During each pool session on the course your instructor will
explain each water skill to you and demonstrate them clearly,
before asking you to perform them. You will soon see that
the skills you practice build up your confidence in the water
and in the equipment.
E.g. In pool session one you will practice kit assembly,
buddy check, surface inflation of your BCD, shallow water
entry, breathing underwater, regulator clearing, regulator
recovery, mask clearing, buoyancy control, fin pivots and
equalization of your ears, breathing from an Alternate air
source. You will put into practice some of the signals you’ve
learnt plus correct ascent procedures and shallow water exits.
Time permitting there are other skills you will be shown and
learn, each one building upon those that you have already
completed. The exact number of skills covered per pool session
will depend upon how well everyone is progressing. You will
also be required to perform your swim tests, (200 meter swim
and 10 minute float) at this point.
In pool session two you will develop your skills, building
upon those you learnt in session one and learning new ones
such as, deep water entry, No mask breathing and swim, disconnecting
the low pressure inflater hose, inflating your BCD orally.
You will practice air depletion exercises and various types
of safe ascent procedures, tired diver tow, cramp removal
techniques, weight removal at the surface and a deep water
exit.
Pool session 3 covers the remaining water skills including,
weight belt removal and replacement both underwater and on
the surface, Scuba unit removal and replacement both on the
surface and underwater, CESA, and various flexible dive skills,
plus time for you to practice independently or have another
go at any of the skills you found difficult first time round.
Once the session has ended its pack the van and back to the
centre for your final debriefing of this section of the course,
signing of your individual training records and to discuss
the next section, going to open water!!!
We take your safety very seriously, as such most students
will dive in 5mm 2 piece when going to confined water training
as this prepares you better for Open Water Dives
Day 3: Begins with your arrival at the dive
centre at the pre-arranged time agreed by your instructor,
depending upon which dive site is going to be used that day,
some sites require an earlier start. You will select your
gear with the assistance of the instructors and staff and
help load the van, the more you handle the equipment the more
familiar you will become with it! Then it’s off to the
dive site!
Upon arrival at the dive site you will have a site safety
briefing to familiarize you with that specific site and any
potential hazards appertaining to it. This is followed by
unloading the equipment ready for the days diving to commence.
Prior to each dive over these two days a dive briefing will
take place explaining exactly who is doing what, where and
when and the emergency procedures that are in place.
Dive, 1, This is a straight forward orientation dive, to
help you get accustomed to the practicalities of open water
diving and its procedures, plus a general look at that specific
dive site. Duration is normally about 20-30 minutes dependent
upon conditions. Upon completion of this dive you will exit
the water, de-kit and have a de-briefing during your surface
interval...
Dive, 2, during this dive you will descend underwater to
a specified training area or platform, you will then be asked
to demonstrate certain of the practical skills that you learnt
during the confined water section, to the dive instructor
leading the dive. Dive time and conditions permitting this
will be followed by a swim around the dive site lead by the
instructional team at all times. Then its exit the water,
de-kit, dive de-briefing, disassemble the gear and load the
van before returning to the dive centre, where you will assist
in off loading and cleaning the equipment prior to returning
it to the kit room. The dives for that day will then be logged
in your logbook and signed by the instructor, and a brief
discussion held to ensure everyone knows what is to happen
on day 4.
Day 4: This starts the same as day 3, with
everyone meeting at the dive centre and preparing their equipment
for the day, and then it’s off to the dive site. Once
at the dive site you will be reminded of the safety briefing
from day 3, or if it’s a different site then a fresh
briefing will be given entirely. Then it’s down to business
again, preparing your equipment and getting kitted up ready
for dive 3.
Dives 3 & 4, Both these dives follow the same structure
as dive 2, You will enter the water and then proceed to a
specified training area where you will demonstrate certain
skills as requested by the dive instructor, upon completion
of this, each dive will end with a swim around dependent upon
dive time remaining and water conditions. Each dive will last
around 20-30 minutes. The particular requirements for each
dive will be given in the dive briefing before each dive.
Upon successful completion of all four open water dives you
will return to the centre and once everything is washed down
and stored away you will return to the classroom for a final
course de-briefing and the signing up of your log books and
temporary certification card.
COURSE PRE-REQUISITES
No diving experience necessary
Minimum age: 15 (10 for Junior Divers).
Able to swim 200 meters non-stop any style
Able to tread water/float for 10 minutes
PRICE INCLUDES
Academic Materials, crew pack
All equipment hire
Air fills
Swimming pool entrance fees
Prices from R2600.00 per person
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING
Swim Suit
Towel
Academic Materials
Medical Statement if required
Packed lunch
2 Passport photographs.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If you fail to achieve the required standards we will endeavor
to do everything in our power to help you achieve your goals.
If there is a deviation from the course schedule because of
self-induced reasons there will however be an additional fee
applicable. This will only apply if clients are responsible
for training delays.
Accommodation can be arranged for you through African Budget
Safaris. Please contact us for further information. Please
note that should conditions be unfavorable for diving in the
ocean you will need to extend you stay in Cape Town. Please
allow for an extra few days just in case.
WHAT IS NEXT? Adventure and Advanced courses
are the next logical step in your diving education, become
qualified to dive to 30 meters, try new skills such as wreck
diving or underwater photography, each dive in the Adventure
and Advanced courses allows you to experience a new aspect
of diving in a controlled situation whilst under instruction
from one of our highly dedicated team.
As an Open Water Diver you will be certified to dive to a
maximum of 18 meters, in conditions equal to or better than
those in which you qualified, as a recreational sport diver
on compressed air.
PADI ADVENTURE & ADVANCED COURSES - R2250.00 per person
OVERVIEW: Completed your Open Water diver course? Want to
further your experience and take your training to the next
level? Become qualified to 30 meters! Or simply try various
specialized aspects of diving, like Underwater Photography,
experience using a Diver pulsion Vehicle, (like James Bond!)
The PADI Adventure and Advanced Open Water Certifications
are the natural progression after completing the PADI Open
Water Course. These courses are usually combined and run over
2 days, consisting of 5 Adventure dives, of which one must
be the Deep dive and one must be the Navigation dive. There
are no classroom or pool sessions except for the elective
Dry Suit dive, which requires one pool session.
Our courses are normally conducted on the False Bay or Atlantic
side, depending on the time of year. We also run advanced
courses during our dive trips both inland and coastal dive
sites when logistically possible and dive conditions are favorable.
These courses are run by our highly experienced instructors
and are run regularly throughout the year, on most days of
the week and on weekends.
On completion of this exciting course you will be awarded
with the Advanced Open Water Diver certification, which allows
you to dive to a depth of 30 meters.
ADVENTURE DIVER
Become an Adventure Diver when you complete any three adventure
dives. You can earn your PADI Adventure Diver certification
in just one day. If you complete your Deep Adventure Dive,
Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive and three Adventure Dives
for a total of five, you can earn your Advanced Open Water
Diver certification. Have you always wanted to try wreck diving?
How about underwater photography? Here's your opportunity
because you can sample three dives of your choice, get a taste
of what you like and feel more comfortable in the water, strengthening
your underwater skills and letting you enjoy diving more than
ever.
ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVER
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is a two-day
training class, which provides Open Water divers with well
organized, structured and valuable supervised experience.
You will complete five ocean boat dives in various underwater
activities to increase your experience and capabilities.
Price R2250.00 per person
PRICE INCLUDES
Dive Equipment rental
Air fills
PADI registration fee
PADI Advanced Training materials
(Excluding Dive knife, dive torch, dive slate, surface marker
buoy and reel, underwater watch/dive computer and Wheel. These
can be purchased from our dive store at the beginning of the
course should they be required upon requested elective dives.)
COURSE TIME TABLE, (please note that times
vary dependant upon dive sites used).
Upon signing up for your course you will be issued with your
crew pack, this includes the course manual and your advanced
diving education logbook insert record sheets. Once you have
this you can begin the all-important task of independent home
study by reading each chapter and completing the quick quizzes
and knowledge reviews in each. Although each chapter details
a specific aspect or type of dive it is important to read
them all to understand and appreciate all the skills adventure
and advanced diving require.
Day 1: You should arrive at the dive shop
at around 09:00 am, unless otherwise specified by your instructor,
to select and assemble your dive equipment for the course,
and to complete any outstanding registration paperwork, etc.
After all the equipment is assembled and loaded everyone makes
his or her way to the appointed dive site for the day. Upon
arrival at the dive site a site safety and orientation briefing
will be given. You will then assist in readying the dive equipment
for the days diving. On day 1 you will complete up to three
of your course dives, dependant upon the site logistics and
conditions, this is purely at the discretion of the dive supervisor.
Before each dive the instructor will give a dive briefing.
After completing the days diving, you will assist in loading
the dive equipment. This will be followed by completing your
logbook with the day’s activities and signing your training
record sheets for those dives completed.
Day 2: Travel from the either the dive
centre or overnight accommodation to the dive site. Everyone
helps unload and prepare equipment ready for the days diving,
prior to the site and pre-dive briefing. You will complete
the remaining dives of your course, assuming that you meet
all standards required. At the end of the days diving, the
van is loaded and everyone returns to the Divers dive centre
where they assist in washing down and storing the dive equipment,
final course paperwork is then completed, log books, training
record sheets and Certification application forms completed,
(PIC Cards).
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING
Swim Suit
Towel
Academic Materials
Medical Statement if required
Packed lunch
2 passport-sized photographs
of your PADI Open Water Scuba Diver Certification
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW.
If you fail to achieve the required standards we will Endeavor
to do everything in our power to help you achieve your goals.
If there is a deviation from the course schedule because of
self-induced reasons there will however be an additional fee
applicable. This will only apply if clients are responsible
for training delays.
Accommodation can be arranged for you through African Budget
Safaris. Please contact us for further information. Please
note that should conditions be unfavorable for diving in the
ocean you will need to extend you stay in Cape Town. Please
allow for an extra few days just in case.
WHAT CAN YOU DO NEXT?
Found an aspect of diving you would like to specialize in?
Then why not build upon your experiences and take a look
at the Specialist courses we have to offer. Each course is
designed to give you a greater depth of knowledge and experience
in that particular field of diving.
Want to go further with your general diving skills then enroll
on the Rescue Diver course. Add to this PADI's Emergency First
Response first aid course, a must for divers and non-divers
alike, and valid in the work place as a nationally recognized
qualification.
For Further information on courses available in Cape Town
please contact African Budget Safaris.
THE DIVE SCHOOL & WHAT IS A PADI DIVE QUALIFICATION
Our Dive School is an authorized PADI 5 Star IDC Center -
ask to see our Active Member Status Decal showing current
year.
Expert Instruction – Highly qualified PADI Instructors
with the only on site PADI Course Director in Cape Town.
Wherever you are, you’ll find PADI – PADI is available
on 5 continents in over 180 countries!
Global coverage – If you are diving in a different town
or country, there are over 4900 PADI dive centers and over
109,000 PADI Instructor and Dive Masters to give you guidance
and advice.
Worldwide Recognition for you – PADI issues over 900,000
certifications per year, making it the most widely recognized
recreational diving certification in the world.
On-line qualification check – Forgot your qualification
card? No Problem! PADI offers Dive Check online! Free Dive
Check print out at Pro Divers!
Feel Safe – You can verify our Dive Master and/or Instructor
credentials by asking to see their current certification card,
which includes photo identification.
Leading Materials and systems – At our dive school we
use only current and state of the art PADI Training materials.
Comprehensive student materials – Professional student
materials, with over 17 language variations available on advance
request.
Learn at your own pace – Flexible learning options are
available at our center to suit your lifestyle and needs.
Diving is Fun! – The most legal fun you will ever experience.
Your views listened to –PADI has a quality management
department who regularly evaluate your views through questionnaires.
Expert equipment advice on hand – Our experienced staff
can provide equipment counseling and advice before you make
your purchase.
Diving is an education – We can advise you on what your
best next step should be to gain experience. Also
ask about our Career Development Program.
Get involved in Aquatic conservation -
Conform to Safety requirements – Professional Oxygen
and First Aid equipment is available at all our training locations.
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