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PAGE 1.0 - 21 AUG 2008

THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB established 1953 - DIVING FOR DIVERS

(LINK CHECK 21/8/2008)

Organization Section MARINE DIVERS CALENDAR 2008 / 2009

CONTACT MARINE DIVERS: info@marinedivers.com Tel: (0852) 26569399 / 91940221 Fax: (0852) 2656 9399

HONG KONG DIVE SHOPS & DIVE CENTRES

Philippines? Thailand?

Nope - right here in Hong Kong.

No its not plastic!!

While we cant guarantee this experience, there is a good chance if you dive with

Marine Divers.

OPEN WATER COURSES from $3995 starting every week

DIVE SHOPS - SHOPS WHICH SELL DIVING EQUIPMENT

There are numerous Dive Shops and Centres spread throughout the Territory of Hong Kong - clustered in Wanchai / Causeway Bay and Tsim Tsa Tsui / Mong Kok.

Prices can be high for diving equipment compared to overseas due to the overheads in Hong Kong. Can you easily get it somewhere else cheaper?....

It is a good idea therefore that you buy what you need, when you need it, and at the right price.

It is worth remembering that any equipment you buy you need to carry with you to training / diving, maintain it after every use, store it properly (it takes up quite a lot of space), and have it serviced every year - which can be quite expensive (say 10% of the cost - every year!!).

When you start to learn to dive do not rush straight in and buy a full set of equipment - it may not be what you need, or suitable for the sort of diving you will do in future. It should be remembered that Sales-people in shops have to make a sale to do their job - they will therefore try to sell you what they have in stock and as many items as possible, often packaging a set of equipment which you may find later to not be suitable for you.

It is advised that you find out what you need before going to buy it, and shop around - there is plenty of choice between manufacturers and shops.

WHAT YOU NEED - If you train with Marine Divers, one of the first theory lessons will explain diving equipment, give you a guide price for that equipment and explain what you need to buy, and at what stage in your diving career.

EQUIPMENT HIRE - However, there is no need to rush out and buy everything for the course, some training packages offered by Marine Divers include use of a full set of equipment during training. Unless you are going to do a minimum of 10 days diving per year for 5 years, it is cheaper to hire equipment from Marine Divers rather than buy it.

Marine Divers branch members enjoy being able to hire equipment at a very favourable rate after qualifying - so there is still no need to buy unless you want to. You also don't have to transport the equipment - we bring it to training / dives for you, or to maintain it - we do that after every use, or to service it - we have this done annually so you can be sure the equipment is in the best condition at all times.

ACCOMPANIED SHOPPING - Another service offered by Marine Divers is to accompany you when you go shopping for equipment, advise you of suitable equipment, and ensure you don't get the wrong kit offered by Sales-people.

DISCOUNTS - Marine Divers has a very good working relationship with many dive shops where we have negotiated discounts for our members - either show the shop your Marine Divers membership card or have one of our instructors accompany you.

DIVE CENTRES / SCHOOLS - DIVE OPERATORS WHO PROVIDE TRAINING

Marine Divers is primarily a Diving School offering training in the British Sub-Aqua Club system to produce competent and confident divers holding Internationally recognised qualifications.

There are many Dive Centres in Hong Kong offering courses from various other Training Agencies such as PADI, NAUI, SSI, IANTD, TDI etc etc. What is the difference?

All agencies will produce divers. It just depends what sort of diving you want to do, how skilled you wish to be, and most importantly how safe you want to feel once qualified.

While The BSAC is a British system, almost all others are American.

TRAINING PROGRESSION - Most of the others offer the following progression:

1. beginners level: "Open Water Diver" which is really the minimum to get you in the water. Qualified to 18m.

2. followed by "Advanced Open Water Diver" which really just adds a few "adventurous" dives to the qualification. Qualified to 30m.

3. a "Rescue" level eg "Rescue Diver". Qualified to 30m.

4. a "Leading level" eg "Dive Master". Qualified to 30m

BSAC believes in ensuring all divers have the right skills at the right level, therefore the BSAC progression is:

1. Ocean Diver - skin diving, includes use of Nitrox (technical diving), adventurous diving, rescue skills, leadership skills. Qualified to 20m. Should be considered to be of a higher standard than an Advanced Open Water Diver.

2. Sports Diver - the BSAC "Rescue" level - more rescue skills, further technical diving skills such as decompression diving, assistant dive trip management, use of ancillary equipment. Qualified to 35m. Should be considered to be of a higher standard than a Rescue Diver.

3. Dive Leader - the BSAC "Leading" level - dive trip management, rescue management, first aid skills including CPR, oxygen administration, group equipment. Qualified to 50m. Should be considered to be of a higher standard than a Dive Master.

4. Advanced Diver - more skills, dive trip management to new locations. Qualified to 50m. No equivalent.

5. First Class Diver - more skills, overseas expedition management. Qualified to 50m. No equivalent.
BSAC offers training to depths 50m - 80m from Dive Leader up on Extended Range and Trimix courses.

SIGNING UP FOR COURSES - When signing up for a course in Hong Kong, ensure you are fully aware of what qualification you will get from the training, what the course involves, where training will be conducted, what the instructor:student ratio will be, and most importantly the total cost.

QUALIFICATIONS - BSAC qualifications are Internationally recognised, as are those from other training agencies.

COURSE PROGRAM - Other agencies usually have courses running one night a week. Marine Divers offers this option, plus others for fixed programs at weekends or flexible programs to suit student availability.

VENUE - Other agencies will use their shop classrooms, often public swimming pools / sheltered sea sites. Marine Divers uses what are probably the best facilities for diver training in Hong Kong - a variety of rooms depending on the group size, and a private pool open all day and night.

INSTRUCTOR:STUDENT RATIOS - Other agencies will make the cost of instructors economical by having larger group size and by minimising the use of instructors by having the student teach themselves diving theory with manuals to read and videos to watch. The BSAC approach is much different. All theory lessons are delivered by an Instructor - allowing discussion and correction. Group sizes for pool training are kept small to ensure each student gets more of the Instructor's time and more practice time. BSAC Instructors take a maximum of four students at a time in the pool, and only two students at a time in the sea. The overall effect of BSAC training is to ensure a more competent and confident qualified diver who can then take an active part in BSAC diving activities. BSAC trains its members to dive as part of a branch Diving Team.

ADDITIONAL COSTS - Many dive centres may have additional costs for transport, use of classroom, equipment hire, and expect you to purchase a set of "Basic Equipment" (Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Wetsuit, Boots, Weight belt) from their shop before you start. The cost soon starts rising. BEWARE of the small print!!!..........

Marine Divers have training packages which include equipment hire, or without if you have your own equipment. Course costs are course only or fully inclusive. The package options are fully discussed with the student before signing up, and the total costs explained.

Marine Divers offer group discounts and have special promotions throughout the year - check with us for what is available.

All in all, The BSAC and Marine Divers in particular offer a better service for potential students to consider.

Come along for a chat to discuss YOUR needs and options, on a Tuesday Club Night - 1800 to 1930 by appointment only, or if this is not convenient we can arrange a meeting elsewhere or at other times.