Courses available at DIVE Northampton
Who are we?
Dive Northampton is the County's premier Dive Training Centre. Simply put, this means that we've reached the standard that allows us to train other Instructors - we teach the teachers and therefore have to maintain the highest standards. We run just about every Dive Course you would wish to take from Try Scuba to Instructor. We became a PADI Dive Training Centre in 1992 and have gained accreditation with ANDI, DSAT, RAID and SSI over the years. With over 25 years training experience at the centre, we have certified huge numbers of divers, some of whom go on to become instructors all around the world. The Training system gives us the ability to tailor courses to suit the unique environment here in the UK and prepare divers to dive anywhere in the world. You can choose which course option suits you, you don't even have to get into open water here in the UK - just pop in and we can discuss all of the options.
Despite our commitment to staffing ratios, annual training equipment replacement and training standards, our price structure is generally no more expensive than other Dive Centres locally. This is especially important in the current economic climate. You can be certain that despite being competitively priced, we will ensure that the highest possible standards are maintained, whether you are in the pool or Open Water.
You can start your course at any time within 6 months of booking. Our school equipment is replaced on a regular basis, usually every 12 months. We provide you with the training materials to access online on your phone, ipad, tablet or PC, to allow you to study at home, in comfort, at your own pace. In most Dive Centres, course prices will determine the ratio of Training Staff to Students in aquatic environments. In many cases you will be expected to pay a substantial premium to receive individual attention or reduced ratios. At Dive Northampton we will usually provide a Staff Member for every student whether we are in the pool or Open Water, at no extra cost. We believe that people learn best when they are happy, are enjoying themselves and feel safe. Before you decide who to train with, make sure you check how other dive centres compare!
Our Guarantee
We don't simply want you to take our word for this, we'll guarantee it. If, at the end of your Course, you are not satisfied with the training you've received, we will refund the difference between the price of our Course and the price you would have been charged by any other Dive Shop in Northamptonshire.
Medical Requirements
As a diver, you must have a minimum level of personal health. Diving does not require you to be an athlete and should be accessible to most people. To ensure that all divers are fit to dive, there are a set of standard health questions that all divers have to be able to say 'No' to. You will not be able to dive unless you have completed this form and said 'No' to all the questions or have been declared fit to dive by a Doctor within the last 12 months.
To view and download a copy of the standard health form, click here. The first page is the health declaration. If you have to say 'Yes' to any of the questions, you will need to be declared fit to dive by your GP or a Diving Doctor. The second page of the form is the certification to be signed by the doctor confirming your fitness to dive. The rest of the pages are simply guidance notes for your Doctor. The Fit to Dive certificate is good for 12 months and will be needed every time you complete a course or undertake a dive.
We don't simply want you to take our word for this, we'll guarantee it. If, at the end of your Course, you are not satisfied with the training you've received, we will refund the difference between the price of our Course and the price you would have been charged by any other Dive Shop in Northamptonshire.
Medical Requirements
As a diver, you must have a minimum level of personal health. Diving does not require you to be an athlete and should be accessible to most people. To ensure that all divers are fit to dive, there are a set of standard health questions that all divers have to be able to say 'No' to. You will not be able to dive unless you have completed this form and said 'No' to all the questions or have been declared fit to dive by a Doctor within the last 12 months.
To view and download a copy of the standard health form, click here. The first page is the health declaration. If you have to say 'Yes' to any of the questions, you will need to be declared fit to dive by your GP or a Diving Doctor. The second page of the form is the certification to be signed by the doctor confirming your fitness to dive. The rest of the pages are simply guidance notes for your Doctor. The Fit to Dive certificate is good for 12 months and will be needed every time you complete a course or undertake a dive.
Recreational -v- Technical
For many years, diving has been split into 4 main areas. These were:
Over the last 15 years, things have moved on and the lines have blurred. Recreational divers have started to explore dives to greater depths that involve short decompression stops and mixed gases. Rebreathers have developed to the point where that are much simpler to use and are designed for use by recreational divers.
As a result, what was once seen as mainstream Technical diving, is now open to recreational divers with the appropriate training. Your training still starts with the Open Water Course but you can now progress in far more directions, depending on your own personal objectives.
For many years, diving has been split into 4 main areas. These were:
- Recreational SCUBA diving (Rec) - the stuff we do for fun and on holiday. No more than 40 metres
- Technical SCUBA & Rebreather diving (Tec) - decompression diving and / or deeper than 40 metres
- Commercial diving - the odd stuff involving strange helmets, diving bells and diving at work
- Military diving - we're not even allowed to ask...
Over the last 15 years, things have moved on and the lines have blurred. Recreational divers have started to explore dives to greater depths that involve short decompression stops and mixed gases. Rebreathers have developed to the point where that are much simpler to use and are designed for use by recreational divers.
As a result, what was once seen as mainstream Technical diving, is now open to recreational divers with the appropriate training. Your training still starts with the Open Water Course but you can now progress in far more directions, depending on your own personal objectives.