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What's special about C-Life Dive School.?
C-Life is a company dedicated to bringing the unique and exciting experience of scuba diving to a wider audience. From children to retirement age, for small groups, Youth Groups, Private Bespoke Groups, and Corporate Events. All our courses inc materials and full Drysuit scuba equipment. We are proud to announce we the only dive school that can offer this comprehensive service in our London and Kent area.
 How can I pay?
Prefered payments can be made via bank transfer (BACS), cheque or PayPal. Follow this link for further details - Payments
 Can I go Snorkeling and not be a diver?
Yes, if you want to explore the underwater world, but too young or not interested to scuba. Then you can still go exploring.
 Scuba diving sounds exciting, but I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without signing up for a course?
Absolutely. The PADI Discover Scuba Experience programme allows you to try scuba in a pool as a taster under instructor supervision. The Programme Familiarises you with the equipment and some scuba techniques.These are held in Woolwich, Orpington and Sevenoaks @ £25 each person.
 I've always wanted to learn to scuba dive. How do I get started?
The best way is to look through this web site in details. You can use our contact form to ask for an information pack to be sent on costs and date scheduling options.
 Is it hard to learn to scuba dive?
No, in fact, it's probably easier than you imagine -- especially if you're already comfortable in the water. PADI's Open Water Diver Course is split into knowledge development, confined water (pool) skill training and four scuba training dives, over two weekends. The course is "performance based," which means that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.
How long does it take to become a certified scuba diver?
Two weekends, first weekend in Sevenoaks for the pool dives and knowledge sessions. The second weekend in Wraysbury completing 4 open water dives in a fresh water lake.
Can I do my dives on holiday instead?
Yes of course, this is called a Referral Course. You do the theory and pool dives with us on weekend one.
How old do you have to be to become a certified diver?
Ten years old. If you're between 10 and 15, you receive a Junior Open Water Diver certification. 10 and 11 year old Junior Open Water Divers must dive with a certified parent, guardian or PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet. 12 to 14 year olds should dive with a certified adult. When you turn 15, you can upgrade your Junior certification to a regular Open Water Diver certification.
Do I have to meet any special qualifications or considerations before I can participate in a scuba class?
No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health and at least 10 years old can participate. As a precaution, you'll complete a routine medical questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire you answer yes to, you'll check with your physician to make sure it's acceptable to dive and they will sign the form.
Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
No. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable and relaxed in the water. The swimming requirement for certification is an easy 200 metre nonstop swim (with no time limit or specific stroke requirement) or a 300 metre snorkel with mask, fins and snorkel followed by a 10 minute tread/float.
Equipment Is scuba diving expensive?
Not really. Like any hobby or recreation, you can invest a lot or a little, depending upon your interest level. We also rent equipment, you can invest in equipment over time, renting what you don't have until you make the investment. Besides distant dive destinations, you probably have good diving not too far from where you live, so even travel costs are flexible enough to accommodate even the tightest budget. To pick an average, most people find the costs of scuba diving similar to those associated with snow skiing.
 What equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?
NOTHING Generally speaking, though, you'll probably want your own mask, snorkel and fins, which are all pieces of equipment that are most comfortable when personally fitted.We can help you select quality equipment that fits right and lasts, with a 10% discount as a C-life student.
 What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe air, NOT oxygen. It's filtered to remove impurities, but otherwise, it's air like you're breathing now.
How long does a tank of air last?
This is a common question that, unfortunately, doesn't have a single answer. You will have to do the course to find the answer. People breathe at different rates, and you breathe faster when you're swimming than when you're resting. Also, the deeper you go, the faster you use your air, and, you can get different size tanks. So, the answer is "it depends;" this is why divers have a gauge that tell them how much air they have at all times. As an approximation, though, a diver sightseeing in calm, warm water in the 5 metre to 10 metre range can expect the average tank to last about an hour.
My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because water pressure pushes in on your ear drum. In your scuba course, you'll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane, and they won't hurt at all.
 In the movies and on TV, divers are always running into sharks or eels. Are marine animals really much of a concern?
Virtually all aquatic animals are passive or timid. There are a few that can bite or sting defensively, but you can avoid these simply by watching where you put your hands and feet, and by not touching any animal you don't recognize. Divers aren't natural prey for sharks, so shark attacks are very rare -- more people die each year from bee stings than shark attack.
Is scuba diving dangerous?
Not really with proper training with C-Life Dive School. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe as swimming. Certainly there are potential hazards -- which is why you need training and certification -- but like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use common sense, it's pretty safe.
I wear glasses. Is that a problem?
Not at all. If you wear soft contact lenses, you shouldn't have problems wearing a scuba mask. If you wear hard lenses, you'll want the gas permeable type for diving. See your eye doctor about these if you don't have them now. Another option is to have prescription lenses put into your mask. Ask us for advice on how to obtain a 10% student discount.
 I want to learn about PADI. What is PADI?
PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructor, the largest scuba training organization in the world. PADI develops scuba programs and diver training products, monitors the scuba training conducted by more than 67,000 PADI professionals worldwide, maintains diver certification records and issues your diver certification credentials. In addition, PADI maintains various support services for PADI Dive
Centers and Resorts. Founded in 1966, today you'll find PADI professionals in more than 170 countries and territories, and international service offices in nine countries. Approximately seven out of ten North American divers are certified by PADI, and approximately 55% of all divers worldwide are certified by PADI.
 What is Project AWARE?
Project AWARE stands for Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education, and is the environmental-educational umbrella for PADI and PADI professionals worldwide. Project AWARE programs
have included beach cleanups, environmental presentations, research and other efforts to help preserve and protect the underwater world.
I'm already a scuba diver. I lost my certification card. Can I get another one? How long does it take?
Yes we can help you replace your card. It generally takes about two weeks. If you plan to dive sooner than that, have the PADI Dive Center or Resort that you're diving with call PADI. PADI will try to FAX out your certification information so you can dive. If your certification was issued in the U.S., Guam or the Caribbean since approximately 1984, a PADI HQ can usually verify your certification through the computerized Dive-Chek system .We need either your temporary card or your name, date of certification,date of birth,instructor, dive centre name and number and instructors details.
I'm a certified diver through another training organization. How can I become a PADI diver?
It's easy. Present your certification card to us. After an initial assessment of your skills and diving knowledge, we will guide you into the course you're most qualified for. Generally speaking, to enroll in a PADI Advanced Open Water, Advanced Plus or most PADI Specialty courses, one must have; an entry level scuba certification and documentation of at leastfour open water scuba training dives as part of the certification course completed.To enroll in a PADI Rescue Diver course, one must provide a certification beyond entry level and documentation of at least 20 logged open water scuba dives demonstrating experience in night, deepand navigation diving. To enroll in a PADI Divemaster course, one must provide a certification specific to scuba rescue and a CPR certification and a first aid certification from a recognized organization.
 I'm a scuba instructor certified through another training organization. How can I become a PADI Instructor?
We will put you in contact with a PADI Career Development Center, 5 Star Instructor Development Center, or PADI Course Director for assistance in determining where your instructor rating fits into the PADI System of diver education. You may be eligible for the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor course (OWSI) which is part of a full Instrucot Development Course (IDC) and follows after the first three days of the Assistant Instuctor course (AI). This course introduces you to PADI programs, materials and philosophy, rather than developing basic teaching technique, due to your experience and teaching ability.Once you have successfully completed the OWSI, you can take the IE, a two-day evaluation of teaching ability, dive theory knowledge, water skill level, understanding of the PADI System, attitude and professionalism. Success at the IE means PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification.
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