|
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 and
Corporate Events. All our courses inc materials and full Drysuit scuba equipment. We are proud to announce we the only
dive schools that can offer this comprehensive service in our
London and Kent area.
 How
can I pay?
Payments can be made via bank transfer, 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 Maidstone 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 183 metre/200 yard nonstop swim
(with no time or specific stroke requirement) or a 300 metre/yard
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.
|