I want to give it a try, how do I start?
You can take a try-dive; you borrow kit from the branch to see what diving is like in the safety of a pool, you'll be accompanied by a fully qualified diver at all times.
How do I become qualified?
Your passport to diving in Britain and abroad is the Ocean Diver course. Most people learn to dive over several months; Ocean Diver courses are flexible - you learn at your own pace.
Training consists of a series of theory lessons and pool sessions followed by some open-water (sea or quarry) dives.
Are BSAC qualifications recognized at diving resorts abroad?
Yes, BSAC trained divers are acknowledged as some of the best in the world but it's always wise to take your logbook and qualification card on holiday with you.
Can I do my theory and pool training in the UK and my open-water dives abroad in warmer waters?
Yes. This is a good way to overcome the problems with British weather.
Isn't the North Sea dirty; is there anything to see?
The North Sea is surprisingly clean, more so in recent years. During the summer off St. Mary's Island the underwater visibility can be as much as 12 metres and even better further north!
There's a surprising variety of sea-life from solitary fish to huge shoals, crustaceans and octopus not to mention diving alongside seals. The maritime heritage of our coast also means there are lots of wrecks to explore, these provide homes for even more sea life.
Isn't it dangerous?
No, if you're properly trained, it's no more dangerous than most other sports.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
Again no. Obviously you should be able to swim, but confidence in the water is more important than ability.
Do I need my own equipment?
Your subscriptions cover use of equipment while you're training in the pool. For diving after this, you can hire most of the equipment, however, most divers prefer to have their own gear. Because the training can be spread over several months, so can the purchase of equipment - there's no need to buy all the kit in one go.
How much can I expect to pay for equipment?
Unfortunately, the kit doesn't come cheap, however you can start off with second-hand kit and upgrade it as and when you want. This is a good way to start because it's better to gain some experience and listen to the opinions of other divers before making big purchases. Remember, shops will generally try to sell you what they stock, not what's necessarily best for you.
With patience, you should be able to pick up a complete set of second-hand equipment for around £600. If you buy everything new, it'll be in excess of £1000.
Once I'm qualified and have all my equipment, how much does it cost to go diving?
To fill your cylinder with air costs around £3.00 and initially this will probably last for one 40 minute dive - depending on the size of cylinder, depth and your level of fitness. As you gain experience you should be able to squeeze two slightly shorter dives out of one large cylinder. If you dive from the shore, this and your travel/parking charges are all you pay. A day's diving from the Club boat will cost about another £14 - £18. If you dive from a charter boat, it'll cost up to £45 a day.
What sort of diving does the club do?
Fortunately we've a good cross section of divers with a wide range of interests. As in all clubs we've a core of "wreckies" - divers who like to explore those lumps of metal on the seabed that are otherwise known as shipwrecks. To cater for these, there's a vast array of wrecks off the Tyne that can be dived in the summer evenings.
Alternatively, at weekends we can travel further north into Northumberland and dive some of the wrecks around the Farne Islands or St. Abbs in Scotland. We usually have longer trips to dive the wrecks in the Sound of Mull during the late spring and usually somewhere else (e.g. Weymouth, Southern Ireland, Scapa Flow etc.) later in the year.
For those who prefer scenic or natural history diving, the Northumbrian coast is popular at weekends and there's usually a trip to the Scottish west coast in early spring.
Our diving trips abroad in recent years have included The Red Sea(several times), Gozo, Norway and Normandy (twice).
But if this sounds too adventurous or time-consuming, you can simply dive from the local shore: Brown's Bay or St. Mary's Island offer a mix of wreck and scenic dives - literally on our doorstep!