Courses

Here at Orca Divers, we appreciate that choosing somewhere to take your PADI Open Water Course can be a very overwhelming decision to make. From experience we've learnt that very few newcomers to the underwater world know what to look for when making this very important choice. For this very reason, we've put together a short 'checklist' to help you make your whole booking process an easier and more involved experience. If you are thinking of taking a PADI Scuba Diving Course then please study the points listed below for an insight into what you need to consider when choosing your PADI Instructor and PADI Dive Centre.

Check List

What does the Course Include?

Are all training materials, such as manuals, are yours to keep?; Is equipment hire included within the course price?; dry suit tuition - if you are completing your training in the UK then the water is cold and the best way to keep warm enough is to wear a dry suit. Check that this is included in the course price you are quoted; site entrance fees - many inland training sites have an entry fee and if these are not included in the course price then the total can mount up; certification costs - make sure this is also included in your course price.

Are you fit to dive? Before starting any PADI course you must complete a medical questionnaire stating that you are fit and have no medical conditions. Please make sure you can either sign this statement or get a Medical Doctor to sign you off before paying any course fees. Every PADI school can provide you with the paperwork for you to examine before you make any commitments.

Orca Divers include all training materials, equipment hire (including Dry Suit and Undersuit), tuition, site entry and pool fees, dry suit training and certification in their prices. The only additional costs will be: fuel costs - we run a car sharing scheme to lower the environmental impact and cost of our travel to diving sites, food and drink, Capernwray Membership (£5 - £15 for Temporary or Lifetime Membership)

What courses do we offer?

We offer PADI Diving Experiences and Courses, EFR First Aid Training, Inon School, Underwater Photography Courses for all levels

Course List

Discover Scuba Diving and Bubblemaker Experiences: a taster session for anyone that fancies having a go at scuba diving. As this is a great experience we also offer gift vouchers for this experience.

Seal Team: A great experience for 8-12 yr olds to learn about scuba diving and the marine environment in the safety of the pool.

Open Water Diver: To become a certified diver - this course gives you the license to dive all over the world. Theory, Pool work and Open Water dives make up this excellent course. You can complete the course as a Referral if you fancy doing the theory and pool in the UK and the dives in warm water abroad - or you can join us on one of our trips abroad. You can also complete the theory online if this would make the course easier for you. (eLearning) Sign Up for the PADI Open Water Diver Course Online.

Advanced Open Water: Improve your skills; gain some more experience under the watchful eye of our superb instructors, go deeper, learn to navigate and much more.

Rescue Diver: Learn First Aid (EFR), self-preservations skills, gain the confidence to look after other divers and emergency rescue techniques. All divers should aim to be at this level eventually. A valuable and fun course running all year round.

Dive Master: Want to go Pro? This is your first step and will give you the skills and confidence to lead other divers, assist with PADI courses, Teach experience level courses and gain a huge knowledge about diving, equipment and make you diver that others will look up to.

Instructor: once a year Orca Divers gathers up to 6 Dive Masters that are of excpetional quality to enter the PADI Open Water Instructor course. Ask some of our instructors that work with us how they got along. This is the level you want to be at if you would like to teach in the UK or get a job abroad. Pop into the shop for details.

PADI Specialities: We offer most of the PADI Specialities and run the Speciality of the Month campaign as well as offering specialities on trips abroad and all year round in the UK.

PADI Master Scuba Diver: Want to gain the ultimate in recreational diving? This is the zen place to be! Gain your Rescue and 5 specialities to be awarded this special certification from PADI and get yourself a place on the Orca Wall.

EFR and HSE first Aid Training: Orca Divers offer a full range of First Aid courses from basic bandaging, care for children, CPR and AED, HSE 4 day first aid at work.

Photography: If you had not already noticed..we love our underwater photography at Orca Divers. We offer the PADI courses as well as bespoke courses tailored to whatever you need help improving. We also offer a basic photography course called 'Don't know your aperture from your elbow' which is designed to jargon bust photography and help you get started.