The Professional Diving Academy

The HSE approved Professional Scuba qualification is required by all professionals who extend their work underwater including media film makers, actors and presenters, archaeologists, marine biologists, oceanographers and inspection engineers.

Included within the syllabus are:

a. Diving Theory - effects of pressure, gases, diving physiology, decompression.

b. Training is initially within the diving tank as it may be the first time that some students will use full-face masks such as the Aga mask.

c. Tethered dives are made using special rope/telephone systems to connect with the rest of the dive team plus the use of rope-pull lifeline signals.

d. Modern digital through water comms systems are fitted to some of the Aga masks and their theory and advantages / disadvantages are taught.

e. Decompression chamber operation is introduced and 'dry' dive to a depth of 50m is experienced.

f. Use of Tools underwater inc. handtools, rigging, knots and splicing - a common complaint of many diving companies is that even simple rigging tasks involving tying of ropes to equipment don't seem to be within many 'new' divers capabilities!

g. Underwater searches with shotlines and lazyshots.

h. Boat handling - inflatables and RIBS (an RYA Powerboat handling course can also be run as a separate course perhaps at a weekend to assist programme planning).

i. Diving legislation inc. minimum Dive Team sizes, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

j. Professional skills development will include report writing and Risk Assessments.

k. Breathing gas safety issues are taught such as correct cylinder filling procedures, decanting from storage cylinders, basic compressor checks, and air purity testing.

l. Rescue procedures.

Professional Scuba Course