HSE Scuba

The HSE Professional Scuba (old part 4 course) is the first rung of the ladder in the Commercial diving world. It will take any existing diving qualifications and add to them to produce a competent working diver using Scuba equipment. By the end of the course you will have gained experience in using various hand tools, have practised search/survey techniques and used lifting bags to recover items. You will also be familiar with various Full Face Masks (FFM) voice communication procedures and line signals .As part of the course you will have set up a working dive site be familiar with Health and Safety procedures and be able to work as a team to achieve a common goal.

The course is open to divers and non divers alike. However if no prior learning has taken place (with the student not holding any formal qualification) the entire programme starting with the PADI Open Water course, and progressing through to PADI Rescue Diver will need to be completed. The PADI Encyclopaedia of Recreational Diving will need to be studied and the accompanying work book completed before moving on to the HSE Professional Scuba training programme of 10 days. The Encyclopaedia is an essential part of the programme as it brings the diver’s knowledge up to a level to help them to pass the HSE exams.

If prior learning has taken place and can be proved by means of certification cards and/or log books then the student can, on successful completion of an Open Water assessment, join the programme at the appropriate level (see table below).

The courses have been programmed to enable you to start with the Open Water and continue through to Professional Scuba, however please be aware that this would mean 25 days of intensive work and you would need to obtain an HSE medical prior to the start of the Open Water course (these are approximately £100 and usually require several weeks notice). As an alternative, provided the pre- requisites are met for the HSE Professional Scuba the Open Water to Rescue can be completed over a period of time.

Anyone with specific requirements eg media or archaeological please contact us; we may be able to customise your course to meet your needs, especially if there is a group.

Level 1
Students with a level 1 qualification will be practically assessed at that level, before being allowed to join the course at level 2.

Level 2
Students with a level 2 qualification will be practically assessed at that level, before being allowed to join the course at level 3.

Level 3
Students with a level 3 qualification will be practically assessed at that level, before being allowed to join the course at level 4.

Level 4 & 5
Students with a level 4 or 5 qualification will be practically assessed at that level, before being allowed to join in on the Professional Scuba phase.

Knowledge Development

  This will involve a certain amount of self study using the PADI Encyclopaedia of Recreational Diving, the course manual and completing the PADI diving knowledge workbook prior to the HSE phase.  Further lectures will be given as part of the course; these will include equipment, dive tables (US Navy and Canadian).  There are 4 exams to be passed: Scuba Diving, Diving at Work, US Navy tables and Canadian DCIEM tables.

·   Before commencing the HSE phase of the course students must show a valid HSE

approved diving medical certificate valid for the duration of the course (HSE medicals are valid for one year). Details of HSE approved medical examiners are available from the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/diving click on information, then approved medical examiners. Alternatively contact Andark on 01489 581755.

 You must also hold an in-date HSE First Aid at Work certificate (valid for 3 years) current for the duration of the course, and an Oxygen Administration certificate. Both of these are available through Andark, or may be taken elsewhere. Proof of certification will be required prior to start of the course.

As part of the HSE phase you are also required to complete a recompression chamber course. Andark can supply details of a suitable Chamber for you to arrange the course. If you wish to attend a Chamber local to you, please contact us first, as you will be required to show proof of completion of all elements required for HSE Professional Scuba, before start of course.

All students that are using prior learning to join the course must be able to show proof of diving in UK-type conditions (poor visibility and cold water) and also of being competent for diving

Prices

HSE Professional SCUBA £1495 (includes Encyclopaedia & Workbook)

First Aid at Work £239

Oxygen Administration FOC (this year only)

Chamber course £150 (arranged by you & payable direct to Chamber)

PADI Courses

Open Water (includes manual & logbook) £315

Advanced Open Water (Includes manual) £215

Rescue (Includes manual) £236

(All course prices exclude boat and dive site entry fees and transport)

If the above 3 courses are booked as part of the Professional Scuba package the cost will be £666, a saving of £100.

If you already hold the Open Water, the Advanced and Rescue courses are available for £410 as part of the Professional Scuba package, a saving of £41.

For divers holding the Advanced Open Water certificate the Rescue course is £229 as part of the Professional Scuba package, provided you have already completed First Aid at Work, otherwise it will be £315 (including manuals).

Please be aware we will not take payment for the whole package until the Open Water course has been completed. This is to ensure that diving is something you wish to do. Full course

discounts will apply once booked.

Dates