“Normal courses” can only prepare for dives up to a depth of 30 metres. Beyond that point, several additional complicating factors start playing a role. Learning to deal with such complications is necessary before participating in dives between 30 and 40 metres. This is the subject of in this training programme. Depth is not a goal in itself. Narcosis will limit your attention to your surroundings, complicating factors increase risk and lower temperatures combined with substantial compression of the neoprene of your suit reduce comfort. So do loss of colour and light in general, as well as the quantity of air in your BCD. There are however very good reasons to take these inconveniences for granted. The best shipwrecks are often found a greater depth, some shark species can only be seen at greater depth and there are several other species that are not found close to the surface.
You should view your deep diving skills as a tool of which you take benefit when there is something great to be seen. Deep diving requires attention to several factors and dealing with them. This course is designed for that purpose. The minimum age is 15 and you must hold the Advanced Scuba Diver certification or an equivalent from another training organisation. This course with a practical session on land and three dives in open water can be completed in two days.
Your instructor will want a completed medical statement from you. In some regions a medical statement with only “no” answers will be sufficient for participation in the course. In other regions a medical signed and stamped by a medical doctor will be required and must unconditionally say that you are fit for diving.
You start this course by downloading the Advanced Scuba Diver manual and reading chapter three. After you have finished a chapter, you can test your knowledge by doing a small 10 question test. Bring your answers to your SCUBA C&P Instructor to have them corrected. Your instructor will then explain all missed answers to assure that your understanding of diving theory is adequate.
If you prefer to read your book on paper, then ask your instructor. The price for the paper version of this book is €9.90. If you cannot find a SCUBA C&P instructor in your area, then please contact us via info@scuba-courses.com.
Your instructor has more questionnaires available if you wish to practice more. After completion of the Deep Diver course you will sign a statement that you are aware that your maximum depth is 40 metres and that you are only autonomous in conditions that are similar to those you have experienced during your course, or with which you have gained experience after completion of your training.