Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding our club and diving in Scotland. Hopefully you will find it useful. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or require clarification.
Where do you get air fills from?
The club owns a compressor. This allows us to offer air fills to all of our club members for a fee.
Do you have equipment for hire?
The club owns a limited number of cylinders, Buoyancy Control Devices (BCDs), Regulators and Fins for club members to hire on a first come - first served basis.
Where do you dive?
The club dives all across the East Coast of Scotland (from Anstruther to Fraserburgh, the Moray firth and the West Coast. The club mostly organises boat dives but depending on weather we dive on a number of local Lochs and quarries. We also dive on other parts of the UK as well as overseas (Mexico, Norway, Iceland, Red Sea, Malta, Croatia, France and other - see our blog for trip reports)
Do you offer training?
The club is a BSAC branch and we have a number of instructors that can deliver diver training to BSAC standards. IMPORTANT: the club currently DOES NOT have access to a swimming pool and as such can not deliver entry level training. If entry level training is required please contact us to discuss
Where do you get Oxygen (O2) and Trimix (TMX)?
We currently have no access to mixed gas. Members source individually.
Do you dive Nitrox (NOx)?
A number of the club's divers and instructors are qualified and regularly dive Nitrox (NOx)
Do you offer technical diver training?
The club currently does not have the capacity to offer technical diver training
Do you offer recreational diver training?
The club is a BSAC branch and we have a number of instructors that can deliver diver training to BSAC standards. IMPORTANT: the club currently DOES NOT have access to a swimming pool and as such can not deliver entry level training. If entry level training is required please contact us to discuss
Does the Club have a boat?
The club owns 2 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) that allows us to dive a number of local wrecks and scenic dives
How often does the club meet and where?
Club Nights are held every Thursday at the Dunavon Hotel (Dunavon, 60 Victoria Street, Dyce, Aberdeen. AB21 7EE) in Dyce from 20:00 (or 19:00 if you want to join me for dinner!). For directions click here.
Social events?
Further to diving and our regular club nights our clubs organises social events like Burns Suppers, BBQs, Curry nights etc
Are there sharks in UK waters?
Funny enough it turns out that there are sharks in UK waters! And if you are really really lucky (at the right place the right time) you may get to see a Baskin Shark !!! But if you are looking for JAWS type experiences. I am afraid you are in for a disappointment!
How fit do I need to be to start diving?
You need to be comfortable in water and you need to be able to swim 200m freestyle in the swimming pool to start your training course but as long as you can manage that you're in!
Do you run try dives?
The club currently does not have access to a swimming club and as such we can not offer try dives. However depending on interest we can organise
Do I need to be BSAC trained to join?
the British sub Aqua Club (BSAC) has Equivalent BSAC qualifications https://www.bsac.com/already-a-diver/equivalent-bsac-qualifications/ so you can easily join and dive with our club without any BSAC training
How old do I need to start diving / training?
You can start the Discovery diver training from 10 years or older or Ocean Diver training from 12 years or older. And there is no upper age limit as long as you are fit to dive 🙂
Is SCUBA diving dangerous?
Scuba diving has a really good safety record and this is mainly due to the training we do before participating in our adventurous sport. BSAC training is world-renowned for being extremely thorough and what's different about BSAC is we build in safety skills and training from the start. Scuba diving's good safety record is justified by good training, sound equipment and safe practices. BSAC will teach you everything you need to know to be a competent safe diver.
How much will it cost to go SCUBA diving?
Scuba diving doesn’t have to be expensive. Compared to many other 'adventure' sports, learning to dive can be good value for money, especially in a club. Local club fees vary but typically you could learn to dive (and get other club benefits such as pool access, events and diving opportunities once you’ve learned) for between £175 and £300.
What is UK diving like?
Diving in the UK can be more challenging compared to diving in the Mediterranean, Caribbean or the Red Sea but is just as if not more rewarding. The waters around the British Isles are littered with wrecks from 2 World Wars, as well as many before and after that. There is an abundance of marine life and loads of scenic walls, and gally dives.
How about diving with disabilities?
The BSAC DfA Programme seeks to promote scuba diving to people with disabilities and provide divers, clubs and centres with the knowledge and skills to ensure that diving is safe for all BSAC members. We currently don't have any Instructors qualified to support but can help you get in touch with BSAC
