Prerequisite training information for the HSE Professional SCUBA course

On arrival at University all students eligible to undertake the HSE SCUBA will be able to attend an induction talk during their first week providing all the necessary information on how to enroll on the course and subsequent steps that need to be taken. This information will also be emailed to them. After attending the induction talk, and/or receiving the enrolment information email, students will need to undertake the following steps:

All of this information will be detailed in the induction week talks and emails, should there be further questions please feel free to contact us at the Marine Station.

The ability to be competent and confident on, around and under water is vital for candidates wishing to undertake the HSE SCUBA training. Students should make an honest assessment of their ability to swim (usually assessed during the recreational training with various agencies – PADI, BSAC, etc.) as well as their overall fitness levels. The HSE SCUBA course is a physically demanding undertaking and students should be suitably prepared for this.

This can be PADI Open Water, BSAC Ocean Diver or equivalent.

If you are unsure, please contact the Marine Station. Tel: +44 1752 584660 email: HSE-SCUBA@plymouth.ac.uk

As part of initial training divers usually complete four or five open water dives, in addition to this we would ask for ten dives, five of which need to be in UK (cold) waters in a drysuit. The most recent of which would need to be during the month prior to your HSE SCUBA Course.

Divers must have a valid certificate of fitness to dive under the Diving at Work Regulation 1997, which is issued by an Approved Medical Examiner of Divers (AMED). Should you feel you have anything in your medical history that may prevent diving we would suggest you speak to/complete the medical prior to undertaking any prerequisite training. 

During the training candidates will need to provide their own drysuit, undersuit (or form of thermal protection), hood and gloves for their personal use and be proficient in the buoyancy skills needed for diving in a drysuit. A drysuit roadshow is normally run prior to the Christmas vacation to allow students to meet manufacturers and suppliers and try on different types of suit before, possibly, purchasing often at discounted rate to normal regular retail price. 

If candidates wish to use them then ankle weights would also need to be brought with them for the course. 

All other equipment needed for the course will be provided by the Marine Station, although, students are welcome to bring their own fins and mask (particularly if prescription lenses are required). 

This is a three day course that provides a comprehensive set of practical skills needed by first aiders and the ability, knowledge and confidence to deal with first aid emergencies. We ask all our students to have a first aid at work qualification so should the situation arise any member of the team can administer basic first aid should it ever be required, not just a St. John’s Ambulance or Lifeguarding qualification, the FAW qualification includes the UK legislation knowledge necessary for a working environment.

There are various dive agencies that offer oxygen administration; it is normally a one day course that teaches how to use oxygen as a means to increase the effectiveness of first aid treatment in diving related situations.