2020 - Page 5 of 9 - Ocean View Diving Services

DIVE CENTRE SERVICES May 21st 2020

Posted on May 22, 2020

CURRENT DIVE CENTRE SERVICES May 21st 2020

Whilst the Dive Centre is closed there are some services that I can still offer.
These services are only currently available Monday to Friday.

These things include: All Equipment Servicing and Repairs, Air and Nitrox Fills, Equipment Hire. You will need to contact me via email on info@oceanviewdiving.co.uk beforehand.

Please do not just turn up at the Dive Centre as we are closed. We can then arrange payment via BAC’s prior to collecting anything. Please bear with me as all of the usual friendly faces that you see at Ocean View are currently on furlough.

I am not on furlough so am dealing with enquiries as well as carrying out the servicing.

Thank you, be sensible and stay safe.

Graeme

Below the update issued on Thursday 21st May

Diving in the COVID/post-COVID era – 21st May 2020

The working group has cautiously welcomed a mindful, progressive return to shore diving, because it naturally lends itself to social distancing above the surface. It is worth noting that below the surface divers routinely dive in full personal protective equipment (PPE).

The BDSG has today issued clear guidance for diving in England. When the devolved Government advice changes in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the BDSG will also amend its advice. The Republic of Ireland resumed limited diving activities on Monday 18 May, eg recreational non-training shore diving to 12 metres.

BDSG Guidance for diving in England, as of 21 May 2020

1) You must follow the Coronavirus (COVID-19) government guidance for your country at all times.

2) You must follow the normal safety protocols recommended by your training organisation, and any special guidance provided by them regarding COVID-19.

3) Without any specific guidance on water sports or diving, it is the BDSG’s interpretation that diving is considered as an outdoor activity and as such, shore diving should be practical if done while following points 5 and 6.

4) Boat diving will be inherently less practical, but some boat operators may be able to meet these recommendations.

5) You can dive with one other person not from your household if you follow the two-metre rule while out of the water.

6) You can dive with anyone from your household and there is no need to follow the two-metre rule while out of the water.

7) If you have had symptoms or positive testing for COVID-19, consult with a doctor before diving, ideally a doctor specialising in diving medicine, eg UK Diving Medical Committee (www.ukdmc.org). In any event, you should be following self-isolation guidelines relevant for your country if you have tested positive for COVID-19, came into contact with anyone tested positive or have any symptoms or suspect that you may have COVID-19.

8) We strongly recommend that only experienced and fit divers return to diving at this stage, due to the limited capacity of the emergency services.

9) Additional guidance and advice on the possible consequences of COVID-19 for diving is available from DAN Europe (www.daneurope.org ‘COVID-19 and Diving Activities: 10 Safety Recommendations’).

At present the BDSG COVID-19 Working Group is meeting on a weekly basis, in order to review this guidance as the situation evolves.

Fact File

The British Diving Safety Group (BDSG) was formed in 2002 to promote safe diving practices amongst the British sport diving community.

It is chaired by the RNLI. The group has broad representation, with all of the UK diver training agencies, HSE, … (see full list below).

These organisations regularly meet in order to work towards a common goal; to make diving safer. By sharing and analysing incident data, devising safety initiatives and then promoting them to divers, the group has a broad influence on the recreational diving community.

The comprehensive nature of the BDSG, reflecting as it does all of the significant interests in the British sport diving scene means that it is uniquely positioned to significantly influence diving safety.

BDSG Members

The members of the BDSG include:

• BHA (British Hyperbaric Association)

• BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club)

• DAN Europe

• DDRC Healthcare (Diving Diseases Research Centre)

• DDST (Defence Diving Standards Team)

• Irish Underwater Federation (Diving Ireland)

• GADAP (diving insurance)

• GUE (Global Underwater Explorers)

• HSE Diving Inspectorate (Health & Safety)

• IANTD (International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers)

• IDEST (Inspectorate for diving equipment, servicing and testing)

• MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency)

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)

• PBA (Professional Boatman’s Association)

• PSAI Europe (Professional Scuba Association International)

• RAID UK

• RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institute)

• SAA (Sub Aqua Association)

• SSI (Scuba Schools International)

• ScotSAC (Scottish Sub Aqua Club)

• SITA (Scuba Industries Trade Association)

• TDI/SDI (Technical Diving International / Scuba Diving International)

• UK DMC (Diving Medical Committee).

Home eLearning Study Digital Products during Lockdown

Posted on May 5, 2020

Home eLearning Study Digital eLearning

HOME eLearning STUDY DIGITAL PRODUCTS

Do you have a bit of time on your hands, then start your courses now with the home eLearning study. Complete the practical portions of your course at a later date.

You can get the home study eLearning programme for the six courses below.

PADI Open Water Diver Course

Whether you are interested in the explosive kaleidoscope of colours within a beautiful coral reef or the rusting metal of a wrecked military cruiser, the PADI Open Water Diver Course is the world’s favourite way to get there. Have you ever wondered how it would feel to be weightless?

Do you want to find out what your mates have been banging on about all this time?

PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver

Learn the theory of diving with Enriched Air, and complete the practical part of the course later.
You will learn how diving with air that has a higher percentage of oxygen can allow you to stay under water for longer.

PADI Drysuit Diver

Extend your diving season! If you want to stay warm and toasty, feeling comfortable in cooler water, you will want to dive in a dry suit.

Learn the fundamentals of safely diving in a dry suit and how to deal with air movement in the suit, and how to take care of your dry suit.

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

Start your PADI Advanced course now and complete the dives at a later date. The home study is an easy way to learn.

PADI Rescue Diver

We don’t like to think about it but accidents happen. Rescue training expands your knowledge of diving, improves your dive skills, and makes you more aware of what is happening around you. The PADI Rescue Diver course can be started now at home.

PADI Freediver

Freediving is about inward power, discipline and control. If you’ve always wanted to enter the underwater world quietly, on your own terms, staying as long as your breath allows, then freediving is for you. Start the eLearning now, and complete the dives at a later date.

PADI Equipment Specialist

Find out more about your diving equipment, and learn tips on how to save a dive. With the PADI Equipment Specialist home study, you will learn all sorts of interesting details. The videos on how diving cylinders are made are fascinating.

If you have been thinking about taking these courses, then start now!

How to go about it

Send the dive centre an email initially to get yourself booked onto a future course.

Start your home study now. This can all be done by email and online, therefore we can keep everyone safe.

Dive Kit Servicing during Lockdown

Posted on May 5, 2020

DIVE KIT SERVICING DURING LOCKDOWN

I hope you and your families are all doing well.

It has been quite a few weeks since I had to temporarily shut the dive centre. Due to the unprecedented circumstances we all find ourselves in, we are currently operating on a one man basis.

Dive Kit Servicing – Whilst the centre is shut for courses and shop sales, I can take your kit in for servicing.
We can also offer Cylinder testing, Cylinder Air an O2 fills.

It has to be on a hands free basis, you need to email us to arrange drop off and pick up. Payment will need to be made via bank transfer, prior to pick up.

Let me know what dive kit servicing you need whilst the shop is closed. I will get it booked in for you, however it is just me, Graeme, in the centre. You will need to bear with me on timings.

By offering this service whilst we are all in Lockdown, your kit can be ready for when the season can start. As and when we are given the green light to go back out and get in the water, we want to enable you to have your kit ready.

Take a look at the servicing page to see what we can do, if in doubt, email your requirements to us to see if we can help.

Please make sure you are adhering to all guidelines on your journey here. Our aim is to keep your kit safe, and you safe at the same time.

Please note, whilst we are still under lockdown, the shop will not be open at any point for browsing. This is purely a drop off and pick up service.

As soon as we are allowed to re-open we will let you all know.
We look forward to seeing you all soon.

Red Sea Liveaboard August 2020 – Last few spaces

Posted on April 11, 2020

Red Sea 2020 last few spaces

Red Sea Liveaboard August 2020

Hi, just a quick update to let you know that we only have a few spaces left on this trip!

Friday 21st August – Friday 28th August 2020

Southern Red Sea

Whilst we are all stuck inside, it is easy to get fed up, but it’s for best right now, we hope you are all well, and finding some great stuff to keep you occupied. However, why not have something to look forward to, we still have some spaces left on our Red Sea liveaboard this August.

We are all hoping that we will be back to normal by then, so give yourself something to look forward to, get yourselves booked up on this fantastic trip!

So come on… who’s up for some awesome diving and lots of fun?!?

Email the centre to get more information or to reserve your space info@oceanviewdiving.co.uk

Head on over to the full holiday page with all the details and itinerary by following this link

PADI Specialty courses over the next few months

Posted on March 15, 2020

We are running various PADI Specialty Courses over the next few months.

We have many varied courses running over the next few months, take look a the list below to see what takes your fancy.

PADI Wreck Diver

St Andrews Lake, Kent. Saturday 25th – partial course

Discover historical wrecks, experience the thrill of drifting past a beautiful reef wall, and explore deeper dive sites. Diving on a piece of history is a lure to many divers. Wrecks provide a challenge, a mystery, and are usually teeming with aquatic life.

PADI Deep Diver – Specialty of the Month

St Andrews Lake, Kent. Saturday 25th – partial course

Dive with confidence at depths to 40m, by taking the PADI Deep Diver Specialty course. Learn to assess reasons for going deep, the dive objective should be clear.

To do both the Deep and the Wreck courses you will need to be available for the three days, to do one of either the Wreck or the Deep course, you need to be with us for the Saturday and Sunday.

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

Lake Dives – Saturday 25th
(Deep or Wreck dives to be conducted this day)

The Advanced Open Water Diver course helps you increase your confidence and build your scuba skills so you can become more comfortable in the water. Please note: ONLY Deep and Wreck dives for your Advanced course will be conducted this weekend.

MAY

PADI Specialty Courses Emergency Oxygen provider

Emergency First Response First Aid

Saturday 2nd

First aid and CPR are good skills for anyone to learn, especially those involved in adventure sports – just in case.

PADI Specialty Courses Emergency O2 provider

Emergency Oxygen Provider

Saturday 2nd

Knowing when and how to administer oxygen means you will have the ability to help other divers that may have the need of assistance.

PADI Specialty Courses Enriched Air Nitrox

PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Course

Sunday 3rd

Scuba diving with enriched air nitrox gives you more no decompression dive time. This means more time underwater, especially on repetitive scuba dives.

PADI Specialty Courses Peak Performance Buoyancy PPB

PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty – Specialty of the Month

Sunday 17th

Glide effortlessly, use less air, ascend and descend or hover, almost as if by thought.

PADI Specialty Courses Drysuit Diver

PADI Drysuit Diver Specialty

Pool Friday 1st / Wraysbury Sunday 17th

Extend your diving season! If you want to stay warm and toasty, feeling comfortable in cooler water, you will want to dive in a dry suit. Please note the Drysuit course is available every month we go to Wraysbury for PADI Open Water Diver courses.

PADI Specialty Courses PADI Rescue Course

PADI Rescue Diver Course

Pool Saturday 16th / Lake dives Sunday 17th

Learn how to turn yourself into the best buddy, increase your safety, recognise problems before they occur.

PADI Specialty Courses PADI Equipment Specialist

PADI Equipment Specialist Course

Sunday 31st

Don’t miss out on a dive due to a minor equipment issue.

JUNE

PADI Specialty Courses Underwater navigator

PADI Underwater Navigator – Specialty of the Month

Sunday 14th

Make your sense of direction legendary with the PADI Underwater Navigator Specialty course.

PADI Specialty Courses Drysuit Diver

PADI Drysuit Diver Specialty

Pool Friday 5th / Wraysbury Sunday 14th

JULY

PADI Specialty Courses Self Reliant Diver

PADI Self-Reliant Diver

Class Sunday 21st June | Lake Dives Sunday 5th July

Develop self-reliance and independence while diving.