Depending on the availabilities of pools we try to schedule semi-regular pool sessions on some evenings.

Why pool training?

When you first think about the idea of training in a swimming pool the idea might seem a little silly to you. Hopefully on further consideration you might start to realise that there are in fact many ways in which pool training could benefit your diving.

Scuba Review / Discover Scuba / Skin Diver

Never dived before? Curious? Why not try it out with a professional in a swimming pool. This program can be conducted by prior arrangement during a pool session.

Has it been more than 6-12 months since you last dived? Perhaps you should consider a Scuba Review session with a qualified Divemaster?

Would you like to improve your skin diving skills? Allow one of the Divemasters to conduct the PADI Skin Diver program with you.

For more information on these programs, please see the relevant sections under the "Courses" menu.

Pool training ideas - Open Water Divers / Advanced Open Water Divers

Do you remember back to your Open Water Diver course? You practiced certain skills that were important for your safety? Have you ever practiced them since? If you lost your mask underwater could you safely end the dive, or put it back on? What about the controlled emergency swimming ascent? Maybe on your course you were rushed through the skill, and even though you didn't do it properly the instructor moved on to the next skill.

Being able to perform a skill in a relaxed safe environment is one thing, but could you do it when faced with stress? To be able to handle the skill in a stressful situation it is important to have really mastered the skill, rather than just scraping through.

Wouldn't it give you more confidence to practice these skills in a safe environment? You might need them one day...

Pool training ideas - Rescue Divers

You learned a lot of new skills during your Rescue course. Can you remember them all? Hopefully in the time that has passed since your course you've never had to use these skills, but hopefully you have practiced them and haven't let them go rusty. With your additional training and knowledge you gained during your Rescue course, you already realise the importance of practice.

Pool training ideas - Divemasters and above

As you work towards your Divemaster or higher level certifications you already know that your skills must be at "demonstration quality" and that only plenty of time in a pool environment will help you to get higher scores. With luck, you realised this earlier on in your diving career and have already been practicing them before you started your Divemaster course. Even after completing your Divemaster you realise that your skills still need to be improved, both to effectively function as a Divemaster, and to help you prepare for the Assistant Instructor or Instructor examinations.

Pool training ideas - Technical divers

Technical divers require little convincing that pool work is important. They are often testing new gear configurations, weightings, as well as the larger range of skills that they've had to master as technical divers. Solid training and preparation helps them to stay sharp when faced with stress or emergency situations, which all contributes to the overall goal of a technical diver - to return from the dive unharmed.

General pool training ideas

Apart from practicing your buoyancy skills what about getting to grips with that new camera? Why not try photographing various objects on the pool floor? Your photos from your next expensive diving holiday will certainly look better than if you were still learning to use your camera during the dives themselves. Many divers return from their holiday with a horribly boring set of photos, wondering why the photos from other divers look so much better. Why is that?

Have you ever deployed a safety marker buoy(SMB)? Do you know what one is? Chances are on your next boat diving holiday you'll be required to use one. Will you sheepishly tell the Divemaster that you don't know how to use it? Or will you play with it in a swimming pool first? An SMB may one day save your life.

Have you ever wondered what skills are used in further levels of training? A pool session is a perfect chance to watch other people working on these skills. You may gain some useful insight that greatly helps you when you do your next course.

Have you ever tried a dry suit? Why not try one in the calm and easy environment of a swimming pool? Wouldn't it be interesting to experience the feeling of being dry underwater?

Pool components of training courses

Perhaps you are thinking about further education, then you should be aware that some courses either require certain modules to be completed in a swimming pool, or they can be completed in a pool environment as an option. Once you are aware of this you may choose to ask an instructor to take advantage of the pool session you are already attending to work towards your next certification.

Examples of courses which contain pool work are as follows: Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor, Staff Instructor, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Dry Suit Diver, Bubblemaker, Seal Team, Underwater Photographer, Tec Deep and many more.

When can I join pool training sessions?

They are held on a semi-regular basis on some evenings during the week. The exact evenings depend very much on whether we have available slots at certain swimming pools. For this reason the exact dates will often appear in the schedule, or be sent via the mailing list. Please check the schedule or sign up to the mailing list for exact dates and times. The location of the pool is usually given to participants after they have registered for an event.

What should I bring?

Your normal swimming stuff plus all your diving equipment, including tank and weights. If you require any equipment please be sure to register early and tell us what equipment you'll need.

How much does it cost?

A basic session costs CHF20, plus pool entry (if applicable at that pool). This covers the fact that you will be supervised and will receive instructor / Divemaster attention from time to as you need it. If you need tank and weights that will be an additional CHF20. If you require a BCD and regulators that will be an additional CHF20. Please note that these prices already take into account that the equipment must be transported by us to and from the pool site, washed and dried after use, and that tanks have to be refilled after each session. You will normally be expected at the very least to own your own ABC equipment (boot, fins, mask, snorkel), if this is not the case please talk to us about it.

If you are participating in other training activities such as Discover Scuba or Scuba Review these are charged separately and sometimes include pool entry and equipment in the price. Please consult the price list for these activities.

How long do they take and when should I arrive?

Generally we have around two hours' worth of water time so please get there at least 30 minutes early to set up your equipment so as not to waste the available water time. These sessions usually start after work, so they also finish late. We often go for a drink afterwards.

Are there any other chances to use pools?

Taking scuba equipment to a swimming pool is usually not allowed for a number of reasons which most people find a little hard to understand. For this reason it has to be synchronised either with arranged activities or other training courses. Therefore you also have the opportunity to use a swimming pool while we are conducting a course - for example an Open Water Diver course uses a pool on the Saturday and Sunday morning of a course. Contact us if you'd like to take advantage of an opportunity like this.