Dive Certification

AUSC helps members get certified through local dive shops

Scuba Certification in Adelaide

Take the plunge! The first step to become certified is the Open Water Course. The Open Water Course is the first level most divers will obtain when learning to dive and will teach you to dive up to 18 meters, which is the depth the majority of the dives are with the club. After members have completed their Open Water and gained some experience members typically advance in their training from Open Water through to Advanced Open Water then Rescue Diver.

Open Water Course

The Open Water course is the first step on your SCUBA Diving journey and introduces you to the principles and techniques of diving with a maximum depth of 18m. AUSC can assist members or prospective members in any questions in getting started and discuss the options that local shops can provide. Courses are usually held over one or two weekends, and involve theory components, pool time and some dives in the ocean where you get to use everything you learnt! Most shops use an online learning package to assist in learning the theory. Online learning is self-paced, reduces the overall learning time and reduces the overall cost of the course.

Can you teach me how to dive at the club?

We rely on training partners for training as we do not have in house instructors. For diving courses this is done through dive shops located in and around metropolitan Adelaide. For boat handling and radio courses we do these through Sea Rescue Adelaide.

How do I decide which dive shop to do my training through?

Its always tricky when starting a new hobby such as SCUBA Diving to make the right decision! While all shops that train have international standards they need to meet to certify divers there are still differences. Such differences could include price, inclusions in the course such as included boat dives and equipment, and schedules of the course. There are a few dive shops in Adelaide to choose from and it can be worth while heading into the shops to have a chat to the staff and a look around to get a feel of the shop and see if you vibe with their staff. You are also welcome to have a chat to our committee on a club night to give you some pointers! The two most popular options are:

Diving Adelaide – https://divingadelaide.com.au/padi-dive-courses/open-water-diver-learn-to-dive-course/

Adelaide Scuba – https://adelaidescuba.com.au/courses/open-water-diver-scuba-lessons/

Medical Requirements

Prior to starting your Open Water scuba diving course, you will be required to fill out a medical questionnaire to make sure you are fit to dive. If any issues are identified through the questionnaire, or the dive shop have any reason to believe that you are not fit to dive, you may be required to do a dive medical with a doctor that specialises in hyperbaric medicine. Dive medicals are available at the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), but there can be a long wait (average of six weeks). Medicals are also available privately through several doctors in and around Adelaide. For a current list of doctors qualified to do dive medicals please check out the list of doctors at SPUMS

Equipment Requirements

Some shops require students to buy their own mask, snorkel, boots, and fins (MSBF) for the course, although they usually have some for hire as well. These pieces of gear are compact and will serve you well into the future. If nothing else, we recommend you take your time to invest in a high-quality mask that fits your face comfortably, as this will make a huge difference in the enjoyment of your diving for years to come.

Apart from MSBF, there is no need to rush into buying a full kit. It can take some time before you work out what type of equipment you really want, and you will gather useful information as you associate with other divers and gain more experience. AUSC has a full supply of scuba diving equipment which you can rent as required.

Advanced Open Water Course

The Advanced Open Water (AOW) is a good way to gain experience, obtain a higher-level qualification, and be certified to dive to 30m. It is completed after your Open Water Certification and unlike specialty course that focus on one skill the AOW is a way of trying out five different specialties. These experience dives usually consist of a deep dive, wreck dive, night dive, buoyancy session, and underwater navigation in the one training course but can vary based on the preference of the students, experience of the instructor, and dive sites available in the local area.

When Should I Do my Advanced?

A diver can complete their AOW immediately after finishing Open Water training. However, gaining some experience through club dives first often helps divers get far more out of the course and maximise the overall AOW experience.

What Can I Dive after my Advanced?

Some of the deeper and more challenging sites sites around Adelaide such as the Claris, Stanvac Barges and Ex HMAS Hobart. As navigation skills improve other sites can also be explored in greater detail.

Rescue Diver

The Rescue Diver course is a challenging yet highly rewarding course designed to elevate your diving skills from self-reliance to buddy-focused safety. It is completed after the Advanced Open Water Course. Divers learn to prevent and manage problems, build confidence, and handle emergency scenarios through knowledge development, pool sessions, and open water exercises.

When Should I Do my Rescue?

When a diver is sufficiently confident in their own scuba skills including buoyancy, trim, and gas consumption the benefits of rescue training are maximised.

What Can I Dive after my Rescue?

Rescue training does not unlock new dive sites or greater depths, but it develops the situational awareness, confidence, and skills needed to become a more capable and buddy-focused independent diver. Rescue-trained divers are highly valued within the club.