Dive Certification

Learn the skills and open up a new world of opportunity

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?

All the dive shops have international standards they need to meet to certify divers however there are still differences between shops. Such differences could include price, location of the training facilities, included boat dives, schedules of the course as well as the agency they certify through. 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 (certifies through PADI) – https://divingadelaide.com.au/padi-dive-courses/open-water-diver-learn-to-dive-course/

Adelaide Scuba (certifies through SSI) – 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 dive shops require students to bring their own mask, snorkel, boots and fins (MSBF) for the course, although some will have these available for hire too. These are relatively small investments that you’ll keep using long after your course is finished, so they’re worth getting right.

If you’re only going to splurge on one piece of gear, make it the mask. Take your time finding one that fits your face comfortably and seals properly. Spending an entire dive fighting a leaking mask is never fun. A good mask can make a big difference to your comfort and you’ll likely be using it for years.

Beyond MSBF, there’s really no need to rush out and buy a complete dive kit. As you gain experience you’ll get a much better idea of what works for you. In the meantime, we have a full range of scuba diving equipment available for hire.

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.