We ask all of our students who are being invited back into training, to read and be fully aware of the following procedures and processes that have been put into place in line with all of our relevant agencies and government advise and with the primary objective to keep us all safe and well.

This blog post supersedes all previously published policies and procedures and moving forward will be updated to stay in line with any changes that occur.  Can we kindly ask everyone to keep checking back in and ensuring they are up to speed with them, prior to attending for training.

If you are displaying any symptoms as defined by the NHS for Coronavirus (COVID) then we kindly ask you to be responsible and follow the latest government guidelines for isolation and testing.

Not sure what the symptoms and guidelines are then please refer to the NHS webpage at Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

All arrivals for training are to sanitise their hands on entry to the dive centre and PRIOR to moving around the dive centre and classroom areas.
 
Face Masks are required for anyone over 11 years old.
 
You will be met by your instructor or support team member who will then guide you to your setup / training area.

During the briefing at the shop all students will be taken through the in water procedures required to meet the latest COVID diving guidelines but as a minimum everyone who is in the water on diving equipment will have a snorkel in their mouths at all times - which is good in water practise.  If you need to talk to your instructor, please make it known and they will place their snorkel or regulator in their mouth and position themselves accordingly - please give them time to do this.
 
Parents, can we please ask you to drop your children and then wait or come back and pick them up at 17:30 to transport to the pool? This is to ensure that we keep safe operating limits in the dive centre and classroom).

EVERYONE is to be swim ready (swimming costumes underneath clothing) as changing rooms are NOT available on the way in

Entry to Oakham School pool for your diving session is via the fire exit door alongside Kilburn Road (LE15 6QN) directly onto the pool side - the door will only be opened 5 minutes prior to the session.

Everyone is to sanitise their hands on entry to the pool side.

The Dive equipment will be taken to the pool side by the Dive Rutland Staff members, whilst this is happening, please prepare for the pool session and put wetsuits on

Clothes are to be left on the benches on the left hand side of the pool

In place at Oakham School swimming pool there is a one way system in operation and this is to be followed at ALL times..

No one is to sit on the bottom bench, please follow ALL markings provided

Changing rooms are available to be used at the end of the session

​No showers or hairdryers are to be used at the Sports Centre

Face masks / coverings will be required until seated by Parents or Guardians who are welcome on the pool side, however there is limited space and we ask only one parent per household.

At the end of the pool session can we please ask you to leave the pool area and wait outside

A video is available here that allows you to see how to enter the pool, and follow the one way system that is in operation.

Dive Centre diving masks and snorkels are only available for use by Discover Scuba Sessions / Seals and Master Seals, this is due to the isolation and cleaning process that has to occur, also all divers should invest in this basic equipment to ensure proper fit for the best diving experience
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We have a large selection in stock, which we are happy to fit you for.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

v2.02 April 2021

When you imagine yourself, diving do you imagine clearing your mask whilst kneeling on the bottom, or taking a photograph of a beautiful coral reef whilst lying on the coral reef? I doubt it, you imagine yourself swimming effortlessly whilst observing the beautiful environment you are in.
 
From your first pool session with you will notice we are different. You will start by diving, swimming underwater in the pool in your SCUBA equipment. After all this is what you signed up to learn. You didn’t sign up to spend 10 hours kneeling at the bottom of a swimming pool learning skill after skill. 
 
Don’t get me wrong, you will have to complete the skills required for certification, but you will accomplish these whilst actually diving.

For each skill you will talk to your Instructor about what you will be learning, how you are going to accomplish it and how you will let them know you are happy with that skill. Once you descend into the pool your Instructor will demonstrate the skill for you and then ask you to repeat the skill, whilst swimming. After you complete the skill a few times and you are confident you will move on to the next one. We should warn you, there is a lot of happy acknowledgement, the Dive Rutland dance and laughter in these sessions.

When you are diving in one of our open water sites you may notice that we use our blob (surface marker buoy with a line attached to something solid at the bottom) for you to use during your descents and early ascents.  Once you have descended and you are comfortable you begin your dive, you will swim around exploring the underwater world and your Instructor will ask you to complete the required skills, whilst swimming throughout the dive. At no point in your training will you be asked to kneel on the bottom, this is all practice for when you go out and dive on the wonderful coral reefs of the world, the UK included.

So, why do we teach how we teach? It’s because of you our students, we want you to have the best Instruction, with the most modern teaching techniques out there so you can be the best divers you can be. It may take a little longer, but the end result is well worth the additional effort. It takes time to make a good diver

A reel like no other, the Apeks Lifeline Ascend takes the humble SMB reel to the next level of quality and functionality.

Designed and built in the UK, the Lifeline Ascend exemplifies what Apeks has become renowned for, giving the diver the finest equipment to take on their next adventure.

Designed to make deploying your delayed surface marker buoy a breeze, the 30 metre Apeks Lifeline Ascend is the finest reel on the market. It doesn’t just look good, it plays good.

​Designed to be used both left and right-handed, the Lifeline Ascend is simple and smooth to operate, even if you’re wearing thick gloves. From the easy grip rubber handle to the secure stainless-steel attachment points, the Lifeline Ascend sets a new standard in dive reels.

Benefits

• Integrated SMB attachment point allows for easy storage and deployment of the Apeks SMB. 
• High grip rubber handle makes the reel easy to hold with or without gloves.
• User changeable configuration allows the reel to be easily switched from left or right-handed configurations depending on your preference. 
•  30 metres of high tensile strength and high visibility line is both extremely strong and visible in low light conditions. 
• The stainless-steel attachment point allows for secure attachment of the reel to a D-ring, BCD or pocket.

Features

• Integrated SMB attachment system. 
• 30 metres
• High Grip Rubber handle
• forged and anodised aluminium handle components
• Stainless steel attachment point.