Welcome to Capernwray Dive School!

If you are looking at this page, it is likely that you are interested in diver training! It probably seems as if there is a multitude of courses and agencies available to you, and it is simply a question of finding the course you wish to do and obtaining the cheapest quote for it. This may not be the best way of picking with whom you should train for a skill like diving, which is fairly complex and, potentially at least, dangerous (if you do it wrong!)

All the training agencies specify a set of standards, which must be met in order for a student to complete a course. We feel that this represents a minimum and a "bog standard" level at which a person can complete, but we aim to provide greater knowledge and skill levels. This equates to more time spent with each individual student, which we achieve by keeping our instructor to student ratios very low. It stands to reason that if there are 4 students per instructor, they will get more of the instructor's time than they would in a class where they are sharing the instructor with 8 or 10 students. We also keep the scheduling as flexible as possible, with time between each session in order that the new lessons and skills have time to sink (!) in. Many of the courses we run can be completed in a shorter time; the question is whether the quality of the learning is as good?

An instructor in a lesson/lecture format conducts all academic learning sessions. Where video or other aids are available, these will be made available for home study. We do not use videos as a part of the formal academic training process. This means that the instructor is able to expand or explain any areas that are not clear to the student. After all, you cannot ask a video your questions!

As a UK based training organisation, we feel that it is a false economy to train students in anything other than drysuits for open water dives. Again there is no standard in anyone's training regime that states this, however most diving in the UK is conducted in drysuits. There are additional skills to be learnt in drysuit diving, and where these are needed, the additional costs of this training are incorporated into the course price. If you train with us in drysuits and then wish to dive abroad in a wetsuit, you will find this straightforward, however the reverse is not true. We do also offer drysuit speciality courses ideal for those who have trained diving "wet"!

All our equipment is selected and maintained with one purpose in mind: your enjoyment and safety. We do not go in for cheap bulk buy plans for our equipment, but simply select the best items. In a training environment, drysuits should not leak regulators free flow or BCD's be poor fitting. The only way to achieve this is by investing in top quality gear and applying an extremely rigorous maintenance schedule.

Learning any new skill has two components; firstly the formal guided learning process and secondly experience. Capernwray offers the ideal environment to hone those new skills! Most of the courses we offer include extra time in water over and above the minimum to allow you to get this experience, whether this is in the form of free gear hire or extra dives during the course.

The prices we quote are a complete cost for the course. It will include all equipment required for the course, all manuals and books, all registration fees, air and so on. There are no hidden extras (except perhaps your lunch!) Many of the course prices incorporate other things, like free gear hire sessions after the course or extra dives, where these are applicable, they have been noted in the course description. If you would like to spread the cost of the course out, we request a deposit (normally £100) prior to the course, and as long as the balance is paid by the end, that is fine. Hence if you would like to spread the course out to spread the cost, no problem! We think that if you add up all the advantages of training with us, you will find our prices very competitive, and although they will never be the cheapest, you will gain more in knowledge, experience and enjoyment.

Please select from one of the following options:

	Learning to dive-PADI courses
	PADI Continuing Education-Advanced, Rescue, Speciality Programs
	PADI and EFR Professional courses - Divemaster and Instructor Programs
	Frequently Asked Questions about Diver training
	Dive School Terms and Conditions
	Meet the Dive School team!
	Instructor Development Frequently Asked Questions

CONTACT THE DIVE SCHOOL:

Tel: 0777 3307233
click here for email