This has to be the most common thing we get asked when potential members speak to us at the Fresher's fair: how much does it all cost?
We know what it is like, we are all students or have been students recently. Money doesn't exactly grow on trees and University can be expensive. That being said, we firmly believe that learning to scuba dive in University, through a BSAC branch, is the cheapest way to learn.
We can say that with confidence because we don't try to make a profit from you, we are not a business unlike some other training organisations. All we try to do is cover our costs, and even then a lot of our training trips run at a loss.
Theory lectures are free to attend. Instructors are volunteers. Our kit hire is cheap. All of that adds up to a very competitive price for training. Whats more, after you're qualified we don't charge you to dive different experiences like wrecks or drifts. It's just diving after all. If it is something new to you we don't believe you need a card to say you can do it. Typically, we will ease you in: we pair you with more experienced divers and you build up your skills and confidence at your own pace. It ends up being cheaper, safer, and generally more fun. And that's what we are all here for isn't it? To have fun.
Learn to dive: (BSAC Ocean Diver qualification)
If you have never dived before we offer a training package that allows you to be qualified as an ocean diver in one semester. The package costs £350 and includes:
*Completion of training requires one further dive for which hire is not included. This is to allow the trainee to be introduced to the kit hire system and encourage them to dive with some of the other more experienced club members.
We understand £390 is, for many, a significant amount of money. Therefore we offer the option to pay in two separate blocks, one just before the pool session and one just before the weekend trip.
Some may qualify for the UofE Student Participation Grant of £300, applications open from September 4 to 20 October 2023.
Personal Kit
Well fitting equipment is essential for diving, both in Scotland and beyond. Some of the more expensive kit items required for scuba diving are available for hire from the club. However items such as masks, gloves, and fins must fit well and so each trainee should buy their own.
The club will help as best we can to help trainees in kit selection and, through our relationship with the Edinburgh Dive Centre (EDC), we offer a 10% discount to any member of EUSAC shopping in EDC.
Finally, you will also need a dry or semi-dry suit for the weekend trip. As these have to be personally sized the club does not own any wet or dry suits. Rental can be accessed at Puffin Dive Centre in Oban during our Ocean Diver, XO and Sports Diver weekends. Closer to home is Aquatron in Glasgow.
Kit List
Below is a list of the items trainees will have to buy before the sheltered water sessions. Bear in mind the prices quoted are non-sale, brand new items. Some of these items can be purchased online or from club members selling off older kit for cheaper.
Also the items below will be yours to keep, so after you have them the cost of diving drops dramatically.
Total for kit = £110-£235
Training = £300
Grand total = £428-£553
Regrettably, diving does require a large upfront cost. After these initial overheads, however, diving can be as little as £20 for the day.
Already Qualified?
For those of you already qualified it is quite a lot simpler. All you have to do is make sure you have the kit listed in the 'kit list' above, that you've crossed over if necessary, got your memberships up to date, and that you have money in your kit balance. Then you can just come diving. Easy!
We know what it is like, we are all students or have been students recently. Money doesn't exactly grow on trees and University can be expensive. That being said, we firmly believe that learning to scuba dive in University, through a BSAC branch, is the cheapest way to learn.
We can say that with confidence because we don't try to make a profit from you, we are not a business unlike some other training organisations. All we try to do is cover our costs, and even then a lot of our training trips run at a loss.
Theory lectures are free to attend. Instructors are volunteers. Our kit hire is cheap. All of that adds up to a very competitive price for training. Whats more, after you're qualified we don't charge you to dive different experiences like wrecks or drifts. It's just diving after all. If it is something new to you we don't believe you need a card to say you can do it. Typically, we will ease you in: we pair you with more experienced divers and you build up your skills and confidence at your own pace. It ends up being cheaper, safer, and generally more fun. And that's what we are all here for isn't it? To have fun.
Learn to dive: (BSAC Ocean Diver qualification)
If you have never dived before we offer a training package that allows you to be qualified as an ocean diver in one semester. The package costs £350 and includes:
- All BSAC approved training materials necessary, including theory test
- Sheltered water pool sessions for confined water training
- A full weekend of diving in sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland, including food and accommodation
- All scuba gear hire (BCD, regs, weight, tanks and air) necessary for sheltered and open water dives included in the package.*
*Completion of training requires one further dive for which hire is not included. This is to allow the trainee to be introduced to the kit hire system and encourage them to dive with some of the other more experienced club members.
We understand £390 is, for many, a significant amount of money. Therefore we offer the option to pay in two separate blocks, one just before the pool session and one just before the weekend trip.
Some may qualify for the UofE Student Participation Grant of £300, applications open from September 4 to 20 October 2023.
Personal Kit
Well fitting equipment is essential for diving, both in Scotland and beyond. Some of the more expensive kit items required for scuba diving are available for hire from the club. However items such as masks, gloves, and fins must fit well and so each trainee should buy their own.
The club will help as best we can to help trainees in kit selection and, through our relationship with the Edinburgh Dive Centre (EDC), we offer a 10% discount to any member of EUSAC shopping in EDC.
Finally, you will also need a dry or semi-dry suit for the weekend trip. As these have to be personally sized the club does not own any wet or dry suits. Rental can be accessed at Puffin Dive Centre in Oban during our Ocean Diver, XO and Sports Diver weekends. Closer to home is Aquatron in Glasgow.
Kit List
Below is a list of the items trainees will have to buy before the sheltered water sessions. Bear in mind the prices quoted are non-sale, brand new items. Some of these items can be purchased online or from club members selling off older kit for cheaper.
Also the items below will be yours to keep, so after you have them the cost of diving drops dramatically.
- Mask (tempered glass) – £25 to £50
- Fins – £25 to £70
- Snorkel – £15 to £25
- Weight Belt Webbing (Lead supplied by club) – £10 to £20
- Gloves – £15 to £30
- Booties – £20 to £40
Total for kit = £110-£235
Training = £300
Grand total = £428-£553
Regrettably, diving does require a large upfront cost. After these initial overheads, however, diving can be as little as £20 for the day.
Already Qualified?
For those of you already qualified it is quite a lot simpler. All you have to do is make sure you have the kit listed in the 'kit list' above, that you've crossed over if necessary, got your memberships up to date, and that you have money in your kit balance. Then you can just come diving. Easy!