I am a poor swimmer but can I learn to scuba dive?
Unfortunately not until you have improved your swimming skills. At the start of the pool sessions you have to pass the performance criteria of being able to swim 200 metres or 8 lengths of a standard pool without stopping and tread or float in water for 10 minutes. The reason for this is that you must be comfortable in water. In the unlikely event that you have to rescue a diver on the surface, you may end up having to swim on the surface without scuba
 What does your open water diving course include?
We supply a course manual, dive tables. We also supply the loan of a DVD for the duration of the course. Academic learning is self study (16 hrs), pool session ( 3 to 4 hours) and two open water dives on each of two days making a total of 4 dives (8 hours) are instructor led.
As part of the classroom session (2 to 3 hours) you will need to have studied the 5 modules or 5 chapters of the manual, completed the knowledge reviews at the end of each chapter, successfully completed 4 number by 10 multiple choice question quizzes and a 50 question exam. With private study the course duration is about 30 hours.
When can I do my advanced diver course?
Immediately after you open water certification. For the advanced course you again study a
manual, complete the knowledge reviews of the 5 elective dives that you choose to the acceptance of the Instructor and perform 5 dives. These dives include the mandatory deep and navigation dives. We typically offer peak buoyancy, wreck and a night dive for the other three but you can choose for all the sixteen adventure dives.
When can I take my Rescue Diver Course?
As soon as you have completed your advance diver course and your EFR course.
I have a head cold/allergies right now can I dive?
The answer to this one is that it depends. If your sinuses are clear and you have no blockages then may be you can manage the pool sessions with no problems. However, we would not recommend going in the ocean, since the affects will be greater on you with depth and you may also get cold between dives which will not do your cold any good.
How cold is the water?
The temperature varies between 43 degrees Fahrenheit or 6 degrees Celsius in January and February and increases to a maximum of 53 degrees Fahrenheit or 12 degrees Celsius in the summer months. This temperature is usually maintained in September and gradually decreases from October to December.
I suffer from Asthma. Can I learn to scuba dive?
You may be able to. It depends on the severity of your asthma. You need to go to your local Doctor and undergo a Spirometry Test to determine whether you can dive with this condition or not. Your Doctor needs to sign you off that you are able to dive.
I suffer from Diabetes can I Scuba Dive?
It is not generally recommended or allowed since the onset of hypoglycemia of low blood glucose levels can impair consciousness and
this is dangerous and potentially life threatening under water. However, we have certified one diver as an open water diver who suffered from Diabetes base on the assessment of her Doctor. We have also had one person suffering from Diabetes not being signed off to dive. So every case is different. Please consult your Doctor and get an assessment before considering scuba diving.
I suffer from Epilepsy, Can I Scuba dive?
The short answer is no. For sufferers who have been seizure free, without medication for 5 years are unlikely to have further seizures but even so, from the current state of understanding of this disorder, it seems that the prospective diver would not be considered fit to dive. Again, please consult the medical profession and get an assessment of your fitness to dive before considering scuba diving.
My daughter is 10 years of age. Can she learn to scuba dive?
Yes, children from the age of 10 onwards can learn to dive. PADI’s regulations are that the maximum instructor to student diver ratio is 4 to 1 with no more than two children aged 10 to 11 in the group of four student divers. Certification dives are limited to 40 ft and 10 and 11 year olds must dive with a PADI professional after certification.
The SFU Kids Camps state a Minimum Age of 12 years old. See www.sfu.ca\recreation
Why is this so?
This is down to the limit on instructor to student diver ratios for children aged 10 or 11 that applies equally to the pool and ocean sessions. In the pool sessions we have greater ratios that limits the minimum aged to 12. We have also found in general that the younger children find it hard to learn enough of the academic portion of the course during the scuba camp to be able to pass the exam.
How quickly can you get me a dry suit?
Standard dry suits are shipped within three weeks of the receipt of the order by Bare unless the suit ordered is a custom fit I which case the suit is shipped within 4 weeks of the receipt of an order. Express suits are shipped within one week but you are limited to choosing the boot and neck seal type and size only.
How quickly can I get my open water instructor certification starting from the open water course?
You have a minimum of six months to undertake all the training after completing your open water certification. You cannot take the Instructor Examination in less time. You also have to show that you have completed 100 logged dives to be able to take the examination.
How much would it cost me to do my open water pool and classroom content in B.C. and my open water dives in Thailand or Cozumel?
Diving adventures would charge $260 plus GST for the academic and pool sessions in BC and the provision of a referral form.
In Thailand our associated dive center would charge around $150 for near shore open water dives and around $385 for boat dives at the Similan Islands. In Cozumel, the referral fee is $175 US or
In both cases you will have to get yourself there and pay for accommodation but what a great holiday you could have!!!!!!!
Why can only advanced/rescue divers go on Diving Adventures trips to Naniamo and Barclay Sound?
Due to the nature of the dives, divers fresh out of an Open Water Class may find the diving overwhelming, based on their experience and skills. However, Instructors and experienced divers from Diving Adventures regularly, dive at local dive sites (e.g. Whyte Cliff Park, Porteau Cove) and are more that happy to accompany new divers to help them gain valuable diving experience and pleasure.
What is the cost of your commercial scuba diving services?
Diving Adventures charges $200 per hour for a three man WCB certified dive team. For use of the video camera we charge a minimum of $150 per day. Tanks are charged at $10 per used tank. Mobilization and demobilization charges depend on the location of the work site in relation to our base in Burnaby.
What Specialties can Diving Adventures teach?
Staff at Diving Adventures can teach: Altitude Diving, AWARE Fish Identification, AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, Boat, Deep, Navigation, Diver Propulsion Vehicle, Drift, Dry Suit, Enriched Air, Multilevel and Computer Diving, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Search and Recovery, Underwater Naturalist and Photography, Underwater Videography and Wreck. | 
