Being James Bond

Where can I learn to Scuba dive?
I am based in the Highlands of Scotland but looking for employment on a cruise ship. If I get down time, where would be a standard place to learn? Is there only certain countries that offer licenses etc??

I learned through SSI, at my college.
http://www.divessi.com/ I'm sure they have a way to find places near you on that site.

PADI is the other big SCUBA teaching company.
http://www.padi.com/scuba/default.aspx

If you're looking for work on a cruise ship, then I'd imagine there might be lessons on board the ship. You can't possibly be working the ENTIRE time on the ship, and perhaps your cruise line has benefits like that for the staff. Look into that.

The scuba instructor is also premited to fraternize with the guests.

You'll probably find that you can learn the basics with BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) in your local area. I haven't dived in Scotland, but it's supposed to be good - my brother spent a week at Scapa Flow in August which would be incredible.

I was certified by PADI about eight years ago. To get their basic, open water rating (max depth of 55 feet) took about five weeks. I'm not sure if there's a PADI dive shop in Scotland, but at least make sure the dive instructor is certified by a reputable organization. I've seen some dive tours turn people away because they weren't certified by an accredited organization.

When you do get certified, I recommend you also join the Diver's Alert Network. They do research into diving, but the main reason to join is for supplemental dive insurance. I don't know how it is on that side of the pond, but most medical insurers on this side don't cover diving accidents, especially if you get the bends on a dive and need to go for a ride in a hyperbaric chamber. This can cost almost $10,000 US. There are other benefits as well, but paying about $50/year seemed like a no brainer to me.

Good luck with diving and that job!

You'll find PADI wpr;dwide, but BSAC can work out much cheaper due to the way their training works. You can complete PADI's Open Water certification in less than a week, but one of the biggest factors for safe diving is getting experience.



I'll second DAN, I've been a member for a number of years. I believe that in the UK diving is covered by the NHS, but I had a friend who spent a night in hospital with two sessions in a hyperbaric chamber a few years ago (here in Spain where dive insurance is compulsory) so can't stress the importance of having adequate insurance.

I've recently undergone training through NAUI. It was through my college but the instructor was from a local dive shop in the area. So find a dive shop and there ya go. The class was like 2 days a week for 2-3hours and lasted for 8 or so weeks which was very informative and made you overly prepared for scuba diving in my opinion.