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Optional qualifications
As a part of your membership with Stockton Divers you can further your SCUBA experience and training with a number of courses presented by our nationally qualified instructors
Courses in the pipeline at bottom of page, click link below
Nitrox basic
On this approximately 90 minute theory workshop you will learn what nitrox is, discover the benefits of diving on nitrox, understand any physiological and equipment-related implications of using nitrox, learn how to plan a no-stop nitrox dive and how to analyse a nitrox mix.
Nitrox advanced
On this approximately 90 minute theory workshop you will learn to use nitrox on dives planned on the BSAC nitrox tables or a nitrox computer, using a partial pressure of 1.4 bar.
Sessions will cover the use of nitrox for decompression diving, diving within a maximum operating depth for a selected nitrox mix, how to plan a dive using the BSAC nitrox tables or a nitrox computer and the extra considerations when managing nitrox diving. The workshop also covers the physiological implications of breathing enriched oxygen gas mixes, including monitoring oxygen exposure to avoid oxygen toxicity, and the practicalities of how to manage an incident involving oxygen toxicity.
Mixed Gas Blender
On the Nitrox Gas Blender course you will learn about the theory and practice of blending nitrox mixes, concentrating on the safe management and handling of blending equipment. On the Mixed Gas Blender course you will learn how to blend diving gas mixes containing helium.
The one-day courses consist of a mix of theory sessions and practical gas-blending sessions appropriate to the gases mixes being learned about
Dry suit course
On this one-day course you will learn how drysuits work and get practical experience of drysuit diving techniques. Two theory sessions cover what to look for when buying different types of drysuit and the use and maintenance of drysuits.
Practical lessons in sheltered and open water cover how to dive safely in a drysuit, including what to do if you become overinflated both during a dive and at the surface and how to manage a rescue scenario involving drysuit divers.
Dive planning and management
The course involves lots of practice under the guidance of experienced instructors and gives you the confidence to plan and manage dives, and to manage a real dive yourself. This is a fun course with group sessions and a day’s diving.
Buoyancy and Trim
Adopting a disciplined approach to buoyancy (how much weight) and trim (correct balance and attitude in the water) is essential for all divers and will allow you to perform many diving skills effortlessly. Taking control of your buoyancy is taking a big step towards safe and comfortable diving.
Compressor Operator
You will learn about the design and working parts of gas compressors, and the air quality that divers need and how to test for it. You will also learn about cylinder regulations and become competent at compressor operation and cylinder filling.
We have our own compressor that necesitates all operators are qualified.
Search and Recovery
You will learn the practical details of both search operations and recovery operations, including how to use buoyancy to move an object.
Wreck Diving
On this two-day course you will learn how to plan a non-penetration wreck dive and carry out the plan. You will learn about types of wrecks and wreck law, and about the equipment needed for wreck diving and how to use it, including vital line-laying skills.
Wreck Appreciation
On this two-day course you will learn how to find information on wreck sites and how to stay within the laws protecting wrecks. Practical work includes how to identify the major parts of a wreck and make basic site sketches, and learning about the additional equipment needed and techniques used for safer wreck diving, including working with reels and lines underwater.
Twin Set Diver
Twin-set Diver is a great course not only to extend your gas supplies but also as a first introduction to the equipment used for safer planned decompression diving.
Primary Donate workshop
Primary Donate Workshop (PDW) is for twin-set divers who would like to use this technique for their alternate supply, and where they take an active part in making a regulator available to an out-of-gas dive buddy.
Accelerated Decompression
Accelerated Decompression Procedures (ADP) course is a great way to extend your nitrox diving skills, by learning to use oxygen-rich mixes to improve the efficiency of decompression. It encourages you to make informed choices about your diving.
Oxygen Administration
The one-day course includes a mix of theory and practical sessions. You will learn how to give basic life support as a solo rescuer or two-person team, with or without a pocket mask. You will refresh your knowledge of the diving-related injuries burst lung, decompression illness, drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning and shock and find out how they benefit from oxygen first aid.
Diver First Aid
This course will give you the confidence to use first aid in a real emergency, including improvising dressings and splints using materials and equipment commonly found at the dive site or on a dive boat.
Defibrillator training
Want to take your basic-life-support skills to a higher level and be able to give a non-breathing, unresponsive casualty an increased chance of survival?
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are becoming widely available for use in an emergency in public places and during this course you will gain the confidence to use one.
As a club we carry a de-fib on all diving activities.
Practical Rescue Management
If you aspire to become a dive manager and expedition leader, you can start training here and learn to avoid the pitfalls that untrained divers can fall into in a rescue situation.
Like in real life, as the incidents unfold, the scenarios evolve depending on how the dive manager directs the team.
Sea Survival workshop
Do you want to improve your chances of survival at sea in an emergency? This workshop has been developed by the RNLI in association with the British Diving Safety Group to improve diver safety at sea.
Lifesaver and Advanced Lifesaver
If you dive from boats, the skills covered in this award may one day help you to save a life. Holders of the Advanced Lifesaver Award have demonstrated their lifesaving proficiency in rescuing divers into a boat.
Boat Handling
Boat Handling course is great fun and is ideal for anyone wanting to learn about rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIBs) and how to drive them.
Chartwork and Navigation
Chartwork and Position Fixing course is a hands-on course designed for anyone wanting to learn and practise the navigation skills needed to plan more adventurous diving and put diving projects with a purpose into action within a club or centre.
Diver Coxswain
Diver Coxswain Assessment recognises a high level of seamanship knowledge and boat-handling ability, including working with divers in the water.
Underwater Navigation
There are two parts to navigating: knowing where you are, and knowing how to get to where you want to go.
Night Diving
Being familiar with the site can help with navigation. Where possible explore the site during daylight before night diving.
Underwater Photography
Underwater Photography course gives you the opportunity to try your hand with a digital camera underwater.
Ice Diving
The Ice Diving course introduces a qualified club diver to diving in cold water with no clear surface. You will learn how an ice-diving team works, how divers using a lifeline communicate with the surface, and how to prepare and use the equipment needed to dive in this challenging environment.
Courses in the pipeline
Compressor Operator 8th December
