The club runs it's training in accordance with the criteria laid down by the British Sub-Aqua Club. The current system employed takes a new trainee to the first recognised qualification of Ocean Diver

How much does it cost?

To dive, students must become members of the British Sub-Aqua Club through QUBSAC:

Club membership, BSAC membership and training materials for Ocean Diver - £50
Mask, fins and snorkel - approx £50*

* Prices will vary. Always get advice from an experienced diver on what is suitable

To dive in the open water you will need to get hold of a dry-suit or semi-dry suit. A new dry suit will be in the region of £350+ and a semi-dry around £150. Some good second hand suits can often be picked up or alternatively suits can be hired for about £10 a day.

The club owns a supply of cylinders, regulators and stab jackets which are freely available for club members.

Am I eligible to join?

Unfortunately membership of QUBSAC is not open to the general public. Members must be students at QUB, associate membership is available to student members on finishing their studies at the University and may also be offered to others dependent on ability to instruct. Acceptance of associate memberships will be at the discretion of the committee.

How the club trains.

The training term begins with a 'Try Dive' session this gives potential trainees the chance to see if they really like the underwater experience.

The following week will see the start of the lecture and pool lesson programme. Lectures commence at 6.30p.m. sharp and usually last around an hour. Trainees will then be assigned to an instructor, usually groups of four, for the pool lesson.

Most students who have attended regulary will have completed all lectures and pool sessions by Christmas, some will also have their sheltered water assessment completed. Certainly by the time of the club's annual Easter Trip, all keen trainees will be ready for their first open water dives.

Diving trips.

Diving is organised throughout the year, favoured sites include Rathlin Island, St Johns Point, Burtonport and Tory Island we also frequent Strangford Lough.

Is it possible to start training late on in the term?

The training programme kicks off at the start of the Sep/Oct term. It is difficult to accommodate anyone wishing to join much later than this as the training is based upon a progressive series of pool lessons and theory lectures.

The skills practised in the open water dives 1-5 are tested in an assessed open water dive at max depth of 20m. Successful completion of this element is required to achieve the Ocean Diver Qualification.