For Open Water Dive
1. Can I wear contact lenses when I dive?
Yes, you can. The only drawback to wearing lenses is that you will have to close your eyes when you clear your mask underwater. This is to prevent you from losing your contact lenses when your eyes are in contact with water. An excellent tip – use cheap, disposable lenses.
2. How long is the dive course normally?
You can complete the course in as short a time as two weeks. One theory and pool session is conducted in Singapore or you may opt for the home study option. You will then travel to Tioman, Malaysia for the weekend to complete your open water dives.
3. Do I need to be a good swimmer to do a dive course?
You do not need to be an Olympic swimmer! However, you must be able to swim 200 metres (any style) at your own pace, and be able to tread water for 10 minutes.
4. How heavy is the dive tank?
A typical 80 cubic foot tank is approximately 12kg. Once you’re underwater, however, the tank is weightless!
5. Do I need to buy any dive gear before the course?
No, you do not need to! All gears are provided during the course, except masks requiring prescription lenses. We recommend that you purchase your own basic dive gear after you complete the course. Basic dive gear is considered personal, and you will discover that your dives are more enjoyable with gears that fit comfortably.
6. How deep do we normally dive for the course?
You will be diving progressively. During your first confined water training, you will start at standing depth. You will dive progressively deeper until a maximum depth of 60 feet/18 meters before certification.
7. How long can a tank last underwater?
This depends on how experienced a diver you are, and what depth you are diving. A new diver will typically be able to dive for about 40 minutes at 12m. There are, of course, some divers who lasted just 15 minutes in 6m of water!
8. Do I need to be physically fit for the course?
As in other sports, you need to be reasonably fit. You certainly do not need to be Mr/Ms Olympian! Certain medical conditions, however, will not permit you to take this course. These are:
- Chronic Asthma
- Any heart ailments
- Have undergone heart bypass surgery
- Diabetes Lung Disorders
- Trying to or pregnant
- Physical Handicaps
- Any other ailment that would prevent you from enjoying this sport.
We recommend that you consult a doctor if you have questions about your fitness to dive.
9. What do I need to do to pass the course?
You are required to read the manual, do the knowledge reviews, watch the DVD and at the end sit for a written test. For all practical skills taught, you will be required to perform these skills comfortably underwater.
10. When does my dive card expire?
There is no expiration date for your certification card. We do recommend, however, that you do a scuba skills update if you have not been diving for more than 6 months. This will enable you to refresh what you have learnt in the theory classes and to practice the required skills under supervision before you plunge into your next dive.
11. What if I lose my card, where can I get a new one?
You may contact us if you had taken your course with us. You may also contact any SSI/PADI member store. All you need to submit is your photograph, together with the payment for a replacement card. We will verify your dive status with our headquarters and order a replacement card. it normally takes about 3 weeks for them to process.
12. What does the cost include in the open water dive course?
E Manual, Dive Logs and Gears required during the course are provided. If you require prescription lenses for your mask, this should be purchased before the start of the course. During your open water training in Tioman, all transportation, accommodation and meals are included.
13. When can I start the course and how many people do you need before you do so?
We start a new course every Monday. There is no minimum number of students required, and you will find that our schedules are flexible.
For Tioman Trips
1. How often are trips organised to Tioman?
We run daily trips where you will depart in the morning by coach and ferry. Another popular option is to leave on Friday evening by coach and dive boat.
2. How long is the coach ride to Mersing?
Our own coach takes approximately 5 hours. This takes into consideration the time spent for immigration and customs clearance, and toilet stops. For Friday evening departures to Mersing, the coach will leave at 6.30pm and you will be required to check in at Leisure Park Mall 6.15pm.
3. How long is the boat ride to Tioman from Mersing?
Our own boat takes approximately two hours to get to Tioman from Mersing.
4. How big is the dive boat?
The dive boat is 80 feet long and is equipped with twin 250hp engines. Fresh water is stored on board for rinsing off after dives. There is a cabin for 57 paxes sitting. The gearing up area is spacious with custom-built tank racks and an easily accessible dive platform.
5. Who will meet me in Mersing?
For Friday night departures, you will be accompanied by our staff from Singapore.
For morning departures, you will be met by our staff when you arrive in Mersing, and will be shown the boat to board.
When you arrive in Tioman, you will, once again, be met by our staff and taken to the resort.
6. How big is Tioman?
Tioman, which is shaped like a pear, is a volcanic island. It is one-third the size of Singapore.
It is only populated along the western coast as the rest of Tioman is mountainous. Tioman has now been gazetted a marine park….so no fishing!
7. When is the monsoon season?
The monsoon season starts from late November and end sometime in February. The average visibility ranges from 9m to more than 30m.
8. How many dive sites are there in Tioman?
There are approximately nine islands to dive from, with some islands offering different activities. The average diving depth is 8m to 18m. Deepest is 40m.
9. Which is the best dive site?
Favourite sites depend on individual preferences. Generally, Labas, Chebeh, Jahat and Bahara Rocks are considered the best sites in Tioman.
10. Where does it get its water supply from?
All resorts on the island get their water supply from the mountain. This means that the water you shower with is cool, refreshing mountain water! And it’s free!! Hot showers are available in our resort.
