Snorkel Diver: SSI
Learning to Snorkel Safely, provides you with another great way to explore the underwater world when you are not able to scuba dive or if scuba diving just isn't your thing
Snorkelling is about swimming on the surface and the ability to make safe breath-hold dives to observe aquatic life, up close and personal. Our Snorkelling course teaches you how to enjoy watching life below the surface and comfortably venture underwater for short visits, whether you intend to dive in a local freshwater lake or the big blue ocean while on holiday.
Is there a Difference between Snorkelling and Free Diving?
Snorkelling v Free Diving
You may think that snorkelling is similar to free diving, which has become more popular these days. While both involve diving underwater without the help of a scuba gear, the two are quite different. Snorkelling involves looking at the underwater marine life from the surface and occasionally diving underwater for short periods of time. Free diving, on the other hand, involves diving for long periods of time without snorkeling at all. Its aim is actually to dive longer underwater and the only reason why one resurfaces is to re-oxygenate and not to snorkel.
No snorkel is needed in free diving and the mask used is much lower in volume compared to regular dive masks.
Why learn to Snorkel?
Snorkelling is something that a lot of people do when on holiday, not just in those warmer waters but here in the UK to. It consists of minimal equipment - Mask, Snorkel, Fins and maybe a wetsuit or rash vest or just a swimming costume
It offers freedom and an insight into the world that divers are very aware of as not everyone wants to be a diver (yes really!)
Snorkeling has many positive aspects, from an active lifestyle to stress relief and general happiness as a side effect.
We experience the world, and comprehend it through our senses. The sea is such a multi-sensory experience. It is visually simulating with a thousand shades of constantly moving blue. Smells and sounds of waves have an effect on our wellbeing. And thats before we get into it!
Our bodies have been shaped and formed by water - after all we have an ocean inside us. Just like the Earth, we are 70% water.
Cold water stimulates the vagus nerve, calming our fight or flight response, lowering cortisol and releasing fee-good hormones.
Just looking at water changes our brain wave frequency, putting us into a more mediative state.
There is growing body of evidence pointing towards the powerful healing effects of regular and gradual buildup of immersion or swimming in the sea and on top of all of that there is nothing quite like being able to swim above some coral and watch fish swim around you as you float in the cool water. There are so many amazing sights to see and we hope you take the opportunity to go see them like Whale Sharks in Tanzania
We actively encourage everyone to engage with the sea, there are so many beautiful things that live in our seas, the more people that see that, we hope it will encourage more to protect them and maybe become involved in nurturing and revitalising some ecosystem in need of help.
What do I need to start the Snorkel Diver Course?
- You must be at least 8 years old
- You need adequate swimming skills and be comfortable in the water
- No prior experience is required
What will I do during the Snorkel Diver: SSI
Once you have signed up to the course and created your profile within the SSI app, we will assign you the Snorkel diver course material for you to read at your leisure.
During the practical session, you will learn:
- How to choose, adjust and use skin diving equipment.
- Basic safety guidelines for being in and around the water.
- Snorkeling and skin diving techniques including
- checking buoyancy
- surface swimming
- clearing water from your snorkel; and
- performing effortless surface dives.
- Basic hand signal communication at the surface and underwater.
How long does the Snorkel Diver: SSI?
One Pool Session
What will I need to take part in the Snorkel Diver: SSI?
- Your swimming kit
- Your own mask, snorkel and fins are recommended, but these are provided if you do not have.
What is next after the Snorkel Diver: SSI?
Get out and go snorkelling on your next holiday or just pop to the coast here in the UK and have fun. We hold a wide range of stock in store to make that snorkelling experience all that much easier, so please feel free to browse and ask questions, we are always happy to help
- Mask - We can fit you for a mask - nothing worse than one that leaks!
- Snorkel - Talk through all of the various snorkels - advantages / disadvantages
- Integrated Full Face system - maybe you want a Full mask system, where you can now breath out of both your mouth and nose AND no fogging.
- Safety Vests
- Practise
- Protective Items - Wetsuits - Rash Vests - Leggings
- Fins - Open Heel or Closed Heel
- Beach Shoes
- Wet Boots
Nottingham Scuba Diving Facility
The training facility at our Nottingham location features a purpose-built pool that is 4 meters deep and 10 meters in diameter, providing an exceptional environment for scuba diving training. The pool boasts fantastic visibility and maintains a constant temperature of around 29 degrees, ensuring optimal comfort for all divers.
A 1.6-meter training platform extends over 50% of the pool's bottom surface, offering ample space for practicing various diving skills. The pool's unique design, with a bottom depth of 4 meters, allows divers to swim in a 30-meter circular path, simulating open water conditions. This facility also includes a gas filling station, a classroom, and an equipment showroom, making it a comprehensive training center for divers of all levels.
Oakham Swimming Pool
The 25m heated swimming pool at Oakham School's Leisure Centre is perfect for scuba diver training and kids' diving courses. This state-of-the-art facility provides laned sections for focused training and a comfortable, warm environment, ensuring an ideal learning experience for divers of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're refining your technique or introducing children to the wonders of diving, our pool offers the perfect setting.
Our pool session(s) are on Saturday evenings from 18:00 - 20:00, with a meet at the Dive Centre prior (this time will be confirmed when you book). The time at the Dive Centre is spent on various activities depending on which course you are undertaking but for all first session this will involve introducing you to your instructor, the dive equipment you will be using in the pool, a safety briefing and the evenings activities. During non term time then we have a pool session available on a Thursday from 19:00 - 21:00.
First Aid Words
First Aid Words
Our team of highly experienced instructors will be on hand to guide you through every step of the way
