Try Scuba Diving
- All Core Scuba Equipment
- All Course Materials and Certification
- Services of your Highly Trained and Professional Instructor and Support Team
Try Scuba Diving – Your First Underwater Experience
Curious about scuba diving? Start here.
Try Scuba Diving is a safe, fun, beginner-friendly pool session where you can experience breathing underwater for the first time with professional instructors and all equipment included.
Experience Scuba Diving for the First Time
Breathing underwater is one of those experiences that is difficult to explain until you have tried it.
The first breath feels strange, exciting, calm, and completely different from anything you do on land. You are weightless. You move differently. The noise fades. And suddenly, a whole new world starts to feel possible.
Try Scuba Diving is designed for people who are curious about diving but are not ready to commit to a full course yet. You do not need any previous diving experience. You do not need your own equipment. You do not need to know what course you want to do afterwards.
You just need to be curious enough to try.
Quick Summary
What it is: A beginner-friendly scuba diving experience in a swimming pool.
Who it is for: Adults, families, and young people aged 10+ who want to try scuba diving for the first time.
What you do: Learn basic scuba skills, use real scuba equipment, and experience breathing underwater with professional supervision.
Where it takes place: Oakham School Pool, Kilburn Road, Oakham.
Best for: Anyone who wants a safe, low-pressure first step before deciding whether to continue into Open Water training.
The simple version
Try Scuba is the first step. Open Water Part A builds your foundations. Open Water Part B completes your certification.
Why Try Scuba Diving?
Most people are curious about scuba diving long before they are ready to book a full course.
You may be wondering whether you will enjoy it, whether you will feel comfortable underwater, whether the equipment will feel strange, or whether scuba is something you could actually learn properly.
That is exactly what Try Scuba is for.
It gives you a safe, supervised, low-pressure way to experience scuba diving before making a bigger commitment. You can discover what it feels like, ask questions, build confidence, and decide whether you want to take the next step.
Try Scuba helps you:
- Experience breathing underwater: Feel what scuba diving is really like in a safe pool environment.
- Build confidence: Take your time, relax, and get comfortable with an instructor beside you.
- Use real scuba equipment: Learn how the basic equipment feels and works.
- Reduce nerves: Try diving without the pressure of committing to a full certification course.
- Discover whether diving is for you: Leave with a much clearer idea of whether you want to continue.
No pressure. No experience needed.
This is not a test, and you are not expected to know anything before you arrive. The whole point is to help you try scuba safely, calmly, and with support.
Who Try Scuba Diving Is For
This session is for complete beginners and first-time divers.
This is usually right for you if:
- You have never tried scuba diving before.
- You are curious but not ready to book a full course yet.
- You want a safe first experience in a pool.
- You are nervous and want to build confidence slowly.
- You are considering learning to dive properly.
- You are looking for an unusual experience for yourself, a friend, or a family member.
- You want to see whether your child enjoys scuba before committing to training.
This may not be the right option if:
- You already know you want to become certified and are ready to start training.
- You have already completed a Try Scuba session and want the next step.
- You are looking for an Open Water Diver certification.
- You want to complete theory, pool training, and open water dives as part of a full course.
Already know you want to learn properly?
If you are ready to work towards certification, Open Water Part A may be the better next step. Try Scuba is ideal when you want to experience diving first before deciding.
What Happens During a Try Scuba Session?
Your Try Scuba session is designed to feel welcoming, clear, and beginner-friendly from the moment you arrive.
You will meet the Dive Rutland team, get fitted with scuba equipment, receive a simple safety briefing, and then enter the pool with professional instructors supervising you throughout the session.
During your session, you will:
- Meet your instructor team.
- Complete a friendly introduction and safety briefing.
- Get fitted with scuba equipment.
- Learn how to breathe using scuba gear.
- Practise simple beginner skills.
- Experience the feeling of being weightless underwater.
- Move at your own pace with full instructor support.
- Enjoy up to 2 hours underwater, with at least 1 hour guaranteed.
Typical Session Structure
| Stage | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Before Your Session | You complete the required SSI paperwork and medical questionnaire. | This helps make sure scuba diving is suitable for you before you get in the water. |
| Welcome and Briefing | You meet the team, learn what will happen, and receive a clear safety introduction. | Helps reduce nerves and makes the experience feel predictable. |
| Equipment Fitting | You are fitted with scuba equipment and shown how the basics work. | Helps you feel more comfortable before entering the water. |
| First Breaths Underwater | You practise breathing underwater in a controlled pool environment. | This is the moment most people remember. It is where scuba starts to feel real. |
| Underwater Experience | You practise simple skills, move around underwater, and enjoy the sensation of weightlessness. | Gives you a proper first taste of what scuba diving feels like. |
| Next Step Guidance | After the session, the team can explain how to continue if you enjoyed it. | Helps you understand the route into Open Water Part A and certification. |
Feeling nervous is normal
Many people feel nervous before their first scuba session. You will not be rushed. Your instructor will stay with you, explain everything clearly, and help you build confidence step by step.
What Will It Feel Like?
For most people, the first few minutes underwater feel unusual. That is completely normal.
You are breathing in a new way, wearing equipment, and discovering that you can relax underwater. After a short time, many people begin to calm down, slow their breathing, and enjoy the feeling of floating weightlessly.
That is one of the best parts of Try Scuba. You are not expected to master everything. You are simply giving yourself the chance to experience something new in a safe environment.
Most beginners leave saying things like:
- “That was much calmer than I expected.”
- “I cannot believe I was breathing underwater.”
- “I was nervous at first, but then I relaxed.”
- “I want to do that again.”
Your first breath underwater is the beginning
You do not need to know whether you want to become a diver yet. Try Scuba simply gives you the experience, so you can decide from there.
What You Need to Start
Try Scuba Diving is designed for beginners, but there are a few important requirements.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 10 years old. |
| Medical Questionnaire | You must complete the SSI medical questionnaire before taking part. |
| Water Comfort | You should be comfortable getting into a swimming pool and willing to try breathing underwater. |
| Previous Experience | No previous scuba diving experience is needed. |
| Under 16s | A parent or guardian should attend where required. |
If you have any medical concerns, please check before booking. Some medical answers may require approval before you can take part.
What's Included?
Your Try Scuba session includes the equipment, instruction, and support needed for your first underwater experience.
| Included | What This Means |
|---|---|
| Professional instruction | You are supervised by Dive Rutland’s instructor team throughout the session. |
| Scuba equipment | The main scuba equipment needed for the session is provided. |
| Safety briefing | You receive a clear, beginner-friendly introduction before entering the water. |
| Pool-based scuba experience | You experience breathing underwater and practising simple scuba skills in a controlled pool environment. |
| Up to 2 hours underwater | Your session includes up to 2 hours of underwater experience, with at least 1 hour guaranteed. |
| Next-step guidance | If you enjoy the session, the team can explain how to continue into Open Water training. |
What to Bring
- Swimwear, such as a swimming costume or shorts.
- A towel.
- A wetsuit if you prefer to wear your own, although this is optional for most pool sessions.
- A parent or guardian if required.
- A sense of adventure.
Where Does Try Scuba Take Place?
Meet at the Dive Centre for equipment fitting and briefing, with the fun pool session held at:-
Oakham School Pool
Kilburn Road
Oakham
The pool environment makes this an ideal first step. It is controlled, calm, warm compared with open water, and gives you the chance to focus on the experience without extra pressure.
Available dates are usually published on this page. If you are unsure which session is right for you, contact Dive Rutland before booking and the team will help.
Why Try Scuba with Dive Rutland?
Your first scuba experience matters.
If it feels rushed, confusing, or intimidating, it can put you off before you have had a fair chance to enjoy it. If it feels calm, safe, well-supported, and exciting, it can become the start of something much bigger.
Dive Rutland’s approach is built around helping beginners feel comfortable. You are guided by experienced professionals, supported throughout the session, and given space to enjoy your first underwater experience properly.
What makes the Dive Rutland approach different?
- Beginner-first instruction: The session is designed for people who have never dived before.
- Professional supervision: You are supported by qualified instructors throughout the experience.
- Calm pool environment: The session takes place in a controlled setting, ideal for first-time divers.
- Full equipment support: You are shown what to use, how it fits, and what to expect.
- No pressure to commit: You can simply try scuba and decide afterwards whether you want to continue.
- Clear progression: If you enjoy it, the next step into Open Water Part A is simple and easy to understand.
We do not just put you in scuba kit
We help you feel safe, supported, and confident enough to enjoy your first experience underwater.
What Happens After Try Scuba?
If you enjoy your Try Scuba session, the next natural step is Open Water Part A.
Part A is where you begin proper diver training. You complete your SSI digital learning, practise in the pool, learn essential diving skills, and build the confidence needed before moving into open water.
After that, Open Water Part B is where you complete your open water dives and become a certified diver.
The full beginner pathway is:
| Step | Stage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Try Scuba | Experience breathing underwater for the first time. |
| Step 2 | Open Water Part A | Build your theory, pool skills, comfort, and confidence. |
| Step 3 | Open Water Part B | Complete your open water dives and become certified. |
Enjoyed Try Scuba?
Your next step is Open Water Part A, where you start building the foundations to become a certified diver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any scuba experience?
No. Try Scuba is designed for complete beginners. You do not need previous diving experience or your own equipment.
How old do you need to be?
The minimum age is 10 years old.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
You should be comfortable in water and able to take part safely in a pool session. If you are unsure, contact Dive Rutland before booking.
Do I need a medical?
You need to complete the SSI medical questionnaire. Depending on your answers, medical approval may be required before you can take part.
Where does the session take place?
Sessions take place at Oakham School Pool, Kilburn Road, Oakham.
How long is the session?
The session includes up to 2 hours underwater, with a minimum of 1 hour guaranteed, plus briefing, equipment fitting, and preparation time.
Is all equipment included?
Yes, the main scuba equipment needed for the session is provided. You just need to bring swimwear and a towel.
Will I go deep?
No. Try Scuba takes place in a swimming pool and is designed to be safe, controlled, and beginner-friendly. You move at a pace that is appropriate for the session.
What if I feel nervous?
That is completely normal. Many people feel nervous before their first scuba experience. Your instructor will explain everything clearly, stay with you, and help you build confidence gradually.
Can children take part?
Yes, children aged 10+ can take part, subject to medical suitability and required parent or guardian involvement.
Is this a certification course?
No. Try Scuba is an experience session, not a full certification course. If you want to become a certified diver, the next step is Open Water Part A.
What is the next step after Try Scuba?
If you enjoy the session and want to continue, the next step is Open Water Part A. That is where you start proper diver training with theory, pool skills, and confidence-building before completing Open Water Part B.
Can I book this as a gift?
Yes, Try Scuba can be a great experience gift for someone who is curious about diving. Make sure the participant meets the age and medical requirements before booking.
What if I already know I want to learn to dive?
If you already know you want to become certified, you may prefer to start with Open Water Part A instead. Try Scuba is best for people who want to experience diving before committing to training.
Take Your First Breath Underwater
If you have always wondered what scuba diving feels like, this is the easiest way to find out.
You will be guided by professional instructors, supported from start to finish, and given the chance to experience something completely different in a safe pool environment.
You do not need to be ready for a full course. You do not need to know whether you want to become certified. You just need to be ready to try.
Ready to try scuba diving?
Book your Try Scuba session or contact Dive Rutland if you have questions before choosing a date. We will help you feel prepared before you arrive.
Prior to any Diver training course students need to complete a Mandatory Medical Questionaire.
Please ensure that you have read the Medical Statement and are sure that you will be able to commence any diver training PRIOR to paying as our Training Terms Conditions apply after payment has been made.
A doctor's confirmation of fitness to dive is required if you answer YES to any medical condition on the Medical Statement.
Please note that if you need a Physician signoff most of our local surgeries WILL NOT sign this form, we suggest you contact Midlands Dive Chamber 01788 579 555 in this instance.
You can check out the Medical Statement here:
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
First Aid
Our team of highly experienced instructors will be on hand to guide you through every step of the way
