Basic
Scuba Diver Upgrade Course
+ Coaching and on-going support from an experienced, passionate and professional PADI Instructor
+ Equipment Orientation (refresher)
+ 2 hours (minimum) Knowledge Review (held at the NHDC Classroom)
+ 4 hours (minimum) Skills Review & Development (confined water)
+ 2 hours Drysuit orientation (pool based)
+ FREE rental of all required equipment (including, but not limited to: cylinders & air fills, drysuit & undersuit, specialist equipment)
+ Access to and instruction on the use of dive computers throughout your course
+ PADI Certification
+ 2 Open Water Dives
+ Fixed pool schedule
+ Fixed open water schedule
Total Dives: 2
£325
per person
Standard
Scuba Diver Upgrade Course
+ Coaching and on-going support from an experienced, passionate and professional PADI Instructor
+ Equipment Orientation (refresher)
+ 2 hours (minimum) Knowledge Review (held at the NHDC Classroom)
+ 4 hours (minimum) Skills Review & Development (confined water)
+ 2 hours Drysuit orientation (pool based)
+ FREE rental of all required equipment (including, but not limited to: cylinders & air fills, drysuit & undersuit, specialist equipment)
+ Access to and instruction on the use of dive computers throughout your course
+ PADI Certification
+ 2 Open Water Dives
+ Flexible pool schedule (subject to availability)
+ Fixed open water schedule
PLUS
* Drysuit Specialty Upgrade
Total Dives: 3
£429
per person
Deluxe
Scuba Diver Upgrade Course
+ Coaching and on-going support from an experienced, passionate and professional PADI Instructor
+ Equipment Orientation (refresher)
+ 2 hours (minimum) Knowledge Review (held at the NHDC Classroom)
+ 4 hours (minimum) Skills Review & Development (confined water)
+ 2 hours Drysuit orientation (pool based)
+ FREE rental of all required equipment (including, but not limited to: cylinders & air fills, drysuit & undersuit, specialist equipment)
+ Access to and instruction on the use of dive computers throughout your course
+ PADI Certification
+ 2 Open Water Dives
+ Flexible pool schedule (subject to availability)
+ Fixed open water schedule
PLUS
* Drysuit Specialty Upgrade
* TUSA Duo fins
* TUSA Imprex Hyperdry Snorkel
* TUSA Geminus Mask
Total Dives: 3
£529
per person
Tailor Made Options
Looking for a fully bespoke schedule? Would you prefer 1:1 attention? Want us to come to your facilities?
All of this and more is possible with our Tailor Made course options.
Talk to the NHDC team about what we can do to help make your dream become your reality!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose NHDC?
The NHDC Team
During the Scuba Diver Upgrade Course you will add to the skills making the basis of your future diving adventures. Learn from the best, most experienced and passionate instructors in the region and continue your journey in the right way. We are committed to developing divers with outstanding skills and who share our attitude towards safe, fun and environmentally sensitive scuba diving.
NHDC & The PADI Scuba Diver Upgrade Course
-
Protect What You Love
- We focus on buoyancy and trim a lot in our courses – way beyond the requirements. This fundamental skill takes time to master, but by the time you’re ready to dive at our open water dive sites, you will be a buoyancy expert!
- You will be confident, competent and safe while also protecting the environment any time you dive.
-
Our Community
- We are family friendly and specialise in children’s courses. We’ve got equipment specifically for youngsters to keep them comfortable and warm.
- We are passionate that Scuba Diving is a sport for everyone and anyone! We use ‘adaptive teaching’ methods for all our divers. Our course structure means you’ll have the time, space and confidence to relax and enjoy becoming a qualified diver.
- We’re a small and friendly team who will strive to help make you feel welcome as soon as you get in touch or step through the door.
- We are the only Dive Centre in the north of the UK to been trained in ‘adaptive teaching’ by Deptherapy, a unique and special charity we’re proud to support. We’re proud to boast of being able to apply these skills on all of our courses.
-
Let’s Go Diving
- We help divers achieve their goals; we’ll adapt our methods so you don’t have to!
- We value all our customers and strive to give each one the best customer service you’ve ever experienced
- Once qualified, you’ll be able to join us on all our dives and social events.
We’re A PADI 5* IDC Dive Centre
We are subject to PADI’s quality assurance program. This is a globally acclaimed and fully integrated approach to ensure PADI standards are maintained throughout all elements of all courses. You can rest assured that we go above and beyond the requirements of PADI.
As a 5* IDC centre, we’re able to develop the next generation of instructors and ensure our methods are at the very pinnacle of excellence!
What Will I Do?
Knowledge Development
As part of your PADI Scuba Diver Course, you’ll have completed some Knowledge Development. You’ll add to this knowledge using your course materials from the PADI Scuba Diver course, before completing the PADI Open Water Diver course exam.
This will be reviewed during a classroom session before your first pool based Skills Practice & Development session.
Skills Practice & Development
Also known as ‘Confined Water’ sessions, you’ll practice previously learnt skills as a refresher before going on to master a range of new oness that will allow you to dive confidently and safely anywhere in the world. Our Skills Practice sessions will take place at local leisure centres on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.
You will enjoy a minimum of 4 hours in the pool, reviewing your PADI Scuba Diver skills before practising a new set of skills. You’ll then be ready to complete a pool based drysuit orientation session. You’ll develop a new set of specialist skills ready to progress to the Open Water dive site.
Open Water Dives
Over the course of a day, usually at a weekend, you’ll complete two open water dives. ! If you’re completing the Standard or Deluxe course options, you’ll complete an additonal dive to gain the Drysuit Specialty certification too. Which ever option you choose, you’ll soon be recognised worldwide as able to dive anywhere and at any time
Can I Learn to Dive?
Course Pre-Requisites
There aren’t very many pre-requisites; almost anyone can sign up to upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver!
- Min Age: 10 years old
- Medically Fit: Complete this Medical Statement and have a GP countersign it if required.
- Ability: PADI Scuba Diver (or Junior Scuba Diver) certified.
What Equipment Will I Use?
We’ll provide everything you need. We pride ourselves on ensuring there are no hidden costs.
Comfort is everything in Scuba Diving, just like in any other sport. We recommend you purchase your own fins, mask and snorkel to enhance your comfort from the very beginning of the adventure. These are included on the ‘Deluxe’ option at over 20% discount!
Masks are designed to fit a range of face shapes – one size does not fit all! For that reason, we do not offer discounts on specific models, rather the whole TUSA mask range available. Some models can even be fitted with prescription lenses, adding to the feeling of confidence and comfort in the underwater world.
When Can I Learn to Dive?
We offer a range of schedules, totalling a minimum of 4 hours of ‘confined water’ training plus another 2 hours drysuit orientation before heading to the open water dive site for a day of fun and adventure.
Each pool session lasts up to 4 hours (with up to 3 hours ‘in water’) and take place on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon at Macclesfield or Congleton Leisure Centres.
Knowledge Development can be completed at your own pace but will be reviewed with the NHDC team at our Dive Centre before your first pool based confined water session.
Open Water dives are completed over a day, usually at a weekend, with weekends arranged each month.
New Horizons aims to be flexible with arranging courses to suit your schedule so if the scheduled dates are not convenient please give us a call to discuss suitable alternatives and develop a Tailor Made Package, just for you!
How Can I Reserve My Place?
Let us know you want to join us! Simply send us a Course Booking Form and completed Medical Statement. Once we’ve received your deposit we’ll issue your course materials, so you can get started straight away!
Get in touch for our bank account details or to make payment over the phone.
Your place will be confirmed on receipt of the Course Medical Statement (Countersigned by a GP if required). Please note, we will not be able to start any in water activities without one!