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Commercial Diving Course Requirements

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What you need before you begin commercial diver training

All Diver Training Course Requirements:

All candidates wishing to undertake diver training must comply with the following course entry criteria:

  • Attained the age of 18 yrs.
  • Pass a medical examination conducted by a designated DOL diving medical practitioner. This certificate must be obtained before training commences.  This can be arranged on the first day.
  • Be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, decimals and fractions, calculate percentages and transpose and solve simple formulae, e.g. gas laws.
  • Be able to understand and make written and verbal communications and communicate easily with others in English. This is particularly important where learner divers are of different nationalities.
  • Pass a watermanship evaluation (Table 3), prior to commencement of the course. This evaluation is a practical test of the candidate’s basic watermanship ability. This shows the evaluator if the candidate is comfortable in the marine/aquatic environment.
  • Be willing and able to work as part of a team.
  • Highly recommended (but not required) to have completed a sport scuba course and have a minimum of 10 scuba dives.
  • Specific courses also have specific prerequisites – please check the course page.

Required Watermanship Evaluation 

The evaluation is to be conducted in confined water of at least 2, 5 m deep.

1. 25m underwater swim from a standing start
2. 300m free style in under 10 minutes
3. 100m back stroke
4. 50m swim with 5% of body mass on weight belt
5. 60 seconds treading water with hands on head
6. Recover an object from a depth of at least 2.5 metres on pool bottom
7. 20 seconds breath hold on the pool floor

Alternatively – substitute items 4 and 5 with “Drown proof for 15min” (stay afloat without touching the sides of the pool).

Things to bring when attending diving courses

Many items of equipment can be purchased in Durban. Please enquire when booking.

You will need the following when attending one of the diver courses. For the divers flying in – “weights” can be arranged and some of the heavier items bought in Durban on arrival.

  • 1 x carry Bag for towel and dive equipment.
  • 1 x Pair of safety shoes or work boots.
  • 1 x pocket knife for surface use.
  • 1 x Hat for sun or you can buy a school sun hat with PDC logo.
  • 2 x Towels.
  • Clothes including short pants and T-Shirts as well as something warm.
  • Swimming costume and towel.
  • 1 x Wet suit to cover whole body 5mm or 7mm (ie. not shorty).
  • 1 x Open heel fins.
  • 1 x Pair booties hard sole.
  • 1 x Half mask and snorkel.

The above equipment can be hired for the course duration at R5500-00 non refundable or you can bring
or buy your own.  You can buy this during the first week of training.

  • 10 x ID photos or Passport size.
  • 2 x certified copies of ID or Passport – these can be certified at the dive school.
  • 2 x certified copies of valid and in date diving medical certificate issued by a DOL approved Diving Doctor.