Frequently Asked Questions

Why join Potteries Divers?
We are a friendly and active club offering diving and social events for young and old alike.  We count school pupils, students, workers and retirees amongst our members, and have a good mix of male and female members too.

In joining Potteries Divers you would also be joining the BSAC family, a worldwide group of people who share a real passion for scuba diving.   This means, therefore, that you are also joining the UK’s leading dive club and the sport’s National Governing Body, founded over sixty years ago but always at the forefront of diver training and safety developments.  Additionally, through BSAC, you will be accessing internationally-recognised diver training and development programmes via our free club instruction.   More information on BSAC can be found on their own website.

How old do I have to be to start diving?
Scuba diving is an adventure open to anyone aged 12 or over, though we ask that the parents of our younger members also join the club and accompany the child on club trips.    Children younger than 12 can join as snorkelling members.

How much does it cost?
Annual membership fees for adult members are £130 plus £57.50 BSAC Membership.   For new members who are learning to dive there is an additional cost of £40 which covers your training pack.   Prices for qualified divers wishing to join us are the standard club and BSAC fees together with the cost of any training materials required for additional training requirements should a crossover course be necessary; this is likely to be in the region of £40 too.

What do I need?
A towel, your swimming costume and a t-shirt are all that you initially need.   We will provide all necessary equipment for Ocean Diver training with the exception of a dry-suit which you will need for open water training; this can be borrowed, hired or purchased, and your instructor can advise on this.   Once you have qualified, we encourage you to buy your own kit to suit your personal needs.

Can I dive abroad?
BSAC qualifications are recognised and accepted internationally as an indication of high standards and diver competence.   So yes, you can dive abroad.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No, but confidence in the water does help.   The scuba diving equipment is designed to provide buoyancy while on the surface and your training will teach you how to use it whilst diving.

Where do you dive?
Open water training takes place generally in the early and later parts of the year in UK quarries such as Capernwray in Cumbria, Eccleston Delph in Lancashire, and Stoney Cove in Leicestershire.   During the summer months we dive at various locations around the UK coastline such as Anglesey, Newquay, Plymouth, Scapa Flow, Selsey, St Abbs, The Farne Islands and Weymouth.   Additionally, an international dive is organised each year for club members; recent trips have been to Egypt, the Maldives, and Norway.