Links: Vance's Diving Portal | Homepage: http://www.vancestevens.com
UAE and Oman Dive Sites | Vance's logbook | UAE and Oman Diving Directory | Courses | FrogLegsScubaClub

This was originally a tentative plan for training of Gasco staff, 10 divers in 2 groups of 5 at a cost of 1400 dirhams per diver payable to Abu Dhabi Health and Fitness Club. It includes all equipment, boat, use of pool, book in English, certification card, services of instructor.

Since this proposal was made, there have been a few adjustments to current practices and pricing.

• To avoid adverse affects on my normal job, I can meet divers in the pool only one evening a week, or in the ocean on only one day of the weekend.
• I have decided to limit number of students in training to no more than six at any one time (that is, I can have only six o/w trainees in one weekly pool session or on one boat trip)
• The pricing has changed as of August 2004 to 1600 dirhams for ADHFC club members and 1750 dirhams for non-members.

I have repurposed this as a generic boiler-plate in order to speedily respond to other such requests in the future. Dates are therefore given here as examples and subject to modification according to the above considerations and needs of client.

The course consists of 5 academic lessons, 5 pool training sessions, and 4 ocean dives. Academic training must start by Monday May 24 at latest. Completion date should be by Thu/Fri June 24/25 assuming students meet requirements per the schedule specified below. The Instructor is on annual leave starting June 23.

Before training can commence each student has to fill out a set of forms. The most important of these are liability release and medical certificate. The medical form asks a series of questions relating to fitness of the prospective trainee. All 'no' answers require only that the student sign the form. Any 'yes' answer requires the student to see a doctor. The doctor then has to countersign the form. The instructor must have all forms in hand (completed and signed by participants/doctors as necessary) before pool training can begin.

Due to size of group the instructor will have to take them for pool and ocean work in groups of 5. The groups can arrange themselves as they like throughout the course (they don't have to be the same people in each of the groups) but only 5 at a time should accompany the instructor in water.

Academic sessions would be for all ten divers at one time. Prior to any academic session, EACH dive trainee MUST watch the DVD available at the ADHFC. This activity does not involve the instructor. Trainees are responsible for doing it on their own. Watching the DVD is a requirement of the course. Students not watching the DVD IN ADVANCE of any academic session will be sent off to watch it. They cannot attend the academic lesson for that session (this may affect that trainees ability to complete the course by scheduled completion date, see next paragraph). The ADHFC is responsible for seeing that the DVD is available for loan WITHIN CLUB PREMISES ONLY at all times during normal hours of operation of the club. The DVD is not available for loan outside the ADHFC. Trainees must come to the Club at their convenience between academic training sessions to watch it.

It must be understood that any trainee having to miss a lesson or not preparing for it by watching the required DVD, or failing to complete the required reading and written assignments, may have to postpone completion of course at his and the instructor's convenience.

Local ocean dive spots will be used as noted below. These are weather dependent. In case of bad weather, diving is done at Bateen Breakwater in Abu Dhabi to shelter from the weather.

Schedule

Each Monday evening at ADHFC, academic sessions would be for all ten divers, then 5 trainees in the pool following that session. Tuesdays I would meet the other 5 trainees for pool session only.

Notes

• According to PADI rules, students can dive one ocean dive after their first academic/pool session and again after 3rd. Then they can complete their last two dives after 5th pool session.
• URLs:
  • Padi Open Water course description: http://www.vancestevens.com/ow_info1.html
  • My dive schedule is here: http://www.vancestevens.com/scuba_plan.htm
  • above includes a description of costs etc diving at ADHFC: http://www.vancestevens.com/scuba_plan.htm#faqs
  • Dive sites for students are essentially Breakwater, Ras Gurab, Old Cement Barge, and Delta Buoy: http://www.vancestevens.com/divelogs/divesites.htm#auh

Vance Stevens PADI OWSI 64181

(C)opyright 2004 Vance Stevens