All bookings, payments, and contractual agreements are made with Diving Academy Group Ltd. These Terms & Conditions apply equally to Diving Academy Group Ltd and its sister companies: Diving Academy (Swindon), Diving Academy (Reading), and Diving Academy (Colchester).

These terms outline the responsibilities of both students and Diving Academy, covering important areas such as fitness to dive, payments, rescheduling, cancellations, equipment use, health and safety, and data protection.

Please read them carefully before making a booking.

All bookings, payments, and contractual agreements are made with Diving Academy Group Ltd.

Section 1 – Medical declarations

• All students participating in Experiences, Courses, Fun Dives, Trips, and Pool Splashes must complete all mandatory course documentation no later than 14 days prior to the start of the activity.
• Medical Declarations must be completed honestly and in accordance with the official Medical Statement. Any known or suspected medical conditions must be declared to Diving Academy prior to any in-water training.
  • If a student answers “YES” to any medical question, they are required to obtain a signed medical clearance from a qualified doctor confirming fitness to dive. This clearance must be provided on the official Medical Statement form and must correspond to the original declaration.
• Diving Academy cannot provide medical advice, comment on medical conditions, or amend Medical Statements. Only a qualified doctor may issue clearance.
• Any undeclared conditions or failure to provide clearance when required will result in immediate suspension from in-water activities until clearance is received.
• If a medical condition prevents participation and written confirmation is provided by a doctor at least 4 weeks prior to the start date, Diving Academy may, at the discretion of the directors, issue a credit (excluding course materials and equipment purchases) towards a future course.
• No credits will be issued for medical cancellations received within 4 weeks of the start date.
• If an activity is rescheduled due to illness, a valid GP medical certificate must be provided within 7 days of the original activity date. Failure to provide this will result in the applicable rescheduling fee being charged.

Section 2 – Fees and Payment

• Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Experiences, Courses, Fun Dives, Trips, and Pool Splashes.
• Bookings are not confirmed until payment has been received.
• Payments are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase (except Discover Scuba Diving sessions, which are valid for 3 months).
• All payments are non-refundable.
• At Diving Academy’s discretion, unused payments may be held as credit for recreational scuba courses or activities, either for the original student or a nominated substitute.
• Course materials (manuals, eLearning codes, etc.) are non-refundable once issued.

Section 3 – Rescheduling fees

• Rescheduling after a session has started is treated as a No Show (see Section 4).
• Rescheduling fees must be paid in full before a new date is confirmed.
• If a student reschedules within the notice periods below, the following fees apply:

Section 4 – Cancellations and No Shows

• Cancellations are not permitted. All bookings are final.
• Where illness prevents participation and a doctor’s confirmation is provided at least 4 weeks prior to the start date, Diving Academy may, at the directors’ discretion, issue a credit (excluding course materials and equipment purchases).
• Within 4 weeks of the activity start date, standard rescheduling fees (see Section 3) apply.
• No Shows: Failure to attend without notice will result in full forfeiture of all fees paid.

Section 5 – Activity requirements

All pre-study, eLearning, and required forms must be completed and submitted no later than 14 days before the activity.

• Students must bring all required course materials, knowledge reviews, and exam records.
• Students must arrive on time. Late arrivals will not be admitted, and rescheduling fees will apply.
• All sessions must be completed within 90 days of booking, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Section 6 – Equipment

• Recreational activity fees include basic equipment hire unless otherwise specified.
• Students are responsible for returning loaned equipment in the same condition (clean, dry, and undamaged).
• Lost, damaged, or late-returned equipment will be charged at full replacement value plus £100 per day late fee.
• Students providing their own equipment must ensure it is fully serviced and compliant with manufacturer guidelines.

Section 7 –  Transport

• Diving Academy does not provide transport to dive sites.
• Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements.
• Diving Academy and its employees accept no liability for accidents, injury, or loss incurred during travel.

Section 8  – Health & Safety and Fitness to Dive

Scuba diving is a high-risk activity and all training and diving will be conducted in line with the:

Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Diving at Work Regulations 1997

PADI Standards.

HSE Diving at Work Regulations: HSE L105 Guidance.

Diving Academy reserves the right to cancel or amend sessions if conditions are unsafe or standards cannot be met. Our professional team will not be pressured, bullied, or bribed into conducting unsafe activities.

• Students must accept responsibility for their own safety and comply fully with all instructor directions and dive centre policies.
• All Experiences, Courses, Fun Dives, Trips, and Pool Splashes require a level of personal fitness consistent with the demands of the activity. It is the responsibility of every student to ensure they are medically and physically fit to dive and to perform a self-assessment prior to attending each session.
• Students should be able to swim, maintain comfort in water, and meet the minimum standards set by PADI and the HSE Diving at Work Act. Where required, students must obtain a medical assessment from a doctor experienced in diving medicine to confirm fitness to dive.
• Diving Academy reserves the right,at the discretion of the directors, to refuse training or participation to any student deemed medically unfit or physically unable to meet safety requirements.
• All training and diving will be conducted in line with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Diving at Work Regulations 1997 and PADI Standards.
• Diving Academy may cancel or amend sessions if conditions are unsafe or standards cannot be met.
• Students must comply fully with all instructor directions and dive centre policies.
• Students must ensure they are medically and physically fit to dive and should be able to swim, maintain comfort in water, and meet minimum standards set by PADI and the HSE Diving at Work Act.
• Where required, students must obtain medical assessment from a doctor experienced in diving medicine.
• Diving Academy reserves the right to refuse training or participation where safety or fitness standards are not met.

Section 9 – Zero Tolerance

Diving Academy operates a Zero Tolerance Policy against abusive, aggressive, discriminatory, or unsafe behaviour towards staff, instructors, or other students.  Breach of this policy will result in immediate removal from the activity without refund.

Section 10 – Data Protection and Privacy (GDPR compliant)

• Diving Academy complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Student records are retained for 7 years in line with PADI EMEA and insurance requirements.
• Personal data will only be collected and processed for the purpose of training, certification, and compliance with legal or safety obligations.
• Data will not be shared with third parties except where required for certification agencies, insurance, or legal compliance.
• Credit/debit card details are not stored.
• Students have the right to access, rectify, or request deletion of their personal data (subject to legal obligations).
• See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Section 11 – Gift Vouchers and Credit Notes

• Valid for 12 months unless otherwise stated.
• Extensions may be granted once only, with a £50 administration fee plus any applicable price increases.
• Vouchers are not redeemable for cash and may only be applied against specified services.

Reviewed and updated  01 January  2025 – Price Change