What makes out equipment work?

What makes out equipment work?

Throughout history we have defined many time periods by the main materials used by the people. This is true for the Stone, Bronze and Iron ages which refer to two of the earliest periods in human history. Is is safe to say that if we this period were to be defined by the main material used, we would be living in the Polymer age. Polymers are macro-molecules which are made from long chains of individual monomer units.  There are both natural and synthetic polymers. We are able to synthesis polymers through various methods,  in order to make items that we use in every day life, for instance, the plastic products that we find all around us.

Our area of work being mainly in cold, flowing water, the polymers that are found in the equipment we used are specially designed to aid us in these extreme environments. An example of a polymer used in our equipment is neoprene or polychloroprene, which is produced by free radical polymerization of chloroprene. The plastic is then foamed with nitrogen gas in order to increase the insulation of a wet-suit via the addition of a layer of tiny enclosed and separated gas bubbles.  Neoprene is able to maintain its flexibility over a variety of temperatures which makes it perfect for use in a cold environment. However, it is susceptible to pressure changes due to the gas bubbled that are added for insulation, making it thinner at higher depths.

These traits are useful when diving as the insulation provided from the enclosed gas bubbles, allowed us to go to greater depths, while still staying relatively warm. The flexibility provided by the neoprene also aids us when using the equipment at greater depths due the the increased manoeuvrability.

We use a full range of Neoprene products whilst training our PADI Open Water Diver Training courses in Cardiff, Swansea and accross South Wales, on the Open Water Diver course at this time of year we wear hoods, gloves, boots as well as wet suits, so the function of neoprene is highly important to our Divers for their warmth and protection.

SSI Certifications & Courses

SSI Try Scuba

Feel what it's like to breath underwater, go scuba diving in confined water and earn the SSI Try Scuba recognition card. 

Conducted in our swimming pool, the SSI Try Scuba program is a diving adventure the whole family can enjoy.
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SSI Open Water Diver

The SSI Open Water Diver certification will allow you to dive anywhere in the world, with whoever you want. 

This globally recognised certification is your first step in your scuba diving journey. Explore the hidden underwater world!
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SSI Advanced Adventurer

After you've completed the SSI Open Water Diver certification, this is the next step. With the SSI Advanced Adventurer, you'll learn to extend your dive times, reduce your air consumption and dive deeper.  
You'll start to become a confident and safe diver whose comfortable underwater.
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SSI Specialties

Continue you diving adventure by improving specific skills or learning a completely new specialty. Diver deeper, perfect your buoyancy, take great photos, understand the tides or learn to deal with stress and rescue situations. 

There's 18 specialties to choose from.
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SSI Dive Guide

Do you dream of having a career in diving? 

The SSI Dive Guide course will teach you to lead other certified divers underwater, giving you the skills and experience to ensure others can enjoy your passion safely.
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PADI Certifications & Courses

PADI Discover Scuba

A fun introduction into what it takes to breathe underwater and explore this hidden world. 

Although it’s not a certification you’ll learn the key skills and what it takes to become a PADI certified diver.
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PADI Open Water Diver

Your Scuba Diving journey starts here. Start with supported theory and study programme, move to the pool to practice your skills and then experience four open water dives. 

You’ll then be certified to dive throughout the world with PADI®
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PADI Advanced Open Water

This course is the next step after you have completed the PADI Open Water Diver certification. 

The course called the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver because you will advance your scuba diving knowledge and skills.
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PADI Rescue Diver

You will learn to prevent and manage problems in the water and on the surface and become more confident in your skills as a diver. 

You will become a better, safer diver and a better buddy too. It’s challenging but rewarding.
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PADI Divemaster

Your first step of professional PADI training. You will be a leader who motivates and mentors other scuba divers. 

You’ll gain dive knowledge, diving skills and supervision abilities, allowing you a career doing what you love.
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PADI Specialties

Improve specific skills or learn a completely new skill with a PADI Speciality course. 

Dive deeper, take better photos, explore wreck the choices are endless and yours.
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