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Course Policies

Course Policies – Scuba Academy Ltd

Last updated: 03/12/2025

These Course Policies apply to all scuba diving activities delivered by Scuba Academy Ltd, including adult courses, youth programmes, pool sessions, eLearning, and open-water dives. They sit alongside our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and the required PADI documentation.

By booking or attending any training session, you agree to these policies.

1. Required Documentation (Adults & Children)

Scuba diving requires specific PADI forms to be completed for safety and compliance. These may be completed in either digital or paper format depending on the programme and instructor guidance. All documents must be completed before any in-water activity.

1.1 Entry-Level Adult Programmes

Includes Discover Scuba Diving, ReActivate, Scuba Refresher, and Open Water Diver.

The following documents are required:

  • PADI Diver Medical – Participant Questionnaire

  • PADI Standard Safe Diving Practices Statement

  • PADI Statement of Risk & Liability / Non-Agency Acknowledgment (EU Version)

1.2 Continuing Education (Qualified Divers)

For Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Specialties, Divemaster and other certified-diver training:

  • Continuing Education Administrative Document (EU Version)

  • Updated Diver Medical, if required

  • Any specialty-specific addendum where relevant

1.3 Youth Programmes (Under 18)

Different youth programmes require specific PADI forms depending on the child’s age.

A) Bubblemaker (ages 8–9)

  • Bubblemaker Statement (includes medical and risk sections)

  • Diver Medical if medical clearance is required

B) PADI Seal Team (ages 8–9)

  • PADI Seal Team Statement (EU Version 2025)

  • Youth Diving Responsibility & Risks Acknowledgment

  • Child must review and understand the Youth Responsibility & Risks Flipchart

C) All Youth Training (ages 8–14)

  • Parent or guardian must provide consent

  • Parent must ensure the child is physically and emotionally ready

  • Youth Risk Acknowledgment is mandatory

  • Adult supervision is required unless agreed otherwise

1.4 Digital or Paper Forms

Forms may be completed digitally, on paper, or as a hybrid, depending on course type and instructor preference.

1.5 Accuracy and Honesty

All documentation must be completed truthfully and updated if your medical status or personal information changes. Failure to disclose relevant information may result in removal from training without refund.

2. Medical Fitness to Dive

All divers must complete the PADI Diver Medical truthfully.

If medical referral is required, a physician-signed clearance must be provided before training.

You must notify us immediately if your health changes after submitting your medical form.

Divers must not dive if experiencing illness, sinus/ear issues, cold or flu symptoms, fever, or anything that could affect safety.

3. Safe Diving Practices

All divers must follow the safe diving practices outlined in the PADI Standard Safe Diving Practices Statement, including:

  • Diving within training limits

  • Following instructor briefings

  • Using the buddy system

  • Monitoring depth, time and air

  • Maintaining proper buoyancy

  • Ascending slowly and safely

  • Maintaining physical readiness and hydration

Failure to follow safe practices may result in removal from training.

4. Instructor Authority

For safety and quality of training, the instructor’s decision is final.

We may pause, modify or stop a session if safety is affected.
We may refuse training if paperwork, medical readiness, behaviour, or skill performance is inadequate.

No refunds are issued if you are removed due to safety concerns.

5. Behaviour and Conduct

We maintain a respectful and safe environment. We expect:

  • Respectful behaviour towards staff and other students

  • Following all safety instructions

  • No harassment, aggression or disruptive conduct

Unsafe or inappropriate behaviour may result in removal without refund.

6. Attendance, Punctuality and No-Shows

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your session.

Late arrivals may lose time or be unable to join the session if skills have already been completed.

No-shows and abandoned sessions are non-refundable.

7. Rescheduling and Cancellation

7.1 Rescheduling

  • More than 7 days: free

  • 48–72 hours: £25 admin fee

  • Less than 48 hours: session lost

7.2 Cancellations

  • More than 14 days: refund minus £25 admin fee

  • 7–14 days: 50% refund

  • Less than 7 days: no refund

7.3 Cancellation by Scuba Academy

We may reschedule or cancel training for reasons such as safety, pool issues, instructor illness or operational requirements.

You may choose a new date or a refund. No additional compensation is offered.

8. Equipment Use and Responsibility

We provide equipment maintained to professional standards.

You must use equipment responsibly and report any issues immediately.

Damage due to misuse or negligence may incur repair or replacement costs.

You may use your own equipment if it is appropriate and deemed safe by the instructor.

9. Pool Rules

  • Follow all instructor instructions

  • No running on poolside

  • No unsupervised entry into the water

  • No food or glass containers on poolside

  • Keep equipment tidy and out of walkways

  • No photography in changing rooms

  • Underwater photography requires instructor approval

10. eLearning and Course Materials

  • eLearning codes are non-refundable and non-transferable

  • eLearning must be completed before pool or open-water dives

  • Additional sessions required due to unpreparedness will incur training fees

11. Under-18 Requirements

  • A parent or guardian must sign all forms

  • A responsible adult must remain on site unless otherwise agreed

  • We may refuse participation if supervision or behaviour is unsafe

12. Open Water Training and Environmental Conditions

Open water sessions may be rescheduled due to weather, visibility, safety concerns or environmental issues.

Students must follow all rules at lakes, dive sites or coastal training locations.

Students are responsible for travel, parking, food and appropriate clothing.

13. Certification Conditions

Certification is earned through performance, not purchased.
To achieve certification, you must:

  • Complete all knowledge development

  • Pass required quizzes and exams

  • Complete all pool sessions to standard

  • Complete all open water dives to standard

  • Demonstrate safe and independent diving ability

  • Follow safe diving practices

  • Be medically fit on the day of diving

14. Photography and Media

You may opt out of promotional photography at any time.

Photography is not permitted in changing areas.
Underwater or training-related photography requires instructor approval.

15. Liability, Risk and Acknowledgment

Scuba diving involves inherent risks that cannot be fully eliminated, even with proper training and supervision. These risks are explained in the mandatory PADI forms which all students must sign.

16. Contact Details

Scuba Academy Ltd
Unit 17 Red Lion Business Park
Red Lion Road
Surbiton
KT6 7QD
United Kingdom

Email: dive@scubaacademy.co.uk
Business enquiries: office@scubaacademy.co.uk
Telephone: 07943 401 886