Photo & Video

The Perfect Buoyancy specialty will teach you advanced buoyancy skills and techniques, so you can master your buoyancy more quickly and enjoy more relaxed dive adventures. In this program, you will also learn new skills that protect the environment and work in every diving situation, perfect as a winter course as this can be done in the pool, This is great course to take anytime but perfect for when you have purchased your own kit as during the sessions we can help you sort your weight & trim to get you ready to go. Having then gained better buoyancy skills, you will soon be able to hover with ease, take the underwater photographs you dream of, be everyone's dream buddy. We pride ourselves on small group training so there will never be any more than four on your course, so plenty of time to sort individual issues, Course costs include SSI theory & certification, two pool sessions, kit hire should you not have your own. 

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 32% oxygen.  Completing the eLearning without the practical session you will receive Enriched Air 32% certification, this can be done at your leisure with us available for any support you need & to review your exam questions with you. Because of this you can complete anytime, no need to fins a course date, just book & we will send the theory direct to your app. Or you can compete a practical session with us to gain the Enriched Air 40% certification. See our website for other course options & pricing. 

This globally recognised certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalised training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Scuba  Diver certification. Course costs include all kit hire, pool sessions, open water dives and final certification with SSI. This course also includes the SSI snorkel diver which you will complete rather than teaching just a few required snorkel skills we offer the whole course & is offered free of charge with this course . We specialise in small group courses, pool sessions will be no more than 4 students to one instructor & open water dives will be supported one to one with one of our dive pros along side your instructor so you can feel happy and confident to just enjoy your dives.

This globally recognised certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalised training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification. Course costs include all kit hire, pool sessions and final certification with SSI. This course also includes the SSI snorkel diver which you will complete rather than teaching just a few required snorkel skills we offer the whole course & is free of charge with this course . We specialise in small group courses, pool sessions will be no more than 4 students to one instructor & open water dives if you choose to continue to  complete your Open Water course with us (extra costs) will be supported one to one with one of our dive pros along side your instructor so you can feel happy and confident to just enjoy your dives.

Underwater photography has some challenges not found on land, but with the SSI Photo & Video specialty program, you will soon learn how to capture your amazing underwater experiences. This program provides the in-depth knowledge you need to dive with an underwater camera and properly use, maintain and store your equipment. You will develop your skills and learn techniques to take underwater images and video safely and easily, plus perfect your diving abilities while using your underwater camera system. This one is a special one , with the course being advised on, camera skills taught & your photography reviewed by the amazing multi award winner & photographer of the year 2024 Jenny Stock. We need 8 to cover our costs to provide this one off course so its not available to pay for on line as yet so please call us on 07800871700 to book one of the available slots.

The SSI Dry Suit Diving Specialty Program provides the skills and concepts required to safely and comfortably dive while using a dry suit. You will learn the special requirements for dry suit diving, how to use your new equipment, the benefits of a dry suit, and how to deal with emergency situations that are unique to dry suit diving.  Great dive experiences are not limited to tropical reefs or the warm and sunny summer months. With the proper exposure protection, you can make diving a year-round activity, and experience the amazing diversity of dive sites. Minimum Age 12, course costs include one pool orientation session, two Open Water dives, eLearning & final certification upon completion. You can start by studying the academics anytime, anywhere at your own convenience & schedule your in-water training sessions.   

Choosing and buying your dive equipment is one of the biggest and most important investments you will make as a diver, but it is easy to get it a bit wrong. We want you to choose the right dive kit for your needs and know how to look after it properly. With the right knowledge, you can get the most from your investment and enjoy safe and comfortable dives for years to come. The SSI Equipment Techniques specialty is the best way to learn how to choose and store your dive kit. Working with an experienced and trained SSI Professional, you will learn in-depth information about the components of your Total Diving System and develop a thorough understanding of your diving equipment & learn how to complete minor repairs.Course costs include eLearning & a practical session with one of our service engineers which gives the course so much more value and offers you great tips on keeping your kit in good working order and practical advice on simple repairs. You will also practice basic preventative dive equipment maintenance to ensure you get maximum performance and longevity from your Total Diving System. If you want to just complete the theory you can do this at your leisure by just purchasing the eLearning only course from our website, we will still be on had for any help or questions you may have. https://www.belowthesurface.co.uk/shop-courses-kit/ssi-courses

The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to try scuba diving for the first time. You will be in confined water and well looked after by your instructor, so you can enjoy those first unforgettable breaths underwater and experience the magic of scuba diving. At the end of this short course, you will have earned your SSI Try Scuba recognition card and we hope wish to continue your dive training. Offering endless scuba diving adventure, this is just where it all begins. From aged only 8 this is a great course for team building, kids parties, groups & always a  popular one for the scout, cubs & guides. 

This program expands on the knowledge and skills learned in the SSI Wreck Diver Specialty. You will learn the skills required to plan and execute a penetration dive on a wreck. This includes buoyancy control, emergency procedures and using specialised equipment to lay a single guideline in a wreck that has clearly visible entry points that allows access to the surface in an emergency. Prerequisites SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent. + SSI Wreck Diver Specialty or equivalent At least 24 logged dives min age 15

The SSI Diver Stress and Rescue specialty program really is one of the best qualifications you can gain, both in terms of  skills acquired & fun had & should be a must for all divers, teaching you the skills you need to protect yourself and others. You will learn how to identify stress, how to prevent accidents and be taught practical techniques to conduct rescues and provide emergency care. With a combination of pool and open water practice sessions, you will become well prepared and confident at handling emergency and rescue situations, increasing your confidence and your skill level and its great fun. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification. If you do not already have a valid first aid qualification this will also need to be completed prior to your open water days. We offer SSIs React Right course, the best course around as you can gain both your primary and secondary first aid but also your defibrillator training and oxygen administration and is obviously more diver relevant than a standard fist aid course. You will also need to purchase a pocket mask these can be bought in store in the dive centre or online. MIN AGE 12

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you all you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mixture of academic sessions and open water dives. You will learn to plan and safely complete your deep diving adventures and use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most from your deep dives. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for some advanced training, making it the next logical step to take in your dive education.

React Right is SSI’s emergency first response course and provides you with the training and knowledge you need to act as a first responder in a medical emergency. In this flexible dive program, you can choose which subjects you want to learn about, including primary assessment, first aid, CPR and primary stabilization techniques. You can also learn about oxygen administration in diving emergencies and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) basics. Using a combination of academic sessions and practical training scenarios, this program will give you the tools and confidence you need for emergency response. By the time you are certified, you will be able to act as an emergency first responder, provide first aid and CPR, administer oxygen and provide AED support in a medical emergency. refresh costs for this course only £75 call to book see website using link below to purchase Earn your SSI React Right specialty certification. Get started today!

The Assistant Instructor rating is the next step after becoming a Divemaster along the scuba instructor pathway. It allows you to collect valuable teaching experience, practice briefings, teach academics, and conduct in-water training. price shown is for the practical course sessions with us , there is an additional cost for the theory which includes your instructor theory, see details in website using link below. If you want to further your career as a dive professional, you can finish the Instructor Training Course, pass the Instructor Evaluation, and become an Open Water Diving Instructor.This cost covers you for the practical training with below the surface, this must be purchased prior to your start date, we separate the practical and theory costs so you can manage the cost easier.external link:https://www.belowthesurface.co.uk/shop-courses-kit/ssi-courses

It is easy for dive skills to get rusty and to lose confidence when you have not dived for a while. With the SSI Scuba Skills Update, we will get you back in the water and diving with ease in no time. This scuba refresher course allows you to review and practice scuba skills you learned in your Open Water Diver program, under the guidance of an SSI Professional. This is a great course to take just before a dive holiday, so you spend less time worrying about your skills and more time admiring the marine life. If you are a non-certified Open Water Diver student, a Scuba Skills Update is ideal for practicing your dive skills before your open water training dives. With no fixed course duration, you can take your time and focus on the skills you need help with.

The SSI Snorkel Diver program is your first step towards discovering a passion for the underwater world. It is the best way to learn how to snorkel and develop your confidence in the water, so you can go snorkeling and explore the mesmerizing landscapes and wildlife of the aquatic world. You do not need to be a proficient swimmer to participate in the Snorkel Diver program, and there is no minimum age to join. You just need to be comfortable in the water, able to maintain your buoyancy, and ready to begin the adventure of a lifetime! In this program, you will be introduced to the equipment and skills you need to go snorkeling safely. Begin your snorkeling training and earn your SSI Snorkel Diver recognition card today!