Try Scuba Diving

What is the one thing all divers have in common? They all had to try scuba diving before catching the bug…

In SUSAC, we hold try dive experiences at least once a year for those who want to give it a go and see if they enjoy it. Normally these would be held at the beginning of the first semester in September and October (we are a university club after all) and they are a very popular affair.

A try dive gives you the opportunity to see what it is like first hand to use a SCUBA kit and breathe underwater without any commitments. We understand that not everyone finds the sensation of floating weightlessly and breathing underwater a nice one, but we’d love to give you the opportunity to find out, in a safe environment. We’ll provide all the specialist equipment, right down to a mask and a pair of fins. All you need to bring is what you’d normally bring to a swimming pool – a swimming costume and a towel – plus an old t-shirt to wear in the water. It really is that simple.

So what does a try dive involve?

When you arrive, you’ll have to read and sign a medical and liability disclaimer that checks you are fit and healthy for the diving experience. You’ll get a dry briefing with other try-divers, from an instructor, including the basics of using the sub-aqua equipment and some easy underwater hand signals. You’ll then have to complete a short swim test to show that you’re happy in the water, which is to swim two widths of the pool using a recognised stroke. Please note that if you are not able to complete this swim test you will not be permitted to participate in the diving activities for safety reasons.

When it comes to your turn, an experienced diver will help you find a mask and a pair of fins that fit you, and assist you to ‘kit up’ on the poolside. You will enter the water under the expert eye of one of our nationally-qualified instructors, who will guide you – one-to-one and at your own pace – for 10-15 minutes in the water.

Once you’re done, you’ll be helped out of the kit again, and then you’re free to go take a shower and change. SUSAC members will be on hand to answer any questions you have, and let you know what to do next if you really enjoyed it. All try divers will receive a Try Dive pack containing a certificate, a Go Dive DVD, and some information about the club and how to join.

Upcoming try dives

Our next try dive sessions will be at Zest Community pool on 1st October 2023 and 8th October 2023.  Each day has 4 sessions between 2-4pm.

Tickets will be available either online (https://su.sheffield.ac.uk/events/giag then search for SUSAC), in person from the students union box office or from our stand at the Sports Fair on Friday 22nd September from 11am-4pm at the Octogan. As the first try dives of the semester, this event WILL sell out fast, so be sure to get your ticket as soon as you can!