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SCUBA activities planned for around Abu Dhabi UAE
by Vance Stevens, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor #64181

"Plan your dive, dive your plan"

Last updated: November 25, 2008 11:00 GMT

Training FAQs and getting STARTED (get the crewpack) | Congratulations | Open Water | Advanced | Rescue | Sample proposal for o/w training
Abu Dhabi Weather: http://www.adiamet.gov.ae/forecast.htm

Northern Emirates: Wind and temperature forecasts for Fujairah are reported here http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/41198.html and for the Emirates here: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=United+Arab+Emirates but I have yet to find a sea state forecast.
Weather in Oman: Climactic conditions including winds and seastate for Muscat and Salalah: http://www.timesofoman.com/
Weekend Weather Forecasts for Abu Dhabi: are issued for 4 days, the current day and three in advance. - Best times tend to be in summer and fall.

Last forecast checked is given here only when we're planning diving in abu Dhabi (Day 4 is most distant forecast available):

For June 8/9 2007 beware adverse conditions due to Cyclone Gonu: http://tinyurl.com/2uet43
Aftermath: June 18, 2007 - Newspaper reports severe destruction on reefs on East Coast, especially Dibba Rock: http://www.emiratestodayonline.com/Default.aspx?selpg=649

What have we done lately? Check the logs from our most recent dives here.
Interesting postings on diving ecology for northern emirates (Dec 3, 2004) here: http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/default.asp?cntDisplay=10&ID=261

Short an archive of what happened to the East Coast UAE in June 2007 http://tinyurl.com/2uet43. The damage is being compounded by construction and development taking place there, seriously encroaching on the marine eco-systems.

Rescue dive course requirements

Dive Plans | Where to catch the boat | Costs | FAQs about training and safety
FAQs about the PADI Open Water dive course:

General information

When I receive general inquiries about the Open Water course, I send this letter in reply:, updated in May 2008:

I'm an independent PADI instructor with a full time job in education. I do what I can to promote diving and environmental awareness locally, and I maintain a website on diving, particularly in the UAE: http://www.vancestevens.com/scubadiv.htm

I teach diving in my spare time (evenings and weekends). You can find information about my courses, costs, etc at my web site: http://www.vancestevens.com/scuba_plan.htm#faqs

There is a description of the beginning Open Water course here: http://www.vancestevens.com/ow_info1.html

Advantages of working with me would be my expertise and experience (diving since 1966; instructor since 1993), one-on-one attention, and maximum flexibility. I have given the OW course in a single 2-day weekend, when the student has been prepared, keen and capable. Most people take weeks or even months to pace the course.

If you wish to arrange training, or if I can help with more information, don't hesitate to get back in touch,

Vance

What does it cost?

I'll teach o/w divers who will pay my fee plus cover expenses incurred in their training. Just to give you an idea, here are some of the costs involved, in UAE dirhams (3.65 per $, May 2008):

• 250 - Your manual in a crew-pack (includes log book, tables)
• 100 - Pic envelope to apply for certification card from PADI
• 720 - cost of 4 dives, at the rate of 280+80 for two dives, fully equipped, at Freestyle Divers in Dibba, best diving in the UAE
• 80 - cost of refilling tanks used at 4 pool sessions (assuming modules 4 & 5 in one session)
• 200 - cost of 4 entries to Aljazeera pool <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Jazira_Club, geo links at this location: http://tinyurl.com/4bnsqc> if training takes place in Abu Dhabi, assuming they let me enter for free (50 extra for me if not, so far I've been free) and assuming modules 4 & 5 done in one session. It may be possible to do some pool training in Dibba at Royal Beach Hotel, at no cost to patrons of Freestyle Divers there.
• 100-200 - estimated cost of tanks and equipment used at 4 pool sessions (costs at lower end of scale if equipment rentals not necessary)
• 700 - instructor's fee in partial compensation for an amount of time equivalent to about a work-week (although it's actually a fun-week, though you'll see it's not that easy for the instructor!)
  -----------
  2000+ - approximate total (total of above expenses at high end; gear rental for pool might not be necessary, for example)

Dive Plans | Where to catch the boat | Costs | FAQs about training | Safety concerns

In Khor Fakkan, Musandam:

• Freestyle Divers, opposite Dibba Rock, competitive pricing (280 for one tank dive with boat ride, fully equipped, and 80 for each tank and boat ride thereafter??) and instructor dives free. The shop is well appointed and on the premises of Royal Beach Motel, which has a pool that can be used for training, and an off license dispensary with attractive pricing pour l'apres plongé. The reef there was badly affected by Cyclone Gonu in June 2007 http://www.emiratestodayonline.com/Default.aspx?selpg=649 but a year later is bouncing back!
• Seven Seas for diving near Khor Fakkan, competitive prices (about 330 for two tanks fully equipped) and no charge for instructor if accompanied by 6 divers.

In Abu Dhabi:

• Al Jazeera Diving located in Al Mina (Zayed Port area) near the fish market, across from the taxi company. tel: 971 2 6731717 (as of October 2008) "they have a Philipino instructor i think his new his name is Fred de los Reyes. his number is 971 50 5819473" (thanks Mohammad)
• Empros - This is a liveaboard boat brought over from the Red Sea, Egypt. Day trip diving in style in Abu Dhabi as of Nov 2008, though the ship might be pressed into service elsewhere in the UAE once winter winds hit, http://www.emprosuae.com for latest information, or call Majid on 050-505-0155.
• Arabian Divers: 300 per diver for boat ride to two locations, 2 tanks & weights+belt, 130 for full equipment rental, instructor used to dive without charge for boat or tanks (pricing from 2006). Their services are excellent but you pay a premium for what they provide (I try and use them whenever possible for diving around Abu Dhabi).
• Dolphin Divers charged between 1500 to 2000 for their courses depending on how many students take the course together (and two certifying dives will be shore dives under the docks where Dolphin Divers is located, and two will be boat dives). Diving: 250 per diver for boat ride to two locations, 2 tanks & weights+belt, 50 for full equipment rental, instructor is charged normal fees, and student divers are surcharged 100 dirhams or so (pricing from 2006). This just in: I believe Dolphin Divers have relocated to Emirates Palace Hotel in 2008 and are charging prices competitive with Ocean Diving Center.
• I am no longer teaching at Ocean Diving Center at the Beach Hotel Rotana in Abu Dhabi, but its Open Water courses are 2050 dirhams, complete course, all inclusive (pricing October 2008)

Wherever you decide to dive, when discussing prices for Scuba courses, be sure get an itemized list of what is and what is not included, and verify condition of boats and equipment.

How long does the course take?

Most people are happy to meet once a week for academic and pool work. If you have a deadline to meet we could do it faster than that, and some prolong it more, but assuming you adhere to the once-a-week schedule you can have your PADI open water certification in about 6 weeks. If the course is taken through the hotels, some allow pool use for diving is only at night. Also, it is possible to do open water dives only on weekends, so scheduling can be a problem with busy, active people involved.

When can I start the course?

Once upon a time when I had very few students taking my courses I used to make up a 'class' and try to keep the students together. However, it is unwieldy to try to get more than two or three people to agree on times suitable to all and even small groups find it impossible to all dive on the same day, so the result has always been that people who start together will vary their progress in the course.

These days I encourage people to start whenever they like. I'll take one or more students at a time (if two or more, we'll have to agree on the one night a week we go in the pool or have academics). We can accommodate trainees at all levels at any pool or academic session. So the simple answer to this question is start whenever you are ready and join others who have already started the course,or others may join you later. You'll find that being in the pool or ocean with more advanced dive trainees will help you; as observing their training helps prepare you for when you reach their level.

How do I get started?

If you want to start a course, contact me. I will let you know how to pay the fees and get the 'crew pack' or box containing a book and a green folder.

You need to pick up a PADI manual which comes in the 'crew pack' pictured here (2008)

On the green folder are three forms which must be filled out. One is a medical form. When you fill out the form, if any answer is 'yes' you must have a doctor countersign; otherwise just complete and sign the form. The other two forms are PADI liability release and statement of safe diving practices, which must also be signed. All forms are to be signed and handed over to your instructor before we get wet.

Before any academic session you must view the DVD for that Module. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for this. It is required viewing prior to any academic session. The DVD cover looks similar to the picture at left. So before meeting your instructor for the first lesson, arrange to view the Module 1 portion of the Padi O/W DVD. As you progress through the course, you'll need to watch the remaining 4 video segments prior to each academic session for that module (in addition to reading the book and answering the knowledge reviews at the end of each chapter - all knowledge reviews must be completed, signed, and handed in to your instructor before he can give you your certification.).

What do I need to do for the first meeting?

Before meeting the instructor first time, prepare the following:

• fill out and sign the three forms; have a doctor countersign if necessary
• read Module One in the book and complete the Knowedge Review at the end of the chapter.
• before (or during) your first meeting view the Module One portion of the DVD available at the dive training center. Allow 45 minutes for this.

During our first meeting

• Give the instructor the green folder (on which you have signed the three forms)
• Your instructor needs to retain a signed copy of your Module One Knowedge Review (and the remaining 4 KR's after that), either removed from your book or photocopied and signed
• I'll explain anything you haven't quite grasped. A thorough understanding of the physiological effects of air volume and density at different depths and pressures is essential.
• I'll test your understanding of the concepts with a simple ten question multiple choice quiz
• I'll demonstrate how the equipment is assembled and disassembled.
• I'll explain what we'll do when we meet for your first pool session.

After that you will be ready to join us in the pool. Often we leave this till our second meeting. (After that we can usually do the academic and pool sessions on the same day, up to Module 5, which is the Final Exam taking about an hour to complete). Most people can take the Module 2 and 3 quizzes after watching the DVD and reading through the book. I usually explain the dive tables before my students sit for the Module 4 exam, so we might need an hour for that.

Incidentally, you can do your first ocean dive after you have completed your Module One academic and pool sessions.

What do I have to do to complete the course?

In a nutshell:

• Leave your signed medical form, liability release, and statement of safe diving practices on file with your instructor.
• Watch all five portions of the PADI video (on DVD, available for viewing at the dive training center)
• Completely fill out, sign that you understand, and hand in to the instructor the five Knowledge Reviews, one at the end of each Module in the PADI Open Water Manual
• Pass 4 ten-question multiple choice quizzes and a 50-question final exam
• Swim 200 meters freestyle, with no aids or floatation (or 300 meters with only fins, mask and snorkel)
• Maintain yourself treading water without floatation for 10 minutes without support or touching sides or bottom of pool
• Complete and satisfy all performance requirements of the five pool sessions
• Complete and satisfy all performance requirements of the four open water 'ocean' dives
• Log all four dives in your log book and have each signed by your instructor
• Sign the form in your instructor's records that says you've done all that, instructor countersigns, and you get a temporary certificate good for 90 days.
• Send in your photo in the PIC envelope signed by your instructor (positive identification, with photo on your dive card). When PADI receives this they'll process your certification card and return it to you at the address you give on the envelope.

For more detailed information about the course click here

What certification do I get?

On successful completion of your course you will receive your PADI Open Water dive certificate. PADI certifies the majority of divers worldwide (55% according to http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/faq.asp, which means that the remaining 45% are divided among the many other certifying bodies). PADI certification is recognized almost anywhere, and I can't imagine where it wouldn't be honored actually. The certificate allows you to participate in diving with dive companies operating at resorts etc throughout the world as well as rent equipment and have tanks filled.

Once all requirements are complete, your instructor will give you a temporary certification card valid for 90 days from completion of your final open water dive (careful here that you don't delay completion of your paperwork too long beyond date of your final o/w dive for the course). Along with your temporary card you will receive a PADI PIC Form (your PIC or Personal ID Card will have your photo on it). Your instructor signs off on the form and you fill in your details, put a photo in it, stamp it, and mail it to PADI Ltd. in UK. Your permanent card should arrive in a few weeks. If you have any doubt at any stage of this process PADI have an excellent track record of expediting and resolving difficulties with their instructors in email; they almost always respond within one or two working days.

What does your instructor get out of this?

Considering the time and effort involved, as you will see, the instructor is clearly not in it for the money. Instructors teach to maintain their training skills, to be credited with certification of divers (which can be used later for advanced instructor credentials and to increase karma in the next life), to dive for free, to enjoy spending recreation time with interesting and ecologically-minded people, and to have the opportunity to interact with nature and to help others to appreciate and preserve it. Instructors especially like the natural environment, diving for its own sake, and other people who dive.

What's the next course after O/W?

• Advanced Open Water is next, followed by Rescue training.
  .
• You can then do divemaster training and finally become an instructor yourself.
• Join FrogLegsScubaClub (free) to keep abreast of who's diving where in the UAE

What do we do during an open water training pool session?

You might see this in an email. This is kind of a template for what to expect:

How to prepare for an academic session: You MUST watch the Module xx DVD before the academic session. At the session itself I'll collect and review Knowledge Reviews and administer the Module xx quiz. We should be kitted and in the pool by xx and out no later than xx.

Anyone wishing to join us for training is welcome. The only stipulation is to watch the DVD for the module you need prior to xx p.m. and we can slot you in if you're free and wish to join us.

Here's one for Module 5:

day and date, I'm planning to conduct Module 5 dive training at (the dive training center), xx:00 p.m. Anyone joining us needs to watch the Module 5 DVD PRIOR to the start of the session. I'll come along then and go over the fine print on the dive tables. I'll collect and review Knowledge Reviews and administer the Module 5 exam which takes one hour. We should be kitted and in the pool by xx or so. In the pool we'll remove and replace weight belts and scuba units at the surface. We'll descend and do the same at the bottom and hopefully exit the pool around xx.

More notes on training (which tend to get copy/pasted into the training schedule)

Note: prior to academic training, trainees must watch DVD for each module undertaken and should bring completed Knowledge Reviews to class

Open Water Dive #1 (max 12 m) is an acclimitization dive, no skills assessed on this dive.

Skills for Open Water Dive #2: (max 12 m)

• Descend using visual reference
• Establish neutral buoyancy at botton with fin pivot using low pressure inflator
• Partially flood & clear mask
• Fully flood & clear mask
• Recover regulator
• Secure and breath from alt. air source (stationary)
• Participate in alt. air source ascent

Skills for Open Water Dive #3: (max 18 m)

• Descend 6 to 9 meters using visual reference
• Establish neutral buoyancy at botton with fin pivot using oral inflation
• Fully flood & clear mask
• Optional buddy breathe (stationary)
• Optional: participate in buddy breathe ascent

Skills for Open Water Dive #4: (max 18 m)

• Descend using no reference
• Hover
• Remove & replace mask

List of flexible skills: Tired diver tow and cramp removal / snorkel & reg exchange / surface compass heading / remove & replace weights and bcd at surface / compass navigation under water / CESA

Refresher course

We have many requests for refresher courses from divers who have been certified but who have let their skills lapse. A refresher course involves a pool session for which I might charge 200, including the scuba tune up guide (65 Dhs).

What have we learned about diving safely in the UAE?

On the FrogLegsScubaClub list, we've been thinking about safety issues for changeable weather and sea conditions as are sometimes encountered around Abu Dhabi in the winter months - Dec 2003

Pre-dive Boat Briefing:

It is important that as many of our divers as possible become aware of and pro-active in their role in the pre-dive boat briefing. The briefing is the dive leader's responsibility in particular but everyone's business and when it comes down to it, it's everyone's responsibility to facilitate the safety of themselves and each other by reminding the dive leader if necessary to include the following points in the briefing:

• Describe the site,
• Consider possible hazards
• Buddy divers; then suggest or negotiate, then agree on, proposed dive plans and profiles
• Agree on time limits for dives (agree in advance to resurface after 50, 60, .. minutes or end all diving by a given time of day). Ensure that diving teams have means of tracking time.
• Remind divers not to touch coral in particular, avoid touching anything else under water
• Remind divers of buddy separation procedures (after 1 minute, surface, wait for buddy there, do not resume diving without buddy)
• No diving alone. It's ok for a group of divers (two or more) to allow a diver to surface alone only if the lone diver can be seen all the way to the surface (and then only if sea conditions are mild at the surface), at which point the group (2 or more divers) may continue diving.
• Establish recall procedures as part of boat briefing (usually three short revs of boat engine)

Special considerations for afternoon diving:

In case of currents causing divers to surface in unpredictable locations and vision from the boat being obscured by wave conditions and glare from sun low on horizon ...

• strictly no one to remain under water last hour before sunset unless equipped for night diving (This is a PADI standard, daytime diving is allowable up until the last hour before sunset)

Suggested safety equipment on divers

This is in addition to in addition to required safety equipment such as a timing device, depth guage, pressure guage, redundant second stage or octopus ...

• A compass, knife, reel with 30-50 meters of line
• A whistle
• Truly independent air source, i.e. redundant first stage such as spare air or pony bottle
• Inflatable marker buoy (a 'sausage') preferably on a reel so it can be deployed from depth
• A strobe light to attach to BCD in case the boat can't find you before nightfall

Wish list for safety equipment on boat

Safety equipment on many dive boats operating in UAE waters is typically minimal to non-existent. The boat should carry oxygen to treat diving emergencies and the following safety equipment is recommended:

Dive Flexible Skills set: Cramp removal / Tired diver tow / Surface swim with compass / Snorkel regulator exchange / Remove & replace SCUBA at surface / Remove & replace weights at surface / CESA / UW compass navigation

Advanced divers in training
Find out more about the advanced course here

Rescue divers in training
Find out more about the rescue course here

Copyright 2008 by Vance Stevens
under Creative Commons License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/

January 18, 2007