HOW DO I GET STARTED?
• All enrollments and / or enquiries are processed via email. SEADOG will not process any telephonic bookings. All training enquiries will be dealt with via bookings@divingschool.co.za .
• Undergo an initial diving medical in accordance with the Department of Labour of South Africa regulations.
• Complete a course enrollment form in full, as per instructions. Email the form together with supporting documentation to bookings@divingschool.co.za.
• Upon receipt and verification of all information received, the school will provide you with written confirmation of acceptance of your application and a pro-forma invoice.
• You will be required to pay a R 15,000.00 deposit to secure your booking. Full course fees are payable two weeks prior to course commencement date.
• Only once the full course fees have been received in the nominated SEADOG banking account, your booking will be guaranteed.
• SEADOG will provide you with all necessary documentation i.e. Letters of invitation, etc. in support of any visa applications, if required.
DIVING MEDICALS
All students are required to undergo an initial diving medical, prior to commencing training, as required by South African legislation which requires all diver medicals to be undertaken by a registered South African Department of Labour Diving Doctor.
Dive Medicals - South African Students
SA students are required to undergo an initial diving medical, with an in-date diving doctor as per the OHSA 85 of 1993, Diving Regulations, 2009 prior to arrival on course
All initial investigations must be completed during an initial diving medical, including:
• Visual examination
• Pulmonary Function (lung function)
• Chest X-rays
• Hearing test (Audiometry)
• Stress ECG
Ensure you are issued with a “medical certificate of fitness” based on the results of your examination keep an original of the certificate with you at all times.
The certificate must indicate the following according to Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act no.85 of 1993), Diving Regulations 2009 or else this regulation is not complied with and the prospective diver can not be registered:
• The name and identity number of the person to whom it relates
• The date of the medical examination
• The date of any x-ray taken for the purpose of the examination
• Whether the person is considered fit to dive commercially
• Any limitation on the diving or compression for which the person is considered fit
• The period (not exceeding 12 months) for which the person is considered fit.
• The name, address, telephone number and HCP of South Africa registration number
• The DOL number assigned to approved Diving doctors.
• The year in which the doctor last attended a course in underwater medicine
• The signature of the medical practitioner.
Dive Medicals - Foreign Students
Even though foreign students will need to undergo an initial diving medical examination in South Africa (in accordance with legislation), we do recommend that you undergo a diving medical in your country of origin in order to establish whether you are fit / unfit to dive, prior to paying course fees and incurring travel expenses.
Non-South African students are advised to undergo and bring the originals of the following reports (ensure your Doctor gives you the result and FULL report of each item):
• Chest x-rays and report
• Lung function
• Visual examination
• Hearing test
• Stress ECG
• Clinical Examination
We recommend that you arrive before course commencement in order to undergo your South African diving medical before course commencement. You will not be able to commence training before you are not in possession of a valid SA diving medical.
COMPETENT SWIMMER / WATERMANSHIP
Students are required to meet the minimum swim test requirements and will be evaluated on the first day of the course:
• 300m freestyle swim
• 20 second breath hold
• 25m underwater swim
• 5m underwater object recovery
• 1 minute water treading
Students failing to meet the criteria will not be permitted to undergo training and will forfeit all fees paid.
Commercial diver training is intensive so be prepared!
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
SEADOG will not allow any student to complete training if they cannot communicate freely in the English language. Limited command of the English language severely compromises the safety of training.
Why does one have to demonstrating Proficiency in the English Language?
• English is generally accepted as the International language.
• All training at Seadog is carried out in English.
• Most international standards and documentation required by clients/companies are recorded in the English language. (IMCA)
• Student must be able to follow the orders of the supervisors, co-operate with dive team members and perform tasks and emergency procedures.
ATTENDANCE AND DURATION
Training is only one element of competence and not just about following procedures and checklists. True competence is a combination of qualifications, understanding, experience, skills and other qualities that produce good performance and safe working practices due to the knowledge and understanding of the skill learned during the entire duration of a training program.
100 % Attendance of all diver training modules is compulsory including:
• watermanship training
• academic training
• diving skills training
• tools skills training
Failure to achieve 100 % attendance will result in non-competency of student.
Students are expected to be fully committed and will devote 100 % of their time and attention to the training programme. Each Class of training is scheduled over a 4 week period, 7 days a week, 12 hours per day. These timings exclude the provision of night dives, which is mandatory during certain phases of training.
Absenteeism and/or tardiness will not be tolerated. Any unforeseen absence from a training session must be reported in person, where possible, to the Student’s instructor / supervisor before the start of the scheduled session. It is at the sole discretion of SEADOG to permit a student to make up for lost time or alternatively be deferred to the next available course. Unreported and unjustified absenteeism will result in the Student not being permitted to continue the training programme.
In the unlikely event of bad weather and other circumstances beyond the control of the management of SEADOG, the duration of the course may be extended. SEADOG shall not be held liable for any additional costs incurred, or loss of income sustained by a student / company as a result of such delays.
LATE ARRIVALS
SEADOG will under no circumstances allow students’ late arrival. Should a student arrive later than course commencement date, he/she will be deferred to the next available course. All expenses incurred due to late arrival i.e. accommodation, deferment levy, etc. will be for the student’s / company expense and payable prior to commencing next scheduled course.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING ALONG?
Note: You also have the option to rent standard equipment from the school
• Wetsuit (7mm) Farmer John with separate jacket and hood
• Mask
• Snorkel (J-type / No valve)
• Weightbelt (incl. buckle and weight stays)
• Gloves
• Hard-sole Booties
• Fins (open-heel, preferably jet-fin type)
• Swimming Costume and towel
• Rain / Wet weather gear
• Running Shoes
• Seasick Tables (e.g. Stugeron)
• DOL Diver registration requirements
• Originals of all documentation
TRAVEL INFORMATION
SEADOG Diving School is situated in Saldanha Bay, approximately 120 km from Cape Town. (GMT +2)
The nearest international airport to the School is Cape Town International Airport (CPT). For flight arrival and departure times for airlines flying into South Africavisit the Airports Company of South Africa website www.acsa.co.za.
It is the sole responsibility of the student to arrange their own transport to and from the Airport / Training Centre. Students arriving late for the pre-course assessment will not be permitted to commence training and all course fees will be forfeited.
South Africa’s seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Midwinter is in June and July and midsummer in December and January. The climate on the West Coast is mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights.
South Africa’s currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5 and notes in denominations of R10,R20. R50. R100 and R200.
South Africa’s major bank chains are found across the country, these include ABSA, First National Bank (FNB), Nedbank and Standard Bank. These banks generally operate between 08h30 and 15h30 weekdays. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) and Bureau de Change are abundant and easily accessible. All major credit cards are accepted.
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
Basic accommodation is available at the backpacker diver’s House “The Hard Hat” located next to the training centre. Accommodation including three meals a day is available to students, if required. This accommodation is for the student’s own expense. Refer to the payment schedule attached for costs.
The Hard Hat Accommodation consists of a large dining area, TV room with DSTV and wireless internet access. There is a pay phone (World Call Card) in the Hard Hat. +27 22 714 1093. Basic amenities are all in walking distance from the school and accommodation.
There are other B&B, self-catering accommodation and hotels in the area. Contact details can be provided upon request.
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSESSMENTS
Continuous formative homework assignments will be given to assess student’s progress. Written summative assessments are to be written on completion of each Class of diver training. Three examinations are required by the DOL (Theory, Written Practical and Legislation). All summative assessments are closed-book and the pass mark is 60%, unless otherwise specified.
SEADOG shall not be held liable for any additional costs incurred, or loss of income sustained, by a student as a result of his/her failing to meet the required standard during an examination, or not attaining and completing the scheduled examination.
Final exams are moderated by the DOL and SEADOG has no control over the final results.
CERTIFICATION AND ISSUE OF DIVING TICKETS
Certificates of Competence are issued by SEADOG on successful of completion of course.
Registration of divers is submitted to the DOL in accordance with regulations. On receipt of DOL diving ticket it will be posted with a tracking number to the student / company. SEADOG has no control over the time frame of issuing DOL diving tickets.
The DOL Class II ticket is recognised by IMCA for offshore diving as listed in IMCA D04/05.
STUDENT CONDUCT, ETHICS AND DISCIPLINE
Students who enroll at SEADOG agree to at all times during their training:
• Conduct themselves in a professional manner and behave responsibly and with consideration at all times.
• Refrain from any conduct, which impairs the reasonable freedom of other students to pursue their training at SEADOG.
• Obey any reasonable directive from an Instructor, Manager or employee of SEADOG.
• Not disrupt any training activity or examination being conducted by SEADOG.
• Refrain from impairing any students training programme by assault, attempted assault or threat any person.
• Use their skills, time and attention to the best of their ability.
• Take responsibility for the efficient use of their time and achievement of the objectives of the course.
• Maintain an acceptable standard of personal presentation.
• Ensure that their actions to not threaten the health or safety of fellow students or staff.
• Refrain from the use of any illegal substances for the duration of their stay in South Africa.
To ensure orderly operations and provide the best possible work environment, SEADOG expects students to follow rules of conduct that will protect the interests and safety of all students, employees and the school.
SEADOG may suspend and/or dismiss a student from further training where the conduct of the student is unacceptable and in breach of the expected standards, rules and regulations of the school.
All students will attend an internal induction programme on the first day of the course. School disciplinary, grievance and other relevant policies, procedures and expectations will be discussed with student in detail.