Derek Flanagan has been a diver with the Irish Underwater Council (CFT) and Sheephaven Sub Aqua Club since 2000. The Irish Underwater Council is the Irish National Diving organisation with 85 affiliated clubs all around Ireland . The Irish Underwater Council is affiliated to

Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques (CMAS). This is the world federation of national diving organisations and operates in some 80 countries in all continents.

How to get started:

The best way to begin diving is to organise a “try a dive” session, if you contact Diveology we would be happy to tell you when our next free “try a dive” evening is being held or for a small fee we will organise a “try a dive” for you.   A “try a dive” session is a short dive in a pool or shallow confined water with an instructor, which allows you to experience breathing on SCUBA underwater, if you like the experience then we can advise you further on how to begin your training.

What are the swimming requirements?

To begin training as a CFT diver you must be able to swim 200 meters freestyle and 50 meters backstroke without stopping, there is no time limit in relation to how long it takes you to complete the required distances, you must also be able to hold breath for 30 seconds within 5 minutes of the swim.

What age must you be?

To begin diving with us you must be over 16 years of age.

What are the Medical Requirements?

Before you can begin training on SCUBA equipment we require all candidates to undergo a medical examination by their doctor, this includes a chest x-ray. The Irish Underwater Council to whom Diveology are affiliated, have a medical form which will be provided to you before the course begins.

How long will the training take?

Diveology has worked with the Irish Underwater Council to develop a Diver 1* (1 Star) training programme, which takes four days or two weekends to complete. The course may take longer than two weekends if the instructor feels you need more time to master the skills to meet the required level of competency. This breaks from the traditional club-training program that usually runs over the winter months and takes about 12 weeks before diving begins.

What is involved in training?

The training is a mixture of lectures and water work; we begin by teaching snorkel skills and the use of basic equipment. We usually start in the pool and then move to confined water in the afternoons for snorkelling. Scuba equipment is introduced on day two, again starting in the pool and then working in confined water. We slowly build up your level of skills during the first two days and then the last two days we spend on diving and diving skills.

How does the One Star Diver Certificate Compare to Other Diving Qualifications?

The One Star CMAS certification is as widely recognised as the PADI open water certificate and will allow you dive anywhere in the world. As a trainee one star diver you must always dive with a diver of a higher grade and with more experience until you reach the level of a 2* CMAS diver with equivalent to the PADI advanced open water dive certificate. As with all dive qualifications you must remain an active diver so your skills remain current. To remain an active diver you must dive at least once every 13 weeks or 90 days.

How long does it take to become a Two Star Diver?

After completing your first five dives and becoming a 1* diver you must then complete another 20 dives in Irish waters, working up to a depth of 30 meters. Once these dives have being logged and the 2* lectures are competed you can then go forward for the 2* exams, which include water work and a short oral examination. Once you have the required dives completed Diveology can organise and prepare you for the 2* assessment.