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Dive Worldwide
Phone:
01962­ 302 087
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Before you go

Here you can find tips and advice for preparing for your diving holiday including:

Airlines & Regional Departures

We have special arrangements with many of the world’s major airlines and can offer departures from a number of regional airports. Just advise us if you would like a regional departure, it is really no problem to organise!

Passport & Visas

You should be in possession of a full 10-year passport valid for at least 6 months after completion of your journey. It is your responsibility to ensure that your travel documentation including visas and passport are in order and available in good time before travel. If In doubt you should contact your country’s consulate for advise.

Diving Baggage

All scuba equipment must be carried within the weight allowance of the airline; in most cases this is 20kg or 44Ib. Hand luggage is restricted to 5kg or 11Ib. Most transatlantic flights allow two pieces of luggage which will normally be a total of 64kg or 144Ib. This does vary between airlines so please contact us and we will be happy to discuss the various options. Certain airlines may increase the baggage allowance to accommodate diving equipment but this is discretionary and cannot be guaranteed. On inter island flights, where light aircraft are used, the allowance may only be 15kg and in some cases even less. Carriage of excess baggage is at the airline’s discretion and often only on payment of an appropriate fee.

Qualified Divers

If you are a qualified diver, be sure to take your certification card and log book with you. If it has been a while since your last dive a review dive may be required and will have to be paid for locally. In many resorts divers will be required to undergo a local orientation as their first dive; this will be counted as the first dive if you have a pre-paid package.

Insurance

At Dive Worldwide we believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important. Therefore comprehensive travel insurance is a must whenever you travel abroad. It is a condition of joining one of our holidays and our very comprehensive policy is available to anybody, no matter what nationality or where you live in the world and is specifically designed to cover the activities shown in this brochure.Due to the nature of the trips featured in this brochure, it is very important to ensure that you are covered for incidents that might occur whilst diving. If you choose not take out our specialist insurance, please ensure that any alternative policy you choose does not specifically exclude any of the activities featured in this brochure such as scuba diving beyond 30 metres, unlimited number of dives, diving around wrecks, dry suit diving or night dives.

Your Financial Security

The air holidays and flights in this brochure are ATOL Protected, since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 10544. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information, visit the ATOL website at http://www.atol.org.uk.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel Advice

For up to date advice on foreign travel please visit http://www.fco.gov.uk.

Medical Requirements

All passengers scuba diving whilst on holiday will be required by the Diving Centre in resort to complete a medical questionnaire. If the operator is in any way unsure of your fitness to dive, you will be required to undergo a medical examination. This may result in considerable extra cost for which you will be charged locally. No refunds will be given if you are refused medical clearance to dive. You are strongly advised to undergo a full medical examination before booking your holiday, and you must do so if you reply in the positive to any of the questions in the following questionnaire. If you currently hold a diving medical be sure you take it with you.

  • Could you be pregnant or are you attempting to become pregnant?
  • Do you regularly take prescription or non-prescription medications?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions you will need medical clearance from a doctor before you can dive:

Are you over 45 years of age and have one or more of the following:

  • currently smoke a pipe, cigars or cigarettes?
  • have a high cholesterol level?
  • have a family history of heart attacks or stroke?

Have you ever had or do you currently have:

  • Asthma, or wheezing with breathing or wheezing with exercise?
  • Frequent or severe attacks of hayfever or allergy?
  • Frequent colds, sinusitis or bronchitis or any form of lung disease?
  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)?
  • History of chest surgery?
  • Claustrophobia or agoraphobia (fear of closed or open spaces)?
  • Behavioural health problems?
  • Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions or take medications to prevent them?
  • Recurring migraine headaches or take medications to prevent them?
  • History of blackouts or fainting (full/partial) loss of consciousness?
  • Do you frequently suffer from motion sickness (seasick, carsick etc.)?
  • History of diving accidents or decompression sickness?
  • History of recurrent back problems or back surgery?
  • History of diabetes?
  • History of back, arm or leg problems following surgery, injury or fracture?
  • Inability to perform moderate exercise (walk 1 mile within 10 min)?
  • History of high blood pressure or take medicine to control blood pressure?
  • History of any heart disease or heart attacks?
  • Angina (heart or blood vessel surgery)?
  • History of ear or sinus surgery?
  • History of problems equalizing, popping ears with aeroplane or mountain travel?
  • History of bleeding or other blood disorders?
  • History of any type of hernia?
  • History of colostomy?
  • History of drug or alcohol abuse?

Vaccination and health requirements vary from country to country. Your own GP is the best person to speak to regarding relevant requirements. Make your GP aware that you will be scuba diving as some medication like Larium is not recommended for scuba divers.

Go to: Health & Safety