1. Scuba Diving Training Courses
2. Advanced Diving Courses
3. Snorkelling Diving Course

Scuba Diver Training Course

Trainee scuba divers are required to undertake pool training during the period November to April of the following year. This training covers both snorkel and scuba diving training. Trainees are required to undertake snorkel training activities such as finning techniques, mask and snorkel clearing and methods of water entry. Scuba diving training involves learning activities such as assembly/disassembly of scuba equipment and buoyancy control. Trainees are also obliged to attend a Lecture Programme during the pool training period in Athlone Sub Aqua Club's clubhouse. This programme comprises of a series of lectures covering material such as equipment used in diving, the laws of physics as related to diving, decompression theory and techniques used for the prevention and treatment of diving accidents. Following successful completion of pool snorkel and scuba diving assessments the trainee advances to open water snorkel and scuba diving training usually in the month of May. During this open water training phase the trainee must carry out a minimum of 3 snorkels and 5 shallow dives practicing the various techniques and skills acquired during the pool training programme. Trainees that successfully complete an assessment following this open water training qualify as a CMAS One Star Diver. This qualification permits a trainee diver to scuba dive in open water accompanied by a diver of a higher grade within set depth limits. Following completion of a further 20 dives at various depths and a further assessment the trainee is awarded a CMAS Two Star qualification. a diver having obtained this qualification may dive to a depth not exceeding 30 metres with other divers of the same grade and to a maximum of 45 metres with divers of a higher grade. 

Advanced Diving Courses

Members that have qualified as a CMAS Two Star Diver may progress to other diving courses such as Rescue Diver, Search and Recovery Diver, Nitrox Diver, Extended Range Diver, Leading Diver and Dive Instructor. Dates and venues for these courses are set out in a Courses and Tests Programme that is prepared each year by the Regional Diving Officer.

Snorkelling Training Course

Trainee snorkel divers are required to undertake pool training during the period November to April of the following year. This training covers activities such as finning techniques, mask and snorkel clearing and methods of water entry. Trainees are also obliged to attend a Lecture Programme during the pool training period in Athlone Sub Aqua Club's clubhouse. This programme comprises of a series of lectures covering material such as snorkelling equipment, snorkelling techniques and marine life. Following successful completion of pool snorkel diving assessments the trainee advances to open water snorkel training usually in the month of May. During this open water training phase the trainee must carry out a minimum of 3 snorkels practicing the various techniques and skills acquired during the pool training programme Upon successful completion of this open water training a trainee qualifies as a snorkel diver.