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Cardiff Scuba Course Comments

Below is a list of comments from the various courses held at Cardiff Scuba . If you wish to limit the courses shown to a specific course please select the course from the list below. I you have taken a course with us in the past six months then please feel free to submit your comments, we are always interested in feedback from our customers! To see a list of courses please see the upcoming courses page.

Comments

Here are some comments from our previous customers....

"Put together water panic and open water course - it looks like an impossible mixture, no? But it wasn't.

Everyone around me during the open water course made me feel protected and secure. It was possible for me to, step by step, let go of my fear and really enjoy myself throughout the course.

It was an interesting ascent process and my last dive was amaaaaazing. I was actually bursting in happiness of achievement. My "buddy" Rob was incredible and my very first hug as an open water diver was only for him! :)

Everything is pretty gradual. The support in the swimming pool and the open water sessions is incredible and you can really feel you're in numerous and good hands... You just have to chill out and enjoy the learning.

The theory is interesting and full of new things to learn, put in a very accessible way.

I'm the leaving proof of the confidence that all the staff in the school gives you.

Thank you all!"

From Sofia Dias - PADI Open Water, course taken June 2009

"Hello!
I just completed my PADI open water course on Saturday and I wanted to put on here some feedback about it.
It was AMAZING! If you are thinking about it but are just not sure then I say go for it.
It is a bit more expensive to do it in this country but the guys at Cardiff Scuba are brilliant and worth the extra money. The awareness to safety throughout the whole course was outstanding. The amount of trained support divers in each pool session really meant you had time to relax and take on board all of the skills.
Be prepared though it is a lot of work. I thought it would be easy but got a shock in the theory sessions! Rob is a very patient man though and with many laughs along the way we all got through it.
I really really enjoyed every bit of the course. Even the chilly final dives in Chepstow. Cant wait to go off next week and do my first proper dives.
Thank You to everyone involved in the course. In particular Rob and my "buddy" Majid (hmm not sure if i spelt that right?) xxx"

From Claire Frost - PADI Open Water, course taken June 2009

"Just completed my PADI Rescue Diver Course.

Many thanks to Rob, Mark and all the guys who assisted with not only the pool session, but also the quarry on the weekend.

This is by far the best course I have done yet.

My team mates over the weekend have said it all on previous comments, but I also have to say that Cardiff Scuba provide the best training in Wales. Their professionalism, commitment to quality and knowledge makes their training first class.

This course is a 'must' for all divers.

Well done to Rachel, James, Mark, Nia and Sharon who also passed the course. We all worked fab as a team.

Cheers, Paul"

From Paul Harris - PADI Rescue Diver, course taken May 2009

"I did my seal team with rob and now i have done my master seal and i have a card with my picture on and a certificate.
I had lots of fun and we did different things every week. We made a boat underwater out of tubes. We took photos underwater and we even learned how to rescue people!
I can't wait to come to egypt in october with rob.
Lots of love Meggie xxxx
"

From Meggie Murphy - PADI Master SEAL Team, course taken April 2009

"'Expect the unexpected!!!'

Even though a bit apprehensive about doing the course, it did make sense to book myself on.....until the first & second the theory sessions followed by the pool session, my comment to Paul was 'What the hell have you got me into'.

Yes, it is a totally new ball game, from being an AOW diver to becoming a Cardiff Scuba PADI Rescue Diver.

Rob & all the Cardiff Scuba team were amazing (nothing new there), they had the committment, patience & strength (especially in the panicked diver senarios) from the whole team. A BIG round of appaulse.

A few bits of kit lost in action, broken & torn (Shiny's the Elf's dry suit), every muscle aching, faces a lovely shade of red from the sun, but what a fantastic course.

I will certainly be 100 times more aware of what could possibly go wrong when diving and feel now more confident in dealing with or taking charge of an incident.

We really had to 'earn' this PADI card.

Also a massive thank you for your support & team work to my team mates, Paul, Marc, James, Nia & Sharon (emails are on there way). Well done & look forward to diving safely with you all.

Rach xx

"

From Rachel - PADI Rescue Diver, course taken May 2009

"Well - what can I say. What an incredible experience. I have just successfully completed my Rescue Course with Rob and the sense of achievement, the emotions and sheer elation is amazing. I feel that my confidence as a diver has increased 100%, my awareness of what goes on around me has also increased no end and I genuinely feel that my diving has taken a massive step forward.

I thoroughly recommend this course for those of you who dive and have reached the AOW cert. Be prepared for a real slog but also embrace all of the challenges and meet them head on - you'll be so glad that you did. As a Cardiff Scuba PADI Rescue Diver, you will be the best of the best at this level as Rob and his team of dedicated DM's will ensure that you are.

I want to thank all of the DM's that have helped us, supported us and made us into what we are now, lots to mention, but you all know who you are - thank you. Also a big thanks to Mark Culwick for his amazing experience and guidance and finally to Rob whose patience, professionalism, dedication and sheer passion comes through every time I dive with him. Thank you so much mate.

Congrats to James, Nia, Sharon, Rach and Paul, it was a real learning curve for us all, we did it and we have come out as friends too.

Thanks guys

Marc"

From Marc Powell - PADI Rescue Diver, course taken May 2009

"I just completed my open water and what an experience.

I would like to say thanks to Rob for explaining the theory sessions so well. Everything was explained very thorough and sometimes quite amuzing and we did not move on until everybody understood everything which was a great help to me.

Secondly, I would like to thank Majid for your patience and teaching in the water. Iit was because of this that by dive no 4 I felt so safe in the water that i really enjoyed my dive and appreciated how enjoyable diving can really be.

I hope to see you all in the future and I would definetly reccommend Cardiff Scuba because your training is first class. Your instructors and divemasters make sure eveybody knows what they are doing and enjoying it and not just get you through the course to hand you a license.

Thanks - Marcus"

From Marcus Lawford - PADI Open Water, course taken April 2009

"Dear Ian & Rob,

Apologies in advance for the length of this comment - but I'm not known for being a woman of few words.

I had done the PADI Rescue Diver course previously at another centre and was truly amazed at the quality and professionalism delivered by you and your team.

I received full, comprehensive EFR training from Rob (Instructor & a Professional Nurse), combined with a plethora of examples of real life emergencies from a Team who really have had to rescue people - successfully!

Not only do I feel safer diving with your school but it also enhances the learning experience considerably. To think that other centres, in the UK and overseas, can award a Rescue Diver qualification after 2 days training and 20 minutes on EFR now gives me cause for great concern.

I am sure I am not alone in my experience and would urge anyone already with a Rescue Diver Pass to take the course again with Cardiff Scuba, to see what they then think about their previous training. The time, effort and attention to detail offered by Cardiff Scuba in delivering this course, I feel, means that you CANNOT pass this course without being properly prepared for an emergency should one arise. This is exactly how it should be done at ALL PADI centres.

Thank you for giving me back my confidence in PADI's training courses and working so hard to make the Dive Community a Safer place!!!"

From Sharon Pugh - PADI Rescue Diver, course taken May 2009

"Until you do this course your eyes won't be open to how fragile the human body is. So to know some rudamentary EFR that might someday give someone in trouble a chance at surviving is useful.

Excellent course and quite scary if your trapped in a mindframe of invincibility.

Brilliant anecdotes to help remember the material.

I would recommend that you do the course even if you don't want to do the rescue diver course afterwards."

From Richard Annett - EFR Emergency First Response, course taken March 2009

"Rob, I'd just like to extend my thanks for your wealth of experience and professionalism in delivering the EFR course.

The use of REAL world examples throughout the course was a big help in learning the many new skills that could help save someones life.

I felt the practical session was a really strong part of the course and as ever you managed to inject a sense of realism into what we we're doing. For me this focused home the importance of what we were learning. Really hope I never need to call on these skills but if I do I now have the knowledge, skills and confidence to know I can help.

All that being said I'll still be wary if I see you in Tesco's car park!

Thanks again
James

"

From James Ellis - EFR Emergency First Response, course taken May 2009

"Thanks Rob, just back from diving in the Maldives & straight into a drysuit course at NDAC!!

I've known you long enough to know what to expect but the squeeze at 18mts was an eye opener!

Cheers mate, great course & well worth doing.
"

From Paul Newby - PADI Speciality Drysuit , course taken April 2009

"Thanks Rob for an excellent course.

Your knowledge and expertise in this area, as always, gives me confidence to help out in a real-life emergency.

Looking forward to the Rescue Course.

Thanks again... Paul "

From Paul Harris - EFR Emergency First Response, course taken May 2009

"Finally, first aid courses that don't make you fall asleep, that last longer than 20 minutes and makes you feel that you can actually help somebody if needed!

Thanks Rob for an excellent thorough course that was delivered in such a way you that you don't forget it all within a week...hopeful we wont need to sing 'Nelly the elephant' in real life!

Nia
"

From Nia Williams - EFR Emergency First Response, course taken May 2009

"Thanks Rob for the brilliant EFR course.

Talking through the real life situations made a huge difference, as it help me picture the scene rather than just reading through the book.
Fingers crossed I won't need to use it, but if I do, I have much more confidence now to get involved & help save a life.

Thanks again

Rachel"

From Rachel Evans - EFR Emergency First Response, course taken May 2009

"I have just completed my EFR course as a pre-requisite to the Rescue Course in a few weeks time.

This was definately the most interesting course that I have done with Cardiff Scuba so far - and I didn't even have to get wet !!

Rob's knowledge and experience meant that everything we learnt during this course had a sense of reality. He was able to provide examples of these scenarios and encouraged us to think about things.

This was the first course of this kind that I have ever done and I have come away buzzing with a sense that if I had to - I would have a real chance of helping somebody.

Thanks Rob - I hope now that I can do myself justice in a few weeks time and apply all of this during my rescue scenarios."

From Marc Powell - EFR Emergency First Response, course taken May 2009

"I completed my Open Water in April with Cardiff Scuba. At the beginning I have never been more terrified in my life but the guys at Cardiff Scuba were unbelievable - so chilled and calming, they made us all feel so safe. Massive huge thankyou to Mark who really did calm me down. Nothing was too much trouble for anyone.

The theory sessions were explained amazingly well by Rob, who had quite a few amusing stories for us. Everything was just explained so well, and nothing was too hard for them, they would wait and repeat any exercise until you felt comfortable. Would reccommend them in an instant.

The only negative thing was the temperature of the quarry - think ill stick to diving in tropical waters for the time being. Huge huge 'thankyous' to Rob, Majid, Mark, Ceri and all the other staff who helped.

I cant wait to go diving, and I will be back (sorry guys) to do my Advanced Open Water with you. "

From Emma Gillingham - PADI Open Water, course taken April 2009

"Just back from completing the Open Water course with my 10 year old daughter. A big thank you to Rob for looking after Jessica. Knowing that she was relaxed and in safe hands allowed me to concentrate on my own training and not worry about her.

Majid, you were great and calmed my nerves on a few occasions. I really appreciated your patience and support during some of the open water skills. Thank you.

Thank you Jason for helping me through dive 4. I did have some nerves at first but with your guidance I was soon able to relax and enjoy the dive.

Finally, thanks to all the other support staff who were helping throughout the confined and open water dives. Your support was greatly appreciated.
We hope to meet you all again on future courses and hopefully trips abroad.

Though tiring, this was one of most rewarding things I have ever done. I only wish I had done it 20 years ago! We can now look forward to diving on the holiday we have planned knowing we have had first class training.

For anyone thinking of taking up this sport I would definitely recommend Cardiff Scuba Dive School.

"

From Stephen Martin - PADI Open Water, course taken April 2009

"WOW - I just finished my junior open water diver course!

The pool sessions and the quarry dives - though the quarry dives were freezing.

I'd like to thank Rob and all the team - they were FAB.

If anyone wants to learn to SCUBA dive, Cardiff Scuba is definitely the place to learn!! I loved learning to dive, Rob and Majid made it so fun - THOUGH ROB, I CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY OWN BACK ON YOU FOR CHUCKING ME IN THE QUARRY - I HAVEN'T QUITE FORGIVEN YOU YET!!!
"

From Jessica L Martin - PADI Open Water, course taken April 2009

"Just wanted to say a , massive thank you to Rob, Majid, Mark, all the Dive Masters and anybody else who helped out for a great weekend (including the previous 2 mondays and tuesdays). They all made us feel safe in the water whilst having the best of times learning new skills.

It's a great place to meet new friends....who I hope I can keep in touch with to further my knowlege of Scuba Diving. We all really worked well together and helped each other where we could.... You really get a fantastic sense of achievment (espcially after Dives 3 & 4). Well done everyone.

Cardiff Scuba is a brilliant place to kick start your Scuba Diving experience, and I look forward to maybe doing further courses in the future (as long as the RDP isn't an essential part of the course!!!).

Thanks again guys...Hope to see you all soon."

From Chris Allen - PADI Open Water, course taken April 2009

"Thought I'd pop in and say thank you to everyone involved on this course!

Many thanks to Majid in particular who has the patience of a saint!

What a great course too...not designed to simply hand you a certificate, but designed to challenge you learn the vital skills that may one day save a life whilst having fun. The real sense of achievement doesn't kick in until the last day (Dives 3 and 4) and it's at this point that you truly realise what you have learnt.

With staff as patient, friendly and welcoming as Cardiff Scuba's, I can't think of a better place to get into scuba - I look forward to doing more as soon as time allows! "

From Richard Slaughter - PADI Open Water, course taken April 2009

"Thanks to all the guys Rob, Majid and Mark and all the divemasters who helped us (me more than Evan) through the coarse.

We both really enjoyed it (except the RDP which is still giving me sleepless nights) but we got there.

Great to meet some new friends which hopefully we can meet up with on future underwater expeditions (Chris i won't be forgetting that offer of bunking down in your place down west) in warmer waters let hope !!

Cheers guys Nigel and Evan"

From Nigel And Evan Styles - PADI Open Water, course taken April 2009

"Thought i was finished with the maths forumlas but what a must have speciality course. but a special thanks to Ian for showing a better forumla after learning and getting to grips with the ones in the book, (But hey that is the purpose of the learning). But a big thank you Ian for your knowledge and teaching on this course. A far better understanding of the use of Nitrox for diving."

From Tim Avery - PADI Speciality Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox), course taken March 2009

"Last night I got my PADI Seal Team certificate. I am going to take it into school to show my teacher. I really enjoyed the Seal team. Rob is lots of fun and I made some new friends. We did lots of things in the pool and now I know how to clear my mask and take my regulator out of my mouth and float in the middle of the water. And I breathed on Rob's octopus and it doesn't suck your brains out!

See you soon Rob
Lots of love
Meggie
xxx"

From Meggie Murphy - PADI SEAL Team, course taken February 2009

"Excellent course during which unfortunately I made a" few" mistakes.No pass for me and quite right, so a few weeks later Rob had me back again after the Christmas break to show I had "got it".The course is a absolute must for the safety of you and those you dive with.Tiring certainly,rewarding absolutely,and if the old fella can do it(age withheld due to modesty) so can you.Just do it.Alex."

From Alex - PADI Rescue Diver, course taken November 2008

"What can we say? As adults who have supposedly reached more mature and sedate years, taking on an open water diving course may have been considered by some as evidence that we had finally lost the plot! And I suspect Rob, as a long suffering instructor may have agreed with that view if asked at certain times along the way!
Not so - it has already proved to be one of the best things we have ever tried our hand (& fin) at. Liz had (several) well observed panics in & out of the water, John admitted (afterwards) to being apprehensive in the classroom; but we did it!!! I can't say we're now water babies, but the confidence we developed through the patience of the instructors - especially Rob - means that we felt confident enough to dive in the Red Sea (beats the quarry in Chepstow every time) - and we're already planning a reurn trip next year! And Elite Diving in Sharm el Sheikh, with Alun and Moyra (and Alan2) as our guides meant that we saw some really amazing sights and sites. Thank you to everyone at Cardiff Scuba who has helped us get this far - and we'll see you in the training pool, keeping up our skillsl! Liz & John B"

From Liz Bettles - PADI Open Water, course taken October 2008

"The Rescue Diver course is NOT for the faint hearted! This qualification sets to sharpen your skills as a diver and builds your ability to make a reasonable assessment of a life threatening situation and respond to it appropriately. A thoroughly knackering and enjoyable course with Rob and a team of patient Dive Masters! "

From Diana Denman - PADI Rescue Diver, course taken November 2008

"Hi all, recently completed the rescue course and, as promised by the shop, found it to be not only challenging but also very rewarding. Rob and the DM's were superb, with every thought given to safety and teamwork. At this point I should probably apologise to Rob for my colourfull use of the English language, (tongue in cheek), in my defence I was absolutely shattered, with my brain wanting my body to be anywhere but at the quarry at the time.
Congratulations and thanks to the other participants on the course - a good bunch.
Finally if your thinking of doing Rescue, (or for that matter any course), you will not find a more devoted team than that at Cardiff Scuba - FIRST CLASS."

From John Lock - PADI Rescue Diver, course taken November 2008

"Now that I've fully recovered from the weekend I can take the time to write this note!

The rescue course was a demanding course both physically and mentally.
Cardiff Scuba take the view that whoever takes this course should meet a certain standard, as someone's life may depend on it. So if your looking for an easy ride and just another cert card then dont do this course with Cardiff Scuba. But if you want to finish the course with a great sense of achievement and the confidence that you could actually make a decent attempt at rescuing someone, then I would strongly recommend doing this course with Cardiff Scuba.

That said the couse was still made enjoyable and fun by Rob and the rest of the team, so another big thank you to Cardiff Scuba."

From Rhys Jones - PADI Rescue Diver, course taken November 2008

"What a course!!!!
What can I say! The course was intense and also fun. We were advised about it, but we all dug deep, stayed and continued the course.
The course itself, as usual, was conducted to the highest of standards and the water time was very physical and rewarding, as you can expect from Rob and his team.
I believe this is needed to demonstrate the abilities needed to acheive the standard demanded of a Resuce Diver.
I want to say a BIG Thank you to Rob, Mark C, Jon, Mark W, Mike and Andy.
Safe Diving now:-) Always."

From Tim Avery - PADI Rescue Diver, course taken November 2008

"Many thanks 2 every1 @ Cardiff Scuba - the usual suspects + 2 many more 2 mention! for their professionalism and humour (always the right mix 2 get the job done but still make it thoroughly enjoyable) on the PADI speciality dry suit course.

What an experience, hanging upside down, fins threathening 2 ping off, getting shrink wrapped at 18m, it all adds 2 the fun of UK diving!

I am now pleased to report I will be able to continue all through the winter without needing prescription medication to control withdrawal symptoms from my new found addiction to diving, lol.

Highly recommended, if only to loose those extra few pounds for Xmas without paying for a professional body wrap!

Look 4ward 2 the next 1."

From Jennifer Cometson - PADI Speciality Drysuit , course taken November 2008