Joining

Can I have a try dive / look round the club?
If you're interested in coming along for a look then just turn up. Make sure you introduce yourself to some people and get involved. If you want to try SCUBA in the pool then please contact one of us in advance, so we can make sure there's SCUBA equipment and and instructor available for you. We charge £10 for a Try Dive (also known as a "suck it and see") to cover upkeep of the equipment.

Can I use my qualifications from PADI/BSAC/etc?
Yes

Do I have to cross over?
no

What does it cost?
See lower down

Can you train me for my upcoming holiday?
If you just want a license for the occasional days dive when you’re in warmer climes then PADI is the quickest route to get one. If you fancy diving in England, diving weekends and diving holidays, a social group of divers or developing your diving skills then you should consider joining a club.

Incidentally, Jeff Errington the owner of Diveline is a member of Argonaut Divers, we're all one big happy family.Training

What qualifications do you teach?
Sub Aqua Association (SAA)

What ages can you teach?
12 up

Medical requirements:

Do I need a diving medical?
Yes

Are there any medical reasons I cant dive?
Some

Diving can be a physically demanding sport, and it is the requirement of the Argonauts that every new member must have a Full Diving medical before diving in open water.

A ‘UK Sport Diver Medical Form’ should be included with your membership pack. This form describes some of the more common medical problems which may cause problems for divers, or even disqualify them from diving altogether.

You will need to book an appointment for your medical with a GP with an interest in diving medicine or a suitably qualified hyperbaric specialist. Fill in Section A on the front page of the form and take it with you.

Dr Simon Rudland is a GP at the Stowmarket Health Centre. He is a qualified Royal Navy Ship’s Diving Officer and was Senior Medical officer on HMS Challenger (Saturation diving and seabed operations vessel). He has also been Medical Officer on HMS Dolphin, the submarine escape establishment. His secretary, Claire Piper can be contacted weekday mornings on 01473 217592 for bookings or the Health Centre number is 01449 776000. A urine sample and completed medical form will be required. The cost is £55.00.Periodically, you will need to renew your medical certificate. The certificate is valid for 5 years up to the age of 40, 3 years if you are between 40 and 50 years, and every year thereafter. Note that the examining doctor can restrict the certificate to a shorter period if deemed necessary. New medical forms can be obtained from the Club Secretary.

Following this, you may elect to follow the ‘Self certification’ Medical procedure. You will be required to complete a full checklist sheet and sign your acknowledgement of compliance.

Self Certification forms are available from Club Secretary. This self certification option is open to you under current SAA rules. But you are encouraged to have a Full Diving medical if you are unsure of any condition.

Membership of the SAA:

If you are training with Argonaut Divers, or you wish to use your SAA qualifications while diving, you need to maintain SAA membership. If you are a member of other SAA clubs you only need to pay SAA membership once, through Argonaut Divers or another club.

If you have other qualifications (e.g. PADI or BSAC) then you do not need to join the SAA, though you will need third party liability insurance to dive with the club.

We are trying to encourage members of Argonaut Divers to pay their subscriptions by standing order. This method of payment allows us to collect subscriptions regularly and efficiently, and allows members the peace of mind of knowing they will always be up to date! This facility is available for UK residents only.

If you have any questions about this, please address them to the treasurer.

Membership for Argonauts and SAA runs from January annually.

SAA Fees

New Members joining the SAA are required to purchase the New Student Starter Pack (£30) which includes a manual (£15), Buhlmann Dive Tables (£8) and Tool Book (£15). These books are not compulsory if already qualified under another dive organisation such as PADI, CMAS or SSI, etc Annual subscription rates are as follows:

SAA full membership, Adult, new member:
£45, includes SAA qualifications book

SAA full membership, Adult, renewing member:
£35 per year

SAA full membership, Junior, new member:
£34

SAA full membership, Junior, renewing member:
£24

SAA full membership, Senior, new member:
£34

SAA full membership, Senior, renewing member:
£24

SAA diving manual:
£15

Replacement SAA qualifications book:
£10

Buhlmann Dive Tables
£8

SAA Tool Book
£15

Club membership:

Annual subscription rates are as follows:

Non SAA Members
Adult Full - £80
Adult Half - £40
Adult Quarterly - £20

Junior Full - £40
Junior Half - £20

Student Full - £60
Student Half - £30

Vets Full - £60
Vets Half - £30

UB40 Full - £60
UB40 Half - £30

½ Member Full - £40
½ Member Half - £20

Social Full - £30
Social Half - £15

Social Junior Full - £20
Social Junior Half - £10

NEW FULL members Jul-Aug 2008 - £6For

NEW FULL members Sep 2008 - £10

NEW members Oct-Dec 2008 - Pay 2008 fees and runs until Dec 2009

Club boat:

The club boat has no charges for using it, but the cox is responsible for filling the petrol and oil tanks. Contact the Boating Officer for more details
SCUBA equipment for training:

Equipment

All equipment is free to use, the club pays for and maintains the kit – hurrah

ALL members of the club are expected to have their own mask, fins and snorkel by the end of their first month’s training. Please discuss these items with your instructor before purchasing them.

Charges for equipment have been stopped since AGM November 2007 except for stolen or damaged equipment. Cylinders should be returned to the club fully charged (ie 180 bar or more).

Equipment available:

Mask, Fins, Snorkel Demand Valve and gauges Air cylinder STAB jacket Weight Belt (inc weights)

See the Equipment Officer, for Equipment requirements. Equipment and Air fills are available from:

Diveline, St. Johns Works, St. Johns Road, Ipswich, Tel 01473 715533
Or
Galaxsea Divers, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich Tel 01473 711818