How We Keep Our Staff and Students Safe at Abyss Scuba School
Joel giving a dive brief.
At Abyss Scuba School CIC, safety is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you're taking your very first breaths underwater or advancing through your professional training, you can be confident that your experience is underpinned by industry-leading safety standards, detailed planning, and a team who truly cares.
Here’s how we ensure the safety of every diver, staff and student alike:
📋 Dive Planning and Safety Briefings
Before any dive takes place, our team creates detailed dive plans tailored to the site, conditions, and experience levels of participants. We assess entry and exit points, expected depths and times, hazards, and emergency procedures. All students and staff are fully briefed before entering the water, ensuring everyone understands the plan—and their role within it.
About to enter the water.
🤝 The Power of the Buddy System
We follow the PADI standard of always diving with a buddy. Before each dive, students and staff complete a full buddy check (BWRAF – BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final OK) to ensure all gear is fitted correctly and functioning. This not only improves safety, but reinforces good habits for life.
🧰 Regular Equipment Servicing
All our scuba equipment is regularly inspected and serviced by qualified technicians. We maintain detailed servicing records and follow manufacturer guidelines to the letter. From regulators to tanks, masks to weight belts, everything is kept in top condition—because well-maintained kit is essential for safe diving.
Checking our equipment before the dive.
🧑🏫 Highly Trained Staff
Every instructor and divemaster at Abyss holds current certifications, including:
HSE Medical (Fit to Dive)
HSE-recognised First Aid
Enhanced DBS checks
DAN Instructor Insurance
Up-to-date PADI professional memberships
We also invest in ongoing training, including rescue refreshers, safeguarding, and emergency scenario drills to ensure we’re always ready to respond calmly and effectively.
🛠️ Health & Safety Compliance
We adhere to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) diving regulations in the UK, which set clear requirements for commercial dive operations. This includes keeping an accurate dive register, using safe gas fills, and ensuring risk assessments are completed for every activity.
Our site itself is maintained to a high standard:
Pool water is tested daily for chemical balance
Monthly legionella testing
Weekly fire system checks
6-monthly evacuation drills
And of course, our pool is supervised by staff trained in rescue and first aid.
Practicing our First aid skills.
🧠 Safety is Culture
At Abyss, safety isn’t just a checklist, it’s a culture. We encourage open communication, mutual respect, and a ‘speak up’ attitude where students and staff alike are empowered to flag any concerns.
We believe the safest divers are the most confident and well-prepared. That’s why we teach with patience, clarity, and professionalism, so our students leave with not just new skills, but the right mindset to dive responsibly.
