TERMS & CONDITIONS

These Terms & Conditions apply to all courses, training programmes, equipment hire, equipment servicing, cylinder filling, dive trips, holidays, youth activities, Independent Alternative Provision (IAP) services, retail sales, and other services provided by Abyss Scuba Ltd trading as Abyss Scuba School.

By booking, purchasing, attending, or participating in any service provided by Abyss Scuba School, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

1. DIVE COURSES

1.1 Medical Requirements

All participants must complete the relevant PADI Medical Questionnaire before participating in any diving activity.

Every question must be answered honestly and accurately.

If any question requires a physician's approval, a signed medical clearance must be provided before participation.

Failure to provide a required medical clearance will prevent participation.

If a course cannot proceed due to an incomplete or outstanding medical requirement, the following rescheduling fees may apply:

  • 50% of the confined water element cost

  • 100% of the open water element cost

1.2 Accuracy of Medical Information

Participants are responsible for ensuring all medical information provided is accurate, complete and up to date.

Failure to disclose relevant medical conditions, medications, treatments, injuries, surgeries or other information affecting diving safety may result in:

  • Refusal of participation

  • Removal from training

  • Cancellation of certification processing

  • Additional training requirements

  • Cancellation without refund

Any costs incurred due to inaccurate or incomplete medical information remain the participant's responsibility.

1.3 Course Participation

Participants must meet all PADI standards, performance requirements, minimum ages and prerequisites applicable to the course being undertaken.

It is the participant's responsibility to ensure they meet all prerequisites before booking.

Arriving more than 15 minutes late may result in cancellation of the session without refund.

If an instructor determines that additional training is required to meet certification standards, extra sessions may be required and charged at current rates.

Certification is not guaranteed and is dependent upon successful completion of all course requirements.

1.4 Package Courses & Discounted Bundles

Where multiple courses are purchased as part of a package, bundle, progression pathway, promotional offer or discounted training programme, discounts are applied on the basis that all courses within the package will be completed.

Should a participant withdraw, cancel, fail to complete or request a refund after commencing training, Abyss Scuba School reserves the right to recalculate completed training at the full individual course prices published on the website at the time of booking.

Refunds will be calculated as:

  • Total amount paid

  • Less completed training at full course prices

  • Less PADI eLearning fees

  • Less certification fees

  • Less equipment hire fees

  • Less a £50 administration fee

Where the value of training received exceeds the amount paid, no refund shall be due.

2. BOOKINGS & CANCELLATIONS

2.1 General

Full payment is required at the time of booking unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Bookings are refundable within 14 days of purchase provided no PADI eLearning has been accessed and no practical training has taken place.

PADI eLearning fees are non-refundable once issued or accessed.

Practical sessions must normally be completed within 12 months of the original booking date unless otherwise agreed.

2.2 Pool Sessions

  • 7+ working days notice: No charge

  • 3–6 working days notice: £25

  • Less than 2 working days notice: £50

  • No-show: Full confined water cost

2.3 Discover Scuba Diving, Bubblemaker & Children's Sessions

  • 7+ working days notice: No charge

  • 3–6 working days notice: £10

  • Less than 2 working days notice: £25

  • No-show: Full session cost

2.4 Open Water Training

  • 7+ working days notice: No charge

  • 3–6 working days notice: £75

  • Less than 2 working days notice: £150

  • No-show: Full open water training cost

2.5 Medical Cancellations

Where a participant is medically unable to attend or continue training due to a diagnosed medical condition, Abyss Scuba School may offer a refund less:

  • PADI eLearning fees

  • Certification fees

  • A £50 administration fee

Medical evidence may be required.

Minor illnesses such as colds, headaches or temporary sickness do not qualify for medical refunds.

3. CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMMES

Parents or guardians remain responsible for the behaviour, welfare and collection of children attending activities.

Children must be collected promptly at the advertised finish time.

For Bubblemaker, Seal Team, Master Seal Team, youth clubs, holiday clubs and other children's activities:

  • Minimum ages apply

  • Medical conditions must be disclosed

  • Participation remains subject to instructor assessment

  • Missed sessions are non-refundable unless otherwise agreed

Abyss Scuba School reserves the right to remove participants whose behaviour is unsafe, abusive, disruptive or presents a safeguarding concern.

No refund will be issued in such circumstances.

4. EQUIPMENT HIRE

By hiring equipment, participants confirm they are medically and legally fit to use it.

All hired equipment remains the property of Abyss Scuba School.

Equipment must be returned in the same condition it was issued, fair wear and tear excepted.

Customers are responsible for:

  • Loss

  • Theft

  • Damage

  • Excessive wear

Repair or replacement costs may be charged at current retail prices.

Any cylinders returned empty may incur a refill charge.

Abyss Scuba School accepts no liability for injury arising from improper use of hired equipment.

5. AIR & NITROX FILLS

Customers presenting cylinders for filling confirm:

  • The cylinder is within test

  • The cylinder is safe for filling

  • The valve is serviceable

  • The cylinder complies with current legislation

Abyss Scuba School reserves the right to refuse any cylinder considered unsafe.

For Nitrox fills, divers are responsible for personally analysing and confirming the oxygen content before use.

6. EQUIPMENT SERVICING

6.1 Servicing Provider

Abyss Scuba School acts as a booking and collection service for equipment servicing.

Servicing work is undertaken by qualified third-party service providers and test centres.

6.2 Liability

All servicing, testing, inspection and repair work remains the responsibility of the servicing provider carrying out the work.

Abyss Scuba School cannot accept liability for workmanship, testing outcomes or manufacturer warranty decisions.

6.3 Collection

Servicing charges must be paid before collection.

Equipment not collected within 90 days may incur storage charges.

Equipment remaining uncollected after 180 days may be sold, recycled or disposed of to recover costs following reasonable attempts to contact the owner.

7. DIVE TRIPS & HOLIDAYS

7.1 Role of Abyss Scuba School

Abyss Scuba School acts as a booking and coordination service only.

Flights, accommodation, diving services and travel arrangements may be provided by third-party operators.

7.2 Deposits

Deposits are non-refundable.

Failure to pay balances by the specified deadline may result in cancellation without refund.

7.3 Qualification Requirements

Participants are responsible for ensuring they possess:

  • Appropriate certification

  • Required experience

  • Appropriate equipment

  • Suitable fitness levels

Abyss Scuba School reserves the right to refuse participation where safety may be compromised.

No refund shall be due.

7.4 Weather & Operational Changes

Activities may be modified, postponed, relocated or cancelled due to:

  • Weather

  • Sea conditions

  • Visibility

  • Safety concerns

  • Instructor availability

  • Vessel availability

  • Circumstances beyond our control

Alternative arrangements may be offered where possible.

Refunds are not guaranteed.

7.5 Insurance

Participants are responsible for ensuring they hold suitable insurance where required.

Proof of insurance may be requested.

8. INDEPENDENT ALTERNATIVE PROVISION (IAP)

These terms apply to all IAP, EOTAS, school placements and educational programmes.

  • Attendance remains the responsibility of the parent, guardian or commissioning organisation.

  • Missed sessions remain chargeable unless otherwise agreed in writing.

  • Participants must follow staff instructions and centre rules.

  • Behaviour presenting a risk to staff, participants, property or welfare may result in suspension or removal.

  • Abyss Scuba School reserves the right to terminate placements where safety, welfare or operational concerns cannot be adequately managed.

No refunds will be issued for sessions missed due to exclusion arising from behavioural or safeguarding concerns.

9. PRODUCT SALES

9.1 Delivery

Products may be dispatched directly from suppliers.

Delivery times are estimates only and cannot be guaranteed.

9.2 Returns

Returns are accepted for faulty or damaged goods only.

Faults must be reported within 48 hours of delivery with supporting photographs where appropriate.

Returns for unwanted items, sizing issues or change of mind may be refused unless required by consumer law.

9.3 Warranty

Manufacturer warranties remain the responsibility of the manufacturer.

Abyss Scuba School will assist with warranty claims where possible.

10. PHOTOGRAPHY & MARKETING

Photographs and videos may be taken during courses, trips, activities and events for:

  • Training purposes

  • Marketing

  • Social media

  • Promotional materials

Participants wishing to opt out must notify Abyss Scuba School in writing prior to the activity.

Reasonable efforts will be made to respect such requests.

11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Scuba diving, snorkelling, freediving and water-based activities carry inherent risks.

Participants take part at their own risk.

Abyss Scuba School will take all reasonable steps to provide safe instruction, supervision, equipment and facilities but accepts no liability for injury, loss, damage or expense arising from participation except where caused by negligence or where liability cannot legally be excluded.

12. TRADING ENTITY

Abyss Scuba School is the trading name of Abyss Scuba Ltd.

All contracts, payments and legal obligations are with Abyss Scuba Ltd.

References to Abyss Scuba School within websites, marketing materials, invoices or communications refer to Abyss Scuba Ltd.

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.