Terms & Conditions
These Terms & Conditions apply to all courses, equipment servicing, dive holidays, trips, and product sales provided by Abyss Scuba Ltd (trading as Abyss Scuba School), based at Littlehampton Marina, West Sussex.
Dive Courses
Medical Requirements
All participants must complete a PADI Diving Medical Statement, provided as part of the eLearning registration.
Every question must be answered ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
If any question is answered ‘Yes’, the participant must obtain a signed medical clearance from a physician prior to diving.
Failure to provide a signed medical where required will prevent participation.
If a course cannot proceed due to an incomplete medical, a rescheduling fee will apply:
50% of the course cost for confined water sessions
100% of the course cost for open water sessions
Kit Rental
By renting kit from Abyss Scuba School, you confirm that you are medically and legally fit to dive using the equipment.
All equipment must be returned in the same condition it was issued, including cylinders filled.
Any cylinders returned empty will incur a refill charge at the current website rate.
Equipment is maintained to a high standard, but all use is at the customer’s own risk. Abyss Scuba School accepts no liability for injury or harm during use.
If you hire a wetsuit from us, we will do our best to provide you with the best fitting suit available. However, hired wetsuits will not fit as well as personally owned ones.
Bookings & Cancellations
Full payment is required at the time of booking unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Bookings are refundable within 14 days of purchase, provided PADI eLearning has not been accessed.
Once accessed, PADI eLearning costs cannot be refunded under any circumstances, as these fees are charged directly by PADI.
Practical session dates may be rearranged with at least 7 business days’ notice, subject to availability, and must be completed within 12 months of the original course date.
Business days are Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Cancellation Charges
Pool Sessions:
7+ working days: No charge
3–6 working days: £25
<2 working days: £50
No-show: full cost of confined water element
Discover Scuba Diving / Children’s Pool Sessions:
7+ working days: No charge
3–6 working days: £10
<2 working days: £25
No-show: full cost of session
Open Water Sessions:
7+ working days: No charge
3–6 working days: £75
<2 working days: £150
No-show: full cost of open water element
Medical Cancellations
If a participant is medically unable to attend or continue a course due to a diagnosed medical condition, Abyss Scuba School will refund the course cost less a £25 administration fee and the non-refundable PADI eLearning fee, provided at least 2 working days’ notice is given and the course cannot be completed within 6 months.
This policy applies only to genuine medical conditions supported by a doctor’s note (e.g. injury, surgery, new diagnosis).
Cancellations for minor illness (such as colds, headaches, or temporary sickness) are subject to the standard cancellation policy above.
Course Participation
Arriving more than 15 minutes late may result in course cancellation.
To pass a PADI course, participants must meet all PADI training standards.
Instructors may require additional sessions if standards are not met; these may incur additional charges.
Minimum ages and prerequisites for each course are listed on our website under “PADI Courses.”
It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure eligibility.
Equipment Servicing
Role of Abyss Scuba School
Abyss Scuba School acts as a booking and drop-off service for all equipment servicing.
All regulator, BCD, and cylinder servicing is carried out by Southern Cylinders Services Ltd, a trusted third-party IDEST-approved test centre.
Abyss Scuba School staff do not perform the servicing work directly.
Responsibility & Liability
All workmanship, testing, and repairs are the responsibility of Southern Cylinders Services Ltd.
Any servicing faults, warranty claims, or disputes must be directed to them.
Abyss Scuba School will assist in liaising but cannot accept liability or provide compensation for third-party work.
Regulator Servicing
Servicing includes full disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, reassembly using manufacturer-approved service kits, and functional testing (in and out of water).
Prices assume equipment has been serviced regularly; neglected or damaged equipment may incur additional charges.
BCD Servicing
Servicing includes disassembly and cleaning of inflator and dump valves, antibacterial bladder cleaning, reassembly, and full inflation testing.
Additional repairs may incur extra costs if damage or neglect is found.
Cylinder Servicing (Legal Requirements)
All cylinder testing and servicing is carried out in line with UK law (PSSR 2000) and IDEST standards:
Visual Inspection: every 2.5 years
Hydrostatic Test: every 5 years
Cylinders failing testing cannot be returned to service unless repaired and retested.
Additional services such as O₂ cleaning, shot blasting, or valve work may be required.
All testing is completed by Southern Cylinders Services Ltd, an IDEST-approved test centre.
Service Process
Equipment is stripped, cleaned, serviced, and tested to manufacturer and industry standards.
Any additional parts or labour will always be quoted and agreed before work proceeds.
Only authorised service kits and approved processes are used.
Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround: 10–14 working days, but may take up to 4 weeks during busy periods or if parts are delayed.
Abyss Scuba School cannot guarantee completion times.
Costs & Payments
Prices are displayed on our website.
All servicing fees must be paid in full before collection.
Items not collected within 90 days of completion may be disposed of.
Customer Responsibilities
Customers must provide accurate service history and disclose any known issues.
Equipment must be dropped off and collected from Abyss Scuba School, or sent via courier at the customer’s expense.
Dive Holidays & Trips
Role of Abyss Scuba School
Abyss Scuba School acts solely as a booking and coordination service for dive holidays and trips.
We arrange travel, diving, and accommodation through trusted, ATOL-protected tour operators, liveaboard companies, and dive centres.
Abyss Scuba School does not directly operate the holidays and therefore cannot be held responsible for cancellations, delays, or service issues caused by third parties.
ATOL Protection
All holidays abroad are ATOL-protected via the travel company or provider we book through.
Customers will receive confirmation of ATOL coverage directly from the provider once the booking is confirmed.
Deposits & Payments
A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your place.
The remaining balance must be paid by the specified due date.
Failure to pay on time may result in cancellation without refund.
Prices are subject to change due to flights, accommodation costs, fuel surcharges, or economic fluctuations.
Price changes imposed by the travel operator or airline are outside our control.
Cancellations & Refunds
All deposits are non-refundable.
Where possible, Abyss Scuba School will assist in securing a partial refund or credit from the travel provider, but this cannot be guaranteed.
All refunds are subject to the third-party provider’s terms and conditions.
If a trip is cancelled by Abyss Scuba School (e.g. low numbers or operational reasons), customers will be offered either a transfer to another trip or a full refund of the amount paid directly to Abyss Scuba School.
Responsibility & Liability
All flights, accommodation, diving, and travel services are operated by third-party providers.
Abyss Scuba School accepts no liability for loss, injury, delay, or cancellation caused by third parties but will always assist in liaising to help resolve issues quickly.
Participants must hold valid travel insurance covering diving activities appropriate to their qualification level.
Proof of insurance may be requested before departure.
Trip Conduct
All participants must comply with the safety guidance of the lead instructor, dive operator, and local regulations.
Unsafe behaviour or failure to follow instructions may result in removal from activities without refund.
Product Sales
Delivery
Many products are dispatched directly from suppliers.
Standard delivery time is up to 14 working days, depending on stock availability.
Customers will be notified of significant delays.
Returns & Refunds
Returns are accepted only for damaged or faulty items.
Faults must be reported within 48 hours of delivery, with photographic evidence.
Refunds or replacements are issued once the item has been assessed.
Return postage is the customer’s responsibility unless the error is ours.
Returns are not accepted for unwanted items, incorrect sizing, or change of mind.
Warranty
All warranties are provided directly by the manufacturer.
Abyss Scuba School will assist with warranty claims but is not responsible for warranty cover.
Trading Name
Abyss Scuba School is the trading name of Abyss Scuba Ltd, a company registered in England & Wales.
All contracts, payments, and legal responsibilities are with Abyss Scuba Ltd.
References to “Abyss Scuba School” in our website, marketing, or communications should be understood as referring to Abyss Scuba Ltd.