Simply Scuba – Review of SSI Open Water Diving Course

After deliberating for years on taking up a dive course and having missed exploring the hidden wonders under the sea in Manado, Cebu and Perhentian in our previous media trips, we have decided to go with Simply Scuba to obtain our SSI Open Water diving license.  When Simply Scuba approached us to write a story about learning to dive, we thought we were destined to pick up this underwater sport.

• Simply Scuba has an unblemished safety record throughout their 25 years in the industry
  • Safety is Simply Scuba’s upmost concern when comes to diving

• Simply Scuba has their own facilities in Tioman and Singapore
  • No need to carry equipment up to the resort or dive centre

• Simply Scuba runs courses and dive trips every weekend throughout the diving season
  • Makes planning a date more flexible. Just visit their online calendar, find a date and make a booking
  • No requirement for minimum amount of students in a group

• Simply Scuba SSI Open Water diving course is short and session timings are catered to working class
  • One theory session on Monday evening at 7pm
  • One pool session on Wednesday evening at 6.30pm
  • Dive trip to Tioman from Friday evening to Sunday evening

 

The Theory Session

For the SSI Open Water theory lessons, you can choose to attend a “one off theory session and issued with SSI manual” or “home study via SSI online manual“. With our irregular schedules at work, the online home study was a better option as we can choose to study as and when we want. The online manual also comes with interactive features.

But if you are still not confident for the dive, I recommend to opt for the theory session and let the instructors at Simply Scuba answer your queries while giving you advice on preparation for the pool and dive sessions. The theory sessions are held at Simply Scuba’s office at Parklane Shopping Mall.

 

Simply Scuba Pool Session

During the session, the instructor runs through the preparation of your dive gear, how to don the gears with buddy checks and a series of skills & protocols for diving. We were constantly reminded how important all these checks and steps are prior to and during a dive.

On the same day, we were tested on all the skills & protocol by performing them in the pool and rewarded with a handshake when we pass each test. Instructors are patient and skilled to attend & resolve the difficulties encountered by less confident students. We had a friend who had diving on the bucket list but had problems with breathing through her mouth instead of her nose.  So she’s now learning to swim and gaining confidence on breathing before she embarks on her second attempt.

Pool session is held at Mana Mana Beach Club at East Coast Park just beside the hawker centre, so at least you know you can conveniently settle your dinner or supper after the exhausting pool session.

 

Simply Scuba Dive Trip

 

This is the most exciting and fun part of the whole course, a weekend “getaway” to Tioman Island in Malaysia. The journey starts on a Friday evening with a three-hour coach ride from Upper Circular Road in CBD to Mersing Jetty, followed by a two-and-a-half hours boat ride directly to the resort’s jetty. It is a long and sleepy ride, but this is necessary in order to ensure you pass your test and get your license over one weekend.  (Note: Bring a blanket or thick jacket if you want to sleep on the boat. The aircon can be freezing cold)

The resort may be a bit run down, but it comes with basic amenities including air conditioning, heated shower and it is still cozy for a peaceful sleep. There is no television in the room.  Trust me, after the long journey and tiredness from the diving, you will sleep like a rock even if you were given a deck chair. The resort is self sufficient with local convenience stores and eateries available within the resort compound. So bring some ringgit if you want to reward yourself with some local delicacies like Ramly Burgers and Nasi Goreng Pattaya. The convenience stores also sell various beverages and snacks should you want to munch on something.

 

Saturday

After a late night arrival, we gathered at the dive shop at around 8.30am to grab the dive gears for the next two days. The first three dives were shore dives. During the shore dives, we had to slowly swim our way to the dive site just off the beach at the resort. Prior to every dive, the instructors will explain about the dive plan, so that everyone will be in sync on what to do and to expect during the dive.

The aim of these dives are to let us revise our skills and protocol from the pool session. They help to build our confidence for the deeper and more open boat dives on Sunday. During these three shore dives, the depth ranges from five metres to over seven metres depending on how fast you progress. At Simply Scuba, each dive instructor can handle up to eight students each dive which varies depending on the size of the group.

Before our BBQ dinner, all the students will have to take the theory test which consist of 50 multiple choice questions. If you have been attentive to what the instructors have taught during the pool session, first three dives and have at least read through the manual, it will not be a problem to pass this test.

 

Sunday

 

The dive started early in the morning as we had to finish two boat dives before heading back to Singapore after lunch. The two boat dive sites were offshore away from the mainland at Renggis and Tumuk. Expect relatively strong current and the dive may go beyond 10 metres, so stick close to the dive instructors and try not to deviate to far away from your group. Occasionally, you may swim pass another group and be alert so that you do not follow the wrong group.

During our boat dives, the water visibility was low, so we did not get to explore and see much of the beautiful sea creatures we were hoping to encounter. But that also taught me the importance of sticking close to the group as within metres apart, you will easily loose sight of your group. At Tumuk, we found a taxi wreck at the seabed and had a chance for photo op. Depending on your luck and season, you may be able to spot reef sharks during the dive. Fear not… reef sharks will not bite unless you provoke it.

After the dives, we had lunch, packed our bags, checked out, took the ferry and the coach. We managed to arrive back in Singapore at around 8 plus in the evening just in time for dinner.

 

The Simply Scuba Verdict

The overall experience with Simply Scuba for the SSI Open Water Diving Course was great. The instructors were friendly and very experienced divers who know their stuffs in this trade. The convenience and timing of the course makes it suitable and convenient for working adults to take up this course and completing the course within two weeks (depending on how you schedule the sessions). After returning from the dive trip, the license card are ready for collection within a week and alternatively, the e-card can be downloaded via an “Everything Diving by SSI” app on Apple App Store or Google Play if you do not have time to collect the card before the dive trip.

The package for SSI Open Water Diving Course is S$599 and they also offered PADI version of the dive course at S$620. Both packages will include the following:

• Two nights stay in Tioman Island with five meals included
  • Basic package comes in quad share rooms with air condition and attached bathroom with hot shower
  • For twin & single sharing rooms, you will have to top up additional S$80 & S$160 repectively
• Two way transfer by coach & ferry (SIN / TIO /SIN)
• Manual, dive log to keep
• All dive equipment used during the course
• Issuing of license card

So what is the difference between SSI and PADI? Check out this link to find out more.