Ocean Tribe is delighted to announce that on Wednesday 18th December 2024 we will be running the PADI EMEA Advanced Training Academy in Diani Beach, Kenya.
The program will run for 1 day from 8:30AM – 6:00PM
The PADI (EMEA) Advanced Training Academy consists of presentations/workshops, each to further develop new, inactive, inexperienced, or less confident PADI instructors, to empower them to become more confident and productive. While elements of the topics would have been delivered during the Instructor Development Course, the PADI EMEA Advanced Training Academy provides additional insight into these areas and is for participants (PADI OWSI and above) who already have a basic understanding of these topic areas. Presentations/workshops include:
Making the Most of the PADI Pros’ Site
Conducting a Successful PADI Rescue Diver Course
Conducting a Successful PADI Divemaster Course
PADI Risk Management and Best Practice
ITINERARY
8:30am -Orientation
9:00am- Workshop- Making the Most of the PADI Pros Site
11:00am- Workshop- Conducting a Successful PADI Rescue Diver Course
2:00pm- Workshop- Conducting a Successful PADI Divemaster Course
4:00pm- Workshop- PADI Risk Management and Best Practice
WHAT TO BRING
Laptop or Tablet with access to PADI Pros website
PADI Instructor Manual 2024
All Instructor cue cards
PADI Guide to Teaching
Phone/Tablet with the following apps installed
PADI App
PADI Training App
PADI Adventures App
A little more information
PADI Instructors who successfully complete the PADI EMEA Advanced Training Academy may submit a Program Completion Verification Form, signed by their Course Director, to PADI. Seminar credit will be given to instructors who submit the Program Completion Verification Form. This supports seminar credit needed when advancing PADI Instructor credentials.
The cost of the program is $99 per PADI professional
For those who would like to attend but are unable to, there will be an opportunity to complete the program online over 4 live sessions. These will be held on:
19/12/24- 2-3 pm – Orientation and Online Workshop- Making the Most of the PADI Pros Site
22/12/24- 2-3 pm – Online Workshop- PADI Risk Management and Best Practice
To sign up for the program please book online here or email idc@oceantribe.co and if you have any questions for us in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us via email or WhatsApp.
Ocean Tribe PADI IDC dates for 2025 have now been released with 5 PADI IDCs scheduled for next year. These will be in March, April, June, September and November. If you don’t see a date that suits you then contact Ocean Tribe and we will try to arrange a PADI IDC that will suit you. Become a PADI Instructor in paradise with Africa’s top PADI Instructor Development team.
We are very excited to announce that we are offering the PADI Sidemount Diver course in Kenya at Ocean Tribe. From mid-December you will be able to be trained on sidemount, opening up a whole other side of diving for you. For the first program top PADI Sidemount Instructor Trainer, Platinum Course Director Gary Phillips will be travelling to Kenya to run the program.
What is Sidemount Diving
Normal scuba diving involves carrying a single cylinder on your back. This is back mount diving. Sidemount diving is simply a configuration where the tanks are arranged on your sides rather than your back. Sidemount diving can be used in sport, technical, and overhead environment diving and was originally developed by cave divers.
Sidemount divers often dive with two tanks attached in the water which can make gearing up easier. The tanks are attached to the diver’s harness with bungees or straps which can be easily removed or adjusted while diving.
In technical diving where multiple cylinders often have to be carried some believe that it is easier when using sidemount. You can move onto the PADI Tec Sidemount Diver course from the PADI Sidemount Course to learn how to mount at least 4 tanks for tech diving.
So why should you try sidemount diving? It is a new diving configuration so is it for you? Below are a few good reasons to become a sidemount diver.
Streamlining
As divers, it is very important to be as streamlined as possible. When we see marine creatures underwater, we marvel at the speed they travel. This is because their streamlining has developed over millions of years of evolution. So how do we match it?
The main problem is water is 800 times denser than air and not being streamlined can create drag which means you have to work harder to propel yourself, using more energy and your precious air. So even small things like having your feet slightly below the rest of your body can create significant drag requiring more effort to move.
What diving a sidemount configuration does is align the cylinders with your body and the direction of travel. This streamlining can make propulsion easier and your dive much more relaxed and comfortable.
Trim
Trim refers to the forward-to-back orientation of a diver and is usually referenced as; ‘in trim’, ‘head down’, or ‘feet down’. Getting the right trim is a basic diving requirement to move efficiently underwater. This is normally a good horizontal trim.
A good trim is achieved by having the correct weighting amount and positioning on your body, coupled with the correct positioning of gas in your BCD and dry suit (if you are wearing one).
While it is perfectly possible to get a great trim in back mount diving
(And also essential for good easy normal diving). Sidemount diving can make it easier due to the cylinder position at the sides of your body. This allows them to more closely align with your centres of gravity and buoyancy.
Balance
When you are diving with cylinders on your back, you have to use body tension to keep your balance when turning towards your sides. You often can feel unbalanced in these situations.
By contrast, when you are diving sidemount, the cylinders are mounted on either side of your chest and no matter what your orientation in the water, the centre of gravity is near the centre of your body and you are always balanced.
Stability
When you are stable when diving you can relax almost completely, whilst remaining with a good trim and balance. This makes you truly weightless and also a stable platform. From which you can perform tasks and skills in the same position in the water.
This can be incredibly important when doing some of the dives that sidemount is intended for such as overhead environments. You do not want to make contact with the floor of a wreck or cave and cause a silt out, or hurt yourself hitting overhead objects. Additionally, it is essential to be able to maintain good buoyancy for decompression stops and gas-switching tasks at specific depths, when using the configuration for tech diving.
I would just like to point out that good stability is perfectly achievable with backmount and many of us have achieved this with little difficulty. Some sidemount pros have pointed out that sidemount configurations can be easier to develop this skill in their opinions. See what you think.
Redundancy
One of the main benefits of sidemount is that enables you to carry more gas. It also provides you with a redundancy system in the event of equipment failure or diver error. This is a requirement for all technical diving. Sidemount can provide two independent gas supplies. While this has its pros and cons the redundancy feature of sidemount is a serious benefit.
Access to Tank Valves
When you are diving with a back mount configuration it can be hard to reach and impossible to see your cylinder valves, making it awkward to open and close them when geared up.
Sidemount allows you to have your valves in view, making it easier and quicker to identify and isolate any issues and easily open and close valves to switch gas supplies.
Managing Your Equipment
Sidemount gives you the option to don and doff equipment in the water (subject to water conditions). This can be of tremendous aid to divers who struggle to carry single or twinsets on land. This can aid those with back issues or with disabilities who find it easier to gear up in the water.
Additionally, sidemount also allows you to unclip tanks underwater and feed them through gaps ahead of you, enabling you as a diver to squeeze through smaller spaces. This can be very useful in cave or wreck diving.
New Challenges
You might not be looking to do technical training, or squeeze through tight overhead environments so should you still think of diving sidemount? I mean after all. It is not for everyone. Well if you like to learn new skills and embrace new challenges then yes for sure.
Sidemount diving requires you to learn new skills that you don’t find in traditional back-mounted scuba diving. If you are like me and just want to learn as many skills as possible and keep yourself developing then this is definitely worth it.
New skills introduced include but are not limited to Managing more than one tank, new control of buoyancy and trim, and new equipment positions. What a challenge, which can be very rewarding.
What will Happen on the PADI Sidemount Diver Course?
Ok there is some PADI eLearning to complete as part of the knowledge development section of the PADI Sidemount Diver Course. During this and workshops with your PADI Instructor, you will learn about the theory of sidemount diving, as well as the gear configurations and equipment options that are available to you. You will also be introduced to
Benefits, and drawbacks of sidemount diving
Proper sidemount diving gas management
Buoyancy Control
Emergency procedures whilst sidemount diving
The PADI sidemount course practical part includes both confined and open water diver training. You will learn about the setup and donning of sidemount gear and then perform the following skills and exercises in the water
Equipment assembly and adjustment
Entry and exit with sidemount
Gas management
Buoyancy control
Underwater navigation on sidemount
Regulator Recovery
Emergency procedures.
You will make 3 open water dives on Sidemount over 1 or 2 days as part of the course following mastering the techniques in the pool.
Once all performance requirements have been met by you with regards to elearning, and confined and open water dives you will be issued with a PADI Sidemount Diver certification, indicating that you are qualified to use sidemount gear and dive a sidemount configuration.
I am a PADI Instructor. Can I become a Sidemount Instructor?
Yes, we can include the Sidemount Instructor training courses in a package for those PADI Instructors who complete PADI Sidemount diver training with us.
For our dive and safari trips we are constantly asked “do I need a visa to travel to Kenya”. This question has become a little more confusing since Kenya introduced the eVisa earlier this year.
However the ETA is essentially the same as a visa. You need to apply for one before coming to Kenya. You also need to make sure you apply in the right place.
Unfortunately there are many “agents” who have sprung up trying to get you to book through them. This is not necessary and can lose you money and also slow down the process.
So we have prepared the following guide below for our customers asking the question “do I need a visa to travel to Kenya?”.
We are delighted to announce that we have just become a Shearwater dive computer dealer. Shearwater has in recent established itself as the top name in dive computers. We are extremely excited to be the first dive centre in East Africa to be able to offer these top computers to dive clients.
There is a range of Shearwater dive computers available in both wristwatch and larger styles and the possibility of air integration.
All Shearwater computers are enabled for technical diving, with some models more suitable for recreational divers.
How can I get a Shearwater Dive Computer from Ocean Tribe?
We are presently putting together the first dive computer order with the following models available: If you have a particular style of Shearwater dive computer you would like then you can request by contacting us on mail or WhatsApp and we will make sure these are added to the order.
From then on a small range of Shearwater dive computers will be available in the Ocean Tribe shop in Diani or for purchase from our website.
Shearwater dive computers are generally mid to high range regarding budget but once you have one you won’t be looking to change it any time soon.
What Models of Shearwater Dive Computers are there?
Shearwater Peregrine – $550
FULL COLOUR, LARGE, EASY-TO-READ SCREEN
USER FRIENDLY 2-BUTTON INTERFACE
WIRELESS RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
A compact, easy-to-use dive computer with a large, bright display.
Advanced collision avoidance system ensures reliability using multiple transmitters
Randomized transmit interval allows for reliable simultaneous use of multiple Swift transmitters
LED status indicator
Easy ‘no tools’ installation and removal on divers first stage
Compatible with all existing air integrated Shearwater dive computers and many other computers already on the market
A ruggedized compact dive computer rigorously tested for use in extreme environments.
Next generation smart air integration transmitter. The Swift allows divers to carry multiple transmitters reliably. The collision avoidance protocol allows for multiple transmitters to be used at the same time with a lower likelihood of dropped communications. The Swift is designed and built in Canada for demanding divers of all proficiency levels.
CAN BE PAIRED WITH ALL TX MODELS.
PACKAGE PRICES
Peregrine TX & Swift Transmitter – $1000
Tern TX & Swift Transmitter-$1075
Teric & Swift Transmitter- $1470
Perdix 2 & Swift Transmitter- $1465
For your kids summer activities in Kenya on this year’s summer holidays why not get them involved in scuba diving. For children as young as 8 years old, Ocean Tribe offer PADI scuba diving programs in Diani.
As well as being a fun and adventurous summer activity. Scuba diving is also a wonderful way to introduce children to the underwater world and wondrous eco-system. This can lead to a lifelong hobby or even career choices in the fields of diving instruction, marine biology or conservation.
All PADI scuba diving programs for kids summer activities are well structured with worldwide-recognised certifications. So what programs are available?
Scuba Diving Programs for 8 and 9 Year Olds
PADI Bubblemaker
1 Hour Session
PADI Bubblemaker is a pool introduction to scuba diving with a PADI Instructor for kids aged 8-9. They will be introduced to the scuba equipment with a briefing with an instructor before getting into the water. They will then start blowing bubbles and learning what it is like to be on scuba in a controlled environment. The experience tends to last an hour or so.
The PADI Seal Team provides a structured learning environment combined with enjoyable scuba activities. This stimulating program appeals to kids who crave adventure, seek the challenge of learning new skills and want to gain an appreciation for preserving the aquatic realm. They also earn credit towards their Junior Open Water Diver certification.
The PADI Master Seal Team is a program for kids that are already PADI Seal Team members or a PADI Junior Scuba Diver or part of the Junior Open Water Diver program. The PADI Seal Team provides a structured learning environment combined with enjoyable scuba activities. This stimulating program appeals to kids who crave adventure, seek the challenge of learning new skills and want to gain an appreciation for preserving the aquatic realm.
Discover Scuba Diving will let you try scuba to see if you like it. While not an actual scuba certification, during the discover scuba diving experience you’ll learn how to use scuba equipment in shallow water and get a quick and easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world. This involves a short pool session with an instructor learning basic scuba skills, before 2 dives in the ocean.
The PADI Open Water Course is the world’s most popular scuba course, and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle. You breathe underwater for the first time (something you’ll never forget) and learn what you need to know to become a certified diver. During the course, you’ll make at least five pool dives and four dives at dive sites in Diani under the supervision of your Ocean Tribe Instructor. The rating can be automatically upgraded to full Open Water certification when the diver reaches 15 years old.
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course builds on what you learned on the Open Water course, introducing new skills and extending the depth range to which you are permitted to dive. Unlike the Open Water course there is no confined water diving or classroom sessions, you are straight onto the boat in Diani after some independent study in your manual and diving. You must complete 5 adventure dives and the matching knowledge reviews in the PADI Advanced Open Water Manual to qualify as an Advanced Open Water Diver.
The course focuses on primary care through a combination of knowledge development, skill development and realistic scenario practice to make sure participants have the confidence in their ability to provide care when emergency situations arise. Emergency First Response Secondary Care (first aid) covers injuries or illnesses that are not immediately life threatening.
Participants focus on secondary assessment and first aid through knowledge development, skill development and realistic scenario practice.
It is time for “Serious Fun.” Do you see yourself as a caring person and want to be able to help people. The PADI Junior Rescue Diver course teaches you the fundamental knowledge and skills to effectively assist a fellow diver in distress, co-ordinate dive accident scenario management and render appropriate first aid to a victim when necessary. The course takes three days to complete and follows on from the basic primary and secondary care training that you receive on the Emergency First Response course, which should be done prior to commencing a PADI Rescue Diver course.
So I’ve “got my PADI”. I am a PADI Open Water Diver. I am now qualified to dive to 18m or shallower with a buddy in conditions similar or better than those I was trained in anywhere in the world. Should I stop there? Or what options are open to me now I’ve “got my PADI”?
Get Some Dives Logged
You became a PADI Open Water Diver because you want to experience the underwater world. Now you should not just leave this to only diving once a year on vacation.
There are so many diving options available to you that you should try and get as many experience dives as possible. You get better at things by practicing them.
So find out what is available to you in your local area to go diving. For example: East African residents are entitled to join the Ocean Tribe Dive Club where they can log as many dives as possible over the year.
Take PADI Continuing Education Courses
Do you want to extend the range of where you can dive or learn further diving skills?
The PADI Open Water Diver certification restricts you to depths of 18m or shallower. You also learn basic navigation on the PADI Open Water Diver Course.
On this course in addition to the deep and navigation dives you can also do adventure dives that interest you.
For example: Wreck diving, underwater photography, search and recovery diving, peak performance buoyancy and many more.
As well as increasing your depth limit to 30m, the PADI Advanced Open Water course adventure dives can be counted as the first dive of the corresponding specialty diver course. So you could then move directly into PADI Specialty Diver courses that interest you.
Want to increase your range to the creational limit of 40m? Complete the PADI Deep Diver course. It’s just an example but there are so many options available to you and you can take a step forward in the PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge..
Get Involved in Environmental Activities
As divers we have a duty to protect what we dive to see and love. The ocean has so many threats and we as divers can make a difference.
You can join activities such as beach and underwater clean-ups (every first Saturday of the month at Ocean Tribe) and environmental ocean monitoring programs.
You can increase your education on the subject by taking AWARE specialty diver courses such as AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, Project AWARE, AWARE Dive Against Debris and AWARE Fish ID specialties.
Above all you can talk to people about protecting the reef, practice safe diving practices and be environmentally aware. We want to keep our waters as healthy as possible.
Invest in Your Own Set of Scuba Diving Equipment
I’ve got my PADI. The rental equipment seemed ok. Why do I need to buy my own set of diving equipment?
Having your own set of scuba equipment is the same as having equipment for any pastime you enjoy.
Your own equipment is set up to suit you, in precise sizing and diving style.
Divers who have their own equipment enjoy their dives more and are more likely to dive often.
Remember that rental equipment is generic and has to fit and suit a massive range of divers.
Your own dive equipment can be a lot more specific to you and your own style.
BCD’s with integrated weight systems, balanced regulators, dive computers with more features, an exact fitting wetsuit, your own mask and fins. The list is endless.
You will enjoy your diving more with your own gear.
Ocean Tribe will be delighted to assist you in planning and purchasing your own personal scuba diving equipment, with recommendations based on budget and the type of diving you would like to do.
Take a Dive Career Internship
Many of us have become so addicted to diving following our Open Water course that we have decided to make a career of it. But that can be very expensive doing each course one by one and paying for diving at the same time.
Unlimited diving during the internship (most interns leave with 100+ dives)
Dive club membership for a year.
Mentorship from some of the top PADI educators in the business.
Dive career internships can be started from any diver level, even beginner. They are a great way to advance to the pro levels and can be done over any time scale you pick.
There are a few answers to the question of “what should I do now I’ve got my PADI.” You have so many options.
But the main thing is. Keep diving. Dive as much as you can. Become an active ambassador for the ocean we know and love.
Don’t let it stagnate and leave yourself open to diving opportunities.
You have joined the most inclusive group of people we know. Take advantage. Happy diving!
PADI Women’s Dive Day is coming up in a couple of months on Saturday 20th July 2024. For those ladies out there who are looking for an excuse for another adventure. Ocean Tribe has put together some offers for our female customers to celebrate the day.
Ladies. Come for a dive trip on PADI Women’s Dive Day
Want to take part in the dive trips on PADI Women’s Dive Day? Take advantage of the offer of $90/female certified diver for a 2-tank dive trip on the 20th of July 2024. This includes equipment, a dive guide, fruit, and snacks on the boat and is a 25% discount off the standard rate. PROMO Code WDD24DD
Following on from the diving you can take part in a PADI Women’s Dive Day lunch hosted by Flamboyant. This will be a set menu held in Flamboyant from 1:30 pm. Transport to Flamboyant from Ocean Tribe will be provided.
PADI Women’s Dive Day 2024 Special PADI Course Booking Offers
Are you new to diving? Start your PADI Open Water Diver Course so that it is running over the 20th of July 2024 and get 15% off the cost of the course including materials. Haven’t got the time for the PADI Open Water course but still want to take part? Then how about the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program and receive the same discount? PROMO Code WDD24OW
Actually, scratch that. Start ANY PADI dive course so that part of the course takes place on PADI Women’s Dive Day and get 15% off that course price. Build your confidence with a PADI Advanced Open Water Course, or Rescue Diver certification. PROMO Code WDD24PC
Extend your range and become a PADI Deep Diver. Learn to explore history underwater with the PADI Wreck Diver Specialty course. We have so many courses available and all will be on the special offer for that day for you girls! You can celebrate your achievements with other incredible women at events around the world.
If you are unable to make the actual PADI Women’s Dive Day at Ocean Tribe for a course then we still have an offer for you. If you book a recreational PADI dive course between 10th-20th July 2024 then you will get 10% off and can start it on ANY date in 2024. PROMO Code WDD24CC
We will even extend the Women’s Dive Day offer to an event that isn’t even happening at that time but will occur a month after. Ladies, if you book the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) for August before the 20th of July 2024, you can get 10% off the course price (not including PADI materials and fees). The IDC offers for our PADI IDC starting on the 18th of August 2024, also include a FREE 3 Day/2 Night wildlife safari following the Instructor Exam, 7 specialty instructor courses, and more. A great IDC to take part in and begin your journey to PADI Instructor! PROMO Code WDD24DDIDC
The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is the most popular PADI specialty diver program. It qualifies you in the use of enriched air (which is a higher percentage of oxygen in the gas mix you breathe) in recreational scuba diving.
Using the enriched air can extend your allowable bottom time, giving you more time to enjoy your dives and shorten surface intervals.
This can be great when you are doing a trip that requires a lot of dives, or just like to improve your margins.
It is also the first foray into the technical diving world as you change from the standard gas mix of 21% oxygen.
Go to Ocean Tribe’s website (although I think you are already here reading the news duh)
Click on the Book Online Now button at the top of the page. (Or just click here now)
Select the PADI course you wish to do and fill in the customer details.
Check the “I agree with the terms and conditions” box.
Click on “Continue.” At the next screen instead of “Proceed to Checkout”, click “Continue Shopping”.
Follow the same procedure to add the Enriched Air Nitrox to the package (this can be found in the Advanced Courses folder).
Click on “Continue.” At the next screen click on “Proceed to Checkout”.
Locate the discount code box at the top of the right-hand side “Payment Information” column.
Enter the promo code EANXMAYOW if you are taking the PADI Open Water Diver Course or EANXMAYAOW if you are taking the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course.
Click the blue “Apply” button.
Click the green “Continue” button.
Follow the directions to complete the payment.
The PADI eLearning links for the core PADI course and the free nitrox Course special offer will be emailed to you along with your booking confirmation and directions.
You should allow at least one afternoon or a morning after the Open Water or Advanced course to complete the PADI Enriched Air Diver course (and you will have needed to also have completed the eLearning too. This is critical).
Once you have completed the courses you will have your core PADI certification of PADI Open Water Diver or PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. You will also be certified in the use of enriched air nitrox up to 40% mix and then able to obtain nitrox fills from dive centres around the world.
NOTE: Offer applies for courses booked and started before 1st June 2024.
We are delighted to announce a number of dive and stay packages in conjunction with partner hotels here in Diani Beach. Packages below include dive courses and stays, and dive trips and stays. The dive and stay packages have been carefully arranged to enable you to get the most out of your time in Diani and experience the diving.
All inclusive dive and stay packages are available at Baobab Beach Resort and Spa. Literally everything you need is sorted for you during your stay in these packages.
For those who want a little more flexibility then half-board dive and stay package rates are available at Leopard Beach Resort & Spa. There are additionally full board and all-inlusive package rates which you should contact Ocean Tribe about to find out more.
For full flexibility in a beautiful boutique hotel, we have arranged a bed and breakfast dive and stay package option with Flamboyant Hotel.
All hotels are a short drive from Ocean Tribe and transfers are included.
The below package rates are available for bookings up the the 14th July 2024. Take advantage of low season special offers and book your dive and stay package today.
PADI Open Water Diver Course in Diani Dive & Stay Packages
PADI Open Water Diver Course & 5 Nights Baobab Beach Resort and Spa
BOOK A PADI OPEN WATER OR ADVANCED COURSE IN MAY AND GET A NITROX COURSE FREE
BOOK YOUR PADI OPEN WATER COURSE OR ADVANCED COURSE WITH OCEAN TRIBE IN MAY AND GET YOUR PADI ENRICHED AIR CERTIFICATION AT THE SAME TIME.BOOK ONLINE USING EANXMAYOW OR EANXMAYAOW PROMO CODE
10% off all PADI Courses for 2024 if booked between 10-24th July PROMO CODE WDD241
15% off PADI Courses starting on 20th July PROMO CODE WDD242
10% off August PADI IDC price including safari special offer if booked before 24th July PROMO CODE WDD243
Book your PADI course for any date in 2024 by 10th May 2024 and get 10% off listed price. Coupon - PADIPROMO524
MASTER SCUBA DIVER CHALLENGE OFFERS
Buy 4 PADI Specialty Diver Courses and get 5th FREE Buy 2 Specialty Diver Courses and get 3rd for 50% off Book the Specialty of the Month for 10% Discount
Deep, Wreck, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Full Face Mask, Digital Underwater Photographer, Search & Recovery, Underwater Navigator, Adaptive Diver, Fish ID Diver, Emergency Oxygen Provider, AWARE Diver, Dive Against Debris, Coral Reef Conservation and many more available
