Hiya!

[Tina]

Hi everyone!

I?m Tina, 14, from Cornwall, England. I?ve been interested in snorkelling for a while, after a couple of years ago going in Thailand and Malaysia. It was really kewl, and I loved it.

My mum, decided to tell me about this. She?s a dive leader, and always talks about diving.

I was wondering how long it would take to get each snorkelling qualification? How long would it take to get to Advanced snorkel instructor *I like to see how long things will take ? though I?m not impatient*

Thanks everyone!

~*~*Tina*~*~

[Bob Healey]

Hi Tina,

In answer to your questions, How long? A bit like asking how long is a piece of string, it depends on you, how adaptable you are and how confident in the water. I've had some that have been competent ocean snorkel divers in 18 months and others that have been doing it for years and never progressed beyond the pool.

You can become an Assistant Snorkel Instructor at 14 so long as you are a snorkel diver, to be a Snorkel Instructor you must be 18. To progress beyond that to Open water Instructor you must hold the relevant Snorkelling Qualification and the Snorkel Lifesaver qualification and to become an Advanced Snorkel Instructor along with the advanced ocean snorkel diver you must hold the Advanced Snorkel Lifesaver, so as you can see there is plenty to go at.

Also for Advanced Instructor you will need to qualify as a Snorkel Dive Marshall.

Hope this helps. Any problems feel free to give me a ring on 0161 292 6243 or email me at north.sdo@bsac.com.

Happy snorkelling

Bob Healey
Northern Snorkel Development Officer.