Hi all,

I'm looking forward to seeing you tonight for our UniDive Refresher Workshop!

A huge thank you in advance to our volunteer dive leads, Loans Officer and Pool Coordinator. These workshops are only possible because experienced members volunteer their time to help others become safer and more confident divers. Please make sure you give them a big thank you tonight!

Before You Arrive – Compulsory

You must complete the Online Resources + Questionnaire, including watching all videos, before arriving. I'll be checking completion.

Complete the Online Resources + Questionnaire

The link is also in your registration confirmation email.

If you have not completed the online component, you cannot participate tonight and may not receive a refund. You will need to attend a future refresher, as the practical workshop builds on the online learning.

Please pay particular attention to the equipment setup videos. While experienced volunteers will be there to help, you are expected to arrive with a basic understanding of how to assemble your own scuba equipment.

Before leaving home

• Come already wearing your bathers.

• Bring your mask, snorkel and fins.

• Arrive no later than 6:00 pm.

• If you're diving with UniDive this weekend and your trip briefing is also tonight, please message your Trip Organiser now. They'll organise your carpool separately as you must be present for the entire refresher workshop.

6:00–6:30 pm – Gear Collection & Setup

Meet at the UniDive Underwater Club Shed, next to the UQ Aquatic Centre:

UniDive Shed – Google Maps

As soon as you arrive, collect your wetsuit and BCD, then head through the side gate to the grassy area of the Aquatic Centre.

Your $40 refresher fee includes tonight's wetsuit, BCD, regulators, weights, cylinder and pool entry, so there is nothing extra to pay for pool equipment. If you haven't paid your registration fee yet, please do so as soon as possible.

There will also be a separate table with the Loans Officer for members collecting equipment for weekend or private diving. This is separate from your pool equipment.

Wetsuit & BCD sizing

Wetsuits

• Number sizing: 2 = Small, 3 = Medium, 4 = Large

• Letter sizing: S, M, L

• If a suit says something like 2M or 3L, the number is the size and the letter refers to the cut (Men's or Ladies').

• If you can't find a ladies' wetsuit that fits, try a unisex/men's wetsuit one size smaller.

Check the knee pads before putting your wetsuit on! This will tell you which way the suit goes and whether the zip belongs at the front or back. Putting a wetsuit on backwards is surprisingly common.

As a guide, your BCD will usually be one size smaller than your wetsuit. If your ideal size isn't available, choose the closest comfortable fit.

Once your wetsuit is on, keep it on.

Equipment Setup & Checks

Your cylinder and regulator will be waiting on the grassy area.

Once you have your wetsuit and BCD, assemble your BCD, regulator and cylinder before the 6:30 pm briefing.

Then complete your equipment checks:

1. Turn your air on and check your pressure – 180 bar or more is suitable for tonight.

2. Press the purge button.

3. Smell the air – it should smell only like clean air/rubber, with no petrol or unusual odours.

4. Breathe from both second-stage regulators.

5. Fully inflate your BCD.

6. Test the deflate button and each dump valve.

These checks are part of building good habits and becoming a safe, confident and independent diver.

If you're unsure about anything, please ask! Your volunteer dive leads are there to help.

The Pool Coordinator will record everyone's equipment before we enter the water.

6:30 pm – Briefing

Please have your equipment assembled and be ready for the briefing by 6:30 pm.

You'll be placed into small groups with an experienced volunteer dive lead.

Being organised and ready on time means your whole group gets the most out of the workshop and allows us to enter the pool promptly.

7:00–8:30 pm – Pool Session

We'll enter the pool at 7:00 pm for approximately 1.5 hours of skills practice.

The session will focus on refreshing key scuba skills and improving your confidence, buoyancy and trim. Each group is different, so if there is a particular skill you're nervous about or would like to practise, please tell your dive lead.

8:30–9:00 pm – Gear Return & Pack Up

We'll leave the water at approximately 8:30 pm.

Before showering or getting changed:

1. Wash your equipment.

2. Return all borrowed equipment to the Pool Coordinator.

Some equipment may be needed for weekend dives, so please follow the volunteers' instructions about where it needs to be returned.

Once your equipment has been checked back in, you're welcome to shower and get changed. We need to be completely finished and out of the centre by 9:00 pm.

I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone. Tonight is about rebuilding confidence, refreshing your skills and getting comfortable in the water again – and hopefully rediscovering the same love (or slight diving addiction!) that the rest of us have.

Whether you're returning after a break or joining UniDive for the first time, welcome! We have an incredibly supportive community, and we hope you'll become a safe, confident and independent diver – and perhaps one day one of the experienced volunteers helping the next group of divers rediscover their love of diving.

See you tonight!

Kind regards,
Mia Santina