The daily dive procedure in our dive center
Dive center opening hour, early morning dives and meeting time:
At Philippine Fun Divers we are opening our doors at 8a.m./0800hrs. Sometimes divers are requesting early morning dives and then we will be happy to open at 6a.m./0600hrs. We usually meet in between 830a.m./0830hrs and 9a.m./0900hrs.
Preparation for diving:
Starting at 8a.m./0800hrs our staff already starts preparing the customers equipment and places it in front of the dive center. Divers just have to do a last visual check before it is carried to the boat. Newly arrived certified divers have enough time to fill and sign up the necessary documents, which are:
1. Liability release and assumption of risk
2. PFDB registration sheet
For a certified diver to be able to dive with us she/he needs to provide us also the following:
1. License card (mandatory) from the certifying dive association (PADI, SSI, NAUI, CMAS, etc.)
2. Dive log book (requested)
3. If handy a medical certificate regarding your health condition for scuba diving (Not required).
The license card will stay with us until all dives are finish. This makes it also easier for the secretary to identify a diver in case we have a larger number of divers.
If a diver forgot the license card we can check at the PADI website and trace the certification level. As for the other agencies we suggest having a certified true copy ready (Anyway, it’s good to have it prepared in case a diver lost the C-card). Unfortunately we cannot check licenses in the internet except with PADI.
Equipment, selecting and storage:
After the paperwork is properly done, we will provide you with equipment. Our equipment is new and regularly changed if signs of aging are obvious. All the equipment is well maintained and each item has a number which will be registered on the PFDB registration sheet.
We have basically all sizes from XXS until XXL available.
If you have your own equipment only weights and weight belt (if needed) will be registered on the PDFB registration sheet.
You can choose from 0.5 kg, 1kg, 1.5kg and 2kg lead weights.
The equipment and other items will then be placed in a crate (plastic box) with your name on it. This crate will stay with you until all dives are finish.
All equipment (crates with equipment, wetsuits, etc.) will be stored inside the equipment room. It’s either you who takes care of the proper storage or our staff will handle it. The equipment room is locked over night. Please do not leave your dive computer or digital camera inside the crate.
Tanks and compressor:
We can provide you with 8L, 12L and 15L scuba tanks.
2 compressors (Bauer Mariner and Bauer Oceanus) provide you with perfect air. The filters are changed every 50-60 tanks.
You need to purchase your own equipment?
We are also a retail facility and you can purchase equipment from us. At the moment we are carrying mainly the brand Aqua Lung. Besides having some equipment and other items displayed a catalog will be ready for you with all items in store because it is quite difficult to display everything.
You didn’t dive for a longer time?
No problem, if you didn’t dive for 6 to 12 month we will just do a check-up dive which is basically a fun dive with a certified and renewed Padi dive master or instructor. We will focus more on equipment assembly/disassembly, proper weighting, buddy check and buoyancy control. Also the briefing will be more intensive, i.e. reviewing safety procedures and here especially with regards to the buddy team and PADI S.A.F.E. diving practices.
If you didn’t dive for more than a year we suggest a more intensive check-up dive in order to give you back the confidence you need under water. This check-up dive is basically the same like described in the previous paragraph only that we will add few skills. These skills are Mask clearing, Regulator recovery, Alternate air source procedure and Hovering. Most divers are welcoming a check-up dive and it will not cost you much more.
If you want to add more you can also go for the PADI Scuba Review program which includes Knowledge review, Confined Water Skills and one optional Open Water Dive.
If you are out of the water for more than 1.5 to 2 years the PADI Scuba Review program may apply to you.
So, you are ready now for the plunge; these few easy steps of refreshing your skills and knowledge are needed not only for your own safety and confidence but also for us to have an idea of your present knowledge/skills status and what type of dive profiles will apply to you.
Preparation for 2 or more dives to the dive sites further away:
Once the equipment is checked by the diver (after it was brought out by our staff in front of the dive center), we will transfer it to the dive boat (traditional banka outrigger boat). This boat can get ashore if the tide is high enough. If not we transfer all crates, tanks and other equipment with our speedboat to the banka boat. After all equipment is on board the divers are next. Do a last check: Dive computer, Mask, etc; make sure all is there.
Equipment assembly will be on board before we reach the dive site or at the dive site in case the ocean is a bit wavy on the way. Our staff will ask the divers if she/he wishes them to assemble the diver’s equipment. Some divers think it should be a customer service. Well, there are different opinions and we encourage the diver to do it because the diver has to be the one diving with it and in the long run you may even forget how to do it by yourself. Our staff will be happy assisting you.
We also bring extra equipment (full set) and extra tanks so that you don’t have to cancel your dive in case your equipment is not functioning the way it is expected to.
Let’s get wet...Let’s dive: Diving for 2 or more dives at the dive sites further away:
Under ‘Bohol Dive Sites’ you can find the exact descriptions of all dive spots including travel time.
If diving at Balicasag, Doljo area, Momo area, Arco point area, Pamilacan or Cervera shoal area we do a minimum of 2 dives. When diving at Balicasag or Pamilacan we stay there for all the dives. But when diving at Doljo area, we dive at Doljo point and Puntod Island or when diving at Arco area we dive at Arco point and BBC. There are other combinations. More dives are possible but our regular daily Banka boat trip is limited to 3 dives since most divers do 2 dives. If more than 3 dives are requested, these dives can be done at the shore near dive sites. But if the whole group agrees on more than 3 dives we can go out early, i.e. 8a.m./0800hrs and stay for 4 dives.
We bring divers out to the islands for one dive too but there must be a minimum of 4 divers.
Our guides will do the briefing on board as well as selecting the right buddy for you (Just in case you don’t have your buddy already). If you are alone or don’t have a buddy the guide is your buddy.
We are requesting a buddy check.
If you are not sure about your proper weight we encourage doing a weight check at the surface prior to descent for the first dive.
A minimum of 1 to 1.5hrs surface interval is required in between all dives. Most of the time we stay on board but sometimes (when high tide) we can go to shore, i.e. Balicasag Island. We suggest bringing a bottle of water and a snack. If out for 2 to 3 dives we are back at the dive center in between 230p.m./1430hrs and 330p.m/1530hrs. If we are out for 4 dives expect to be back at 5p.m/1700hrs.
Preparation for 1 dive to the dive sites close to the dive center:
When we dive at shore near dive sites (2 to 10min away at the Panglao shoreline) we assemble the equipment at the dive center. Our staff transfers the gear to the boat. In most cases we use the speed boat but if there are more than 5 divers we are using the banka boat.
Let’s get wet...Let’s dive: Diving for 1 dive at the dive sites close to the dive center:
If diving at closer sites to the dive center, i.e. Crystal sanctuary which is 4 min away, we use our speed boat. The briefing will be done at the dive center as well as the selection of your buddy. If you are alone or don’t have a buddy the guide is your buddy.
The buddy check can be done on board the speed boat. Some divers prefer a buddy check at the surface. We are not favoring this method because of the presents of current or if something has to be adjusted or changed it will take time because in most cases it has to be done on board.
After the dive we will proceed back to the dive center and a minimum surface interval of 1 to 1.5hrs is required.
Back at the shore of Philippine Fun Divers after diving:
After all your dives our staff will carry your crates, equipment and tanks from the boat back to the dive centers washing area. We suggest that you take care of your equipment by yourself. We have 3 washing basins: One for BCD, regulator, mask and snorkel; one for wetsuit, booties, fins, hood and weight belt (careful with the weight because the basins are covered with tiles) and one basin for cameras. Our staff is there if you need assistance. Don’t forget to place back the dusk cup before rinsing the regulator.
After your equipment is washed off salt water you can hang most of the stuff in front of the basins; the small items can be placed back into the crate right away. We suggest that you will be the one transferring your equipment to the equipment room but if you are not around our staff will be the one. No equipment will be left outside the equipment room over night.
Closing time and night dives:
Our closing time is 8p.m./2000hrs. This time matches with the end of night dives most of the time. Night dives are starting with the preparation at 530p.m./1730hrs. At around 6p.m./1800hrs we are ready to get into the speed boat. The best night dive spots are just in front of the dive center. The reef has a width of approximately 220m and it takes 2min to reach the diving point.
General safety guidelines/practices:
Your safety is our outmost concern and here the most important points:
1. Vessel operators: There are 3 personals on board, 1 licensed Captain, 1 licensed Marine diesel mechanic, and 1 boatman.
2. We have 2 plastic containers on board our banka which contains the following safety equipment:
Container 1:
- Oxygen with nose supply and pocket mask
- First Aid kid
- Emergency signal device/mobile phone
Container 2:
- Fire extinguisher
- Axe
- Floating device with 50m line
- Search light
- Bright light for orientation purposes when night diving
- Dive planner
Also on board is a life jacket for every passenger, 2 life rings and safety stop equipment.
3. We are following the PADI S.A.F.E. diving practices.
4. We are requesting a buddy check prior to every dive.
5. Our maximum depth for experienced divers is 40m.
6. Our maximum depth for less experienced divers is 25m.
7. Our maximum depth for new divers (just certified Scuba Divers or Open Water divers) is 18m.
8. After the dive (at the boats boarding ladder) our staff will lift up your equipment into the boat. We are not suggesting climbing into the boat with your equipment still on your back and the weight belt on. According to our experiences it led to severe accidents from falling backwards off the ladder, slipping on deck, bending, injuring or breaking a joint, etc. Worse case is when other divers are involved i.e. falling backwards from the ladder and hitting i.e. the forehead of the diver.
9. A briefing is mandatory prior to every dive.
10. We let divers dive without an assigned guide only if they know the area (orientation dives) and when we are convinced of safe diving and environmental friendly practices.
11. We are very environmental conscious and it is not allowed to touch anything under water except in case of emergency.
Buoyancy control is of paramount importance and if we discover buoyancy problems we suggest a Padi PPB specialty course.
Keeping away from corals is the best way of protecting them when diving.
12. We are requesting not to use gloves except if there are special reasons. You may ask why and here are the answers: First of all diving with gloves tends to grasping rocks or even corals especially when having buoyancy problems or during drift dives. We rather suggest a Peak Performance Buoyancy and/or Drift Dive Specialty course in order to perform better (if you need to brush up skills) instead of using gloves. There are also divers who continuously touch things under water or even bring stuff up; and these are most of the time divers using gloves.
But there are divers feeling cold easily or they are very allergic against Jelly fish. No problem to use gloves as long as you dive environmental friendly.
13. Once a year all tanks undergo visual inspections and cleaning.
14. Once every 5 years each tank has to undergo hydrostatic testing.
Environmental user fees:
We basically don’t have any user fees yet but the Municipality of Panglao is working hard to change this. Until now we could successfully avoid it because of some provisions which have to be changed.
The only place where we have to pay is Pamilacan Island. We need to pay PHP 500.00 mooring fee. We will just divide/share this amount with all divers on this trip.
Night life:
Please look under ‘night life’ to see what’s going on at the beach after diving.
Philippine Fun Divers - Let's dive...
