dive with sharks

buy online today at www.blueplanetaquarium.com

Just off the M53 north of Chester you can experience one of the most breathtaking encounters of a lifetime. How often do you get the chance to meet a 10 ft long Sand Tiger Shark? Well you can at Blue Planet Aquarium. Dive with our marine creatures while friends and family watch you from the comfort of our 230 ft Aquatunnel – one of the longest in the World.

Explore a whole new world!

www.blueplanetaquarium.com

Great Gifts!All of our dives are available

as gift vouchers for family

and friends!

Blue Planet Aquarium is a PADI 5 Star IDC Centre and National Geographic Dive Centre. This means that we follow strict industry set guidelines and provide a full range of education, equipment selection and experience opportunities which actively promote the benefits of environmental awareness.

to book your dive call us on 0151 357 8804

Great Gifts!All of our dives are available

as gift vouchers for family

and friends!

Dive with a Friend

and Save!Discounts available when you

dive with a buddy.

Team Building with a Difference!Corporate dives available individually or as part of our Day Delegate or Corporate Membership packages.

Dive for Good!Blue Planet Aquarium dives are a great way to raise money for your favourite charity.

Shark EncounterNever dived before? No problem! Our Shark Encounter is a PADI recognised Discover Scuba session. Absolute beginners will be taught basic dive techniques by our highly qualified and experienced team, before coming face to face with Europe’s largest collection of sharks.

As with all our dives a shark encounter can be bought as a gift. A gift voucher is valid for 6 months, which means the recipient can book a date convenient to them. Please note completion of the medical form in advance is vital – so make sure you point this out to the person taking the dive when they open the gift!

• Full instruction• Divers accompanied at all times• Close-up shark encounters guaranteed• Full equipment hire included in cost• Free entry for 2 spectators

You’ll never forget your first dive with us!

£199 per person

Dive Sessions daily

at 2.15pm and 4.15pm

Dives subject to availability

to book your dive call us on 0151 357 8804

£25 per child

including equipment

Shark DivesA guaranteed shark encounter for the already qualified, (PADI Open Water or equivalent). Our crystal clear waters provide you with an underwater Caribbean experience without leaving the UK!

Divers must have logged a dive within six months prior to their chosen date. Full Terms & Conditions apply (provided at the back of this leaflet).

buy online at www.blueplanetaquarium.com

£25 per child

including equipment

BubblemakerA great introduction to breathing under water for children aged 8-15. This 45 minute session runs during school holidays. However, if you have more than 2 children having a go whilst an adult is diving we can run this alongside and still make sure they get to see the adult dive with the sharks!

£125 per person

Dive Sessions start

at 4.45pm

Dives subject to availability

ONE DAY

Shark Awareness Learn more about shark conservation, their biology and special techniques for diving with sharks. This full day course taught by our dedicated dive team concludes with a dive in our Caribbean Reef tank, home to Europe’s largest collection of sharks.

We also offer the PADI Instructor Development Course, full details available on request.

Two DAYNational Geographic Dive Course A two day course for the underwater explorer, offering a unique opportunity to experience two marine environments with our instructors.

Day one focuses on a dive at an offsite location with day two providing a very different experience, a dive in our Caribbean Reef tank amongst 10 different species of shark.

Digital Underwater PhotographyThis two day experience will equip you with skills to PADI SEA standard (SEA: Shoot, Examine and Adjust). A chance to not only improve your photography but also put your new found knowledge to good use during a dive with our Sand Tiger Sharks!

£225 £299

£299

buy online at www.blueplanetaquarium.com

Specialty Dives for Qualifi ed Diversfi

• All our dives are available as Gift Vouchers. The recipient has 6 months to redeem their voucher• Equipment hire possible• Discounted entry for spectators• Special diver group rates• Lunch included

• Can I complete the medical form on behalf of someone else?

Yes. However, the diver MUST be made aware BEFORE they dive that they will need to complete and sign an official PADI medical form.

• What happens if I answer YES to any of the medical questions?

A General Practitioner (GP) or specialist health professional will need to either complete an additional medical form (available from us) or provide us with a letter stating the diver is fit to dive without limitations.

• Can I buy a dive for a gift?

Yes, a Gift Voucher is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. However, it is vital the person receiving the gift is made fully aware of the need to complete the medical form in advance and be shown the terms and conditions listed within this booklet.

• What type of sharks do we dive with?

Sand Tigers Lemon SharksNurse SharksWobbegongsBamboo SharksSouthern Stingrays and other species of fish found in the Caribbean

• What should I wear?

Men should be advised to wear trunks rather than shorts – but this is not mandatory. Women either a bikini or swimming costume.

• How old do you have to be to do the Shark Encounters?

The minimum age we are allowed to accept is 16.

• How long does the entire experience last?

Shark Encounter – divers can be here for up to 5 hours.Shark Dives – divers can be here for up to 3 hours. Shark Awareness Divers will be here a full day (9.30 am to 6.30 pm).Digital Photographic Divers will be here two full days (9 am to 7.30 pm).National Geographic Divers will be with us two full days (one of which will be an off site location).

NB: Operational circumstances can affect time length.

• Is there a limit on the number of spectators I can bring?

No, Shark Encounter divers have two free spectators included in the cost of their dive. Additional spectators and spectators for other dives are offered a special discounted entry price. NB: we require 7 days notice of the number of spectators you expect to bring. Payment for spectators can either be made in advance or on arrival.

• How old do you have to be to do the Shark Dives/Shark Awareness?

In theory we are able to take qualified divers from any age as long as they meet our dive criteria (minimum qualification PADI Open Water or equivalent – evidence must be provided). Divers under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian on site throughout. Divers under the age of 16 must dive alongside a parent or legal guardian with the same or higher dive qualification.

• Can the diver touch/feed the sharks?

NO! Sharks can be very temperamental and only trained experts are able to touch them.

• Does it matter if I dive during my menstrual cycle?

No.

• Does flying affect the dive?

Yes. According to medical research it is not possible to dive and then fly within 24 hours. However, it is possible to fly and then dive.

• What is the minimum qualification you require for the qualified dives?

• What equipment do I need to bring?

Shark Encounter: equipment is included in the price.

Shark Dives & Specialty Dives:

Wet suit (full length 5 mm)10 ltr cylinder (filled to minimum of 150 bar with air only no twin sets/nitrox)Half face maskBCD (buoyancy control device)Regulator, alternative air source and contents gaugeBootsWeight belt with sufficient weight to allow negative buoyancy. SOLID LEAD ONLY, NO SHOT WEIGHTS

Alternatively you can hire equipment from us. Details available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

NAUI

SCUBA Diver*

Master SCUBA Diver

Dive Master

PADI

Open Water Diver*

Adv. Open Water + Rescue Diver

Dive Master

BSAC

Ocean Diver*

Sports Diver

Dive LeaderAdvanced Diver1st Class Diver

SAA

Open Water Diver*Club Diver

Dive LeaderDive SupervisorDive Master

CMAS

1 Star*

2 Star

3 Star

4 Star

*Minimum qualification

Blue Planet Aquarium reserves the right to cancel, alter or amend any of the times and dates without notice if operational or other circumstances require us to do so.

If Blue Planet Aquarium cancels, postpones or alters any of the dive events at any given time the participant accepts that Blue Planet Aquarium is not responsible or liable for any external costs. Examples would include travel costs, hotel costs – NB: this list is not exhaustive.

Blue Planet Aquarium will only issue Dive Vouchers upon receipt of FULL payment.

Provisional bookings are possible, however we will only hold places for a maximum of 10 days within which time full payment for the dive must be received. Failure to pay within this time limit will result in the dive being released for general booking.

If this is a gift please be aware that if the diver answers ‘yes’ to one or more of the questions on the PADI medical form their dive will be postponed until we are in receipt of confirmation from a medical practitioner (GP or specialist dive physician) that they are fit to dive.

If the diver fails to appear for the dive without prior written notification all payments will be forfeited. Telephone cancellations are NOT accepted, the following are accepted: letter, e-mail or fax.

If you are unable to participate on the given day we will be happy to re-schedule your dive provided no less than 14 working days notice is given. This 14 day notice period will be strictly adhered to. If we receive less than 14 days notice then additional booking charges will apply.

It is mandatory to complete a PADI medical disclaimer prior to the dive. This is a basic health questionnaire. If the diver should answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions on the form please contact us. The diver will require an additional form to be signed by their GP prior to commencing the dive. NB: Doctors do charge for this service and that cost should be met by the diver.

Blue Planet Aquarium Dive Instructors follow basic Health & Safety guidelines and reserve the right to refuse medical notes if they feel that the diver is in their opinion unfit to dive, personal safety and that of other divers being paramount.

Spectators and kit hire (if required) must be booked and paid for at least seven days prior to the event. Payment can be made with VISA debit, Visa credit or Mastercard.

All divers must present their letter of confirmation, issued in advance by our Booking Office, upon arrival.

Qualified divers must bring all SCUBA certifications, current and up-to-date log books or proof of dives within the last six months etc. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the dive and NO refunds will be given. Dive Computers not accepted.

Any damages to hired equipment must be paid for in full.

Qualified divers must have a minimum of one logged dive within six months prior to the event.

Qualified divers under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present on the day throughout.

Qualified divers under the age of 16 must have a parent or legal guardian with the same, equivalent or higher qualification who will be diving with them. We also require written permission from the parent or legal guardian.

Non qualified divers or divers wishing to take part in the Shark Encounters experience must be at least 16 years of age and in good health.

All dive experiences are non-refundable, unless the diver is medically unfit to participate. In this case we will send you a medical exemption form to be signed off by a General Practitioner. Upon receipt of medical exemptions Blue Planet Aquarium will issue a refund in the form of a cheque minus an administration fee. Dive Vouchers may be transferred to another person.

If the voucher has been received as a gift and there are exceptional reasons (other than medical) that the recipient cannot participate we may consider a refund on the proviso that Blue Planet Aquarium is given immediate notice.

Gift Vouchers for Shark Encounters and Shark Dives are valid for 6 months. Any extension of the validity period is at the discretion of Blue Planet Aquarium. NB: additional charges will be incurred.

Once the pool training and/or briefings have begun NO refunds will be given unless operational issues force Blue Planet Aquarium staff to cancel the dive.

Those participating in a dive should not fly 24 hours either side of the event.

Terms & Conditions

Divers Medical Questionnaire To the Participant

Y N Y N Y N Y N Y N

The purpose of this medical questionnaire is to find out if you should be examined by your doctor before participating in recreational scuba diving. A positive response to a question does not necessarily disqualify you from diving. A positive response means that there is a pre-existing condition that may affect your safety whilst diving and you MUST seek the advice of either a General Practitioner (GP) or specialist physician.

Please answer the following questions on your past or present medical history with a YES (positive) or NO (negative). If you are not sure, answer YES. If any of these items apply to you we must request that you consult with either a GP or specialist physician prior to participating in scuba diving. Please call Blue Planet Aquarium for an RSTC Medical Statement and Guidelines for Recreational Scuba Diver’s Physical Examination to take to your physician at least 14 days prior to your dive.

Could you be pregnant, or are you attempting to become pregnant?

Are you presently taking prescription medications (with the exception of birth control or anti-malarial)?

Are you over 45 years of age and can answer YES to one or more of the following?

• currently smoke a pipe, cigars or cigarettes

• have a high cholesterol level

• have a family history of heart attack or stroke

• are currently receiving medical care

• high blood pressure

• diabetes mellitus, even if controlled by diet alone

Have you ever had or do you currently have…

Asthma, or wheezing with breathing, or wheezing with exercise?

Frequent or severe attacks of hayfever or allergy?

Frequent colds, sinusitis or bronchitis?

Any form of lung disease?

Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)?

Other chest disease or chest surgery?

Behavioural health, mental or psychological problems (panic attack, fear of closed or open spaces)?

Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions or take medications to prevent them?

Recurring complicated migraine headaches or take medications to prevent them?

Blackouts or fainting (full/partial loss of consciousness)?

Frequent or severe suffering from motion sickness (seasick, carsick, etc.)?

Dysentery or dehydration requiring medical intervention?

Any dive accidents or decompression sickness?

Inability to perform moderate exercise (example: walk 1.6 km/one mile within 12 mins)?

Head injury with loss of consciousness in the past five years?

Recurrent back problems?

Back or spinal surgery?

Diabetes?

Back, arm or leg problems following surgery, injury or fracture?

High blood pressure or take medicine to control blood pressure?

Heart disease?

Heart attack?

Angina, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery?

Sinus surgery?

Ear disease or surgery, hearing loss or problems with balance?

Recurrent ear problems?

Bleeding or other blood disorders?

Hernia?

Ulcers or ulcer surgery?

A colostomy or ileostomy?

Recreational drug use or treatment for, or alcoholism in the past five years?

Signature

Date

The information I have provided about my medical history is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I agree to accept responsibility for omissions regarding my failure to disclose any existing or past health condition.

We are easy to f ind Close to the M6 and M56Look for the brown tourist signs. We’re just 20 minutes

from the M6, M56 at junction 15 and M53 at junction 10. Satellite Navigation CH65 9LF or Longlooms Road.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Blue Planet Aquarium is a PADI 5 Star IDC & National Geographic Dive Centre, guaranteeing the highest level of service and the most exciting dive experiences.

Chester

Stockport

Manchester

Birmingham

Liverpool

M6

M6M56

M56M53

M53

M6

M62

M62

WinsfordMacclesfield

© 2007 National Geographic Society. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and Yellow Border are trademarks of NGS. All rights reserved.

to book your dive call us on 0151 357 8804