PORTSCATHO SCUBA FIELD GUIDE
Master the Dry Suit off Portscatho: Two Days to Confident Cold-Water Diving
A two-day SSI Dry Suit Course run by Karleyth Diving that teaches dry suit technique, safety and issues certification on successful completion.
Master the Dry Suit off Portscatho: Two Days to Confident Cold-Water Diving.
Off the sheltered coves of Portscatho, the SSI Dry Suit Course strips away the inconvenience of cold-water dives: students learn the techniques and safety skills to dive comfortably and confidently in a dry suit, practice confined-water drills and emerge certified to take on colder, longer days beneath the surface.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Dry suits and specialized kit
The course focuses on the specialized equipment of dry suit diving — how to use dry suits and compatible BCs — so you stay warm on multi-dive days and reduce time spent changing in and out of cold wetsuits.
Structured briefings and confined-water practice
Instruction combines a full briefing on dry-suit use with confined-water sessions to practice buoyancy, handling and the specific emergency procedures that come with dry-suit diving.
Certification and confidence
On completion you earn the SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty certification, having learned both the benefits of dry suits and how to manage dry-suit–specific emergencies.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like
The program unfolds over two focused sessions: a short evening meeting and briefing followed by hands-on time in confined water where you don a dry suit, practice skills and work through emergency drills. The pace is practical and skill-focused — the point is to build comfort with the suit, not to rush through certifications.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who it doesn’t
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring dry clothes for after the session, and thermals if you have them.
The course runs across two sessions: Day 1 (Tuesday) is 2 hours; Day 2 (Wednesday) is 6 hours.
Meet at Carn Brea Leisure Centre; check the itinerary for the precise start time.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the SSI Dry Suit Course?
The program runs over two days: Day 1 (Tuesday) is 2 hours and Day 2 (Wednesday) is 6 hours.
Where do we meet for the course?
Participants meet at Carn Brea Leisure Centre; the itinerary notes a 7:15pm meeting time for the evening session.
What will I learn during the course?
You will learn how to use dry suits and compatible BCs, understand the benefits of dry-suit diving and practice handling dry-suit–specific emergencies; successful completion earns the SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty certification.
What should I bring to the sessions?
Bring dry clothes for after the session and thermals if you have them.
Is there a minimum age to participate?
Yes — the minimum age for participation is 10 years old.
When is the confined-water practice scheduled?
According to the itinerary, the group gets into the water at 8:00pm for the confined-water session following the briefing.