Open Water @ St John Brief

Each Shore Dive Open Water session is typically 6.5 hours, from the time we meet to the time the boat returns to Marina South Pier (MSP).

This is a typical Shore Dive trip schedule:

1a. Arrive at Marina South Pier (MSP)

• Arrive 30mins before boat departure time @ Marina South Pier (MSP)

Address: 31 Marina Coastal Drive, Singapore 018988

MRT: Marina South Pier MRT Station

See MSP location in the map below

• Gather at MSP building.
• This is when you should take your seasick pill if you need it (Guideline: 30mins before sea sickness expected to set in).
• Change into your swim attire and use the toilet in MSP before boarding the boat; the toilet at St John’s island is 15min walk from the pier. See toilet location in the map below.
• We will head to the boat at the designated departure time.

1b. Departure from MSP

• Head to the pier, board the boat, and depart.
• Boat journey to Lazarus Island is about 45mins. Those prone to seasickness are advised to sit outside for fresh air.

1c. En route and Arrival: Dive Preparation

• Think about your personal objectives and visualize your dives.
• In the event of poor weather, the trip IC will check the lightning risk on NEA website (http://www.weather.gov.sg/lightning).
• Upon arrival, Buoy IC will conduct a briefing, lead warm-up and stretching exercises.
• Buoy IC will prepare the buoy, rope, weight at the ramp.
• Buoy Members are to put their water bottles, cameras (e.g., GoPro), lanyard, etc, into the buoy and ensure that the cover is properly zipped.

1d. Dive Dive Dive! 3hrs

• Enter the water, proceed to dive location, dive.
• There are 2 dive sessions, each session is 1.5 hours.
• The Buoy IC will decide whether both sessions will be combined (i.e., 3 hours) or a rest at the shore is required.

1e. End of Dive Session: Pack Up, Board the Boat

• Toilets are available on St John’s Island (across the bridge), which is a 15min walk. See toilet location in map below.
• Boat journey to MSP is about 45mins.

1f. Return to MSP

• Hydrate well.
• The estimated end time is 6.5 hours after departure.

a. Rental Equipment: Freediving Gear: mask, snorkel, fins, lanyard (rent or purchase one here: Shop).

b. Water bottle for hydration during and after the dive (please drink 500ml before session).

[Optional] Extra bottle of water for rinsing hair/face/gear if you don’t want to walk to the toilet.

c. Reef Safe Sunblock.

d. Towel and change of clothes.

e. Seasick pill if prone to seasickness (Please take the pill once you arrive at MSP as it takes 30mins for the medication to take effect).

f. Personal Snacks (There are a few shops at MSP).

For Students on Course - Gear Request:

a. Equipment will be provided during Level 1 or Level 2 Courses. Please inform Mark of the equipment and sizes at least 24hrs before the trip.

b. Request for Mask / Snorkel / Fins / Wetsuit top if required.

c. Pants are not provided. Please bring your own Tights or Running Compression to protect from sun or random small jellyfishes.

Parking is available at:

a. Marina South Pier (carpark is usually full by 8am)- $3.30/entry 1030pm-7am, $2.20/first 2hrs, $3.30/hr thereafter.

b. Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (10min/750m walk) - $3.30/entry 1030pm-7am, $2.40/first 2hrs, $3.30/hr thereafter, maximum $18/day. Motorcycle $1.20/entry.

c. Marina One (1 MRT station away: Marina Bay Station to Marina South Pier Station) - $1.07/10min 6am-6pm, $3.21/entry after 6pm and Saturday/Sunday.

a. Toilets are available on St John’s Island (across the bridge), around 10-15min walk away.

b. Consider brining extra bottles of water for rinsing hair/face/gear if you don’t want to walk to the toilet.

1. Critical Safety:

a. Always hold onto the buoy or hold onto a tethered line while resting. Free floating is not allowed (Buoy IC to enforce).

b. In the event of emergency during a dive - multiple tugs on the rope to signal for help.

c. Buoy IC has the right to stop any activity that is deemed unsafe or outside of freediving protocols.

d. Safety breaches/ignoring of IC’s instruction will be reviewed. Individuals may be barred from future trips.

2. Personal Flotation Device for Leisure Training:

a. Ensure float/noodle has a maximum 1m length string & clip for attaching to buoy or tether rope.

b. Ensure that it does not to obstruct divers.

c. In the event where the float drifts away from buoy (beyond 25m), Buoy IC will take into consideration currents and the proximity to other boats when deciding whether the diver should retrieve the floatation device.

3. Mask Torchlight (Optional):

a. Mask torchlight is strongly advised for dives deeper than 20m.

b. On a rainy or cloudy day, visibility might be poor and it may be pitch black beyond 20m.

c. A mask torchlight allows you to see your buddy, or the rope, or troubleshoot entanglements at the bottom.

4. Movement between Buoy and Beach:

a. From buoy to beach - Inform Buoy IC if you are returning to beach.

b. It is mandatory to put on your mask, snorkel and fins when moving between buoy and beach (Buoy IC to enforce).

5. Freediving Reminders:

a. Inform your Buoy IC if you just recovered from recent illness, or if you feel unwell during the session.

b. Samba/BO to stop freediving for the day.

c. Start with gradual warmups - 10m to 15m to 20m.

d. Ensure understanding of rope pull signals between diver and safety for ascending (1 - one tug), and trouble/emergency (2 - multiple tugs).

e. Be in swim attire and use the toilet at MSP before departing for Lazarus.

f. Take a seasick pill if you are prone to motion sickness.

g. Have a light breakfast 2-3 hours before dive.

The boat departs promptly at the designated departure time. There is not time allowance for waiting. Should you be late, a. Pay and wait for the next public ferry ($20). It is likely that you will only join the group 2hours later.

OR

b. Pay and charter an express boat to get you to our dive site ($90).

NOTE:

• Trainees will have to sign up for another open water reassessment, if they are unable to complete their assessments.
• No refunds for no shows.

• No refund if cancellations are made 24hours before the session.
• Leisure Divers: $50 Rescheduling fee if change is made less than 5 days from the Open Water date. Coached Freedivers: $75 Rescheduling fee if change/cancel is made less than 5 days from the Openwater date. On Course Freedivers: $150 Rescheduling fee if cancellation is made less than 5 days from Openwater (The penalty will be used to cover administrative & opportunity cost for last minute cancellations unable to find replacements & fixed costs for boat charter/pool bookings)
• No refunds for no shows.

Mask - $50

Snorkel - $20

Weight belt - $50

Weights 1kg - $20

Weights 0.5kg - $15

Marina South Pier (Lazarus Island Dives)

15min walk from Dive Site (Lazarus Island) to Toilet (St John’s Island)