One of the questions we’re asked most often by certified divers is, “Do I need a refresher? ”. So we’ve put this handy blog together to help you understand when you need to undertake a Scuba Skills Update, and why keeping your dive skills current and knowledge fresh is so important.

Whether you’re here for fun dives or to take your next diving certification on Koh Tao with Mojo Divers, you may need scuba refresher training before you get started. Many Koh Tao dive centers will insist that anyone who’s been out of the water for a while must take a refresher course. However, there are several variables at play, including the level of your dive certification, your diving experiences to date, and how many logged dives you have.

Here at Mojo Divers, it comes down to complying with SSI and World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) diving standards, while also considering the needs of each individual diver – and their buddies! However, in general, we recommend you take a short, half-day refresher course if it’s been 6-12 months or longer since your previous training or fun dives. Especially if you are a new open-water diver with only a few dives in your logbook.

You might be wondering, “Why do I need a refresher at all?” After all, learning to dive may have come easily to you, you know what you’re doing, and you think you remember everything you need to know. And while that may be the case (although, spoiler alert – it usually isn’t!), there are several reasons why completing a scuba review is a good idea to make sure you (and others diving with you!) feel safe and comfortable underwater. Here’s everything you need to know…

Why Do I Need a Refresher?

We’ve heard it a million times… “My instructor told me when I got my open water diving license that my certification lasted forever. So, why do I need a refresher?”. Simple answer: because you need one. Longer answer: Because in over a decade of diving on Koh Tao, we’ve come to realize that those who are most proactive in wanting to refresh their dive skills and knowledge gaps tend to be those who need to the least.

Conversely, those who are adamant they don’t need or want to take a dive refresher are the ones who would benefit the most. So, if you’re one of those divers set against refreshing your dive license before you jump straight into your Koh Tao diving holiday, we’d love you to consider these essential factors before making your decision:

● Competence – No matter how much you think you remember, lots of elements of diving rely on muscle memory – everything from equipment assembly to mask clearing to completing a buddy check and clearing your mask underwater. These aren’t skills you can refresh by reading up before the first dive of a new trip. There’s simply no substitute for a practical scuba refresher with an experienced divemaster or instructor.

● Confidence – You might think you have everything down – and it’s easy to feel that way on the surface. But, picture this… you’re descending onto one of our amazing Koh Tao diving sites and suddenly realize that you don’t remember how to clear your mask efficiently or regulate your buoyancy control using your breath and BC. You’ll probably spend the whole dive following your dive leader’s fins in case you need assistance, meaning you miss out on seeing a heap of amazing marine life. This is not a fun way to spend a dive, and scuba diving on Koh Tao should always be fun!

● Safety Knowledge – Do you remember how to share air with a buddy using the alternate air source, drop your weights, or orally inflate your BC? And would you feel comfortable swimming without a mask? Even many experienced certified divers don’t practice emergency dive skills as often as they should. Admittedly, these are skills we hope you’ll never need to use. Nonetheless, it’s essential you can complete them easily, calmly, and comfortably.

● Value for money – When you’re out of practice, you tend to overthink things and get more anxious underwater. That means you’ll likely spend the whole of your first few dives breathing heavily, meaning much shorter dive times and poor value for money on every tank.

● Being a better buddy – Those who admit they are a bit rusty or how have bad habits and make the effort to update their scuba skills and knowledge are the type of considerate divers that others feel safe and confident diving with them.

● Being a better student – If you’re already a certified diver and the purpose of your diving holiday is to achieve your next Koh Tao diving certification – like the Advanced Diver or Rescue Diver course – chances are your dives will involve more complex scenarios and increased depth limits. You’ll enjoy your dive course much more and get way more out of your new certifications if you’re already refreshed and good to go before you start.

When Do I Need a Refresher?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that. When you book your Koh Tao diving packages with Mojo Divers, we take into account the certifications and experiences of every diver on an individual basis. But, if any of these situations apply to you, we’d definitely recommend a scuba tune-up:

● You can’t find your certification card or logbook – Not only does this suggest your last dive was some time ago. But, if we have no way to verify the date of your last dive, we have no choice but to insist you reactivate your dive skills before taking you out on a boat dive.

● You can’t remember when your last dive was – The same points as above apply.
However, if it’s been a crazy long time – like 5-10 years or more – you might need a full dive certification refresher rather than a half-day course. The number of skills would have changed since your original training.

● You’re going diving with your family – Because many of our Koh Tao scuba diving courses and fun dive packages are suitable for families, we often host parent and child groups at Mojo. For parents, in particular, it’s essential to be fully refreshed so that you feel confident helping your kids underwater without putting either of you at risk.

● It’s been 6-12 months since your last dives – If you’ve got hundreds of dives under your belt already or are already a Divemaster or Instructor, there may be exceptions. But, if you have relatively few logged dives, it’s definitely a good idea to take a dive refresher before you begin your next course or fun diving package – especially if you’re planning deeper dives or visiting when the Koh Tao diving season means more difficult conditions like currents or lower visibility.

● You feel nervous about setting up your gear – If you already feel nervous on the surface, you’re highly unlikely to feel confident underwater. So, this is a surefire sign that you need a refresher.

Do I Need a Refresher Before I Arrive on Koh Tao?

Not necessarily, because a scuba review or Scuba Skills Update at Mojo Divers only takes half a day. However, if you are tight on time and don’t feel you can complete all the Koh Tao diving courses you want to without getting your refresher checked off first, then we recommend you check out a local dive center at home and get signed off before you set off on your diving holiday.

Just make sure your divemaster or instructor records, signs, and stamps a page in your logbook so you can show our staff when you check in.

What’s Included in a Dive Refresher at Mojo?

At Mojo Divers, we offer a scuba review or the official SSI Scuba Skills Updates every day starting at 11 am. You don’t have to be an SSI-certified diver to take the course. The same principles of refreshing your dive skills apply, no matter what agency you trained with (the PADI equivalent is the Reactivate course, and some other agencies simply call it a scuba tune-up or refresher).

Our scuba refresher course includes a short theory session, after which you’ll head out on the boat to a shallow dive site where you’ll refresh your dive skills. Once the skill review session is complete, you’ll use your remaining air for a mini-dive back to the boat to perfect your buoyancy and trim. As we do two dives on every trip, you’ll have time to make a second fun dive to enjoy another of Koh Tao’s fabulous shallow dive sites. The total cost for the whole day is 2400THB.

Ready to Go Diving on Koh Tao?

Contact us today to book your Koh Tao diving getaway. Still wondering “Do I need a refresher”? Just email us with your certification and dive history details, and we’ll happily help you with all the information you need. You can book your scuba review in advance by paying a deposit, it is really easy.

Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places to go diving because of the nearby dive sites. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours from our dive shop staff. Our professional dive team is available seven days a week to answer your questions about courses, accommodation, Koh Tao diving prices, and more! We have a variety of diving courses and dive certifications available with the SSI diving training organization.

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