General
Q. When does the dive boat depart?
Our boat “APOLLON” is situated in Kos Harbour very close to the dolphins roundabout. Our boat is open from 09:00 to check in passengers for our excursion. At 10:00 we request clearance from the Harbour Master and will depart at around 10:15. We arrive back to Kos Harbour at around 16:30.
Q. What do I need to bring with me on the excursion?
A jumper for the beginning and the end of season, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, a towel, a good pair of comfortable non-slip shoes (flip flops not advised). Extra money for snacks and refreshments and the optional extra facilities such as: second dive, cd for your underwater photos, T-shirts, Sweatshirts. If you tend to get motion sickness it is recommended that you take motion sickness pills prior to meeting the boat at the pier.
Q. How long is the journey to the dive site?
The journey to Pserimos Island is just 1 hour.
Q. What else can I do all day?
You can relax on the boat in shaded or unshaded areas. You can snorkel, swim, and sunbathe (all included in the price of try diving).
Q. Is lunch included?
No. But we have a fully stocked bar with a variety of sandwiches and snacks and cold drinks for sale at reasonable prices.
Q. Are you doing transfers from/to hotels?
We can arrange transfer for you in an additional fee. We work close with a couple of transfer companies and for your transfer we would like to inform us for your Hotel, Room number and your phone.
Q. Can I eat just before a dive?
Yes. Actually it is a good idea to eat light before a dive. It is not recommended to have a full heavy meal before a dive.
Q. Can I drink alcohol before or during the excursion?
No. Alcohol consumption is not recommended before a dive. It is recommended that heavy drinking should be avoided the evening before.
Q. How soon can I fly after a dive?
For the depths and times of the Try diving program you can fly after 12 hours if you participate in just 1 dive and after 18 hours if you participate in 2 dives in a day, according to International diving rules.
Diving
Q. Is it hard to Try SCUBA diving?
No, in fact, it’s probably easier than you imagine especially if you are already confident in the water.
Q. How long does it take to become a certified Scuba diver?
PADI courses are “performance based” which means that you qualify when you demonstrate that you’ve mastered the required skills and knowledge. Some people learn faster than others so how long it takes may vary. The PADI Open Water Diver course for beginners is typically split into five or six sessions with tremendous flexibility. The course can be scheduled over as little as four days. The PADI Scuba Diver course can be scheduled over as little as two days.
Q. How old do you have to be to diving?
According to local law, persons can dive from 10 to 60 years old. A minor from 10 till 18 years old will need written consent from parent or guardian to dive with us.
Q. Is Scuba diving expensive?
Following a Liamis Dive Centre Program is very good value for money. All the programs include medical statement; all our passengers/Divers are insured through Divers Alert Network (DAN) and 3rd party liability and an hour boat trip from Kos Harbour to Pserimos dive sites with a big luxurious and modern boat. Because Liamis Dive Centre can supply all the necessary equipment, you don’t need to invest in any gear at all. Also Liamis Dive Centre is following high standards on diving and EN, HSE, and DIN specifications.
Q. I have participated in Try diving before and I would like to do something different, more adventurous. What can I do?
You can book for the Discover Scuba Diving programme or even for the 2 days PADI Scuba diver course or for the 4 days PADI Open Water Diver course. Check for more details.
Q. Is Scuba diving dangerous?
Statistics show that recreational Scuba diving is about as safe as swimming. Certainly there are potential hazards, which are why you need training, but, like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use general common sense, it’s very safe.
Q. Can I wear my glasses under the mask?
No, but under the water sight is magnified by one third more and we are only interested in seeing objects close to us.
Q. Can I wear my contact lenses under the mask?
Yes soft lenses can be worn, but we advise not to wear hard or medium hard lenses, because there is a possibility to lose them. Sight under water is magnified by one third more.
Q. Both of the parents want to dive who is going to take care for their child?
Both of them can dive but not together. One will go diving in the first group while the other cares for child then the second will go in the last group while first takes care of child. It is something that they have to arrange on the boat together with the responsible instructor for the groups.
Q. How long is the dive?
The dive time for our try divers is 20 min without counting the briefing or any practise time.
Q. How deep do I go?
Maximum depth is 5 metres in groups of 4 try divers with 2 Instructors.
Q. Can a non-swimmer dive?
Yes in smaller groups. We need to be informed previously.
Q. How many dives can I do?
There are 2 dives in the day. During your second dive you will have a longer and deeper dive but not just this. You will enjoy the weightless, the marine life, the freedom that diving give you and you will escape to a different world. This time you will dive without stops, and you will experience a connection with nature, you will explore new places and you will stay down there more.
The second dive you book it on board and you will dive always in a small group with 2 instructors. The cost is just 30 €.
Q. How deep is the second dive and how long?
The second is deeper and longer than the first dive. During the second dive you will dive in small groups with 2 Instructors in the depth of 7 meters and for 30 minutes.
Q. Do I need to book in advanced my second dive?
No. You can book your second dive after the completion of your first dive or even later during the day out.
Q. What’s in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. It is filtered to remove impurities, but otherwise, it’s air like you’re breathing now.
Q. How long does a tank of air last?
This is a common question that unfortunately doesn’t have a single answer. People breathe at different rates, and you breathe faster when you’re swimming than when you’re resting. Also, the deeper you go, the more you use your air, and, you can get different size tanks. So, the answer is “it depends”, this is why divers have a gauge that tell them how much air they have at all times. As an approximation, a diver sightseeing in calm, warm water at 8 -10 metres deep can expect the average tank to last about an hour.
Q. What are the most common injuries or sicknesses associated with diving?
Sun burn and seasickness, both of which are preventable with over the counter preventatives. The most common injuries caused by marine life are scrapes and stings, most of which can be avoided by wearing an exposure suit, staying off the bottom and watching where you put your hands and feet.
Q. Do women have any special concerns regarding diving?
Aside from pregnancy, no. Because physiologists know little about the effects of diving on the fetus, the recommendation is that women avoid diving while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Menstruation is not normally a concern.
Q. Are there any sharks?
I get this a lot with try divers. No, unfortunately not. The bay we are diving in Pserimos Island is sheltered and quite shallow for sharks.
Q. What if I feel claustrophobic?
Although wearing a lot of equipment may seem awkward, many people find the “weightlessness” of scuba diving to be quite freeing. Modern dive masks are available in translucent models, which you may prefer if a mask makes you feel closed in.
Medical
Q. My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won’t they hurt when I Scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because pressure pushes in on your eardrum. In your Scuba program, you’ll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land with an airplane, and they won’t hurt at all.
Q. I have an ear infection can I dive?
It is recommended not to dive with an ear infection. Drops can be purchased at the pharmacy and it normally clears out after a week.
Q. I have had a perforated eardrum can I dive?
If the ear was perforated within 3 months it is recommended not to dive.
Q. I have Asthma can I dive?
If someone has sever chronicle Asthma and different types of medicine are taken to control it, it is recommended not to dive. But for some one suffering from common Asthma is able to dive but it is recommended that they bring their medicine with them.
Q. I am deaf can I dive?
Yes no problem, as long as there are no internal problems with equilibration.
Q. I have a pacemaker can I dive?
No, since little research has been done on pacemakers and diving and due to the increase of pressure while under water it is recommended not to dive.
Q. I have a cold and a cough can I dive?
You can cough through the regulator while breathing under water, if the sinuses are not blocked with mucus you can dive. If the sinuses are blocked than you will have a problem equalizing the pressure in your ears, than it is recommended not to dive.
Q. I just had an operation can I dive?
If the incisions have well healed and if the operation was not performed for medical conditions that will disqualify you from diving, then you can dive.
Q. I am pregnant, can I dive?
No. Because physiologists know little about the effects of diving on the fetus, the recommendation is that women avoid diving while pregnant or trying to become pregnant.