Terms & Conditions

Membership requires adherence to the terms & conditions.

Tapwood Lake Terms & Conditions

These may be subject to change. Please consult a member of staff for latest terms or any queries you may have. 

General

  • Surrey Hills Diving – Tapwood Lake is a member only site.
  • All Members will have to book and pay in advance, in accordance with their membership level.
  • Members will be allocated a parking space at the time of booking, subject to availability.
  • No members will be admitted without a booking.
  • Payment will be made at the time of booking for the named Lead Member and any guests, students and divers accompanying them at the time of booking.
  • Only Members and their guests, students and divers will be allowed on site. Except where an appropriate adult is accompanying divers under the age of 16.
  • All divers and non-divers entering the site must sign in.
  • All injuries and accidents, however minor they may seem, must be reported to a member of staff.
  • Please park in the designated parking areas and keep access to the paths to the lake clear.
  • Access to Surrey Hills Diving – Tapwood Lake is only allowed during designated opening times.
  • Dogs are not permitted on site, except for staff and security dogs.
  • No children under the age of 10 except for those diving are allowed on site.
  • All children under the age of 16 years must be supervised by a responsible adult.
  • No items may be removed from the lake or site without the permission of a senior member of staff. Please ask any member of staff and they will direct you to the senior member of staff.
  • Barbecues and camping stoves are not permitted.

Diving

  • Please enter and exit the water at the designated points. If you are unsure where these are please check with a member of staff.
  • The use of portable compressors or decanting systems is not permitted on site.
  • You agree to dive within the limits of your qualifications, experience and ability unless undergoing training or supervision by an appropriately qualified individual.
  • You confirm that you are medically fit to participate in the activity you are planning to engage in.
  • Solo diving is not permitted. If you become separated from your buddy or group then ascend safely and rejoin your buddy or group.
  • Diver propulsion vehicles may only be used with the express permission of a senior member of staff. Please ask any member of staff and they will direct you to the senior member of staff.
  • When using a rebreather either use a surface marker buoy throughout your dive or use a delayed surface marker buoy during your ascent.
  • Scrubber media from rebreathers must be disposed of away from site.
  • Do not run, wave, shout or blow whistles unless there is an emergency.
  • The lake is cold, especially at depth and even during the summer months. Please ensure that you have the appropriate exposure protection for the coldest part of your dive and your equipment is suitable for cold water diving.
  • Please ensure that you have sufficient alternative breathing gas when diving at depth and you are qualified and experienced in its use, e.g. pony bottle, bailout cylinder or twinset.
  • As the lake develops, overhead environments may be introduced. Do not enter these environments unless you have specific training to do so.
  • All ascents should be carried out on a tethered line or on a deployed surface marker buoy. Be aware of other divers and of boats especially during ascents.
  • Please use the designated platforms when conducting or practicing static skills.
  • Please avoid contact with the lake bottom as this may stir up the sand thus reducing the visibility in the water. Try to stay about a metre off the bottom and check the wash from your fins.
  • You understand that in the event of an incident you are responsible for the rescue and recovery of your diving buddy, students or divers. We will assist you as best as possible but we are not part of the emergency services or a professional rescue team.
  • Please adhere to your training agency standards, HSE guidelines and safe diving practices at all times.
  • Divers must exit the lake a minimum of one hour before closing time.

Diving Schools, Instructors and Divers at Work

  • All diving schools, and their instructors and divers deemed to be at work on site must conform to the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 and all other relevant standards and procedures laid down by the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the agencies they operate under.
  • You confirm that your Dive Centre, School, Club and Instructors, students and divers are medically fit to dive, and follow your agency standards with regard to paperwork and diving practices.
  • Dive centres/Schools/Clubs and Instructors are responsible for their students and divers adhering to the Surrey Hills Diving Terms and Conditions at Tapwood Lake.
  • You must have adequate insurance to cover all aspects of liability and must accept responsibility for provision of all relevant safety cover both above and below water.
  • Our staff and facilities – including oxygen therapy units – cannot be treated as part of your emergency assistance plan.
  • A member of staff must be informed before any rescue training or practice is conducted.