Term of Sale | Liability Disclaimer

PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE PURCHASING OR USING ANY EQUIPMENT FROM THIS WEBSITE.

1. Core Safety Mandate

The ocean is unforgiving. Scuba diving, particularly in the cold, tidal, and often low-visibility conditions of the United Kingdom, involves inherent and substantial risks.

While UK Dive Store supplies high-quality life-support equipment, the safety of any dive depends entirely on the diver’s training, physical fitness, discipline, and judgement. Equipment is no substitute for skill.

By purchasing from this site, you acknowledge that:

• All customers must be certified divers or under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor before using this equipment.
• Safe diving practices, including regular equipment maintenance, gas planning, and diving within your limits, are the diver’s sole responsibility.
• Cold water increases the risk of Decompression Sickness (DCS) and hypothermia.
• Never dive alone unless you are specifically trained and equipped for solo diving.
• Responsible exploration requires discipline—do not cut corners.

2. Requirement of Training & Certification

The equipment sold by UK Dive Store is capable of supporting life in hostile environments, but only when used correctly.

• Certification: You must hold a valid certification from a recognised training agency (e.g., PADI, BSAC, TDI, SSI, IANTD) commensurate with the equipment you are purchasing.
• Specialist Gear: Certain items sold on this site (including, but not limited to: Drysuits, Wing Systems, Twinsets, Stage Cylinders, Sidemount Harnesses, and Rebreather consumables) require specific, advanced training.
• Verification: UK Dive Store reserves the right to request proof of certification before dispatching restricted items. Attempting to use technical equipment without appropriate training can lead to serious injury or death.

3. Inherent Risks of Scuba Diving

By engaging in scuba diving and using the equipment purchased from UK Dive Store, you expressly assume all risks associated with the activity, including but not limited to:

• Barotrauma and expansion injuries.
• Decompression Sickness (DCS) or “The Bends.”
• Nitrogen Narcosis and Oxygen Toxicity.
• Hypothermia and Cold Water Shock.
• Drowning and Asphyxiation.
• Entanglement and Entrapment (especially in wrecks or kelp).
• Equipment Malfunction.

You acknowledge that these risks can occur even when equipment is functioning correctly and safety procedures are followed.

4. Equipment Maintenance & Service

Scuba equipment is Life Support Equipment. It requires rigorous maintenance.

• Pre-Dive Checks: It is the user’s responsibility to perform a functional check of all equipment immediately prior to every dive.
• Service Intervals: Regulators, BCDs, and Cylinders must be serviced and tested by authorized technicians in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations (usually annually or every 100 dives).
• Warranty Void: Failure to maintain equipment, or unauthorized modification of equipment (including DIY repairs), may void the manufacturer’s warranty and could compromise your safety.
• Cylinders: Hydrostatic and Visual testing of cylinders is a legal safety requirement in the UK. Do not use a cylinder that is out of test.

5. Gas Analysis & Oxygen Safety

• Analyze Your Gas: If you are diving with Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) or Trimix, you must analyze the gas mixture personally before breathing it. Relying on a label or a compressor operator’s word is a fatal error.
• Oxygen Cleaning: Equipment used with gas mixes containing more than 40% Oxygen must be “O2 Clean” and compatible. Using standard equipment with high-pressure Oxygen can result in catastrophic fire or explosion.

6. Electronics & Batteries

Dive computers, transmitters, and lights are electronic aids; they are not infallible.

• Batteries: Cold water significantly reduces battery performance. It is your responsibility to ensure batteries are charged and capable of lasting the duration of the dive.
• Algorithms: Decompression algorithms are theoretical models. Adhering to a dive computer does not guarantee protection against Decompression Sickness. Conservative settings should always be used in cold water.
• Redundancy: Always carry backup instrumentation (e.g., an analogue SPG, a backup timing device, and backup depth gauge) in case of electronic failure.

7. Medical Fitness

Scuba diving is physically demanding.

• You must be medically fit to dive. Conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or recent surgery may be contraindications to diving.
• If you have any doubt regarding your fitness, you must consult a physician who specialises in hyperbaric medicine before diving.
• Do not dive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that may affect your judgement or physiology.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by United Kingdom law:

UK Dive Store Ltd, its officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages resulting from:

1. The use or misuse of any product purchased from this website.
2. The failure of the user to obtain proper training or instruction.
3. The failure of the user to maintain or service equipment correctly.
4. Any accident, injury, or death occurring while using equipment purchased from us.

Statutory Rights: Nothing in this disclaimer affects your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, nor does it seek to exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our proven negligence or the proven negligence of our employees.

9. Environmental Factors (UK Specific)

Customers should be aware that diving in UK waters presents specific hazards not found in tropical environments.

• Visibility: Can reduce to zero without warning.
• Temperature: Can drop to 4°C. Standard “warm water” regulators may freeze and freeflow. Ensure your equipment is EN250A Cold Water Rated.
• Currents: Tidal streams in the UK can be fierce. Always carry surface signalling devices (DSMB and Whistle).

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BY PURCHASING FROM UK DIVE STORE, YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND ACCEPTED THESE TERMS AND WARNINGS.