Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: January 2025

Welcome to Philippines Diving & Marine. These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of our website and diving services. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. About Our Diving Platform

1.1 Platform Description

Philippines Diving & Marine is a diving information and connection platform that:

• Provides information about diving sites, courses, and marine life in the Philippines
• Connects divers with certified dive operators and training centers
• Offers comparative information about diving courses and certification programs
• Facilitates communication between divers and diving service providers
• Provides diving safety resources, marine conservation information, and emergency contacts

1.2 What We Are NOT

• We are NOT a dive operator or training center
• We do NOT directly provide diving instruction or certification
• We are NOT responsible for the safety, quality, or conduct of third-party operators
• We do NOT handle payments or bookings directly with dive operators
• We are NOT liable for diving accidents, equipment failures, or medical emergencies

2. User Eligibility and Diving Requirements

2.1 Age and Medical Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old to use our services independently
• Minors (10-17) may access content with parental consent and supervision
• All diving activities require medical clearance from a qualified physician
• You must disclose any medical conditions that may affect diving safety
• Pregnancy, certain medical conditions, and medications may contraindicate diving

2.2 Diving Certification Requirements

• Open water diving requires valid certification from recognized agencies (PADI, SSI, NAUI, etc.)
• Advanced, specialty, and technical diving require appropriate certification levels
• You must accurately represent your certification level and diving experience
• Certification cards and log books may be required by dive operators

3. Third-Party Dive Operators and Training Centers

3.1 Independent Service Providers

All dive operators, training centers, and instructors listed on our platform are independent businesses. We:

• Do not employ, control, or supervise these service providers
• Do not guarantee their licensing, insurance, or compliance with safety regulations
• Are not party to any contracts between you and service providers
• Do not handle disputes between users and service providers
• Cannot guarantee the accuracy of operator information or pricing

3.2 Operator Verification

While we make reasonable efforts to list reputable operators, we:

• Do not guarantee the accuracy of operator credentials or certifications
• Cannot verify real-time equipment maintenance or safety standards
• Do not inspect diving equipment, boats, or facilities
• Strongly recommend that you verify operator credentials independently

4. Diving Safety and Risk Acknowledgment

4.1 Inherent Diving Risks

Diving activities involve serious risks including but not limited to:

• Decompression sickness (DCS) and nitrogen narcosis
• Arterial gas embolism and lung overexpansion injuries
• Equipment malfunction and breathing gas supply issues
• Marine life encounters and environmental hazards
• Hypothermia, currents, and adverse weather conditions
• Boat accidents and surface interval injuries
• Remote locations with limited emergency medical services

4.2 Your Safety Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Maintain valid diving certifications and medical clearance
• Follow safe diving practices and established protocols
• Never dive beyond your certification level or experience
• Inspect and maintain your diving equipment properly
• Follow dive briefings and operator instructions
• Use appropriate safety equipment (BCD, depth gauge, dive computer, etc.)
• Plan dives within safe limits and surface with adequate air supply

5. Emergency Procedures and DAN Philippines

5.1 Diving Emergencies

In case of diving emergencies:

• Contact DAN Philippines Emergency Hotline: +63 2 8892 2992
• Call local emergency services: 911 or Philippine Coast Guard
• Seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hyperbaric chamber
• Do not attempt to treat diving injuries without proper training

5.2 Emergency Contact Information

Emergency Type	Contact	Number
Diving Accidents	DAN Philippines	+63 2 8892 2992
Marine Emergencies	Philippine Coast Guard	+63 2 8527 8481
General Emergency	National Emergency	911
Medical Emergency	Local Hospitals	Varies by location

6. Booking and Payment Terms

6.1 Booking Process

• Our platform facilitates connections; actual bookings are made directly with dive operators
• Prices displayed are indicative and subject to change by operators
• Course availability depends on weather, sea conditions, and instructor availability
• Certification requirements must be met before advanced course enrollment

6.2 Payment and Cancellation

• We do not process payments for diving courses or services
• All payments are made directly to dive operators or training centers
• Cancellation and refund policies are determined by individual operators
• Weather-related cancellations are subject to operator policies

7. Medical Requirements and Health Disclaimers

7.1 Medical Fitness for Diving

Before participating in any diving activity, you must:

• Complete a medical questionnaire and obtain physician clearance if required
• Disclose any medical conditions, medications, or recent medical procedures
• Understand that certain conditions may preclude safe diving
• Obtain diving medical examinations from qualified physicians when required

7.2 Medical Contraindications

Conditions that may prevent safe diving include:

• Heart conditions, lung disease, and breathing difficulties
• Diabetes requiring medication
• Pregnancy and recent pregnancy
• Certain medications and recent surgery
• Ear, nose, and throat conditions
• Mental health conditions affecting judgment

8. Liability Limitations and Insurance

8.1 Our Liability Limitations

Philippines Diving & Marine is NOT liable for:

• Diving accidents, injuries, or fatalities
• Equipment failures or malfunctions
• Poor service quality from third-party operators
• Medical emergencies or decompression sickness
• Weather-related cancellations or delays
• Loss or damage to personal property
• Travel disruptions or transportation failures

8.2 Maximum Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Philippines law, our total liability for any claim shall not exceed PHP 5,000 (Five Thousand Pesos).

8.3 Diving Insurance Requirements

Recommended insurance coverage includes:

• DAN diving accident insurance
• Hyperbaric chamber treatment coverage
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Dive equipment protection
• Trip cancellation and interruption

9. Environmental Responsibility and Marine Conservation

9.1 Marine Protected Areas

Many Philippine diving sites are within protected marine areas:

• Environmental fees and permits may be required
• Strict no-touch and no-take policies apply
• Anchoring and fishing are often prohibited
• Visitor limits and seasonal restrictions may apply

9.2 Responsible Diving Practices

• Maintain proper buoyancy to avoid damaging coral reefs
• Do not touch, collect, or disturb marine life
• Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine ecosystems
• Follow underwater photography guidelines
• Report marine life injuries or coral damage
• Participate in underwater cleanups and conservation efforts

10. Certification and Training Standards

10.1 Certification Agencies

We recognize certifications from major agencies including:

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)
• SSI (Scuba Schools International)
• NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors)
• BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club)
• SDI/TDI (Technical Diving International)

10.2 Training Standards

• All training must meet international standards for the certification level
• Instructors must hold valid teaching status with recognized agencies
• Student-to-instructor ratios must comply with agency standards
• Training records must be maintained for verification purposes

11. Content and Intellectual Property

11.1 Our Content

• Dive site descriptions, safety information, and marine life guides are our intellectual property
• You may not reproduce content without written permission
• Information is provided for personal, non-commercial use only
• We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of all diving information

11.2 User-Generated Content

• You retain ownership of content you submit (dive logs, reviews, photos)
• You grant us a license to use, display, and promote user content
• You are responsible for ensuring you have rights to any content you submit
• We may remove content that violates these terms or safety guidelines

12. Prohibited Uses and Conduct

You agree not to use our platform for:

• Any illegal activities or to violate applicable laws
• Misrepresenting your diving certification or experience level
• Promoting unsafe diving practices or equipment
• Harassment, threats, or abuse of other users or operators
• Posting false diving information or fraudulent reviews
• Commercial activities without our written consent
• Attempting to harm or compromise platform security

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 Disputes with Dive Operators

• Contact operators directly to resolve training or service-related issues
• We can provide operator contact information but cannot mediate disputes
• Consider filing complaints with relevant diving agencies or tourism authorities
• Review operator policies and local consumer protection laws

13.2 Disputes with Our Platform

• Contact us first to attempt informal resolution
• Philippines law governs these Terms and any disputes
• Disputes will be resolved in Philippines courts
• You waive any rights to class action or jury trial

14. Modification of Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective when:

• Posted on our website with an updated "Last Updated" date
• Communicated to registered users via email (for material changes)
• Your continued use constitutes acceptance of modified terms

15. Termination

15.1 Termination by You

• You may stop using our services at any time
• Contact us to request account deletion if applicable
• Outstanding obligations to third parties remain your responsibility

15.2 Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend access for:

• Violation of these Terms or applicable laws
• Unsafe diving practices or misrepresentation of qualifications
• Fraudulent or abusive behavior
• Technical or security reasons

16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

• These Terms are governed by Philippines law
• Any legal proceedings must be filed in Philippines courts
• If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains valid
• These Terms constitute the entire agreement between us

17. Contact Information

Legal Questions:
Email: legal@philippines-diving.com
Response Time: 5-10 business days

Diving Safety Concerns:
Email: safety@philippines-diving.com
Response Time: 1-3 business days

Emergency Diving Accidents:
DAN Philippines: +63 2 8892 2992
Philippine Coast Guard: +63 2 8527 8481
National Emergency: 911

18. Final Acknowledgment

These Terms and Conditions were last updated on January 2025. Please review them periodically for any changes.

← Back to Philippines Diving & Marine