Terms & Conditions

Agreement to These Terms

Welcome to Scuba Shack. By visiting our store, using our website at scubashackct.com, enrolling in any course, booking rental equipment, or purchasing products or services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

These Terms apply to all customers, students, website visitors, and anyone who interacts with Scuba Shack in any capacity. We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time; continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any changes.

About Scuba Shack

Scuba Shack is a full-service scuba diving retail and training center located at 3318C Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut 06111. We are an authorized PADI Dive Center (Store #38) offering equipment sales, equipment servicing and repair, PADI certification courses, rental gear, and dive travel services. We can be reached at 860-563-0119 or info@scubashackct.com.

Courses & PADI Training

All dive training offered at Scuba Shack is conducted under PADI standards and curricula. By enrolling in any course, you agree to the following conditions:

• You must meet all age and medical prerequisites stated for your course. Students under 18 require written parental or guardian consent.
• You must complete and sign all required PADI liability releases and medical disclosure forms prior to participating in any in-water training.
• You must be in good physical health and disclose any medical conditions that may affect your ability to dive safely. Scuba Shack reserves the right to require a physician’s medical clearance before allowing enrollment.
• Course fees cover instruction, use of pool facilities, and any materials stated in the course description. PADI certification processing fees and textbooks may be additional unless specified.
• Students must demonstrate satisfactory skill proficiency to earn certification. Scuba Shack instructors have final authority on certification decisions.
• Scuba diving involves inherent risks including serious injury or death. Participation in any training or dive activity is entirely at your own risk.

Course Cancellations & Refunds

We understand that plans change. Our cancellation policy for courses is as follows:

• More than 7 days before course start: Full refund, less any PADI materials or processing fees already incurred.
• 3–7 days before course start: 50% refund of course tuition; PADI materials are non-refundable once issued.
• Less than 72 hours before course start: No refund. Credit toward a future course may be offered at Scuba Shack’s discretion.
• No-shows: No refund or credit.
• Scuba Shack reserves the right to reschedule or cancel courses due to insufficient enrollment, instructor availability, or unsafe conditions. In the event of cancellation by Scuba Shack, a full refund will be issued.

Equipment Rental

Rental of scuba equipment from Scuba Shack is subject to the following terms:

• A valid government-issued photo ID and a current scuba certification card (C-card) are required for all equipment rentals.
• All rental equipment must be inspected by the customer at the time of pickup. Any pre-existing damage must be reported before leaving the premises.
• Renters are responsible for the safe return of all equipment in the same condition as received, normal wear excepted. Lost or damaged equipment will be charged at replacement cost.
• Rental fees are charged per day or per dive trip as quoted at time of reservation. Reservations made through FareHarbor are subject to FareHarbor’s booking terms in addition to these Terms.
• All divers using rental equipment do so at their own risk. Scuba Shack is not liable for equipment malfunction during use provided the equipment passed pre-rental inspection.

Equipment Sales & Returns

All equipment purchases from the Scuba Shack online store (scubashackct.store, operated on the DiveShop 360 platform) are subject to the return and shipping policy displayed on that storefront. For in-store purchases:

• New, unused equipment in original packaging may be returned within 30 days of purchase with receipt for a full refund or exchange.
• Opened or used equipment is non-returnable unless defective. Defective items will be handled per the manufacturer’s warranty.
• Special orders and custom items are non-refundable.
• Wetsuits, drysuits, and undergarments are non-returnable once worn for hygiene reasons.

Equipment Service & Repair

When you drop off equipment for service or repair, you agree to the following:

• Scuba Shack will inspect all equipment upon intake and provide an estimated service cost. Additional costs may arise if hidden damage is discovered during disassembly.
• You authorize Scuba Shack to perform the agreed-upon service and to use manufacturer-recommended or equivalent replacement parts.
• If additional work beyond the estimate is required, Scuba Shack will contact you for authorization before proceeding, unless you have pre-authorized up to a stated dollar amount on the intake form.
• Equipment not picked up within 60 days of completion notice may be subject to storage fees or, after 180 days, disposed of in accordance with Connecticut law.
• Scuba Shack is not responsible for pre-existing damage, corrosion, or deterioration discovered during service. Tanks manufactured before 1990 (aluminum) may be declined for service per industry safety guidelines.
• A service completion receipt will be provided. All work carries a 90-day labor warranty on parts installed by Scuba Shack under normal use conditions.

Dive Travel

Scuba Shack organizes and coordinates group dive travel as a convenience to our customers. All travel bookings are subject to the following:

• Trip inquiries submitted through our website initiate a conversation with Scuba Shack staff. No booking is confirmed until a deposit is received and written confirmation is issued by Scuba Shack.
• Each trip’s specific cancellation, deposit, and payment terms will be provided in writing at the time of booking and will govern that trip. Deposits are generally non-refundable.
• Scuba Shack acts as an organizer and is not the end-service provider for flights, liveaboards, or resort accommodations. Scuba Shack is not liable for cancellations, changes, or service failures by third-party operators.
• All dive travel participants must carry valid travel insurance and are strongly encouraged to carry dive accident insurance (such as DAN). See the DAN information on our Dive Trips page.
• Minimum certification requirements stated for each trip are firm. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure they meet all requirements before booking.

Website Use

The content on scubashackct.com is provided for informational purposes only. Scuba Shack makes reasonable efforts to keep information accurate but does not warrant that all content is complete, current, or error-free. Pricing, schedules, and availability are subject to change without notice. You may not use this website for any unlawful purpose, to scrape content, or to interfere with its operation. All website content including text, images, and logos is the property of Scuba Shack or its licensors and may not be reproduced without written permission.

Limitation of Liability & Assumption of Risk

Scuba diving, snorkeling, and related aquatic activities carry inherent risks including, but not limited to, equipment failure, environmental hazards, physical injury, and death. By participating in any activity facilitated or instructed by Scuba Shack, you voluntarily assume all such risks.

To the fullest extent permitted by Connecticut law, Scuba Shack, its owners, instructors, staff, and agents shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage, or death arising from participation in any dive activity, course, rental, or travel program. In no event shall Scuba Shack’s total liability to any customer exceed the amount paid by that customer for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

Privacy

Scuba Shack collects personal information (name, contact details, certification records, payment information) as necessary to provide our services. We do not sell personal information to third parties. Information may be shared with PADI for certification processing, with FareHarbor for booking management, and with DiveShop 360 for retail order fulfillment. Our use of your data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any dispute arising under these Terms shall be resolved in the courts of Hartford County, Connecticut, and you consent to personal jurisdiction in that venue.

Contact Us

Questions about these Terms? We’re here to help.
Scuba Shack
3318C Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111
Phone: 860-563-0119
Email: info@scubashackct.com
Hours: Tue–Fri 12–6 PM · Sat 10 AM–4 PM · Mon & Sun Closed