Training
Once you have joined the Club most of your ongoing training is free..
Training
Learn to dive
OCEAN DIVER TRAINING
Training for this grade is aimed at those new to the sport of scuba diving. Ocean Diver is the first of a series of BSAC diving qualifications that can be obtained via our branch.
“The Ocean Diver training course includes theory lessons in a classroom, practical lessons in a swimming pool or similar sheltered water area, theory assessment and open water dives.”
Theory Training
The course begins with a series of seven theory lessons, which take place at our clubhouse:
- Introduction to BSAC, our BSAC branch, and the Ocean Diver training course
- Diving equipment and signals
- The human body and the effects of diving
- Planning to go diving
- Going diving
- What happens if … ?
- Enjoying your diving
Sheltered Water Training
“Intermixed with the theory lessons, students will also begin a series of scuba diving sessions in our local swimming pool. These lessons are designed to prepare the student for the open water environment and therefore contain essential practical skills:”
- Being underwater
- Basic skills
- Developing skills
- Beyond the basics
- Safety skills
Theory
The ocean diver theory now consists of five multiple choice questions at the end of each lecture. These are marked immediately, but are checked against the pass percentage as one single paper.
Open Water Training
“Open water dives provide the student with an opportunity to put into practice the theory and practical elements learned in the classroom and sheltered water.”
In Ocean Diver training, the emphasis is on building a sound foundation of open water diving skill and experience through a series of five open water experience dives supervised by a BSAC Nationally Qualified Instructor:
5 X Open water dives
“Students will also have to experience at least four different diving conditions (e.g. drift dive, shore dive, low visibility, large boat dive, small boat dive, etc) during a total in-water diving time of no less than 120 minutes.”
Qualification
Successful completion of the above course will result in the qualification of the student as a BSAC Ocean Diver, with the knowledge to safely take part in diving activities with other qualified divers up to 20 metres depth on no-decompression dives, in suitable conditions. The student will also be able to dive on 32 and 36% nitrox mixes after receiving their BSAC nitrox card.
Next Steps…
Further develop your skills and experience by progressing to the Sport Diver course.
SPORT DIVER TRAINING
“The second of a series of BSAC diving qualifications that can be obtained via our branch. The Sport Diver course is designed to improve upon the basic skills already learnt by the trainee whilst at the same time adding more advanced skills into the mix.”
Theory Training
The course begins with a series of six theory lessons, which take place at our clubhouse:
- Sport Diving
- Diver rescue
- Equipment & Techniques
- Planning for deeper diving
- Air Planning & systems
- Going diving
Sheltered Water Training
Before progressing to further open-water diving the student will practice rescue skills in a sheltered water dive session. This is held at our local swimming pool.
Theory Test
“Students will need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of what they have learnt by taking a theory test.”
Open Water Training
A series of six open water dives, supervised by a BSAC Nationally Qualified Instructor, will provide the student with an opportunity to put into practice the theory and practical elements learned in the classroom and sheltered water:
- Refresher / orientiation dive (optional)
- Diver rescue
- Use of a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
- Simulated decompression dive
- Compass navigation and delayed SMB deployment
- Dive leading and basic skills review
“As part of their open water training, students will also have to experience at least five different diving conditions (e.g. drift dive, shore dive, shot line dive, low visibility, large boat dive, small boat dive, etc), during a total in-water diving time of no less than 150 minutes since obtaining the Ocean Diver qualification.”
Dry Practical Lesson
The student will experience the role of Assistant Dive Marshal by maintaining a dive log and understanding the relevance and importance of the information recorded for safe buddy pairing and adequate dive monitoring.
Qualification
Successful completion of the above course will result in the qualification of the student as a BSAC Sports Diver.
The Sports Diver once qualified can progressively increase their experience of depth from an initial limit of 20m to a maximum of 35m decompression dives under the supervision of a BSAC Nationally Qualified Instructor.
Next Steps
Why not expand your skills and experience by becoming a Dive Leader , an Instructor, or going on some Skills Development Courses?Further information about BSAC’s Diver Training Programme is available from the BSAC website.
DIVE LEADER TRAINING
The third BSAC diving qualifications that can be obtained via our branch.
“Dive Leader training concentrates on the responsibilities and safety aspects of leading other divers on an open water dive. Practical lessons in rescue management and rescue skills will give the trainee the confidence and ability to deal with those unforeseen emergencies. Leading a dive will develop your enjoyment, confidence and experience as a diver.”
The Dive Leader training course includes theory lessons in a classroom, theory assessment, dry practical lessons and open water dives.
Course Overview
Theory Training
“The Dive Leader training course includes theory lessons in a classroom, theory assessment, dry practical lessons and open water dives.”
- The role of the dive leader
- Oxygen Administration Skills Development Course – (6 lessons)*
- Dive planning
- Rescue management – part 1
- Helicopter operations
- Rescue operations part 2
- The role of the dive marshall
* The Oxygen Administration SDC can be undertaken at any time after obtaining the Ocean Diver qualification.
Theory Test
Students will need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of what they have learnt by taking a theory test.
Open Water Training
“A series of seven open water dives, supervised by a BSAC Nationally Qualified Instructor, will provide the student with an opportunity to put into practice the theory and practical elements learned in the classroom:”
- Delayed SMB deployment
- Dive leading demonstration
- Dive leading practice
- Shot recovery by simple lift
- Rescue management scenarios
- Diving and rescue skills review
- Rescue skills review
Dry Practical Lessons
“Over two practical lessons, the student will understand the role and responsibilities of the Dive Marshal before performing the role at dive sites known to the branch.”
- Dive Marshalling 1
- Dive Marshaling 2
As part of their open water training, students will experience at least five different diving conditions (e.g. planned decompression, navigation dive, night dive, low visibility, wreck dive, drift dive, etc), over 20 dives totalling a minimum in-water time of 600 minutes since obtaining their Sports Diver qualification. At least six dives must be from boats, on at least eight the student should be acting as dive leader, and at least ten should involve dives below 25m. The student should also act as Dive Marshal on at least two occasions in addition those of the dry practical lessons.
Qualification
Successful completion of the above course will result in the qualification of the student as a BSAC Dive Leader.
The Dive Leader can:
- Plan and lead a range of dives, including those that require detailed dive, air, and decompression requirements planning.
- Use their skill and knowledge to progressively extend their own and others diving experience.
- Supervise and marshal dives at sites known to the branch or using experienced charter boat skippers, or in conditions not normally described as ‘challenging’.
- Progressively increase their experience of depth from an initial limit of 35m to a maximum of 50m.
- Dive with any grade of diver, including trainee Ocean Divers on dives supervised by a Dive Marshal.
- Progressively extend their own experience when diving with other Dive Leaders.
Next Steps
Why not expand your skills and experience by becoming an Advanced Diver, an Instructor, or going on some Skills Development Courses?
ADVANCED DIVER & BEYOND…
Advanced Diver & First Class Diver
“If you are an enthusiastic diver, why not progress to the BSAC Advanced Diver and become a keystone of the Branch organisational structure?”
Advanced Diver
This course further develops your knowledge and skills. You will gain experience in planning and organising dives at different sites and under different circumstances. Additional experience will be gained in using small boats, chartwork, navigation and many other related skills.
BSAC consider this grade to be representative of a fully trained diver.
First Class Diver
This is BSAC’s highest diving grade and it requires higher than average levels of theoretical knowledge, organisational and personal diving skills. The 1st Class Diver award is a culmination of a number of years diving experience. There is no set course but events are held regularly to help prepare for the task ahead.
BSAC 1st Class Divers are assessed through nationally conducted examinations.
