Diver Training Programme

Diver Levels Ocean Diver Sports Diver Dive Leader Advanced Diver Skill Development Courses Already Qualified?

What goes into your diver training program? Each qualification level contains a sets of theory and practical lessons and skills that are taught in the duration of your course. A well defined syllabus and good instructional quality are the key in turning students into safe and competent divers that enjoy diving within as well as outside the club.

OCEAN DIVER
This course provides the essential knowledge and skills needed to prepare for open water diving. The Ocean Diver course prepares for this in the safety of a swimming pool or sheltered water and an introduction to open water in a controlled, safe manner. Experience and confidence will be gained under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Maximum depth - 20m.

Definition
A diver who is competent to dive with another Ocean Diver or with a Sports Diver, within the restriction of conditions already encountered during training. They can conduct dives with a Dive Leader (or higher) to expand their experience beyond conditions encountered during training, under the supervision of a Dive Marshal. Ocean Divers are initially restricted to the maximum depth experienced during training, but this can subsequently be extended progressively, under the supervision of a Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI), to a maximum of 20m. Ocean Divers will not have sufficient experience or knowledge to be partnered with trainee divers or to take part in stage decompression stop dives. Ocean Divers can only conduct dives where other suitably qualified divers, who can act as surface support, are present and the dive is properly Marshalled.

Course Content
The Ocean Diver course consists of

• 7 Classroom lessons
• Theory assessment
• Basic swimming assessment
• 5 Sheltered water lessons
• 5 Open water lessons/dives
• minimum of 120 minutes underwater time

Open water diving should encompass experience of at least four of the following: shelving shore dive, steep shore dive , low (2-4m) visibility dive , drift (0.25-0.5kn) dive, small boat dive, large boat dive, wall dive, dive in protective clothing.

LESSON SUMMARY

Lesson Code	Lesson Title	Key components
OT1	Ocean Diver Training	Introduction to Branch/School, diver training
OS1	Being Underwater	Mask, fins, snorkel, SCUBA
OT2	Diving Equipment & Signals	Underwater environment, equipment, signals
OS2	Basic Skills	Buoyancy, DV/Mask clear, AAS
OT3	The Body & Effects of diving	Pressure, heat loss, buoyancy, fitness
OS3	Developing skills	Free flow DV, mask clear, AAS
OT4	Planning to go diving	Air, tables/computers
OS4	Beyond the basics	Finning no mask, mobility, snorkel skills
OT5	Going diving	Buddy diving, role of DMs/ADMs, pilotage
OS5	Safety skills	AAS, CBL, tow
OT6	What Happens If ....	DCI, Narcosis, Oxygen as first aid
OO1	First Open Water dive	Build up comfort level
OT7	Enjoying your diving	Types, characteristics, snorkelling
OO2-OO5	Second to Fifth Open water dives

INSTRUCTION
All instructions is to be carried out or supervised by a NQI, minimum OWI. Other instructor requirements are as follows:
ADI/Sports Diver

*Classroom and sheltered water - on site supervision

*Open water lesson - direct (in-water) supervision
ADI/Dive Leader

*Classroom, sheltered water, open water - on site supervision
Assistant OWI

*Classroom, sheltered water, open water - on site supervision
Theory Instructor

*Classroom - unsupervised
Practical Instructor

*Sheltered and open water - unsupervised
Club Instructor
Classroom, sheltered water, open water - unsupervised

Guide to coding
First letter = diver grade, eg. 'O' = Ocean Diver
Second letter = lesson type
T = Theory
S = Sheltered Water
O = Open Water
P = Practical (e.g. Dive Marshalling)

SPORTS DIVER
Sports Diver training builds a sound foundation of open water diving skills and experience with structured, practical lessons. Qualified Sports Divers are ready to take part in dives with other Sports Divers or higher. Depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 35m after qualfying. Sports Divers can embark on the first stage of the route of instruction.

Definition
A diver who is competent to dive with another Ocean Diver, within restriction of conditions already encountered by the Ocean Diver during their training and under the supervision of a Dive Marshal. Sports Divers can dive with other Sport Divers within the restrictions of conditions already encountered during their training or previous experience and can dive with a Dive Leader (or higher) to expand experience beyond that previously encountered, under the supervision of a Dive Marshal. Sports Divers can dive to a depth which is initially limited to 20m but which can subsequently be extended progressively, under the supervision of a Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI), to a maximum depth of 35m. Sports Divers will have sufficient experience or knowledge to conduct stage decompression stop dives and provide full rescue and CPR.

Course Content
The Sports Diver course consists of

• 6 Classroom lessons
• Theory assessment
• 1 Sheltered water lessons
• 1 Optional Refresher/Orientation dive
• 5 Open water lessons/dives
• 1 Dry practical lesson
• 5 Dives, minimum of 150 minutes underwater time

Open water diving should encompass experience of at least five of the following: shelving shore dive, steep shore dive , dive using a shot line, low (2-4m) visibility dive , drift (0.5-1.0kn) dive, small boat dive, large boat dive, wall dive, dive in protective clothing.

LESSON SUMMARY

Lesson Code	Lesson Title	Key components
ST1	Sport Diving	Different diving conditions, self-assessment
ST2	Diver Rescue	Rescues, practical AV & CC
SS1	Rescue Skills
SO1	Diver Rescue
ST3	Equipment & Techniques	SMB, DSMB, distance lines, use of shot lines, compass
ST4	Deeper Diving	Decompression, Tables/computers planning & diving, Altitude tables, travelling & diving
SO2	Use of SMB
SO3	Simulated Decompression	Dive - using shot line, distance line
ST5	Air Planning & Systems	Equipment configurations
SO4	Compass navigation/DSMB	Reciprocal compass work /DSMB deployment from seabed
ST6	Going Diving	Dive leading, intro to Nitrox/Rebreathers
SO5	Dive Leading/Basic Skills Review	AAS, weight check
SP1	Assistant Dive Marshal

INSTRUCTION
All instructions is to be carried out or supervised by a NQI, minimum OWI. Other instructor requirements are as follows:
ADI/Dive Leader

*Classroom, sheltered water, open water - on site supervision
Assistant OWI

*Classroom, sheltered water, open water - on site supervision
Theory Instructor

*Classroom - unsupervised
Practical Instructor

*Sheltered and open water - unsupervised
Club Instructor

*Classroom, sheltered water, open water - unsupervised

Guide to coding
First letter = diver grade, eg. 'O' = Ocean Diver
Second letter = lesson type
T = Theory
S = Sheltered Water
O = Open Water
P = Practical (e.g. Dive Marshalling)

DIVE LEADER
Dive Leader training covers responsibilities and safety of leading other divers. Practical lessons will give divers confidence to deal with emergencies. Leading a dive will develop enjoyment, confidence and experience as a diver. Depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 50m after qualifying. Dive Leaders are eligible to progress to Open Water Instructor.

Definition
A Dive Leader can plan and lead a range of dives including those requiring detailed dive, air and decompression requirements planning. They have the skill and level of knowledge to progressively extend both their own and others experience. Dive Leaders are competent to marshal and supervise branch dives to locations well known to the Branch or using experienced Charter Boat skippers, or in conditions not normally described as 'challenging'.
Dive Leaders can dive to a depth which is initially limited to 35m but which can subsequently be extended progressively to a maximum of 50m. They can dive with any grade of diver including trainee Ocean divers, on dives supervised by a Dive Marshal. Dive Leaders can also progressively expand their own experience when diving with other Dive Leaders.

Training for Dive Leader involves much greater emphasis on gaining broader experience to supplement the 'formal' lessons.

Course Content
The Dive Leader course consists of

• 12 Classroom lessons - these include the oxygen administration module which can be undertaken at any time after qualifying as an Ocean Diver
• Theory assessment
• 2 Dry practical lessons
• 7 Open water lessons
• 20 dives - (which may include open water lessons) minimum 600 minutes underwater time

Open water diving should encompass experience of at least five of the following: planned decompression dive, navigation dive, low (1.5-3m) visibility dive, night dive, wreck dive, drift (1-1.5kn) dive, wall dive. Of the 20 dives, at least six should be from boats, on at least eight the student should act as dive leader, and at least ten dives should be to greater than 25m depth. The student should also act as Dive Marshall on at least two occasions additional to the dry practical lessons.

LESSON SUMMARY

Lesson Code	Lesson Title	Key components
DT1	The Role of Dive Leader	Leading experienced and less experienced divers, anticipating underwater conditions, developing own experience
DO1	DSMB Use	Mid-water deployment
DO2	Dive Leading demo	Leading lesser experienced divers
DO3	Dive Leading Practice
DT2-7	Oxygen Administration module	(Can be done from Ocean Diver)
DT8	Dive Planning	Role of DM, Planning, Introduction to practical use of charts, tides, weather
DO4	Shot Recovery	Simple lift and shift; full lift
DT9	Rescue Management part 1	Incident prevention, anticipation and management
DO5	Rescue Management Scenarios	Practical scenarios
DT10	Helicopter operations	Operating boats with helicopters, lifting techniques
DT11	Rescue Management part 2	Activities following on from an incident
DO6	Diving and Rescue skills - review
DO7	Rescue skills Review
DT12	The Role of the Dive Marshal	For known sites
DP1	Dive Marshalling - 1
DP2	Dive Marshalling - 2

INSTRUCTION
All instructions is to be carried out or supervised by a NQI, minimum OWI. Other instructor requirements are as follows:
Assistant OWI

*Classroom, sheltered water, open water - on site supervision
Theory Instructor

*Classroom - unsupervised
Practical Instructor

*Sheltered and open water - unsupervised
Club Instructor

*Classroom, sheltered water, open water - unsupervised

Guide to coding
First letter = diver grade, eg. 'O' = Ocean Diver
Second letter = lesson type
T = Theory
S = Sheltered Water
O = Open Water
P = Practical (e.g. Dive Marshalling)

ADVANCED DIVER
The Advanced Diver course further develops knowledge and skills. Divers gain experience in planning dives at different sites and different circumstances. Additional experience will be gained in using small boats, chartwork. navigation and many other related skills. BSAC consider this grade as being a fully trained diver. Advanced Divers are eligible to progress to Advanced Instructor.

Definition
A diver who is comprehensively trained, experienced and responsible and can manage and supervise a wide range of adventurous and challenging diving. This will include organising diving expeditions to explore unknown locations and branch activities including dives utilising developing technology and techniques.

Training towards Advanced Diver relies much more on the progressive build up of experience than on 'formal' lessons.

Course Content
The Advanced Diver course consists of

• 4 Classroom lessons
• Theory assessment
• 2 Dry practical lessons
• 2 Open water lessons
• 20 dives post Dive Leader- (which may include open water lessons) minimum 600 minutes underwater time

Open water diving should encompass each of the following, each on at least three occasion: planned two stop decompression dive, drift dive, dive in tidal waters. In addition a further six dives should include at least three of the following: navigation dive, night dive, low (>2m) visibility dive, wreck dive, wall dive.

Of the 20 dives at least 10 should be carried out from boats, on at least 10 the student should act as dive leader and at least six dives should show experience of depths greater than 30m. on at least five occasions, including at both known and unfamiliar sites, the student should act as Dive Marshal.

LESSON SUMMARY

Lesson Code	Lesson Title	Key components
AT1*	The Role of the Advanced Diver	Senior diver and Dive Marshal for unknown sites, charts, tides, weather
AT2	Advanced Diving	Personal & equipment considerations, other diving gases/systems, developing own experience
AT3	Organising diving from different platforms	DM and organising, Cox'n/Skipper liaison, crewing on boats, ropework
AP1*	Expedition Planning
AT4	Review of Diving Conditions & on site first aid
AO1	Diving and Rescue skills	Review
AO2	Rescue Management Review
AP2*	Dive Planning and marshalling	For an unknown site.

INSTRUCTION
(*Must be carried out by an Advanced Instructor or by an Assistant AI under on site supervision of Advanced Instructor. All other lessons minimum of OWI/Advanced Diver

Guide to coding
First letter = diver grade, eg. 'O' = Ocean Diver
Second letter = lesson type
T = Theory
S = Sheltered Water
O = Open Water
P = Practical (e.g. Dive Marshalling)

FIRST CLASS DIVER
BSAC's highest diving grade which requires a higher than average level of theoretical knowledge, organisational and personal diving skills. BSAC First Class Divers are assessed through nationally conducted examinations.

See Information sheets below for details.

INFORMATION SHEETS

Summary Of BSAC Diver And Instructor Qualifications

A.10 BSAC Ocean Diver Training Programme

A.11 BSAC Sports Diver Training Programme

A.12 BSAC Dive Leader Training Programme

A.13 BSAC Advanced Diver Training Programme

BSAC First Class Diver Training Information

BSAC Nitrox Workshop

BSAC Advanced Nitrox Diver Training Programme

BSAC Extended Range Diver Training Programme

PRICES
Course/trip schedules and prices are published in the forums under the appropriate sections.