Training

Diving is quite an involved sport and requires time, effort and unfortunately, money.  When a person contemplates becoming a diver the financial outlay can be off-putting - equipment is expensive, club fees, medical fees etc all mount up.  Before deciding a person may attend a short course with a local branch which gives an introduction to diving, an outline of all the costs and a pool session to try out some scuba gear.  The diagram below right shows the current typical training progression through the diving grades. 

Subject to a medical and payment of BSAC & Xarifa club fees, the new trainee will embark on the Ocean Diver training syllabus.

1st Class Diver
Instructor Qualifications
Skill Development Courses

Ocean Diver & (Club Diver) - The Ocean Diver grade is the entry level qualification (equivalent to the Club Diver grade previously taught in BSAC clubs) which includes some rescue techniques.  Once qualified the Ocean Diver is capable of diving safely under  supervision or under conditions encountered during their training.  The syllabus consists of 7 theory lessons, 5 sheltered water lessons, a theory assessment and 5 open water lessons.  The open water dives will include experience of several different diving conditions and at least 120 minutes underwater.  Once qualified, an Ocean Diver may partner a similarly qualified diver, or higher grade, on open water dives subject to the consent of the Branch Diving Officer.   Xarifa SAC currently include Dry-Suit Training within this training, which comprises 2 theory lessons, a sheltered water lesson and an open water lesson.  Trainees then graduate with two qualifications and are ready to dive throughout the world.  The club also encourages all trainees to progress immediately to a Sports Diver qualification which includes further rescue training.   Restrictions - An Ocean Diver may not : Take students on open water dives, conduct dives involving decompression stops or dive to depths greater than 20 metres.

Persons who may have learnt to dive abroad will most probably have an equivalent qualification and can be given an Ocean Diver qualification on joining.  These persons will then be encouraged to do the Dry-suit Training and progress immediately to Sports Diver.

Sports Diver - A trained diver who has accumulated open water experience and once qualified may extend that experience to depths of 35m, although the training does not require the student to go deeper than they did during Ocean Diver training.   The course contains 6 theory lessons, a theory test, 1 dry practical lesson, 1 sheltered water lesson, 5 open water lessons, which include open water rescue skills.  The open water dives will include experience of several different diving conditions and at least 150 minutes underwater.  The training builds on previous qualifications adding further rescue skills, decompression diving, diving safety, U/W navigation etc.        A Sports Diver cannot take students on open water dives but can take a  Instructor Foundation Course.

Dive Leader - An experienced, responsible diver, competent in dive leadership, who has the knowledge and experience to organise open water trips.  A dive leader may accompany Sports Divers and Club Divers on open water trips to further build their experience.  The training is more focused on leadership and diver rescue. The course includes 12 theory lessons, a theory test, 7 open water lessons, 2 dry practical lessons. 20 open water dives, in a range of conditions, must have been completed since qualification as a Sports Diver.

These grades and their course contents are explained in more detail on the BSAC web-site.

First Class Diver - The highest diver qualification within the BSAC, this is assessed nationally.

Instructor Qualifications - Minimum qualifications are required before embarking on instructor training.     The instructor grades are (minimum grade is shown where appropriate):-   Assistant Club Instructor (Sports Diver),  Club Instructor  & Open Water Instructor (Dive Leader), Advanced Instructor (Advanced Diver) & National Instructor.   All these qualifications are examined and awarded at the national level, although preparation and experience can be accumulated within club.  Instructors can also also gain the qualifications to teach specific Skill Development Courses.

Skill Development Courses - These courses give members the chance to gain skills and specific knowledge that may not be elaborated upon within the diver qualifications.  Some of these courses can be run in club.  These are open to all members of BSAC, there may be a stipulated minimum diver grade requirement. These courses are run often and details can be found in the diving press or on the BSAC web-site.

Courses include : BSAC Lifesaver, First Aid for Divers, Oxygen Administration, Boat Handling, Dive Marshalling, Diver Cox'n Award, Chart Work, Navigation, Compressor Operation, Photography ..........

This list is not exhaustive and contact should be made with BSAC to get a full and current list.