Training

All training within our club is completely FREE and included in the club membership fee*. Our club has several instructors who will volunteer their time to train you from a beginner all the way up to an instructor should you choose to go that far. We typically run at least one Ocean Diver and one Sports Diver training course per year.

*Some additional, minor costs may be levied e.g. equipment hire, air fills and travel costs.

In diving there is always something new to learn and BSAC cater to all levels of experience with their training whether you’re a complete beginner or you’ve done over 1000 dives. If you already have PADI qualifications then you can transfer over to the equivalent BSAC qualification.

BSAC Diver Grade Progression

BSAC Diver Training Levels

Ocean Diver

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to dive, this course is for you. This course is for beginners and provides the essential knowledge and skills needed to prepare for open water diving.

The BSAC 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.

If you have a PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water qualification you can transfer across to Ocean Diver.

For full details visit the BSAC website

Sports Diver

BSAC Sports Diver training builds on the scuba skills you learnt in the Ocean Diver course (or entry level qualification from another agency) and helps develop your confidence, skills and experience in the water to allow you to enjoy a wider range of diving sites and conditions. The course builds a sound foundation of open water diving skills and experience with structured, practical lessons. This is a good way of getting more dives under your belt while learning under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

Qualified BSAC Sports Divers are ready to take part in dives with other Ocean Divers or higher grade divers. Depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 35m after qualifying  Sports Divers can embark on the first stage of the route of instruction.

Most members of the club are at least this level and we’ll do our best to help you achieve this level as well.

For full details visit the BSAC website

Dive Leader

As a BSAC Dive Leader you are are becoming an expert in your field of dive leadership. You will also be competent in planning dives for groups of divers and managing diving on the day including, if necessary, managing rescue situations. This comprehensive course is a mix of classroom-based and practical lessons that will give divers confidence to plan, lead and manage dives, and deal with emergencies. Leading a dive will develop enjoyment, confidence and experience as a diver. After qualfying, and if you wish, depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 50m. Dive Leaders are eligible to progress to Open Water Instructor.

For full details visit the BSAC website

Advanced Diver

As a BSAC Advanced Diver you are a highly qualified branch diver. This course is for divers who are interested in extending still further their skills in planning and supervising diving groups, rescue management skills, whilst building seamanship and developing further leadership qualities.

The BSAC Advanced Diver course develops knowledge and skills. Divers gain experience in planning dives at different sites and circumstances. Additional skills will be gained in using small boats, chartwork and navigation and many other related skills. Advanced Divers who are Open Water Instructors are eligible to progress to Advanced Instructor.

For full details visit the BSAC website

First Class Diver

BSAC’s highest diving grade requires a higher than average level of theoretical knowledge, organisational and personal diving skills. First Class Diver is a very challenging award to achieve. Since 1953 when the BSAC first formed, only 932* people have qualified as First Class Divers. (* as of 19 October 2011).

BSAC First Class Divers are assessed through nationally conducted examinations.

For full details visit the BSAC website

BSAC Instructor Levels

In parallel to the diving training grades BSAC has the diving instructor grades: Assistant Diving Instructor, Open Water Instructor, Advanced Instructor and National Instructor. For more details you can visit the BSAC website

Other Training Available

Within the club we also offer other diving related training including:

Boat Handling

This two-day course is designed to give students with little or no boat handling knowledge or experience, instruction in small boat handling. It covers techniques relevant to diving and related safety knowledge. Full details are on the BSAC website

Diver Coxswain

This half-day assessment is designed to assess students’ practical boat handling skills and the essential knowledge needed to handle small boats and diving-specific boat handling activities – competently. Qualification enables the Diver Coxswain to prove competence and to play a key role in dive planning and management. Again, full detail are on the BSAC website

Oxygen Administration

This one-day course is designed to teach the administration of oxygen as a means on increasing the effectiveness of First Aid treatment of diving accidents. Oxygen treatment takes place on the surface – either on a boat or dry land. This course gives confidence to divers so they can assist with a diving-related injury. Full detail are on the BSAC website