Diving Qualifications

Romsey SAC is able to train to BSAC standards, we recommend that divers should attain the Sports Diver Qualification. We welcome non-divers, old-BSAC divers, and divers who have trained with other agencies. BSAC Ocean and Sports divers now train using Nitrox gas as standard to improve diver safety.

During the diver training a trainee can undertake addition courses run by the national and regional coaches. Romsey SAC recommends utilising the coaching scheme to follow skill development courses. These courses can include, but not limited to, BSAC/RYA Power Boat Handling, VHF radio certification, BSAC dive marshalling, First Aid, Chartwork, and Diver Coxswain. These courses are not compulsory and are external to Romsey SAC. A diver is also encouraged to follow instructor grades from Sports diver and above.

In addition, the training from ocean, sports to dive leader, Romsey SAC can provide conversion courses, for example PADI OW Diver converts to a BSAC Ocean diver with minimal training; (the use of BSAC dive tables).

The BSAC training programmes are designed to build confidence and self-reliance, whilst keeping safety uppermost. Diving skills are taught progressively so that each new experience is built upon step by step. Following basic training in the safety of a swimming pool or protected area, students soon complete their first open water dives to achieve Ocean Diver certification. This progression continues to Sports Diver and beyond, where open water skills and techniques are further developed and experience gained.

Diver Grades

OCEAN DIVER (Internal Training)

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.

SPORTS DIVER (Internal Training)

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.

DIVE LEADER (Internal Training)

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
• 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.

ADVANCED DIVER (Internal Training)

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.

1st CLASS DIVER (External Training)

The BSAC's highest diving grade which requires a higher than average level of theoretical knowledge, organisational and personal diving skills. The 1st Class Diver award is a culmination of a number of years' diving experience. BSAC 1st Class Divers are assessed through nationally conducted examinations.

Instructor Grades

Assistant Diving Instructor (Entry level - Sports Diver) (External Training)

A diver who has attended a BSAC Instructor Foundation Course.

Open Water Instructor (Entry level - Dive Leader + IFC) (External Training)

An instructor who has been trained to teach diving skills in open water.

Advanced Instructor (Entry level Advanced Diver + Open Water Instructor + Boat Handling) (External Training)

An instructor who is competent in teaching skills associated with open water diver training including dive organisation, boat handling, classroom teaching techniques and who possesses an appropriate level of theoretical knowledge.

National Instructor (Entry level First Class Diver + Advanced Instructor) (External Training)

An instructor who is competent in all aspects of diver and dive instructor training and assessment. National Instructors have wide practical diving experience coupled with an extensive theoretical knowledge.

Skill Development Courses