We welcome divers from any agency, however as a branch of the BSAC, the training we provide follows the BSAC scheme. Although we are a small branch, we have several instructors including two Advanced Instructors and one Open Water Instructor so we can provide all aspects of training up to Advanced Diver plus additional Skill Development Courses. If we cannot teach the course ourselves, we can arrange courses with other branches or the BSAC regional coaching scheme

On the down side, being a small branch we do not have regular access to a pool and are not able to take newcomers to the sport through to their first qualification as an Ocean Diver.

We welcome qualified BSAC, PADI and CMAS or equivalent divers who might want to join to come and meet us and discuss your requirements. If you want to, you can then progress through the training scheme to Advanced Diver (BSAC) or return to your relevant schools for qualification upgrades. We can also help you to prepare for BSAC instructor qualifications.

Qualified divers from other training organisations are welcome to requalify within the BSAC scheme but this is not essential.

BSAC Sports Diver – Course Overview

This course extends the knowledge and experience gained during the Ocean Diver course and allows the diver to carry out dives to 35 metres. In Sports Diver training, the emphasis is on building a sound foundation of open water diving skills and experience through a series of structured practical lessons. Once you have gained this open water experience with a qualified instructor, you are ready to take part in dives with other Sports Divers or those of higher grades. The course is divided into four elements:

1. Theory Lessons

• Sport Diving
• Diver Rescue
• Equipment and Techniques
• Planning for Deeper Diving
• Air Planning and Systems
• Going Diving

2. Sheltered Water Lessons

These lessons are designed to prepare the student for the open water environment and therefore contain essential practical skills.

• Rescue Skills

3. Open Water Dives
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. The emphasis is on building a sound foundation of open water diving skill and experience through a series of four open water experience dives:

• Diver Rescue
• Use a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
• Simulated Decompression Dive
• Compass Navigation and DSMB Deployment
• Dive Leading/Basic Skills Review
• Assistant Dive Marshal
• Diving Experience – Experience a range of 5 different diving conditions during a minimum in water time of 150 minutes since gaining the Ocean Diver qualification

4. Sports Diver Theory Assessment

Medical Declaration

All club members are required to complete an annual medical declaration form prior to taking part in club dives. This is usually completed as a part of the annual membership renewals.

Non BSAC qualified divers will also need to produce a current certificate of insurance before diving.

Further details of the training scheme can be found on the BSAC website (see Links – www.bsac.com).