Diver Training | Skill Development Courses

All of the diving courses to gain a BSAC diver qualification involve a number of theory lessons which are conducted in the function room at the Commercial Inn on Wednesday evenings, and a number of practical lessons, some of which are done in the pool at Chapeltown Baths on Friday evenings, others must be done in open water, either an inland dive site such as a quarry or in the sea.

The information on this page is taken from http://www.bsac.org/page/278/syllabus--sequencing.htm,
which also details the definitions of each diver grade.

The links below each qualification have much more information about the courses and the syllabus for each.

Always check the links to the official BSAC pages for the most up-to-date info.

1. Ocean Diver
   • Start at beginner level
   • This qualification allows you to dive to a depth of 20m
   • 7 Classroom lessons
   • Theory assessment
   • Basic swimming assessment
   • 5 Sheltered water lessons
   • 5 Open water lessons/dives
   • Minimum of 120 minutes underwater time

   Further information about the Ocean Diver Qualification including the syllabus is available here: http://www.bsac.com/comediving/oceandiver.html
   See also http://www.bsac.org/page/277/ocean-diver.htm.

2. Sports Diver
   • Follows on from Ocean Diver
   • This qualification allows you to dive to a depth of 35m
   • 6 Classroom lessons
   • Theory assessment
   • 1 Sheltered water lesson
   • 1 Optional Refresher/Orientation dive
   • 5 Open water lessons/dives
   • 1 Dry practical lesson
   • 5 Dives, minimum of 150 minutes underwater time

   Further information about the Sports Diver Qualification including the syllabus is available here: http://www.bsac.com/comediving/sportdiver.html
   See also http://www.bsac.org/page/276/sports-diver.htm

3. Dive Leader
   • This qualification allows you to dive to a depth of 50m
   • 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 since qualifying as Sports Diver

   Further information about the Sports Diver Qualification including the syllabus is available here: http://www.bsac.com/comediving/diveleader.html
   See also http://www.bsac.org/page/275/dive-leader.htm.

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

   Further information about the Sports Diver Qualification including the syllabus is available here: http://www.bsac.com/comediving/advdiver.html
   See also http://www.bsac.org/page/273/advanced-diver.htm.

5. First Class Diver
   • Demonstrate a high level of diving knowledge through a written Theory Paper
   • Demonstrate their ability to plan and organise groups of divers to achieve specific aims or objectives by submitting a detailed Expedition plan
   • Demonstrate a high level of practical diving skills and dive organisational ability during a 2 day practical assessment

   Further information about the First Class Diver Qualification including the syllabus is available here: http://www.bsac.com/comediving/fcdiver.html
   See also http://www.bsac.org/page/262/first-class-diver.htm.