Ocean Diver

In your first year you will train to become a BSAC "Ocean Diver". The training will involve a series of Theory Lectures on the following topics:-

Introduction to the BSAC

Physics of Scuba Diving

• Benefits of joining a BSAC branch, and its structure.
• Diver grades and training activities.
• The costs of being a branch member 
• The Sports Diver Medical Examination.
• Cost of equipment and time required for the course. 

• Effects of pressure in diving.
• How pressure and volume changes affect divers.
• Buoyancy - positive, negative & neutral.
• How the senses are affected.
• Purchasing mask, fins, snorkel and weightbelt.

• Buoyancy Compensator Jacket, Regulator and Air Cylinder.
•  Alternative air sources.
• Depth gauge, watch, compass and computers.
• Wetsuits and drysuits.
• Diving accessories.
• Buying scuba equipment.

• Diving signals.
• The Buddy System.
• Dive planning & Dive leading.
• Diving procedures before, during and after a dive.
• Incident recognition and avoidance

• Function of the body's respiratory and circulatory systems.
• The effects of exercise.
• Dangers of breath-holding and hyperventilation.
• The effects of exhaustion.

• Nitrogen and Decompression Sickness.
• Effects of breathing air under pressure.
• Safe dive planning; Calculating air requirements.
• Dive plan monitoring and actions.
• Training, practice and fitness in incident handling.
• Additional equipment in incident avoidance.

• Boats and boat diving procedures.
• Types of adventurous diving.
• Dive planning and conduct. Special equipment. 
• Natural navigation and Compass navigation.
• Operating the compass underwater.
• Use of the Surface Marker Buoy.

• BSAC '88 Decompression Tables.
• Depth and time recording for decompression.
• BSAC '88 Tables and No-Stop Dive planning.
• Principles of Dive Computers. Appreciation of sea conditions.
• Marine conservation & Maritime protection laws.
• Further training and skill developments courses.

A series of Pool Lessons cover the following topics:-

• Equipment assembly, testing and use.
• Using mask, fins and weightbelt.
• Using a BC jacket at the surface.
• Achieving neutral buoyancy.
• Descent and ascent with a BC jacket.
• Breathing from the scuba unit.
• Direction and depth control.
• Disassembly of equipment.

• Preparing basic equipment.
• Correct use of mask, snorkel and fins.
• Surface diving.
• Displacement clearing.

• Preparation and donning of scuba equipment.
• BC jacket control in use.
• Achieve neutral buoyancy.
• Mask clearing; Regulator clearing.
• Using an alternative air source.
• Forward rolls.
• Disassembly of scuba equipment and basic after care.

• Stride entry into water.
• BC venting and dumping.
• Zero visibility movement.
• Breathing from a free-flowing regulator.
• Clearing a flooded mask.
• Sharing air.
• Remove scuba equipment in water.
• Disassembly of scuba equipment and basic aftercare.

• Forward roll entry into water.
• 25m swim alternating regulator and snorkel.
• Controlled buoyant lift rescue.
• 25m tow of casualty.
• Clear a flooded mask.
• Remove equipment underwater.
• Surface dives using scuba unit.
• Disassembly of scuba equipment and basic aftercare.

• Assemble and don equipment.
• Perform a buddy check.
• Forward roll into water.
• Controlled descent.
• Obtain neutral buoyancy.
• Remove and re-fit mask.
• Removal and replacement of regulator.
• Share air.
• Rescue and tow casualty 25m.
• Air share from an alternate air source.
• Controlled buoyant lift and buoyancy provision.
• Remove and refit equipment in 3 - 4m.
• Disassembly of scuba equipment. 
• Basic equipment evaluation.

A series of 5 shallow open water dives followed by an assessment concludes "Ocean Diver" training.

Other Diving Grades

Once you have achieved "Ocean Diver" status you can, if you wish, train for BSAC "Sports Diver" grade,  and on to "Dive Leader" and "Advanced Diver". If you are really keen then you may wish to go on for the ultimate  grade of "First Class Diver".

The choice is yours. Good luck and good diving!

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