4.4 Qualifications

4.4.1 BSAC Qualification Record Book (QRB)
The Qualification Record Book (also referred to as the QRB) is a member's prime record of training and qualification. In this respect it becomes a valuable document, which should be treated with care. Wear and tear can be avoided by using a BSAC Qualification Photo-card as portable and durable evidence of qualification.

Do encourage members to take photocopies of their Qualification Record Book as each qualification level is attained, and keep them somewhere safe. Such copies are invaluable if a Qualification Record Book is lost and needs to be replaced. BSAC Headquarters does not necessarily have up-to-date records of the qualifications achieved by members, other than those awarded at national level, i.e. Qualified Instructors and First Class Divers. Also, do keep Branch training records for every member. The Branch Diving Officer's Record Card is available from the BSAC Mail shop for this purpose.

4.4.2 Training and Assessment
Authority to Conduct Training and Assessments:
BSAC's policy on instruction (Sections 2.2.1) and the section on 'Who Can Teach - and What' (Section 4.2.5) define who can conduct lessons. However, the limitation that needs to be born in mind: a Qualified Instructor who is a Dive Leader cannot train or assess a member for the Advanced Diver qualification. Only a Instructor who is already an Advanced Diver may do so. Note: some elements of Advanced Diver training must be conducted by a minimum of an Advanced Instructor.

Signing up Training and Assessments:
This is the responsibility of Qualified Instructor's within the Branch. While training may be delegated to Assistant Diving Instructors appointed by the Branch Diving Officer / Training Officer / Qualified Instructor, qualification record signatories shall only be those who have been examined at national level:

Qualified Instructors may sign-up training (up to their own diver qualification):

Theory Instructor may only sign-up theory lessons.

Practical Instructors may only sign-up practical lessons.

The award of Club Instructor (Section 4.2.5) ceased in 2002, but it is still a recognised Qualified Instructor qualification and may sign up:

All lessons they conduct themselves, theory and practical (Sheltered and Open Water) to their diver qualification.

Supervised theory lessons and practical training conducted by an Assistant Diving Instructor in Sheltered Water (Pool) only. A Club Instructor is not authorised to sign-up training conducted by an Assistant Diving Instructor or Assistant Open Water Instructor in Open Water.

Assistant Diving Instructors who actually conduct lessons may sign Branch Lesson Record Sheets and advise the Qualified Instructor / Training Officer / Branch Diving Officer / Records Officer as appropriate, so that the Branch's own records of training are kept up to date. However, the signature in the member's Qualification Record Book must be that of a Qualified Instructor.

4.4.3 Theory Tests
Procedures for conducting Theory Tests are fully explained in the BSAC Instructor Manual. Theory Tests may be presented as either a written test - consistent, and convenient if there are several students - or as an oral test where individual students are asked questions and give spoken answers. The latter format is particularly discreet and therefore helpful if a student has a specific learning or reading difficulty.

4.4.4 Authority to Award BSAC Diving Qualifications

Diving Qualifications (Section 4.1.1) are awarded by the BSAC facility (Branch or Centre) that completed the training. The signature on the qualification page is purely confirmation that all the required elements for that diving qualification have been signed by a Qualified Instructor.

Both Branches and Centres are reminded that training carried out and verified as meeting the training requirements by the signature of a Qualified Instructor is acceptable and does not need to be repeated.

Notwithstanding the above any BSAC Branch or Centre is free to ask a new member or client to do a "check out" dive to confirm current level of dive fitness and baseline skills.

If anyone has any doubts as to the authenticity or membership status of a signatory a telephone call or email to HQ would normally resolve these doubts.

For Dual Members (Section 3.4.6) the above procedure should be followed.

Branch Committee approval is not required because:

The National Diving Officer has delegated the authority to the lead instructor of the Branch, not to the Branch Committee.
The National Diving Officer is not prepared to accept a situation where Committee Members less qualified could veto the decision of the Branch’s lead instructor for the award of a diving qualification.

4.4.5 Factors to be considered when awarding Qualifications
Impartiality:
When considering the award of a diving qualification, both Nationally Qualified Instructors and the Branch Diving Officer must be impartial and not allow personal differences to prejudice their judgement. If the member has achieved appropriate standards in all the qualification requirements, the qualification should be awarded without delay, but see 'Candidate's overall attitude' (below). Personality problems can manifest themselves during training and every effort should be made to resolve them, or put them to one side, when considering the award of a qualification.

Branch Diving Officers should not regard 'pushy members keen to qualify before their time' as either a threat or a problem. If they meet the qualification requirements, qualify them - and use their enthusiasm for the benefit of the Branch! It is far better to have a Branch of happy, qualified members rather than disgruntled ones who are not allowed to qualify because 'their face doesn't fit' or for similar spurious reasons. The higher their qualifications, the more use they are within the Branch.

Candidate's Overall Attitude:
While there is no 'Character Reference' box to tick on any training record page of the member's Qualification Record Book, members seeking a qualification should be expected to display common sense and a duty of care appropriate to the qualification they seek. This becomes progressively more important as they aspire to Dive Leader and Advanced Diver qualifications. Evident absence of 'the right attitude' can be grounds for declining to award a qualification until it changes for the better, but Branch Diving Officers must be prepared to justify / explain to the member involved any delay in awarding a qualification on these grounds, and provide whatever retraining / guidance is necessary. Regional Coaches can be called in to arbitrate, if necessary.

No Additional Qualifying Conditions:
Please refer to 'The Conduct of Diver Training Lessons' (Section 4.2.4).

Dual Members:
Please refer to Dual Membership (Section 3.4.5).

Lead instructor’s Authority - A Reminder:

The authority of a lead instructor is not absolute, but is delegated to them by the BSAC National Diving Officer. Consequently, it can be withdrawn or over-ridden. Allowing personality problems to stand in the way of awarding a qualification, or demanding more than the published qualifying requirements would be regarded as unreasonably withholding a qualification. In such cases the National Diving Officer might choose to over-ride the decision of a lead instructor, usually following an investigation by the Regional Coach who acts as an arbiter.

4.4.6 Awarding BSAC Diving Qualifications

Once all qualifying requirements have been met and a member has submitted their Qualification Record Book to the lead instructor then a diving qualification should be granted, it is the lead instructor alone who grants the qualification by signing off the appropriate certificate page in the member’s Qualification Record Book, they will also stamp the qualification page with the Club Stamp.

Typically, this would be done at a Branch Committee Meeting, when the award of qualifications would be reported by the Branch Diving Officer to the Committee and recorded in Branch Committee Minutes. The Branch Records Officer should be notified so that Branch training records / the Branch Diving Officer's Record Card for the member, can be kept updated.

Diving Experience Required for Dive Leader or Advanced Diver:

Members wishing to qualify as Dive Leader or Advanced Diver are required to log at least 20 open water experience dives since gaining their last qualification. These dives should show that the member has taken part in a wide range of different diving activities, experiences and conditions. The BSAC Instructor Manual gives detailed guidance on the open water experience dives required.

Training started prior to the 2002 Diver Training Programme:
A member who is part way through training for a pre-2007 Diver Training Programme course should complete the course under that syllabus. As from the 1^st January 2006 BSAC ceased supporting courses started prior to the 2002 Diver Training Programme syllabus. In exceptional situations a Branch Diving Officer may decide that an individual may complete the earlier course. It will be the Branch Diving Officer’s responsibility to arrange any support required. The Diver Qualification can only be awarded when the student has completed additional elements from the current Diver Training Programme to bring the member in line with current standards; the relevant Nitrox Workshop(s) should also be completed.

Qualifications above the level held by the lead instructor:
In the event of wishing to qualify an Advanced Diver when the lead instructor does not hold this qualification themselves, the lead instructor must seek guidance, ideally from the BSAC Regional Coach, a Qualified Instructor from within the Branch or from neighbouring Branches whom holds the Advanced Diver qualification. Under these circumstances, they should make the decision as to whether the qualification should be awarded and if so, should either:

Recommend to the Branch Committee that the lead instructor awards and signs the qualification.
Confirm the award and sign the qualification himself.

In either case, the course of action taken must be recorded in Branch Committee Minutes (Section 3.3.4) and subsequently entered in Branch Training Records.

4.4.7 Certificates and Badges
The BSAC Shop can supply A4 format presentation certificates and cloth badges for all snorkelling and diving grades up to Advanced Diver. Branches enter the member's name, sign them and present them, together with a badge, perhaps, to newly qualified members at a Branch's Social Meetings (Section 3.6.1) such as a Dry Meeting or Annual Dinner.

Those who qualify as BSAC Qualified Instructors and First Class Divers receive Qualification Record Book Certificates, a Presentation Certificate and a badge as part of the qualification package.

It is worth remembering BSAC has a selection of Trophies and Awards (Section 1.6) for both individuals and Branches.

4.4.8 BSAC Qualification Photo-Cards
A plastic BSAC Diving Qualification Card - one can be issued for every BSAC Snorkeller, Diver or Instructor qualification held - serves as a more portable and waterproof evidence of your qualifications. Your photograph appears on the card to give it authenticity. Similar cards are also available for Nitrox Diver, Advanced Nitrox Diver and Extended Range Diver. Cards are available for single qualifications only: BSAC cannot, for example, supply a single card showing a member to be an Advanced Diver + Advanced Nitrox Diver + Extended Range Diver.

A plastic BSAC Diving Qualification Card - one can be issued for every BSAC Snorkeller, Diver or Instructor qualification held - serves as a more portable and waterproof evidence of your qualifications. Your photograph appears on the card to give it authenticity. Similar cards are also available for BSAC Technical Qualifications (Section 4.5).

Application Forms for BSAC Qualification Photo-Cards are available from BSAC Headquarters. Nitrox Diver and Extended Range Diver cards are issued to members who complete those courses. Any of these cards can be replaced on payment of the full card price. It is not possible to upgrade a card: a new card will be required for the higher grade.

Evidence of qualification usually has to be presented to holiday destination Diving Centres before you can book on dive trips and hire equipment. So, if planning to take diving holiday abroad, take at least your membership card to confirm your BSAC Public Liability cover is valid (Note: this is not travel insurance which should be purchased separately) and your BSAC Diving Qualification Photo-Card as evidence of your qualification. Also take your Diving Record Book in case you are asked to provide evidence of recent diving experience. It is not unusual for a Dive Resort to require its clients to demonstrate basic diving safety skills before serious diving begins. They do so with your safety in mind.

4.4.9 CMAS Cards
The “World Confederation of Underwater Activities�? or “Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques�? (CMAS) is a world federation of diving organisations, for the UK the Sub-Aqua Association is the member organisation. CMAS does not issue its own diving qualifications, but does enable members in one organisation to match a qualification in another via a system of stars. Following an agreement with the Sub-Aqua Association BSAC members can apply for a CMAS Card of equivalent qualification. Please contact BSAC Headquarters Members who will inform you of the costs and procedure.

4.4.10 Diving Qualifications Issued by Other Agencies
New or existing members who hold Diver Qualifications issued by other training agencies may have them recognised by BSAC. The Technical Publication BSAC Welcomes Qualified Divers on the BSAC Website explains the scheme in detail and can be downloaded in PDF format.

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Page last modified: 7th Dec 2007 - 12:23:02