FCD Reading List
FIRST CLASS DIVER RESOURCES
Effective preparation for all elements of the First Class Diver will include appropriate and extensive reading and understanding of a wide variety of aspects of today's diving.
Below are some suggestions for suitable publications to assist in preparation. Where possible links to the BSAC SHOP where items can be bought are provided.
Suggestions for additional items for this section are welcomed.
Below are some suggestions for suitable publications to assist in preparation. Where possible links to the BSAC SHOP where items can be bought are provided.
Suggestions for additional items for this section are welcomed.
NOTE: The views expressed in any of the Reviews linked below are those of the individuals alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the First Class Diver Chief Examiner or of other FCD students. It is up to each individual to find their own valuable sources and determine the value of knowledge obtained from it.
Dave
Email - fcdchief@bsac.com
READING LIST
Dave
Email - fcdchief@bsac.com
READING LIST
To read one recent First Class Diver's review of some of these publications and see how helpful he felt each was to his preparation please see STEVE PARRY'S REVIEW
Suggested Reading List For First Class Diver Preparation
Instructor CD Rom.
The CD-ROM Includes:
Instructor Notes
Instructor Notes cover Ocean Diver through to First Class Diver are prepared as A4 pages and saved as PDF (Adobe Portable Document Format) files. There are separate files for each group of lessons, for each diver grade.
Classroom Lesson Visual Aids
Contains visual aids for all the classroom lessons for each diver grade in Microsoft Powerpoint format. The directory structure is easy to navigate.
Theory Assessment Documentation
Contains Theory Assessments for Ocean Diver through to Advanced Diver saved as MS Word files. There are specific Instructor/invigilator papers that have the answers highlighted to facilitate easy marking.
Retail Price : £10.00 The Diving Manual
Retail Price £17.00
£15.00
Safety and Rescue for Divers
Retail Price £14.99
Retail Price £14.99
Retail Price £16.99
The Diving Instructors Manual.
Retail Price £25.00
These informative workbooks are included in the relevant BSAC Skill Development Course student pack that you receive when you participate in the BSAC Skill Development Course. They cover all material needed for personal preparation for the Nitrox Diver, Advanced Nitrox Diver, Extended Range Diving, Full Face Mask Courses, Gas Blending and Rebreather Courses.
Retail Price £15.00
Retail Price £50.00
Retail Price £50.00
Retail Price £50.00
In 1985 BSAC commissioned Dr Tom Hennessy, a world renowned researcher in the field, to jointly produce the first decompression tables specifically designed for sports diving. Published in 1988, so known as the BSAC '88 Tables, they form a booklet of four table sets giving no calculation repeat diving solutions from sea level to 3000 metres altitude.
The BSAC Nitrox Tables. This four set booklet covers air, Nitrox 27%, 32% and 36%. The only true Nitrox rather than EAD tables, they again follow the BSAC no calculation format and this is also applied to oxygen tracking. Both publications are printed on waterproof plastic. The Decompression Calculator
Decompression Tables.
Retail Price £17.00
Nitrox Tables
Retail Price £17.00
Retail Price £17.00
Decompression Calculator
Retail Price £11.95
Retail Price £11.95
GPS Afloat - B Anderson
A GPS set gives your position to within 20 metres, anywhere on earth. Punch in 
your destination and the machine gives the data you need to sail or motor to your target. The dream of navigators through the ages - always to know exactly where they are and where they are going - has finally been realised. GPS Afloat explains, to the novice or traditional navigator, what the system can and cannot do. In a very short time you will be entering waypoints, planning routes and watching the crosstrack error as though they were old friends. You will also understand how to check your results using traditional navigation, common sense and the Mark 1 eyeball.
This book is a companion to "The RYA Book of Navigation", and provides practice questions and answers at both Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster levels. Written by the RYA staff who actually compile the test papers, these exercises should provide valuable backup both to yachtsmen attending RYA shorebased courses and to those who wish to brush up their knowledge of navigation and seamanship. A practice chart is provided along with extracts from the relevant tide tables, almanacs and pilotage notes.
Skipper's Handbook - M Pearson
The next best thing to knowing something is knowing where to find out about it. This pocket sized volume will provide the answer to most of the navigation problems that are likely to arise during a coastal passage. This third edition has an extra 32 pages of important information making it even better value. Ideal for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster courses too.
£7.99
Weather at Sea - D Houghton
Fourth Edition January 2008
Fourth Edition January 2008
The weather affects everyone at sea. This book explains clearly the basic principles that govern the weather. You will learn how to get the most from weather maps and forecasts, how the coast modifies the wind, how the sea breeze arises, how to keep an eye on the clouds, waves and the barometer and how to anticipate gales, thunderstorms and fog. This book is recommended for RYA Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster courses.
ISBN: 9781940475163
General
A Handbook of Knots & Knot Tying - Geoffrey Budworth
Over 200 techniques comprehensively illustrated in step-by-step photographs. All the key knot types covered: bends, hitches, bindings, loops, mats, plaits, rings and slings. Knot catagoies include general purpose and outdoor pusuits
from caving and camping to angling and fishing. Information on cord and rope fibres, and an invaluable table charting the qualities and breaking strengths of each. 200 techniques with over 1200 step-by-step colour photographs.
Oxygen First Aid for Divers - John Lippmann and Trevor Davies
The on scene management of diving emergencies by providing oxygen first aid is an area of critical importance for all divers. Oxygen First Aid for Divers provides a wealth of information on resuscitation and oxygen administration equipment and techniques. Although this book has been targeted at divers, much of this material may be suitable for other pre-hospital oxygen providers.
The on scene management of diving emergencies by providing oxygen first aid is an area of critical importance for all divers. Oxygen First Aid for Divers provides a wealth of information on resuscitation and oxygen administration equipment and techniques. Although this book has been targeted at divers, much of this material may be suitable for other pre-hospital oxygen providers.
For the active Instructor there is no more invaluable tool than a waterproof notepad. It allows you to make notes at any stage of the day including reminders during a dive. It also assist with your own lesson plans and ensuring that you cover all elements of a lesson. This convenient pocket-sized totally waterproof notebook for taking notes underwater, in the boat, in the rain (or Scotland, Wales, Manchester etc.). Spiral bound with 50 totally waterproof pages with a polypropylene waterproof backboard. Write using a normal pencil (supplied).
Retail Price : £8.00 each or 5 for £35.00.
£7.00 each
£7.00 each
5 for £30.00
A4 waterproof plastic slate for recording details of dive group composition, dive details and timings. For an underwater pencil for use with this slate please check out Accessories. Safety details on reverse.
Retail Price : £9.00
OTHER RECCOMMENDED READING
Previous First Class Diver Papers
DIVE Magazine – previous issues
HMSO Chart symbols – Chart 5011
Macmillan Nautical Almanac – Current Year
Wreck Diving Manual – Lizzie Bird (Currently out of print)
Diving and Sub Aquatic Medicine – Carl Edmonds
First Aid Manual, Red Cross, St John’s etc. – Current Edition
Web Sites
First Class Diver Forum
Previous First Class Diver Papers
DIVE Magazine – previous issues
HMSO Chart symbols – Chart 5011
Macmillan Nautical Almanac – Current Year
Wreck Diving Manual – Lizzie Bird (Currently out of print)
Diving and Sub Aquatic Medicine – Carl Edmonds
First Aid Manual, Red Cross, St John’s etc. – Current Edition
Web Sites
First Class Diver Forum
Page last modified: 24th Apr 2008 - 12:00:47