First Class Diver - Expedition Diving Practical Exam
The definition of a First Class Diver is a diver who:
· Has a high level of practical diving skills and knowledge
· Can organise groups of divers to achieve specific aims or objectives
· Can organise and lead major diving expeditions
· Has the skill to contribute to BSAC developments at a national, regional and branch level.
Unlike the other diving qualifications you may be used to, assessors specifically appointed by the First Class Diver Chief Examiner conduct the assessment at venues that are also designated by the Chief Examiner . There is no formal “practical course" for the qualification as divers at this level are expected to go beyond “taught skills" and be able to apply their own combination of skills and experience to the leadership and organisation of challenging diving.
Expedition Diving, Planning and Organisation
This assessment involves two days diving from a hard boat.
Usually 6 candidates and 3 - 4 examiners are involved. The night before, as candidates, you get together for one hour to plan a days adventurous diving suitable for a group of First Class Divers. This will usually involve two dives over the 8-hour period. The aims of the dives are :
- To have an enjoyable days diving!
- To allow the examiner to assess our dive leadership abilities and
- To contribute to a team project involving some specific objectives (e.g. produce a survey of a part of a wreck; catalogue the marine life on a deep underwater reef).
During the day you will all have an opportunity to take on the roles of Dive Manager and navigator and the examiners will explore your knowledge of practical seamanship.
More detailled advice on preparing for the Practical Examination can be downloaded as part of the First Class Diver Pack.
On most UK events the exam will be made up of two teams of students.
To Book a Practical Examination make sure you have Registered for the FCD Programme first and then go to the Online Booking Form.
Page last modified: 3rd Aug 2007 - 01:12:06