Rebreathers in BSAC Training
The BSAC continue to re-evaluate the use of rebreathers when teaching or assessing open circuit divers; both within general branch training and on more formal BSAC events such as Skill Development Courses (SDCs) and Instructor Training Scheme (ITS) events.
The following tables represent the current recommendations:
Table 1 Use of Rebreathers During General Diver Training.
Table 2 – Rebreather use on Skill Development Courses (SDCs)
Table 3 –Rebreather use on Instructor Training Scheme (ITS) events.
Please send any further questions you may have to BSAC Technical Chief Instructor
The following tables represent the current recommendations:
Table 1 Use of Rebreathers During General Diver Training.
|
Training Level |
Use of Rebreathers |
Remarks | |
|
Trainee / Diver Grade |
Instructor | ||
|
Ocean Diver trainee |
Student not qualified for rebreather use. |
Instructor to use O/C for instructional dives. |
Limited by Ocean Diver standards |
|
Agency crossover to Ocean Diver |
Student not qualified for rebreather use. |
Instructor to use O/C for instructional dives. |
Limited by Ocean Diver standards |
|
Ocean Diver |
A qualified rebreather diver must ensure that they fully brief Ocean Diver on basics of operation and method of rescue |
N/A |
Limited to Ocean Diver standards |
|
Sports Diver trainee |
Student not qualified for rebreather use. |
Instructor to use O/C for instructional dives. An instructor may use a rebreather for assessment dives. |
Limited by Sport Diver standards |
|
Agency crossover to Sport Diver |
Agency crossovers must be able to demonstrate competency in the basic rescue techniques of CBL and AV prior to being allowed to dive with a rebreather diver. |
Instructor to use O/C for instructional dives. An instructor may use a rebreather for assessment dives. |
Review agency standards |
|
Sport Diver + Nitrox Qualification |
Minimum entry-level requirement for rebreather courses. Certified rebreather divers enabled to dive up to level of their qualification. |
N/A |
40m or 80m limit applies depending on unit and qualifications |
|
Dive Leader trainee |
If trainee uses an approved rebreather as their preferred dive equipment, then the rescue assessments and experience dives can be made using a rebreather. |
Instructor/ assessor can wear a rebreather. |
40m or 80m limit applies depending on unit and qualifications |
|
Advanced Diver trainee |
If AD trainee uses a rebreather as preferred dive equipment, then qualifying dives, rescue scenarios and experience dives can be made using unit. |
Instructor/ assessor can wear a rebreather. |
40m or 80m limit applies depending on unit and qualifications |
|
First Class Diver candidate |
Freedom of choice on FCD exam |
Instructor/ assessor can wear a rebreather. |
40m or 80m limit applies depending on Unit and qualifications |
Table 2 – Rebreather use on Skill Development Courses (SDCs)
|
Course Min Entry Qualification |
Attendee |
Staff Instructor or Boss |
Remarks | ||
|
Rebreather Use |
Qualification Level |
Rebreather Use | |||
|
Lifesaver
Ocean Diver |
Yes – if qualified user, i.e., SD with rebreather certification |
OWI |
Yes – provided students are SD or higher |
The students should be taught on their primary diving equipment | |
|
Advanced Lifesaver
Sports Diver |
Yes |
OWI |
Yes |
Candidates should dive on their primary dive equipment | |
|
Practical Rescue Mgt
Sports Diver |
Yes |
OWI |
Yes |
Useful to observe that the principles of rescue management are equally applicable irrespective of dive equipment used | |
|
Dive Planning & Marshalling
Sport Diver |
Yes |
OWI |
Yes |
Useful to learn to Marshal different group pairings | |
|
Search & Recovery
Sports Diver |
Yes – if experienced rebreather user |
OWI |
Yes – if experienced rebreather user |
Experienced user: 25 hours rebreather experience | |
|
Basic Nitrox
Ocean Diver |
No - entry level SCR training |
OWI |
N/A |
No in-water practical | |
|
Advanced Nitrox
Sports Diver |
No - entry level to CCR training |
OWI |
Yes |
Must have an OC bailout cylinder configured | |
|
Extended Range Diver
Sports Diver & Nitrox |
No |
OWI |
Yes |
Must have two OC bailout cylinders configured | |
|
Full Face Mask
Sports Diver |
No |
OWI |
No |
Course does not accommodate rebreather full face masks | |
|
Disability Awareness
Sports Diver |
No |
OWI |
No |
O/C course only | |
|
Marine Life Identification
Ocean Diver |
Yes |
OWI |
Yes |
Rebreather benefits of being closer to marine life | |
|
Marine Biology
Sports Diver |
Yes |
OWI |
Yes |
Rebreather benefits of being closer to marine life | |
|
Underwater Photography
Sports Diver |
Yes |
OWI |
Yes |
Rebreather benefits of being closer to marine life | |
|
Marine Archaeology
Sports Diver |
Yes – if experienced rebreather user |
NAS qualified instructor |
Yes |
Experienced user: 25 hours rebreather experience | |
Table 3 –Rebreather use on Instructor Training Scheme (ITS) events.
|
Course |
Attendee |
Staff (Including Boss) |
Remarks |
|
Instructor Foundation Course |
No |
No |
Preparing students to teach O/C |
|
Open Water Instructor Course |
No |
No |
Preparing candidates to teach O/C up to DL level |
|
Practical Instructor Exam |
No |
Yes – Boss No – Instructor |
Instructors may be required to perform remedial teaching on open circuit |
|
Advanced Instructor Course |
Yes |
Yes |
Advanced level teaching – students should be confident to teach using a rebreather |
|
Advanced Instructor Exam |
Yes |
Yes |
Advanced level exam - candidates should be confident and competent to instruct using a rebreather |
|
National Instructor Exam |
Yes |
Yes |
Candidates should be confident and competent to teach at the Instructor Trainer level using a rebreather |
Please send any further questions you may have to BSAC Technical Chief Instructor
Page last modified: 29th Jan 2007 - 18:42:12