BSAC

 WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO A SKILL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Because each SDC is self contained then it will provide a complete package of new skills for anyone who undertakes the training. Some courses are complimentary to the Diver Training Programme (DTP) and give credit for specific and sometimes large groups of lessons for the DTP (e.g. Oxygen Administration counts for lessons DT2 - DT7 of Dive Leader but can be taken by Ocean Divers). Other Course (especially Seamanship) require no diving skills whatever and so can be attended by any member.

 WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED AS ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Because of the range of skills taught some course need little or no entry requirements, whilst others require certain diving skills and may require other pre-requisites (e.g. Advanced Nitrox requires Sport Diver + Basic Nitrox).
To see at a glance the Entry requirements view this link grouped by Diver grade

 WHERE ARE THE COURSES RUN
SDC's can be run by
BSAC BRANCHES
BSAC COACHING SCHEME
BSAC SCHOOLS

BSAC BRANCHES
BSAC Branches may offer Skill Development Courses (SDC) to their members, and may work jointly with other Branches to organise an SDC. The BSAC Regional Coaching Scheme may be able to provide experienced leaders for Branch run courses. However, if a Branch wishes to have official BSAC approval and thus BSAC SDC Certification, the course must be approved and registered in advance by BSAC HQ in accordance with the SDC Registration Scheme, which involves the payment of a Registration Fee by each and every student. Branches seeking to run their own SDCs must register the Course at least 2 weeks before the proposed event.

BSAC COACHING SCHEME
Skill Development Courses are run by the National Coaching Scheme on a Regional basis and typically courses take place at weekends, though rarely may be offered as evening classes. Coaching Scheme Courses are advertised in the Annually produced Programme of Events. Details for forthcoming months events may also be publicised in the Club's magazine 'DIVE' and on each Regions own Website.
Places on Coaching Scheme Courses are allocated on a "first come first served" basis and courses may be subject to minimum numbers before they are run.

BSAC CENTRES

BSAC Training Centres are able to run Skill Development Courses often on a much more Ad Hoc basis and at varied times throughout the week to suit the demand. They are often able to tailor courses much more to individuals requirements.
To Locate a BSAC Centre near you use this link.

 CAN MY BRANCH RUN EVENTS
There are a small number of Skill Development Courses (Full Face Mask & Extended range Diver) that require either specialist equipment or Instructors (or both) and so are only run by either the Coaching Scheme or BSAC Schools with the relevant facilities.
The vast majority of Courses can and are run by BSAC Branches providing they have the necessary level of Instructors and the appropriate equipment where necessary.
Most Branches will have a regular programme of Skill Development Courses that they run. If however, your branch do not appear to be running a Course you want then notifying the Training or Diving Officer of your interest may well be sufficient to encourage them to run one within the branch.
Running an event does require significant organisation but the guidance for Branch Officers and Instructors in this SDC Section is comprehensive and should provide all the help they require including:
Checking the detailed Syllabus and requirements
Registering the Course
Guidance for running the course
Accessing Instructor Notes and Visual Aids's where appropriate
Registering as an Approved Instructor


 HOW DO I FIND AN EVENT
For Branch run events then you need to contact your Diving or Training Officer or your Instructor.
For events run by a BSAC School then contact the BSAC School direct.
For Coaching Scheme events then you can :