Dive Planning and Marshalling
AIM
To teach divers the importance of Dive Planning and Marshalling, and the correct procedures for doing so; and the need for a suitably qualified and experienced person to perform the function. Also, to give divers practical experience of dive marshalling.
DURATION
Two days.
ENTRY LEVEL
Experienced Sport Diver.
The Course lead Instructor should be satisfied that Sports Divers have a range of experience of different sites and varied conditions so that students do not require excessive amounts of additional tutoring during the duration of the course.
INSTRUCTORS
Chief Instructor to be BSAC Advanced Instructor. Other Instructors to be BSAC Instructors who are also Advanced Divers. One Instructor for every four students.
FACILITIES
Suitable classroom for theory lessons. Coastal or inland site for practical activities. Boat(s) for use as dive platform.
APPROVAL
Skill Development Course Approval Procedure applies.
QUALIFICATION
Course Certification will be issued by BSAC HQ after the event.
SYLLABUS
Day 1
Instructor briefing
Assemble, Introductions, Administration (15 minutes)
1. Classroom Discussion: The Branch Dive (20 minutes)
Instructor introduces session where groups consider the question 'What makes a good / bad dive?'. Instructor draws points from different groups to reach these conclusions:
Good Dive = safe and enjoyable
Bad dive = greater risk of accidents
Good dives are well planned and marshalled.
This sets the scene for the rest of the course.
2. Classroom Lesson Dive Planning (60 minutes)
(Covers both shore, small boat and large boat diving)
Why, who, what, where, when, how
Materials and references needed for dive planning
Break
3. Classroom Lesson Dive Marshalling (60 minutes)
(Covers both shore, small boat and large boat diving)
Before leaving home
On arrival at site
During the dive
After the dive
Within a few days
4. Classroom Lesson Site Selection for Dive Marshals (60 minutes)
Chartwork for site selection and dive planning
Tidal prediction
Site location: position fixing
5. Classroom Lesson Weather and Weather Forecasts for Dive Marshals (30 minutes)
Weather systems
Weather maps
Weather forecasts / forecasting
Lunch
6. Classroom Tutorial: Dive Planning Exercises (120 minutes)
Students work in tutor groups to plans a typical weekend Branch dive comprising two days of enjoyable and informative diving. Two different scenarios should be employed with about 45 minutes devoted to each. Scenario 1 covers a shore dive; Scenario 2 covers a small / large boat dive. Information will be given on:
Numbers and qualifications of divers
Sites available, type of boats used
Tidal and weather conditions
One of these Scenarios will be selected by the Course Leader for presented by a group spokesperson, to the rest of the course in the next session.
Break
7. Classroom Discussion: Dive Plans (45 minutes)
Spokesperson from each group to present a dive plan
Plans discussed by other groups and instructors, thus exposing all students to different ideas
8. Classroom Tutorial: Dive Planning (30 minutes)
In tutor groups, a dive plan is selected and finalised for action next day
Appoint people to fulfil various duties
Draw up outline timetable
Prepare list of diving groups
Draw up list of material requirements
9. Classroom Viewpoint: What would you do? (45 minutes)
Course Leader poses typical Dive Marshalling situations for groups, with guidance from their Instructor, to resolve within 3 to 4 minutes. Group spokesperson reports their findings to all.
Debriefing for the day.
Day 2
10. Practical Dive Marshalling Exercises (6 hours)
May be 'Branch specific' in the choice of site / platform
May cover shore dives, small or large boat diving *
May be split 3 hours shore diving, 3 hours boat diving
Skills to be demonstrated first by Instructor, then copied by students
Diving provides opportunities to demonstrate good diving and dive leadership
All students to dive twice with different buddies
All students to be involved for some of the time in Marshalling
Lunch to be taken during surface intervals
* Note - Additional Instructors may be required for boat dives.
11. Classroom Dive Marshalling Exercises debrief (30 minutes)
In tutor groups:
Discuss highlights, problems and how problems were resolved
Review lessons learned
Prepare a short presentation on the day's activities for next session
12. Classroom Dive Marshalling Exercise Reports (30 minutes)
Group spokesperson presents report on group dives to all
Discussion and comments from other students and Instructors
13. Classroom Open Forum (30 minutes)
Course debriefing
Issue Student Notes and Course Certification
Disperse
Instructor debriefing
NOTES
To teach divers the importance of Dive Planning and Marshalling, and the correct procedures for doing so; and the need for a suitably qualified and experienced person to perform the function. Also, to give divers practical experience of dive marshalling.
DURATION
Two days.
ENTRY LEVEL
Experienced Sport Diver.
The Course lead Instructor should be satisfied that Sports Divers have a range of experience of different sites and varied conditions so that students do not require excessive amounts of additional tutoring during the duration of the course.
INSTRUCTORS
Chief Instructor to be BSAC Advanced Instructor. Other Instructors to be BSAC Instructors who are also Advanced Divers. One Instructor for every four students.
FACILITIES
Suitable classroom for theory lessons. Coastal or inland site for practical activities. Boat(s) for use as dive platform.
APPROVAL
Skill Development Course Approval Procedure applies.
QUALIFICATION
Course Certification will be issued by BSAC HQ after the event.
SYLLABUS
Day 1
Instructor briefing
Assemble, Introductions, Administration (15 minutes)
1. Classroom Discussion: The Branch Dive (20 minutes)
Instructor introduces session where groups consider the question 'What makes a good / bad dive?'. Instructor draws points from different groups to reach these conclusions:
This sets the scene for the rest of the course.
2. Classroom Lesson Dive Planning (60 minutes)
(Covers both shore, small boat and large boat diving)
Break
3. Classroom Lesson Dive Marshalling (60 minutes)
(Covers both shore, small boat and large boat diving)
4. Classroom Lesson Site Selection for Dive Marshals (60 minutes)
5. Classroom Lesson Weather and Weather Forecasts for Dive Marshals (30 minutes)
Lunch
6. Classroom Tutorial: Dive Planning Exercises (120 minutes)
Students work in tutor groups to plans a typical weekend Branch dive comprising two days of enjoyable and informative diving. Two different scenarios should be employed with about 45 minutes devoted to each. Scenario 1 covers a shore dive; Scenario 2 covers a small / large boat dive. Information will be given on:
One of these Scenarios will be selected by the Course Leader for presented by a group spokesperson, to the rest of the course in the next session.
Break
7. Classroom Discussion: Dive Plans (45 minutes)
8. Classroom Tutorial: Dive Planning (30 minutes)
In tutor groups, a dive plan is selected and finalised for action next day
9. Classroom Viewpoint: What would you do? (45 minutes)
Course Leader poses typical Dive Marshalling situations for groups, with guidance from their Instructor, to resolve within 3 to 4 minutes. Group spokesperson reports their findings to all.
Debriefing for the day.
Day 2
10. Practical Dive Marshalling Exercises (6 hours)
* Note - Additional Instructors may be required for boat dives.
11. Classroom Dive Marshalling Exercises debrief (30 minutes)
In tutor groups:
12. Classroom Dive Marshalling Exercise Reports (30 minutes)
13. Classroom Open Forum (30 minutes)
Instructor debriefing
NOTES
- The order in which the syllabus is listed represents the recommended sequence for the course. Classroom lessons may be spread over a series of (evening class) lessons if desired, followed by a day at the coast / afloat for the practical experience.
- It should be emphasised that successful Dive Marshalling starts with proper planning. 'Plan the Dive: Dive the Plan' applies equally to Branch Dive Marshalling as it does to the plans of a buddy pair. The Dive Marshalling Course should reflect this view and the BSAC publication Safe Diving Practices should be seen to be used (a copy of it is supplied in each Student Notes pack).
- Dive Planning Exercises: it is suggested that the Course Leader prepares written briefs for a variety of dives, which students have to plan. Their plans can then be compared to this brief (or to models prepared by Instructors) during Section 7 - Dive Plans Discussion.
- Viewpoint situations must be relevant to Dive Marshalling.
- All diving activities are to be correctly marshalled in accordance with BSAC recommended practices.
- Recommended reading: the BSAC Sport Diving and Advanced Sport Diving manuals.
Page last modified: 15th Dec 2006 - 16:59:57