Diver Training Programme
Below is an outline of the diver-training scheme updated in December 2006. Updated Instructor and Students notes are available from BSAC HQ.
To assist branches to prepare for the new system, this section includes:
To assist branches to prepare for the new system, this section includes:
-
An outline of the instructor requirements for teaching each grade
- An outline of the syllabus and lesson sequencing for each grade together with dive experience requirements
- A basic outline of the training implications when transitioning between the current and the updated schemes.
- A Q/A sheet picking up on the most commonly asked questions.
Contents of diver grades
The summarised contents of the diver grades to Advanced Diver are included in this section. This gives the title for the lesson to be covered and a brief outline of some of the content. Detailed content and lesson breakdown will be found in the Instructor Resources CD-ROM. The Instructor Resources CD-ROM not only includes guidance to instructors but clear definitions of training terminology and instructor requirements. You will note that the lesson content's list does not mention 'assessment'. The reason for this is that ongoing assessment will be made during training with 'competent and confidence' performance standards that need to be achieved by students at various points in their training. Skill performance standards are defined for each specific competency in the Instructor Notes.
Who can teach what?
Instructor levels are clearly dictated in the introduction at each diving grade. There is clarification of who can teach what under the syllabus to emphasise what the minimum levels of instruction are. The web page Instructor Requirements specifies what level of instructor is required to teach each diver grade. All instruction must be carried out by a minimum of an Assistant Diving Instructor (ADI) who can teach only under the supervision of the appropriate grade of Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI). The definition of supervision is given in the accompanying charts but we would emphasise that the supervising Instructor must be present ON SITE when any training is taking place. This is not a change or increase in requirement as this is the level that all BSAC instruction should have been carried out to since April 1998.
Transition arrangements
Members who have already begun training for a BSAC diver grade should complete the training for that grade. Members then need to complete a Nitrox Workshop consistent with their level of diver grade and experience. Both Nitrox Workshops can be delivered by a Theory Instructor or above. The Nitrox Workshops are supported by student notes and instructors delivering the courses are required to ensure that every student receives student notes.
The summarised contents of the diver grades to Advanced Diver are included in this section. This gives the title for the lesson to be covered and a brief outline of some of the content. Detailed content and lesson breakdown will be found in the Instructor Resources CD-ROM. The Instructor Resources CD-ROM not only includes guidance to instructors but clear definitions of training terminology and instructor requirements. You will note that the lesson content's list does not mention 'assessment'. The reason for this is that ongoing assessment will be made during training with 'competent and confidence' performance standards that need to be achieved by students at various points in their training. Skill performance standards are defined for each specific competency in the Instructor Notes.
Who can teach what?
Instructor levels are clearly dictated in the introduction at each diving grade. There is clarification of who can teach what under the syllabus to emphasise what the minimum levels of instruction are. The web page Instructor Requirements specifies what level of instructor is required to teach each diver grade. All instruction must be carried out by a minimum of an Assistant Diving Instructor (ADI) who can teach only under the supervision of the appropriate grade of Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI). The definition of supervision is given in the accompanying charts but we would emphasise that the supervising Instructor must be present ON SITE when any training is taking place. This is not a change or increase in requirement as this is the level that all BSAC instruction should have been carried out to since April 1998.
Transition arrangements
Members who have already begun training for a BSAC diver grade should complete the training for that grade. Members then need to complete a Nitrox Workshop consistent with their level of diver grade and experience. Both Nitrox Workshops can be delivered by a Theory Instructor or above. The Nitrox Workshops are supported by student notes and instructors delivering the courses are required to ensure that every student receives student notes.
Costs
The costs for all materials have been kept as low as possible to ensure value for money for the members, but particularly the instructors, of the BSAC. Costs are based on the actual cost of development, publication, production and maintenance of all materials and current costs for materails can be found by following the links for individual materails below.
Instructor Resources CD-ROM
The Instructor Resources CD-ROM includes Instructor Notes, Classroom Visual Aids and Theory Assessment documentation. Student Workbooks and Instructor Prompt Cards support the delivery of the syllabus.
From 1st January 2007 a CD-ROM of the Instructor Manual will be included in the student pack for all students attending the Instructor Foundation Course.
The Instructor Resources CD-ROM contents are constantly being reviewed and updated. Updates can be viewed on the Diver Training Errata web page.
- 3 separate sets of spiral bound BC pocket-sized slates
- Sets for Ocean Diver, Sports Diver and Dive Leader + Advanced Diver 'wet' lessons
- One lesson per slate with blank reverse side for the instructor's own notes
Consists of:
- Ring binder complete with Student Notes for Ocean Diver Course and Oxygen Administration module. The ring binder also contains dividers for addition of Sports Diver, Dive Leader and Advanced Diver student notes when divers progress their training
- The Diving Manual
- A ring binder (Filofax style) QRB, complete with dividers and training syllabus for each grade and additional sections for SDC and Instructor qualifications
- Included in the QRB ring binder will be a pocket to take the current blue QRB for those divers who have already qualified and will then change to the new system
Sports Diver Student Notes
Consists of:
- Student Note pages for the Sports Diver diver grade for insertion into the ring binder purchased with the Ocean Diver Training Pack
- QRB logbook qualification pages for the Sports Diver diver grade
- Student Note pages for the appropriate diver grade for insertion into the ring binder purchased with the Ocean Diver Training Pack
- QRB logbook qualification pages for the relevant diver grade
- Dive Leader manual
Advanced Diver Student Notes
Consists of:
Consists of:
- Student Note pages for the appropriate Advanced diver grade for insertion into the ring binder purchased with previous Diver Training Pack
- QRB logbook qualification pages for the Advanced diver grade
For members who followed previous BSAC Training or hold other qualfications and so do not have a QRB etc. there are a range of appropriate packs with varying contents that can be ordered for them. For detailed lists of packs and contents see the Branch Training Materials section of the BSAC Shop.
You can order from the BSAC Shop, or alternatively you can order by phone (0151 350 6222/6225) or by E-mail shop@bsac.com.
The 'Questions & Answers' have been compiled from the ongoing series of questions posed to those involved in the development and implementation of this Review. Whilst it may not cover every possible eventuality, we hope that it will answer the most common questions. It will of course be regularly reviewed and updated should new questions arise.
The DTP2007 has taken considerable time, effort, and commitment to produce. We believe it now presents an up to the minute diver training programme for all diver grades that is relevant, progressive, integrated and above all as safe as possible for the diving which members of the BSAC engage in. As with any change it will take time to bed in. However we will keep it under constant monitoring and reviewing.
Clare Peddie
BSAC National Diving Officer
If you have any training questions, please contact the Diver Resources Team at BSAC.
Tel 0151 350 6261/6262 Email technical@bsac.com or alternatively if you have any purchasing queries please contact the Mailshop on 0151 350 6222/6225 Email shop@bsac.com
Page last modified: 26th Feb 2007 - 22:25:24