LEARN TO SCUBA DIVE

'Thank you so much for your patience and excellent training he's had a fabulous day and loved every minute of it'. J - mum of 15 yr old trainee diver

Diver training is delivered by Vale Royal's team of nationally qualified instructors and is included in your membership package.

There are seven internationally-recognised BSAC diver grades, from the entry level Discovery Diver, through to the highest grade of First Class Diver.

Diving skills are taught progressively – each new experience built upon – step-by-step. The combination of theory, pool sessions, open water skills and continual technique practice enables you to develop your diving in a safe and enjoyable way.

All our diver training is conducted by nationally qualified instructors over a series of weekly pool sessions and weekend open-water training providing regular opportunities for you to develop your skills.

Just want a taster? Then a Try Dive would be ideal - a taster session delivered in the pool - no lessons, just getting in the water with the kit under the guidance of a senior instructor.

Minimum age 10 years old.

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THE FIRST STEP - BECOMING AN OCEAN DIVER

While you will need to be reasonably fit for the Ocean Diver course, it is not an endurance test. Provided that you are over the age of 12 *(or 10 if you want to take the entry level Discovery Diver see below), can demonstrate a competence at swimming and are in good health, you are ready to take that first step to learn to dive.

Through a combination of theory lessons, pool sessions and open water experience, you'll learn your new diving skills progressively and at your own pace. You will develop your skills in the safe confines of a swimming pool or sheltered water before progressing to your first open water dives and your Ocean Diver qualification which will allow you to dive in open water in controlled conditions to a maximum depth of 20m under the supervision of a Dive Marshall.

Course content:

seven classroom lessons
a theory assessment
a basic swimming assessment
five Sheltered Water lessons
five Open Water lessons.

With BSAC's Ocean Diver qualification your diving adventures are only just beginning!

*10 Year olds can take BSAC's Discovery Diver qualification. You’ll just need to demonstrate that you can comfortably swim 200m in a pool. As a qualified Discovery Diver, you can dive in open-water in controlled conditions to 12m under the direct supervision of a Dive Leader or higher-grade diver. Your open water diving certification will be recognised worldwide. That means you will be qualified to use breathing gas mixtures of up to 36 per cent Nitrox to increase your safety on dives (you’ll learn all about Nitrox on the course). Many ‘learn to dive’ courses don’t teach Nitrox, but at BSAC we believe they are important skills to start learning from the start of your scuba journey.

PROGRESSING FURTHER

Advanced Ocean Diver

Advanced Ocean Diver supports qualified Ocean Divers’ transition to Sports Diver training while extending their maximum diving depth. This completely optional course offers newly qualified members greater choice and flexibility as to how they progress their initial diver training. Upon successfully completing Advanced Ocean Diver, students will be able to dive to a maximum depth of 30m, accompanied by a Sports Diver (or equivalent) or above. Their dive must be a no-decompression dive in conditions the Advanced Ocean Diver has already experienced during their Ocean Diver training. Advanced Ocean Diver is open to all qualified Ocean Divers (or other agency equivalent) aged 12 or over. This optional course complements and not supersede Sports Diver, which remains a vital element of the BSAC Diver Training Programme. Course content:

four classroom lessons
a theory assessment
three Open Water lessons followed by two depth progresson dives.

Sports Diver

Sports Diver training builds a sound foundation of open water diving skills and experience with structured, practical lessons. Qualified Sports Divers are ready to take part in dives with other Sports Divers or higher. Depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 35m after qualifying. Sports Divers can embark on the first stage of the route of becoming an instructor.

Course content:

six classroom lessons
a theory assessment
a dry practical lesson
one Sheltered Water lesson
one optional Refresher/Orientation dive
five Open Water lessons.

Dive Leader

Dive Leader training covers responsibilities and safety of leading other divers. Practical lessons will give divers confidence to deal with emergencies. Leading a dive will develop enjoyment, confidence and experience as a diver. Depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 50m after qualifying. Dive Leaders are eligible to progress to Open Water Instructor.

Course content:

twelve classroom lessons
a theory assessment
seven open water lessons
two dry practical lessons
twenty dives (which may include the open water lessons), in a range of conditions, since qualifying as a Sports Diver

Advanced Diver

The Advanced Diver course further develops knowledge and skills. Divers gain experience in planning dives at different sites and different circumstances. Additional experience will be gained in using small boats, chart work. navigation and many other related skills. BSAC consider this grade as being a fully trained diver. Advanced Divers are eligible to progress to Advanced Instructor.

First Class Diver

BSAC's highest diving grade which requires a higher than average level of theoretical knowledge, organisational and personal diving skills. BSAC First Class Divers are assessed through nationally conducted examinations.