OCEAN DIVER COMPANION
Introduction to Ocean Diver training
National Instructor Marg Baldwin answers your questions about BSAC’ s diver training course for beginners, Ocean Diver
Learning to dive can be a life-changing experience, bringing a whole host of exciting underwater opportunities and friends to enjoy them with.
BSAC’ s Ocean Diver course is the first step on this adventure. Over a series of classroom lessons, practical pool training and sheltered water sessions you will be progressively taught the core scuba skills until, before you know it, you’ re a fully qualified BSAC diver ready to go out and explore the underwater world!
If you are a new Ocean Diver trainee – or have yet to start – here are some answers to the immediate questions you may have to help you get the most out of this fun and enjoyable course.
1. How long is the Ocean Diver course? The Ocean Diver course is made up of: classroom lessons; a theory assessment; a basic swimming assessment; shelteredwater lessons( usually carried out in a pool) and open water lessons( also known as going diving!)
Many clubs run Ocean Diver training over consecutive weeks, completing the classroom and the sheltered water( pool) lessons as part of their weekly club meeting and pool night. After a successful theory assessment, the open water lessons start. Going diving can be in a lake, a flooded quarry or, of course, in the sea. All lessons are performance-based so you progress at your own pace.
Instructors in BSAC clubs are volunteers and may have other commitments. If you need your training delivered more quickly than your club can manage, all or part of your training can be completed through a BSAC centre. The Ocean Diver course and its Qualification Record Book( a record of your training as it is delivered) are designed so that any suitably qualified BSAC instructor can record lessons completed, other instructors can see your achievements to date and continue your training.
2. There is a swimming assessment but I am not a brilliant swimmer. Will I cope? You do not need to be an Olympic swimmer but being comfortable in the water is essential for all divers. This is evaluated during the swimming assessment which is a 200 metre – or eight lengths of a 25m pool – freestyle swim( meaning any stroke) in basic swimwear. You need to complete it comfortably, speed is not important. Should you need time to practice your swimming, this can be accomplished in parallel with your
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