Tim Hughes
It was a fairly intense two days after a long week of work. I had originally done the Assistant Diving Instructor training back in 1999 with Southampton University and OWIC in 2022, so it had only taken me 26 years to get this far! I was very pleased and relieved to hear that I had passed a couple of weeks down the line.
It took a bit of time getting the kit together in advance, not forgetting a snorkel, compass, restricted dSMB, homemade datum and lesson slates. The pre-prep online TEAMS lesson proved useful and the organisers kindly provided a recording for those not able to attend.
We queued outside Vobster Quay bright and early for 7.30am site opening on both days. Our prep day was led by Craig Daniel, the BSAC London Coach. This proved to be essential and was a great learning opportunity. Keeping the lesson to 45 minutes was aided by increasing the size of the timer clock on my dive computer!
Unfortunately I missed the prep course debrief, as I had been stuck in the lower Vobster car park as the afternoon divers entered the site. Water visibility was fairly average and I would certainly suggest bringing snacks and drinks, as there is little time in between lessons.
The Woolpack pub in Beckington proved to a great place to refuel after the prep course, helpfully in walking distance of the local Travelodge. It provided an ideal meeting point to review the day’ s events and make last minute preparations for the impending exam.
On the day, I was allocated the Alternate Source lesson and went last in my group of three. This proved useful to see my fellow examinees in action and I was certainly relieved not to be given the compass lesson. Don’ t forget the gas checks and double demos! The exam day finished with assessment of rescue skills, including Controlled Buoyant Lift, rescue breaths and towing.
I understand that three members from the Mid Cornwall Diving Club were also successful on the same day. Thanks to all the Advanced / National instructors who gave their time.
" Don’ t forget the gas checks and double demos!"
A demonstration of regulator retrieval
Pino Escurin
It has taken me 13 years and more than 500 dives across the world to finally find the drive to become a diving instructor. Now writing as a proudly qualified Open Water Instructor( OWI), with the peace of mind that comes after the process is over, here are some reflections on the journey.
2020 was the year I was set to do my Dive Leader training. The practical exam came to an abrupt halt, as did the entire world that year. As it turned out, COVID bought
The dreaded compass session
me time, which I dedicated to revising the Dive Leader theory qualification.
2022 was the year I, alongside three other members from TGSAC, drove to Swindon for the first step of instructor training: the Instructor Foundation Course( IFC). It turned out to be a rewarding weekend that seeded the foundations for the future.
Finally, 2025 arrived. During the winter months, I revised the theory learned in the Ocean Diver, Sports Diver, and Dive Leader courses. I dived into the manuals, expanding my knowledge on tides, world currents, and refreshing all the BSAC acronyms there is to learn! Perhaps we need an acronym to remember them all? With May came the sun to Wraysbury
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