SCUBAHUB
Instructor numbers bounce back keen
BSAC ’ S INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SCHEME ( ITS ) has seen new instructor qualifications bounce back to pre-Covid levels .
After almost two years of interruptions , BSAC ’ s ITS and programme of events are now up and running , with an increase in members looking to move forward with their training . At time of writing , 159 new Open Water Instructors ( OWIs ) had been certified in the first six months of this year , compared to 161 for the whole of 2021 .
With instructors vital to the BSAC club network as it recovers from the impact of Covid restrictions , Open Water Instructor Chief Examiner Luisa Smith said the number of new instructors was a huge boost .
“ This shows that the members are still
Diver training updates
BSAC ’ S DIVER TRAINING PROGRAMME ( DTP ) has seen some recent developments designed to support members and help instructors meet the increase in training demand within clubs , centres , and the regions .
In addition to the launch of the new Advanced Ocean Diver course earlier this year , other developments include :
The Nitrox Workshop ( Ocean Diver level ) has been updated to bring it in line with the 2017 Ocean Diver course . The workshop also
A TOTAL OF 19 MEMBERS GAINED A BSAC instructor qualification over three recent five-day events in Cyprus .
Members from the Western Sovereign
New OWI , Nick Sims
provides a great option for divers coming from other agencies who don ’ t have any nitrox training .
The newly released Tables Workshop ( Ocean Diver level ) is aimed at members who have no previous knowledge of BSAC ’ 88 tables , such as PADI Open Water divers . It can also be used as a refresher .
With more members opting to access BSAC ’ s online learning resources , eLearning support is now available for instructors
Cyprus Instructor boost for BSAC
Base Area SAC and Eastern Cyprus SAC as well from the UK took part in the training , facilitated by instructor trainers from the BSAC Instructor Training Scheme ( ITS ). to progress themselves and become instructors , enabling them to give something back to their branches . Theory instructor exams ran through lockdown online , but practical exams could not run , so now we are able to run them , they are generally fully booked with keen candidates . The standard of instructing on exams has also been high .”
One recently qualified OWI , Nick Sims , echoed Luisa ’ s sentiments . Nick , a member of Kingston & Elmbridge SAC , completed his instructor training in May . He says he was inspired to do the OWI course following the inbranch training he received . He now wants to use his new OWI status to give back to his club .
“ I was due to start my instructor training in November 2020 , but it was cancelled due to Covid . However , I have found the whole programme brilliant , from assistant instructor training to becoming an OWI .
“ It is now vital for instructor training to be back up and running . As a branch network , we need new OWIs .”
• Interested in becoming a BSAC instructor ? For more information on the Instructor Training Scheme , or to book on a training event go to bsac . com / its
wanting to bring themselves up to speed on this training route . BSAC eLearning is available for all courses up to Sports Diver – bsac . com / elearning
A free online AED Awareness course ( for the use of Automated External Defibrillators ) has been released for instructors to refresh their knowledge on the revised rescue procedures . This course is also available to any BSAC member who wants to know more . bsac . com / aedawareness
BSAC instructors can access all the latest instructor support and materials , including eLearning support at bsac . com / instructors
The five-day periods of theory and practical training resulted in 14 new Open Water Instructors , three Assistant Open Water Instructors , one Theory Instructor and two new Assistant Diving Instructors .
With training activities returning for BSAC ’ s overseas branches post-Covid , clubs are increasingly taking advantage of the Instructor Training Scheme to both restore and increase the number of instructors in-branch .
Senior Instructor Trainer on the recent Cyprus event , Ginge Cook , said the newly qualified instructors will be a welcome boost for BSAC clubs on the island , and beyond .
“ There was a void in instructors progressing in Cyprus since 2020 with the suspension of all activities in Cyprus ,” said Ginge . “ These new instructors will now have a big impact on the branch activity in Cyprus as well as those returning to UK branches of our club .”
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