What does it take to attain BSAC ' s highest snorkelling qualification ? Nick Stevens , Snorkelling Advisor for Surrey , tells the story
Demonstrating the recovery position on a casualty
LEARNINGCURVE
Using the ' figure 4 ' method to don fins
Cutting edge snorkel instruction
What does it take to attain BSAC ' s highest snorkelling qualification ? Nick Stevens , Snorkelling Advisor for Surrey , tells the story
On a weekend in April this year , 11 candidates from around the UK came together at Wraysbury Dive Centre to learn what it takes to become a BSAC Advanced Snorkel Instructor .
The Advanced Snorkel Instructor Course and Assessment ( ASITCA ) is designed to develop and assess the aptitude of appropriately trained Snorkel Instructors , in advanced training and safety management skills . Eligibility is open to those who have achieved the Snorkel Dive Manager award , Advanced Snorkel Lifesaver award and are a qualified BSAC Snorkel Instructor or equivalent .
The course includes training in specialist risk assessment , safeguarding , dive emergency management , personal development plans , and complementary training styles . It is an intense weekend , packed full of both theory and practical sessions , putting the candidates under pressure to perform to a very high level .
Such high standards are extra important , as many of the successful candidates will go on to develop the future of our diving community – our children . Training children as divers in any format can be challenging , but provides fantastic opportunities for us to share our love of the underwater world and is extremely rewarding .
The course , run at Wraysbury Dive Centre ,
" It is an intense weekend , packed full of both theory and practical sessions "
tasked the candidates to brave the chilly waters of the lake to demonstrate their advanced snorkelling skills . This included the recovery of simulated unconscious casualties from ( a minimum of ) 5m depth on one breath , plus rescue drills , cardiopulmonary resuscitation ( CPR ) and First Aid , as well as scene management and reporting . There were also other sessions covering site risk assessment , search and recovery , seamanship and navigation .
Back in the classroom , students demonstrated their delivery of complex theoretical topics , such as chartwork and position fixing , with presentations and coaching sessions to other candidates , ending with a final written examination . All this took place under the watchful eye of experienced Instructor Trainers from the Snorkelling Development Team , headed by Chief Examiner ( now National Diving Officer ) Sophie Rennie .
The author signals OK after surfacing from a duck dive
All 11 candidates were successful in completing the course and will be awarded their Advanced Snorkel Instructor qualification on ratification of results by BSAC . They will return to their clubs to help develop students of all ages across the country .
In addition to training club members in advanced skills , Advanced Snorkel Instructors will also be qualified to run the new Snorkel Dive Guide course , due to be released soon by BSAC . This commercially rated qualification is a ‘ zero to hero ’ development course aimed at those working in open water environments , with clients wishing to experience the underwater world without learning to scuba dive . This will include leading snorkel excursions for both beginners and experienced snorkellers .
There is so much more than meets the eye in the world of snorkelling . It is the gateway to the underwater world , open to all from eight to 80 and beyond …
Find out today what it takes to be a snorkel diver by contacting your local snorkel club , BSAC HQ or by starting your own snorkel section within your own dive club . �
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