So you really wanna do this scuba thing? Good on ya!

Learning to dive with any agency (such as BSAC or PADI) involves a mix of classroom theory, lessons in the pool, and open water training.  (Open water meaning either the sea, or inland fresh-water dive sites.)  BSAC is no different.  There are two qualifications that every BSAC diver should aim to achieve:

  1. BSAC Ocean Diver: the first rung on the ladder of BSAC’s Diver Training programme.  As an Ocean Diver you have limited diving experience and are limited to a depth of 20m: you will still meet a lot of new situations underwater and so will typically be buddied with BSAC instructors or assistant instructors on dive trips.
  2. BSAC Sports Diver: the next step after Ocean Diver, and the ‘gold standard’ of BSAC diving.  A Sports Diver can gradually progress their maximum depth to 35m, and has sufficient experience to safely go diving with other Sports Divers in most circumstances.

BSAC’s diver training programme is internationally recognised (so you can use your qualification for diving at home or abroad) and highly respected for the competent, safe divers it produces.

Having paid your membership fees to SUSAC, you can undertake the theory lectures and pool lessons for both qualifications, absolutely free.  Almost all the equipment you need at this stage will be loaned – for free – by SUSAC.  The only extra costs at this stage are:

  • BSAC training packs (per qualification), including notes on all theory topics, a printed diving manual, and qualification records.  You will need these to record your training progress at every stage!
  • a diving mask: other SUSAC members will be happy to advise you on what to look for.  A good-quality, well-fitted mask is essential for happy diving as you progress into deeper water, and should last a lifetime.

Before you can undertake the open water training elements, you will need some further equipment: SUSAC’s members will again be ready to provide advice and guidance on buying these, with organised trips to major dive shops at suitable points in the training calendar.  Buying either without expert advice is strongly discouraged!

  • a pair of fins: well chosen, these will also last a lifetime, but type and fit are important.
  • a drysuit, thermal undersuit, hood and gloves to keep you warm in the water.

Having bought these things, you now have essentially all the equipment you need to go diving with SUSAC.  These items all have to fit you personally: everything else will be provided on hire by SUSAC.

So how much will it cost in total?

We’re working on getting some reliable numbers together.  For now, contact the Training Officer or ask us at one of our socials.

How long is it going to take me to get to Sports Diver?

You’ll be taken through the steps in detail at the start of your training; ultimately it depends a lot of how much time you’re able to put in to attending lessons and gaining experience.  However, as a rough guide, it’s entirely possible to achieve Sports Diver within 12 months of beginning as a novice diver; many divers get there within 24 months.

What next?

That’s easy – contact the Training Officer to say you want to be included in training plans (if you haven’t heard from them already since becoming a member).  Because we only have a finite number of instructors, places at most ‘wet’ training events are limited, so hurry!

No, I mean after I get to Sports Diver!

Ah, that’s even easier.  Go diving! These qualifications aren’t there just for the sake of ‘em – you’re now able to enjoy the best of sites in the UK and abroad.  If you haven’t already, have a look at what trips SUSAC has coming up, and sign up for some.

If you’re still hungry for more training, check out our Advanced Training pages.