Training

The British Sub-Aqua Club is the UK governing body for the sport of underwater swimming and offers courses of instruction in snorkel diving and aqualung diving through its various membership schemes. It also trains and qualifies members as instructors of these activities. This Information Sheet lists the 'end objective' of each training course as a statement of ability.

Snorkelling qualifications
BASIC SNORKEL DIVER
Anyone trained to use basic snorkelling equipment - mask, fins and snorkel - in a swimming pool.

SNORKEL DIVER
A Basic Snorkel Diver who has progressed to become proficient in basic snorkelling skills and assessed as ready for open water snorkelling. On completion of training, the student should be competent in the safe and correct use of mask, fins and snorkel for surface snorkelling and brief breath-holding dives, in warm water.

OCEAN SNORKEL DIVER (Minimum age 8 years)
A member of the BSAC who has achieved the status of Snorkel Diver, and has received further training to take a full and active part in open water snorkelling activities, including rescue techniques and further advanced exercises. On completion of training, this diver should be competent in the safe use of all appropriate open water snorkelling equipment including protective clothing and should be able to act as one of a buddy pair of snorkellers (This and subsequent Snorkelling qualifications are issued to Snorkelling Members of BSAC only).

ADVANCED OCEAN SNORKEL DIVER
A member of the BSAC who has achieved the status of Ocean Snorkel Diver, and trained to have a greater level of theoretical knowledge in all aspects of snorkelling and having broad practical experience of snorkelling. The Advanced Ocean Snorkel Diver should know how snorkelling skills might be applied to specialist activities.

SNORKEL DIVE MARSHAL
An Advanced Snorkel Diver who is trained and qualified to organise and supervise group snorkelling activities.

Snorkel Instructor qualifications

ASSISTANT SNORKEL INSTRUCTOR
A Snorkel Diver who has received training in instructional techniques within his/her snorkelling club/group. (The Assistant Snorkel Instructor may only train snorkellers under the direct supervision of a Snorkel Instructor).

SNORKEL INSTRUCTOR (Minimum age 18 years)
A Snorkel Diver who has been trained and assessed in a pool environment, by the governing body, as competent to teach to Snorkel Diver level. (Those wishing to gain this qualification must be members of the BSAC).

OPEN WATER SNORKEL INSTRUCTOR
An Ocean Snorkel Diver and Snorkel Instructor who holds the Snorkel Lifesaver Award and has attended an Open Water Snorkel Instructor Course and successfully submitted a record of eight hours of recognised open water instruction.

ADVANCED SNORKEL INSTRUCTOR
A Snorkel Dive Marshal and Snorkel Instructor who has been trained and assessed, by the governing body, as competent to teach all levels of snorkelling activity. The Advanced Snorkel Instructor is also expected to hold a lifesaving qualification such as BSAC Advanced Snorkel Lifesaver Award or Advanced Lifesaver Award.

Aqualung Diving qualifications

(BSAC Branches may provide training for these qualifications to BSAC members only. BSAC Schools may award the BSAC Ocean Diver qualification ONLY to non-members, training for all other qualifications can be offered to BSAC members only).

OCEAN DIVER (known as CLUB Diver prior to September 2002) (Minimum age 14 years) **
A diver who is competent to dive with another Ocean Diver or Sports, within restriction of conditions already encountered during training and can dive with a Dive Leader (or higher) to expand experience beyond conditions encountered during training. Ocean Divers will not have sufficient experience or knowledge to be partnered with trainee divers or take part in stage decompression stop dives. BSAC Ocean Divers are restricted to the maximum depth experienced during training (15-20m), which can be extended to max. of 20m. Due to the limitations on their rescue skills Ocean Divers can only conduct dives where other suitably qualified divers who can act as surface support are present and the dive is properly Marshalled to ensure that dives are conducted within BSAC Safe Diving Practice recommendations.
BSAC considers this qualification to be of a similar standard to CMAS One Star Diver.

SPORTS DIVER
A diver who is competent to dive with another Ocean Diver, within restriction of conditions already encountered during training and can dive with a Dive Leader (or higher) to expand experience beyond conditions encountered during training, under the supervision of a Dive Marshal. Sports Divers can dive with other Sport Divers within the restrictions of conditions already encountered during training or previous experience. Sports Divers are restricted to the maximum depth experienced during training (20m) until qualified, but can subsequently extend this progressively under the supervision of an NQI to maximum depth of 35m. Sports Divers will have sufficient experience or knowledge to conduct stage decompression stop dives and provide full rescue and CPR support and conduct dives within BSAC Safe Diving Practice recommendations.
BSAC considers this qualification to be of a similar standard to CMAS Two Star Diver.

DIVE LEADER
A diver who can plan and lead a range of dives and has the knowledge and skill to progressively extend both their own and others experience. Dive Leaders are competent to marshal and supervise branch dives to locations well known to the Branch or with experienced Charter Boat skippers and have the skills necessary to act as a Rescue manager. They can dive with any grade of diver to expand their experience including trainee Ocean divers, on dives supervised by a Dive Marshal.

DVANCED DIVER
A diver who is comprehensively trained, experienced and responsible and can manage and supervise a wide range of adventurous and challenging diving. This will include organising expeditions to unknown locations and incorporating activities using developing technology. An Advanced Diver will take responsibility for ensuring that all dives are conducted within BSAC Safe Diving Practices.
BSAC considers this qualification to be of a similar standard to CMAS Three Star Diver.
FIRST CLASS DIVER
An Advanced Diver who has attained a higher than average level of diving knowledge and ability, assessed through nationally conducted examinations, and able to lead divers in order to achieve major task or project objectives.
BSAC considers this qualification to be of a similar standard to CMAS Four Star Diver.

Diving Instructor qualifications

OPEN WATER INSTRUCTOR (Entry qualification = Dive Leader + Club Instructor)
An Instructor who has been trained and assessed as competent to teach diving skills in classroom sheltered & open water.
BSAC considers this qualification to be of a similar standard to CMAS Two Star Instructor.

ADVANCED INSTRUCTOR (Entry qualification = Advanced Diver + Open Water Instructor + Boathanlding)
An instructor who is competent in teaching skills associated with open water diver training using boats as diving platforms, including dive organisation, boat handling, classroom teaching techniques and who possess an appropriate level of theoretical knowledge.
BSAC considers this qualification to be of a similar standard to CMAS Three Star Instructor

NATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (Entry qualification = First Class Diver + Advanced Instructor)
An instructor who is competent in all aspects of diver training and who has wide practical experience coupled with an extensive theoretical knowledge. This instructor is expected to participate in diver and/or Instructor training at a national level.
BSAC considers this qualification to be of a higher standard than CMAS Three Star Instructor

(BSAC Club Instructors may register with HQ as Snorkel Instructors, Open Water Instructor with Lifesaver Award can register as an Open Water Snorkel Instructor, while Advanced & National Instructor with Advanced Lifesaver can register as an Advanced Snorkel Instructor.)

** BSAC Club Diver was introduced in April 1998, and replaced BSAC Novice Diver and Novice Diver II. Club Diver was itself replaced by Ocean Diver in September 2002.