Leamington & Warwick BSAC
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Dive Leader is the third of a series of BSAC diving qualifications that can be obtained via our branch.
Dive Leader training concentrates on the responsibilities and safety aspects of leading other divers on an open water dive. Practical lessons in rescue management and rescue skills will give the trainee the confidence and ability to deal with those unforeseen emergencies. Leading a dive will develop your enjoyment, confidence and experience as a diver.
The Dive Leader training course includes theory lessons in a classroom, theory assessment, dry practical lessons and open water dives.
Course Overview
Theory Training
The course begins with a series of twelve theory lessons, most or all of which take place at our clubhouse:
- The role of the Dive Leader
- Oxygen Administration Skills Development Course - (6 lessons)*
- Dive planning
- Rescue management - part 1
- Helicopter operations
- Rescue management - part 2
- The role of the Dive Marshal
* The Oxygen Administration SDC can be undertaken at any time after obtaining the Ocean Diver qualification.
Theory Test
Students will need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of what they have learnt by taking a theory test.
Open Water Training
A series of seven open water dives, supervised by a BSAC Nationally Qualified Instructor, will provide the student with an opportunity to put into practice the theory and practical elements learned in the classroom:
- Delayed SMB deployment
- Dive leading demonstration
- Dive leading practice
- Shot recovery by simple lift
- Rescue management scenarios
- Diving and rescue skills review
- Rescue skills review
Dry Practical Lessons
Over two practical lessons, the student will understand the role and responsibilities of the Dive Marshal before performing the role at dive sites known to the branch.
- Dive Marshalling 1
- Dive Marshalling 2
As part of their open water training, students will also have to experience at least five different diving conditions (e.g. planned decompression, navigation dive, night dive, low visibility, wreck dive, drift dive, etc), over 20 dives totalling a minimum in-water time of 600 minutes since obtaining their Sports Diver qualification. At least six dives must be from boats, on at least eight the student should be acting as dive leader, and at least ten should involve dives below 25m. The student should also act as Dive Marshal on at least two occasions in addition those of the dry practical lessons.
Qualification
Successful completion of the above course will result in the qualification of the student as a BSAC Dive Leader.
The Dive Leader can:
- Plan and lead a range of dives, including those that require detailed dive, air, and decompression requirements planning.
- Use their skill and knowledge to progressively extend their own and others diving experience.
- Supervise and marshal dives at sites known to the branch or using experienced charter boat skippers, or in conditions not normally described as 'challenging'.
- Progressively increase their experience of depth from an initial limit of 35m to a maximum of 50m.
- Dive with any grade of diver, including trainee Ocean Divers on dives supervised by a Dive Marshal.
- Progressively extend their own experience when diving with other Dive Leaders.
Next Steps...
Why not expand your skills and experience by becoming an Advanced Diver, an Instructor, or going on some Skills Development Courses?
Further information about BSAC's Diver Training Programme is available from the BSAC website.