BSAC Diving Qualifications

Birmingham 25 follow the BSAC diver training scheme, which we believe it is an excellent, modern system with a strong emphasis on safety. Diving skills are taught progressively so that each new experience is built on step by step, allowing students to advance at a rate at which they are comfortable.

The BSAC system has been specifically designed to fully equip divers with the self-reliance, skills and knowledge needed to dive safely in British waters. Our colder waters can be more challenging to dive than many more tropical seas, but are also often more rewarding. If you can competently dive in the UK's temperate waters, then you are more than capable of diving abroad!

BSAC diving qualifications are widely recognised and highly regarded worldwide.

The BSAC diver training scheme has a sucession of qualifications which recognise the increased skills and ability of a diver as he/she completes training and gains more experience.

There are five diver grades or certifications as described below:

Ocean Diver

This is the entry-level qualification. An Ocean Diver has the essential knowledge and skills for open water diving and is competent to conduct dives in familiar conditions with another Ocean Diver, to a maximum depth of 20m, at a suitable dive site selected and supervised by a dive manager or guide. The use of nitrox (enriched air) as a breathing gas, to increase dive safety, is introduced in this course.

Sports Diver

Sports Diver training builds on entry level diver training so that the diver has the wider skills and knowledge required to take part in more adventurous diving. The course develops rescue techniques and includes resuscitation training.

After suitable experience building dives supervised by an instructor, a Sports Diver can undertake dives with other Sports Divers to a maximum depth of 35m. These dives may require mandatory decompression stops. A Sports Diver can use nitrox (enriched air) mixes up to 36% as breathing gas, either for increased dive safety or for longer dive times.

A Sports Diver can begin training to be a diving instructor.

Dive Leader

A Dive Leader is trained in the responsibilities and safety aspects of leading less experienced divers on open water dives. He/she has rescue management skills to cope with unforeseen emergencies. After progessive depth experience dives, he/she is qualified to dive to a maximum of 50m. A Dive Leader is competent to manage and supervise dives at familiar locations and sites.

Dive Leader is the minimum grade required to qualify as a diving instructor.

Advanced Diver

An Advanced Diver is considered comprehensively trained, experienced and responsible. He/she can manage and supervise adventurous and challenging diving, and organise branch expeditions to explore unfamiliar diving locations.

An Advanced Diver can take higher instructing qualifications and become involved with diving instructor training and development.

First Class Diver

This the highest BSAC diving grade and requires a higher than average level of theoretical diving knowledge, personal diving skills and organisational ability. A First Class Diver can lead major diving expeditions.

The qualification is assessed through nationally conducted examinations.

Other Qualifications

Throughout the progression through the above diver grades, there are a range of additional Skill Development Courses available. Some of these contribute towards gaining the higher diving qualifications, and others introduce more specialist interests e.g. Marine Life Identification or Boat Handling.

There is also an instructor development scheme which offers similar progressive training and qualifications in diving instruction.