Learning to Dive

In the pool

As a beginner, your initial training takes place in the controlled environment of the swimming pool during our Monday evening meetings. Here, in small groups of no more than three trainees to each instructor, you will learn the essential diving skills such as how to assemble and maintain the aqualung unit, how to control your buoyancy so that you can 'hover' in mid-water and how to clear your mask if it floods. You will also practice rescue techniques that will enable you to deal safely with any difficulties that you or your future diving 'buddies' may experience while underwater.

In the classroom

Your practical training is supplemented by a series of presentations on diving theory, but don't worry, you won't need a degree in physics or physiology! The theory helps you to understand some of the reasons behind what you are taught in the pool. Topics also include what to look for when buying equipment and an explanation of what to expect on your first real dive.

In open water

It takes about 6 to 8 weeks to complete the pool training so that you are ready for your first open water dive. This will usually take place at one of our local inland sites: Stoney Cove near Leicester, or Dosthill quarry near Tamworth. We hold regular training days at weekends and also train in the evenings during the summer months.

There are a minimum of five qualifying dives during which you will practice the skills you learned in the pool and also gain experience of different diving conditions. As you complete your qualifying dives, you are encouraged to take part in a Branch trip to the coast to gain experience of diving in the sea and to take your first trip on our Branch boat.

Training equipment

Throughout your training period, you can hire diving equipment from the Branch, although you will probably want to purchase the more personal items (mask, fins and snorkel) quite quickly. As your diving advances, we recommend that you purchase your own full set of equipment, but one of the advantages of a club environment is that you can see what works for others before you part with your cash, and also perhaps take advantage of second-hand offers on the Branch noticeboard. For your open water dives, you will need either a wetsuit or a drysuit, which you must either buy or hire from a commercial outlet, but we can advise you on this at the time.

Qualification

On successful completion of the above, you will be qualified as a BSAC Ocean Diver. As such, you can dive with another Ocean Diver to a maximum depth of 20m under the supervision of a dive marshal or guide.

Our members are encouraged to continue their diving education and to extend their experience in order to gain further qualifications in the BSAC scheme. From Ocean Diver, the next step is Sports Diver. This course has a similar format to that of Ocean Diver, but a much greater proportion of the practical training takes place in open water.