BSAC Diving Qualifications

We train to the BSAC 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 trainees 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 here, 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 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 marshal.

Sports Diver

Sports Diver training builds on the open water diving skills learned at entry level and introduces rescue and resuscitation training. After suitable experience building dives with an instructor or other experienced diver, 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 begin training as 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 marshal and supervise branch dives at familiar locations and sites.

This 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.

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.