Ocean Diver

For beginners the first stop is Ocean Diver.This course provides you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to prepare for open water diving. Learning to dive is all about learning to use your equipment properly and safely. The Ocean Diver training course concentrates on preparing you for this in the safety of a swimming pool or sheltered water and then introducing you to open water in a controlled and safe manner. This also gives you the opportunity to practice safety skills in the company of a qualified instructor or experienced diver.

The Ocean Diver Award is the BSAC's first diving grade awarded within the Branch. The Ocean Diver award prepares the diver to enjoy their diving experience to a maximum of 20m and without incurring decompression stops.

Definition of an Ocean Diver An Ocean Diver is defined as a diver who is competent to conduct dives: • With another Ocean Diver or with a Sports Diver, within the restrictions of the conditions already encountered during their training. • With a Dive Leader or higher grade, to expand their experience beyond the conditions encountered during their training, under the supervision of a Dive Manager. • To a depth which is initially limited to the maximum experienced during training, but which can subsequently be extended progressively, under the supervision of a Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI), to a maximum of 20m. • Using breathing gas mixes of Air, Nitrox32 or Nitrox36. • Not requiring mandatory decompression stops. • Under the on-site supervision of a Dive Manager with respect to site selection, conditions and dive plan where other divers, capable of providing assistance and rescue, are available at the surface. • Within BSAC safe diving recommendations Assessment Components An Ocean Diver must successfully complete the following components: 1. Attend lessons on diving knowledge 2. Demonstrate a level of diving knowledge through a written Theory Paper 3. Demonstrate their practical ability with a range of basic diving skills 4. Demonstrate competence in planning and conducting a simple dive 5. Demonstrate they have developed a suitable level of competence in their personal Rescue Skills including CBL and supporting an unconscious casualty