British Sub-Aqua Club

Diver Training Programme Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Q I am halfway through Sports Diver training, what should I do now the new syllabus has been updated? A For any diver, who is part way through training for any grade, they should complete that grade under the current system, even after the new system has been introduced. The Transition Table will then indicate what additional elements need to be incorporated into the training for the next grade. The Nitrox Workshop should also be completed. Q Why has nitrox been integrated into the Diver Training Programme? A The BSAC views the use of Nitrox as a significant element in the reduction of risk of suffering decompression illness, and a major tool in the management of nitrogen. These new training elements introduce the use of Nitrox (with certain limitations) to Ocean and Sports Divers. Q Is this the same as doing the BSAC Nitrox Skill Development Course? A No - there is additional material in the BSAC Advanced Nitrox SDC that is not covered in the new Ocean and Sports Diver courses.

Q Does this mean more lectures?

A There are no additional lectures, and all the updated material is placed at appropriate points within the existing lectures. We have kept this additional material to a minimum, but there will obviously be a slight increase in the length of some lectures. Q Do we need copies of the Nitrox Tables? A Yes - the new syllabus is intended to be taught using the BSAC Nitrox Tables. In addition the BSAC '88 Tables, Levels 1 - 4 should be readily available as both are referenced in the Ocean Diver training. This may require additional expenditure by Ocean Diver students which should be compensated by improved knowledge and safety. Q What are divers limited to after completing these new elements? A

An Ocean Diver may dive to the limit of their training. Sports Divers under training will be subject to the same limits. Sports Divers may dive to the limit of their training using a single mix within its MOD. Sports Divers who have attended an Advanced Nitrox SDC are not subject to these limitations.

Q Are there some complicated rules about what to do if a mix is outside the 1% tolerance? A There are rules that are taught on the BSAC Advanced Nitrox Diver SDC. However, these rules do not apply to Ocean Divers and Sports Divers with Nitrox endorsements. If the mix is more than 1% different from the mix that is required, then ask the gas blender to correct the mix for you to what you asked for in the first place.

Q Does the exemption allowing the use of Nitrox 36% to 30 metres and Nitrox 32% to 35 metres still stand? A Yes, but remember that this exemption applies only to no-stop dives, and we would recommend that you attempt to minimise the time spent at depths where the PO2 would exceed 1.4 bar. Q Do I have to dive on Nitrox on the course? A No - you don't. Q Do I have to have a Nitrox serviced cylinder in order to complete the course? A No - you don't. But if you intend to dive using a Nitrox mix regularly in the future, you might give some consideration to the purchase of one. Q Do I have to buy an oxygen analyser in order to complete the course? A No - you don't. But if you intend to dive using a Nitrox mix regularly in the future, you might give some consideration to the purchase of one. Q Do I have to buy an oxygen analyser in order to teach the course? A No - you don't. Q What do I do if my club doesn't have an oxygen analyser? A Take your students down to your local dive shop and demonstrate the use of an analyser to them there. Q So, I have qualified as a Sports Diver with a Nitrox Endorsement - what next? A We would suggest that, once you have completed a further 20 dives since qualifying as a Sports Diver, you should consider the BSAC Advanced Nitrox Skill Development Course. Q What about divers who qualified under older training schemes or other agencies? A There are nitrox workshops available to integrate these divers in nitrox knowledge and procedures. Q Who is allowed to teach the nitrox workshop to divers under training? A All Theory Instructors or above. Q Why are the assessment questions and answers for the Nitrox Workshops available for download by all? A The Instructor Resource CD-ROM is available for purchase by all diver grades and as such any student could get access to the assessment papers for diver grades if they wanted. In the case of the Nitrox Workshops students moving onto the DTP2007 require to attend workshops. They require to demonstrate their understanding which is done via an assessment paper. They cannot substitute an examination pass for attendance at a workshop. If the instructor, delivering the Nitrox Workshop, believes that they require additional demonstration of understanding they may question orally. Q Why are the assessment questions and answers for diver grades on the CD-ROM?

A There are 5 sets of assessment papers for Ocean & Sports diver and 3 sets of assessment papers for Dive Leader and Advanced diver. Additional assessment papers for Dive Leader and Advanced are available from BSAC HQ. Students require to demonstrate their understanding which is done via an assessment paper. They cannot substitute attendance at theory lessons for an examination pass. Q Why do both nitrox workshops have the same Nitrox C Card? Should they not differentiate between an Ocean diver and a Sports diver? A They do. When the Ocean diver completes their workshop they can dive with Nitrox 32% and Nitrox 36% and the card details this. Their diving officer is responsible for ensuring that they dive to their qualification. As a Sports Diver, the diver is eligible to receive the second part of the Workshop and apply for another card which details mixes up to Nitrox 36%. Q I am about to start training as a Dive Leader and have already attended an Oxygen Administration Course, do I have to do it all again? A No, the oxygen administration module of the new Dive Leader course is exactly the same. Your course attendance certificate shows you have completed this section of the Dive Leader course and your Instructor/Diving Officer can sign up those theory and practical lessons. The same applies to divers who have completed the Practical Rescue Management Course.

Q I have done a Dive Planning and Management course, do I get a credit for those elements included in the Dive Leader syllabus? A Yes, your SDC course attendance certificate credits towards elements in the Dive Leader syllabus, your Instructor/Diving Officer can sign up those theory and practical lessons.

Q Does the updated scheme include instructor prompt cards? A Yes but in a redesigned format that has competency checks. They are not included with the new Instructor Resources CD-ROM and will have to be purchased separately.

Q What happens if any alterations are made to the Instructor notes during the next couple of years - will it involve yet another update? A Any additions or amendments to the Instructor Resources CD-ROM will be updated to Instructors via the BSAC Website. A section on the site will be organised to cater for any amendments, the Instructor can download and insert in their Instructor Resources CD-ROM. Consideration is being made to supply an updated CD-ROM to all instructors at each renewal of membership.

Q As an overseas branch, a lot of the training information is very much UK based, does the system make any allowance for non UK Branches A Yes, in the Instructor notes there is an emphasis on Instructors introducing any local procedures, regulations or requirements. However, if divers from overseas branches are likely to return and continue to dive in the UK, they will need to know much of the information contained within the Instructor and student notes

Q I have just joined as a member of BSAC and am abated to my partner, which training pack do I need? A TP5 - Abated Student Training Pack.

Q I have just joined as a member of BSAC and am crossing over, as I have an existing (non-BSAC) diving qualification that is considered to be of a similar standard to the BSAC Ocean Diver grade. I wish to further my diver training with the BSAC and gain the Sports Diver qualification. Which training pack do I need? A Crossover Training Pack - Sports

Q I have just joined as a member of BSAC and am crossing over, as I have an existing (non-BSAC) diving qualification that is considered to be of a similar standard to the BSAC Sports Diver grade. I wish to further my diver training with the BSAC and gain the Dive Leader qualification. Which training pack do I need? A Crossover Training Pack - Dive Leader

Q I have just joined as a member of BSAC and am crossing over, as I have an existing (non-BSAC) diving qualification that is considered to be of a similar standard to the BSAC Dive Leader grade. I wish to further my diver training with the BSAC and gain the Advanced Diver qualification. Which training pack do I need? A Crossover Training Pack - Advanced Diver

If you have any training questions, please contact the Diver Resources Team at BSAC. Tel 0151 350 6261/6262 Email technical@bsac.com or alternatively if you have any purchasing queries please contact the Mailshop on 0151 350 6202 Email shop@bsac.com