The Dive Leader course has three core elements; leading inexperienced and experienced divers, dive management, and rescue management.
The formal learning consists of five assessed theory modules, five open-water training dives and three practical lessons. For divers who need refresher training, or those coming from another agency, there are also optional practical and theory lessons to ensure you are ready to progress. Our Club is able to support skills training to Dive Leader level, the time line for skills training depends on the availability of our Instructors and/or the weather! Our Diving Officer will be able to give you more information on the Dive Leader training course.
It is essential that Dive Leaders have adequate experience, so before gaining the qualification you’ll need to have at least 60 dives in variety of conditions relevant to your local environment. The definitions of these qualifying dives cover a wide range of conditions to provide the essential consolidation of skills and knowledge.
All practical training includes the achievement of specific performance standards at appropriate points throughout the lessons. The Ocean Diver and Sports Diver courses were aimed towards learning skills and knowledge while underpinning this with appropriate experience. The Dive Leader course continues to build on these skills and knowledge, but the experience element becomes increasingly important.
Open Water Conditions
The build-up of experience of diving in a wide range of conditions is as important a part of Dive Leader training as the specific lessons. Dive sites will include those encompassing a wide variety of topography and underwater life, and which have noticeable water movement due to waves or current (max 1.5kn). Water conditions will also include a range of underwater visibilities. Access from both shore and boats would be included. Until qualified as a Dive Leader depth should not exceed 40m. Subsequently, and with appropriate experience, this can be increased to 50m.
For further information on the Dive Leader course please refer to – https://www.bsac.com/training/diver-grade-courses/dive-leader/#tab-1
The whole range of BSAC diving courses and instructional qualifications can be found here – https://www.bsac.com/training/view-all-bsac-courses/