Information Sheet A.12
SUMMARISED CONTENTS OF BSAC DIVE LEADER TRAINING PROGRAMME
The BSAC Dive Leader Course includes both theory lessons in a classroom and
practical lesson dives in open water. In the following lists, LT indicates a
theory lesson, LS indicates a practical lesson - also emphasised by use of
italic capitals. The order in which lessons are listed indicates the recommended
sequence of training.
LT1 - DIVE LEADERSHIP
Introduction and Lesson Objectives
Dive Leader Training
Dive Organisation
The Dive Leader
Assessing Experience: Matching Dive Plan to Needs and Ability
Training and experience
Diving with a purpose
Diving conditions
Dive Leading Procedures
Dive planning
Preparing to dive
Briefings
Dive conduct
Debriefing
Situation Awareness
LS 1 - DIVE LEADERSHIP DEMONSTRATION
Objective: To demonstrate the correct procedures and skills of dive leadership
to the trainee Dive Leader.
Practical contents: A BSAC Instructor will lead a single trainee Dive Leader as
if he / she were a stranger and a relative newcomer to the sport. This
demonstration of dive leadership skills is likely to appear a little
over-exaggerated in order to emphasise appropriate teaching points.
LT2 - DIVER RESCUE REVIEW
Introduction and Lesson Objectives
Aids to Diving Safety
Situation Avoidance and Assessment
Assist or Rescue
Recovering the Casualty
Removing from Danger
AV and CC (CPR)
LT3 - SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF DIVING DISORDERS
Introduction and Lesson Objectives
Review- Behaviour of gases
Pressure/Volume changes (Boyle's Law)
Solubility of gases: gas absorption (Henry;s Law)
Partial pressures (Dalton's Law)
Effects of Pressure: Compression / Expansion Injuries
Ears and Sinuses
Other squeezes
Burst Lung
Adverse Effects of Breathing Air at Pressure
Hypoxia
Decompression Illness (DCI)
Nitrogen Narcosis
Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning
Carbon dioxide poisoning
Oxygen poisoning
Exhaustion, Body Temperature, Drowning
Exhaustion
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Drowning
LT4 - RESCUE MANAGEMENT
Introduction and Lesson Objectives
The Priorities of a Rescue
Rescue
First Aid
Arrange treatment
Rescue Management
Taking command
Team leadership
What can be delegated?
Rescue Management Scenarios
LS 2 - RESCUE MANAGEMENT SCENARIOS
Objective: To give a group of trainee Dive Leaders 'hands on' experience of
simulated rescue situations, with each student taking turns to assume the role
of rescue manager and to lead a team of helpers. The BSAC instructor acts as a
coach/consultant.
Practical contents: Rescue situations are likely to be taken from the following
list. Other divers will be available to make up a team of helpers and to act as
'casualty'.
* Two divers in distress on the surface. One has been rescued from depth and is
not breathing. Rescuer is exhausted, has leg cramp and is now approaching
distress
* Lone diver surfaces, in a state of shock, to report buddy is missing on
bottom(6m).
* Diver surfaces to report buddy is trapped / entangled underwater and will be
out of air in 5 minute's time.
* Diver surfaces to report that they have missed decompression stops: on
reboarding boat, one quickly reports' symptoms of severe decompression sickness.
LT5 - DECOMPRESSION TABLES AND AIR REQUIREMENTS REVIEW
Introduction and Lesson Objectives
Review BSAC '88 Decompression Tables, Level 1
BSAC '88 Decompression Tables, Levels 2, 3, 4
Level 1 dives at low atmospheric pressure
Diving at altitude: sites higher than 250m ASL
Dives before and after changes of level
Air Requirement for Dives
LS 3 - DIVE LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENT 1
Objective: Trainee Dive Leader demonstrates competence at leading a Sports Diver
on an open water dive to maximum depth of 20m.
Practical contents: The trainee will plan an interesting and informative dive
appropriate to the needs of a sport diver, and a BSAC Instructor will assess the
performance while playing the part of the Sports Diver.
LT6 - ADVENTUROUS DIVING - PART 2
Introduction and Lesson objectives
Deep Diving
Wall/Cliff Dives
Dives with No Clear Surface
Attractions and challenges
Possible problems
Safeguards (a) Diving techniques
Safeguards (b) Equipment
Low Visibility Diving
Possible problems
Safeguards
Cold Water/Cold Weather Dives
Possible problems
Safeguards
Diving in Tropical Waters
Possible problems
Safeguards
Specialised Equipment
BSAC Expeditions Scheme
LS 4 - DIVE LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENT 2
Objective: Trainee dive leader demonstrates competence at leading a Novice Diver
on an easy open water exploratory dive.
Practical contents: The trainee will plan an interesting exploratory dive
appropriate to the needs of an inexperienced Novice Diver, and a BSAC Instructor
will assess the performance while playing the part of the Trainee Club Diver.
LT7 - CHARTS, TIDES AND WEATHER
Introduction and Lesson Objectives
Charts
What they are: availability
Chart Symbols
What Can Charts Tell You?
Tides
Tide Tables
Weather
Effects of Wind
Wind Strength; Beaufort Scale
Other Weather Factors
Weather Forecasts
Atmospheric Pressure
LS 5 - DIVE LEADER RESCUE ASSESSMENT - PART 1
Objectives: Trainee Dive Leader demonstrates competence in safety and rescue
skills.
Practical contents: This practical lesson is planned as a two-part dive,
involving two ascents from 15m to 6m. Assuming the first dive is made on BSAC
'88 Decompression Table (level 1) A, the first ascent will result in a surfacing
code at the 6m ascent check, which will dictate the Table (B or C) to be used
for the second part of the dive. The trainee will be required to perform the
following safety and rescue skills:
* At 15m, remove mask, replace and clear - twice
* At 15m, remove regulator, recover, replace and clear - twice
* Make an ascent from 15m to 6m, breathing from a alternative air source.
* Make an assisted ascent (buddy breathe) as receiver of air, from 15m to 6m.
Break and make normal ascent.
* At surface, make casualty buoyant, commence AV, then tow casualty 25 metres to
small boat, giving regular AV during the tow.
* On reaching the boat, instruct boat handler to take secure hold of the
casualty and give continuos AV (10 ventilations / minute) while rescuer removes
/ jettisons casualty's weight belt and aqualung set (pass to helper / into
boat).
* Once equipment is removed, instruct boat handler how to assist you to lift the
casualty into boat: Boat handler lifts, rescuer pushes up from below.
LS 6 - DIVE LEADER RESCUE ASSESSMENT - PART 2
Objective: Trainee Dive Leader demonstrates competence in safety and rescue
skills.
Practical contents: This practical lesson is planned as a two-part dive,
involving two ascents from 15m to 6m. Assuming the first dive is made on BSAC
'88 Decompression Table (level 1) A, the first ascent will result in a surfacing
code at the 6m ascent check, which will dictate the table (B or C) to be used
for the second part of the dive.
The trainee will be required to perform the following safety and rescue skills:
* Make an assisted ascent (buddy breathe as donor of air, from 15m to 6m).
* Make a controlled buoyant lift from 15m to 6m. Break and make normal ascent.
* At surface, make casualty buoyant, commence AV, then tow casualty 50m to
shore, giving regular AV during the tow.
* On reaching the shore, rescuer removes / jettisons casualty's weight belt and
aqualung set (pass to helper) while maintaining regular AV at 10 ventilations /
minute.
* Once equipment is removed, rescuer drags casualty onto shore (helper now
stands in as casualty). Solo rescuer provides simulated CPR at appropriate
rates, for a continuos period of three minutes. Senior diver requests action for
vomiting: asks questions about accident as medical personnel would do on arrival
at scene. Casualty to be left in the recovery position.
LT8 - DIVE LEADER THEORY TEST
(c) 8/97. The British Sub-Aqua Club, Telford's Quay, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
CH65 4FL