Questions and Answers about Club Diver

Putting BSAC Branch training in the next Millenium

Introduction
Over the course of the last eighteen months the BSAC has sought and received input from a number of sources in reviewing the entry-level training programme used by BSAC Branches. By ‘entry level’ we mean the existing diver grades Novice I and Novice II, following on from which the BSAC diver then starts their Sports Diver training programme. This review is now complete and the spring of 1998 sees the introduction of the revised BSAC Branch training scheme, BSAC Club Diver, that will be introduced over a short transition period and will replace the existing BSAC Novice Diver training programme.

The BSAC entry-level training programme was last reviewed in the mid 1980’s, and since that time the sport of scuba diving has undergone a revolution. It now has a much higher profile in the media, and there are many ways that the public can learn to safely enjoy scuba diving. At that time the BSAC Branch system was one of the few routes that the public could use to learn to dive, nowadays there are many other alternatives. It is an appropriate time therefore for the BSAC Branch training system to be reviewed, a process that at all stages has involved the BSAC membership and those who actually have to run the Branches and deliver the training to their new students.

What the membership said they wanted
For some members, the issue was simply one of updating the materials; for others, the Novice award was simply not attractive enough to newcomers to the sport; for others still, Novice proved a deterrent to developing Dive Leaders because of the perception that these divers once qualified would forever partner Novices on Branch dives.

It was clear also that an entry-level programme that was tailored for our Branches was not ideal for our schools, and vice versa – and both entry avenues needed to be addressed. Frankly, the requirements for the schools programme were much easier to define quickly and bring to market, and so the Ocean Diver programme was launched in late 1997 with the benefit of the time and effort invested in Ocean Diver being transferred into to development of the BSAC Branch training programme.

Now, the BSAC is about to launch the Branch training programme, BSAC Club Diver. This document has been produced in order to give a comprehensive overview of the new programme - why BSAC Club Diver has been produced, how it has been devised, how it interacts with the existing BSAC training scheme and how it will assist BSAC Branch in their drive for new members and to allow Branch to teach their students effectively and safely


The Vision
‘The development of a modern, flexible training programme specifically for the Branch environment, supported by state-of-the-art materials.’

Goals and Objectives
That standards of safety and quality are non-negotiable. The BSAC is justly famous for the quality of its training programme, and any revision must only enhance, not detract, from that quality.

That the new programme be flexible.
The BSAC has thriving Branches all over the world. The training programme must be just as applicable to a Branch in the centre of the UK, as it is to a coastal Branch, as it is to a Branch in Oman or Zimbabwe.

That it must be appealing to potential divers of all types.
It has been apparent for some time that the entry-level diver is changing from the ‘stereotype mad keen’, ‘only-live-for-the-Club’ norm of 15 years ago. Everyone accepts now that there are many shades of potential diver entrant: from those that are still the mainstay of the Club environment, to those who wish to partake of diving regularly but not necessarily every week, through those who may wish to come to club nights but only dive on overseas trips or holidays. The BSAC ought to be able to offer a training scheme that appeals to all of those people and in doing so structure and price the scheme so that it reflects the workload in providing it via the Branch environment.

To streamline training in order to get people into the water as quickly as possible but without prejudicing their safety and without overburdening experienced divers within the Branch.
In effect, the Branch environment is ideal for this purpose as it provides a controlled, on-going support environment unmatched in any other training scenario. So why do we want to get people into the water as quickly as possible? - first because that’s what the prospective diver wants, and second because if we
can do this safely within a structured environment, there is the opportunity for the diver to learn by doing as well as by watching.

Talking to the members – the consultation process


So why did the membership want a change?
Take a look at the current situation with the Novice training programme. The Novice/Sports Diver programme is now well over 10 years old and therefore is in need of a review, bearing in mind the changes in diving and in the support materials that have become available in recent years.
The materials such as the Instructor’s Handbook and the Student Workbooks are looking tired and disjointed after many years of revision. Nowadays, with access to technology becoming so widely available, we need to adapt those materials to an environment where the use of personal computers is common and where people expect the flexibility that electronic media offers.
The name Novice Diver is almost universally disliked both by Branches and by those who work so hard to achieve the grade. It just does not sound very attractive in comparison to comparable awards from other sources. We needed to have a new name for our Branch entry award, one that reflects the level and the environment in which the diver will operate.
There is a large time and skill gap between the current Novice Diver and Sports Diver. Commonly, it can take up to a year to bridge this gap given the demands on limited numbers of Dive Leaders, and this is too long for most people who are coming in, new to the sport. In addition this long gap maximizes the time demand on those who have to take them diving in the interim, and this dissuades many Sports Divers from moving upwards to Dive Leader level. This factor in turn has a detrimental effect on the numbers of experienced divers moving into instruction, and so on.

So how has the BSAC gone about this review?
Ideas and feedback were requested from a number of sources and through a number of media. Articles have been regularly published in Diver magazine, on the Internet Web Forums, and in the NDC Bulletin. In the autumn of 1997 the National Diving Officer, Bob Boler, hosted a discussion group of representative Branch Diving Officers at BSAC HQ. This group spent a day discussing the requirements of a new training programme and possible plans for it. In addition members were
canvassed at every opportunity by the Coaching Scheme and by members of the National Diving Committee, who are the technical advisory group of the BSAC.

By November 1997 there were three possible options that were emerging for wider debate, and so at Underwater World ’97 these were presented to the conference for consideration. Following this presentation there was a special conference session for all Diving Officers who took part in a debate of those options, and having carefully listened to the opinions expressed, these were factored into the development of the BSAC Club Diver programme.

The conclusion: BSAC Club Diver
A new framework for Branch entry level training

The BSAC Club Diver training programme has two distinct sections that provide an attractive induction and subsequent progression into the sport of scuba diving within the BSAC Branch environment:

‘Experience Scuba’ – an introduction to diving
The new member starting at their BSAC Branch will first start on the ‘Experience Scuba’ course, which is also the entry point for divers training at BSAC Schools for the Ocean Diver award. The ‘Experience Scuba’ course gives an introduction to diving for those who are looking for a taster before committing to a long-term training plan. It is a standalone course, but importantly it forms the first
classroom and sheltered open water lessons of the next award: ‘Club Diver’ for the BSAC Branch, and ‘Ocean Diver’ for the BSAC School. Having completed ‘Experience Scuba’ the student will be encouraged that this training has already started them on the route to a full scuba diving certification.

The Entry Level scuba diving award – BSAC Club Diver
The key features of this qualification are as follows:
BSAC Club Divers can, under controlled circumstances, dive together or in the company of a more experienced diver BSAC Club Divers have received all of the training currently included in Sport Diver training except the decompression planning and rescue skills involving artificial ventilation Training for BSAC Club Diver includes sheltered water lessons, which may take place in the swimming
pool or the open water such as the sea, depending on where in the world the training is taking place.
There is a number of training dives, again practising skills and personal dive leadership which have to be experienced under a variety of water conditions.
BSAC Club Divers, if diving together, would be limited to 20m, no-decompression diving and always with the condition that the dive had the explicit approval of the Diving Officer or his representative on the day, the Dive Marshal.

In following such a progressive and structured training programme, the Branch has the potential to develop these divers safely and under controlled conditions into thinking, self reliant divers much earlier than was possible with the Novice training programme. BSAC divers can begin to build experience safely whilst moving towards the qualification of Sports Diver. The BSAC Club Diver programme provides conditions for learning safely by doing, in conjunction with learning safely by watching, a technique that is proven in training conditions to produce better results.

How does a BSAC Club Diver then become a Sports Diver?
Following certification as a BSAC Club Diver, the member begins the Sports Diver training programme which is also called the Entry Level Module. This Module is also used to convert BSAC Ocean Divers, who have been trained by the BSAC Schools, to BSAC Sports Diver. The same Module also trains all other divers with similar entry level grades but from other training agencies such as PADI, NAUI and others to BSAC Sports Diver.

‘Experience Scuba’

What is ‘Experience Scuba’?
Experience Scuba is an ‘introduction to diving’ course that aims to give people the opportunity to experience scuba diving in the pool or sheltered open water environment, and to assess whether it is a sport they wish to take more seriously either by joining the BSAC and enrolling on a Club Diver course, or by going to a BSAC School and training as an Ocean Diver. It is a three-hour course that is good for teaching the year round and the trainee gains a certification pack which encourages them to continue with the BSAC.

Who can teach it?
BSAC Branch and Schools can offer the course. It is exactly the same course as delivered by either route. In the Branch it can be taught by Assistant Club Instructors and above. In a BSAC School (where other regulations apply) it can be taught by Club Instructors and above.

What does it contain and what do you get at the end? It contains the first theory and the first sheltered water lesson of both Club and Ocean Diver, with both lessons being of an hour each in duration. Providing one of these courses is commenced within a reasonable time after the Experience Scuba course, it exempts the attendee from repeating them. At the end of Experience Scuba, the attendee is issued with a certification card and certificate.

Who can attend an Experience Scuba course?
Anybody aged 11 years and over who completes a Medical Self-Declaration. Parental consent is required for those who are under 18 years of age.

BSAC Club Diver

What is the description of a BSAC Club Diver?
‘A diver who has gained open water diving experience and is considered ready to take part in dives partnered by a diver of the same or higher grade providing the dive has the explicit approval of the Branch Diving Officer. The BSAC Club Diver will not have sufficient knowledge or experience to take students on open water dives or to conduct dives involving decompression stops. BSAC Club Divers are also restricted to a maximum depth of 20m.’

When will BSAC Club Diver be introduced?
The official launch of the BSAC Club Diver programme will be at the London International Dive Show on 28/29 March 1998. Special seminars covering the programme will be held throughout both days for Branch Officers and other instructors to attend.

All new entry-level courses taught by BSAC Branches after the launch of BSAC Club Diver should use this new training programme where at all possible. There will be a transition period of one year, ending formally on 1 April 1999, in order to allow all current Novice and Sports Diver training to be completed and for existing training materials to be used.

What skills are taught in BSAC Club Diver?
All of the skills previously taught in Novice Diver and Sports Diver except for artificial ventilation (AV), rescue tows involving AV and decompression dive planning.

BSAC Club Diver consists of 8 theory lessons, 6 sheltered water lessons, a theory assessment, 5 open water dives, and a final open water dive assessment where the trainee leads the instructor on a dive to 20m.

How are the theory lessons structured?
The theory lessons vary in length from 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours and you can vary them to suit your circumstance. A video and CD-ROM form part of the new Instructor’s Pack.

The lessons contain all the theory required up to the level of Sport Diver except artificial ventilation (AV) and decompression diving. The theory lessons stress the importance of the Branch environment and the need to continue training and gaining experience after qualification within the Branch.

Where should the sheltered water lessons be taught?
These can be in the pool or sheltered water as suits the Branch delivering the training. The first lesson is the training received in the ‘Experience Scuba’ introductory module. The second lesson is ‘Using Basic Equipment’, and focuses on the student acquiring the basic diving skills that are very relevant to diving and becoming a better diver. The lessons then teach progressive skills and give further experience to the student until the skills assessment in the sixth lesson.

What are the requirements for the open water dives?
These dives – which are still lessons – are gained in a variety of water and diving conditions. The student and the instructor together pick five different types of dive from a list of nine, which will ensure that there are a range of dives and therefore different experiences to suit most training locations.

These dives represent a staged and progressive experience to deeper depths from 6m to 20m and they include, amongst other skills, navigation and the use of the surface marker buoy (SMB). Each dive should last for a total of 1 ½ hours, from kitting up and briefing before the dive to a thorough de-brief by the instructor after the dive.

During these dives the student will be taught and practice specific water and rescue skills, including the Controlled Buoyant Lift, a 25m surface tow and how to recover a casualty to the shore or a boat.
However artificial ventilation is not taught until Sport Diver, since at the BSAC Club Diver level the diver will be diving with the Branch and other more experienced members.

The sixth, and final, dive of the programme is an assessment dive where the trainee acts as a trained BSAC Club Diver and plans and carries out a dive with the instructor who acts as another Club Diver.
The trainee leads the dive to and from 20m, thus demonstrating their ability to do so.

Can qualified BSAC Club Divers dive together?
Yes, provided that the dive is not in excess of 20m, does not involve decompression stops and has the approval of the Branch Diving Officer or the appointed Dive Marshall. This allows the Club Diver to gain further open water experience under the supervision of the Branch.

Why does the Branch Diving Officer/Dive Marshall have to approve the dive?
This is to ensure that the site chosen and the conditions on the day are suitable for the Club Diver pair, who may or may not have a lot of diving experience. Clearly very poor visibility, rough seas, strong currents or the presence of deep water in the near vicinity would make a dive site unsuitable.

Do individuals undertaking a BSAC Club Diver course have to be members of the BSAC to start training, and do they have to have a medical?

Yes to both.

Can Club Divers dive unsupervised with Novice I/II divers or a student undertaking a Club Diver course?

No. Club Divers can only dive with divers of the same or higher grade.

Can a BSAC School teach Club Diver?
BSAC Club Diver is designed to be taught only by a BSAC Branch. A BSAC recognized school may teach the elements as a referral service for a regular Branch, but cannot issue the final certification for Club Diver, even within the school’s own Special Branch.

Can a BSAC Branch teach Ocean Diver?
Ocean Diver has been developed exclusively for BSAC Schools and cannot be taught by BSAC Branches.

At what age can you attend a BSAC Club Diver course?
A Club Diver must be a member of the BSAC and the minimum age for BSAC membership is currently 14 years of age.

Under what type of conditions do the open water dives take place?

The BSAC believes that it is very important that divers learn to dive in open water conditions similar to those in which they will dive once qualified. It is also important to experience different water conditions and types of diving during the training period. In order to facilitate this we have introduced a list of water conditions and types of dive from which the diver/instructor should show experience of at least five during the course of the open water training dives.

What about if the open water dives take place overseas as part of a referral process?
The diver will still have gained the benefit of experiencing at least five different types of dive.
However, we would advise ANY diver who has learned to dive in clear, warm water conditions to undertake some experience dives partnered by a diver more experienced in local water conditions and under the supervision of the Branch, on return to the U. K. The Branch structure is ideally suited to this.

My Branch does not want to undertake open water training, how can we teach Club Diver?
You can make a referral arrangement with another BSAC Branch or with a BSAC School (in this country or abroad). The other party would then undertake the open water training, sign up the lessons and return the trainee to you for qualification.

So what are the pros and cons of BSAC Club Diver compared to the old system?

The Club Diver programme will prove to be less of a ‘strain’ on Dive Leaders since dives can be arranged that suit both parties. In addition, this entry-level award will have undisputed international parity with other agencies and federations and therefore will prove appealing to newcomers of all persuasions. In terms of Branch training however, Club Diver will obviously take a little longer than Novice currently does, and because it involves open water work in the more temperate climates of the world, such as in the UK, will not prove so easy to complete in winter months.


The new Student and Instructor training materials.

What training and support materials will be available?
The student will base their learning process on a Study Guide that covers Club and Sports Diver lessons. These Study Guides will be mini manuals in effect, referencing across where appropriate to the BSAC’s main suite of manuals for more comprehensive information. The Guide also contains many illustrations as well as the detail of every lesson and attainment targets for each lesson. It is of much higher quality than the previous Work Books and we would expect students to keep it on their bookshelves as a diving reference.
The Instructor will receive a substantial Instructor’s Pack that will provide the training and support materials for BSAC Club Diver and Sports Diver. Included in this Pack will be:

When will the materials be available?
The materials will be available for sale from the official launch of BSAC Club Diver at the London International Dive Show on 28/29 March 1998. The exception to this will be the instructor support video that will not be available until the end of May. This is to allow for additional UK diving sequences to be included. Instructors who buy the Instructor Pack before the release of the video will be issued with a card so that when the video is available the instructor will then send the card into HQ for an instructor support video to be returned by post.

How much will the new Student and Instructor training materials be?
The Instructor Pack will be priced at £60 to BSAC members. This pack includes the manual, the video, the CD-ROM, and 186 visual aid originals. At the official launch of BSAC Club Diver at the London International Dive Show on 28/29 March 1998 there will be an introductory offer to members of £50 for the Instructor Pack over that weekend. The Student Study Guide for Club/Sports Diver will be priced at £7.50 and again is available at the official launch of BSAC Club Diver. Bulk discounts on Student Study Guides are available upon request to BSAC Mailshop on 0151 350 6200.

Is the Student Study Guide a mandatory part of the course?
Yes. The Branch must issue EVERY student with a Study Guide for their own use.

How do we obtain theory assessment papers?
You may create your own based on the information contained in the Student Study Book or you may purchase Theory Assessment Sets from BSAC HQ. These contain one-off multi-choice papers together with a Candidate’s Answer Sheet, a marking overlay and an Answer Sheet.

So are the Dive Leader and Advanced Diver training programmes going to be changed too?
These two grades are being reviewed but the review is focusing on the provision of better training materials to the existing programmes, rather than any major changes to the structure of these training programmes. For example there will be a new Instructor’s Handbook specifically for Dive Leader and Advanced Diver, complementing the Instructor’s Handbook for BSAC Club and Sports Diver.


Club Diver…..Ocean Diver…..

What are the similarities and differences between them?

What is the difference between BSAC Club Diver and BSAC Ocean Diver?
These divers have completed very similar training but this has been achieved by differently structured programmes. At the end of their training both are divers who have reached the same level of skill.
The two awards are directly equivalent and should be treated as such within the Branch environment.

Can Club Divers dive with Ocean Divers?
Yes, subject to the same rules as diving with another Club Diver.

Can two Ocean Divers dive together within the Branch environment?
Yes, subject to the same rules as two Club Divers diving together.

At what age can you attend an Ocean Diver course?
At the point where they train, Ocean Divers are not members of the BSAC. The minimum age for becoming an Ocean Diver is 12 years of age. However, at this time, they cannot join the BSAC or a Branch until they are 14 years old.

What is the comparison between Club/Ocean Diver and the entry level programmes of other agencies?
The Club/Ocean Diver training programmes were formulated by the BSAC with the water conditions of the northern temperate zone in mind. The BSAC trains divers from the very beginning to be capable of self and buddy rescue and to be able to take charge of their own dive planning and underwater direction. We do not train divers just to be led around in a group. Because of this approach and
philosophy we have not had the difficulty of trying to adapt a resort diving package to make it fit ocean diving.
Our programmes contain a significant amount of teaching in diver rescue which is appropriate to all diving situations, but particularly so in locations where calm, clear blue water is not the norm.
Crucially, we ensure that our divers have received training and experience to the maximum depth limits to which they are permitted to dive. Unlike other agencies, this is not merely a recommendation, it is a mandatory part of the course. We do not believe in certifying our entry level divers, who are relatively inexperienced, to dive in conditions in which they have not been given experience.

Why do both Ocean Diver and Club Diver not provide artificial ventilation and other more advanced rescue skills training?

Basic rescue skills are covered in both Ocean Diver and Club Diver to a level that is appropriate to the type of diving that the diver will undertake. More advanced skills are taught immediately in the cross over to Sport Diver. Remember that there is close supervision of all students throughout their training and instruction by qualified instructors, and afterwards their diving is restricted.

Teaching BSAC Club Diver and BSAC Sports Diver

Who can teach Club Diver and Sports Diver lessons?
Training for these awards must be supervised by a BSAC Nationally Qualified Instructor (Club Instructor or higher grade) and carried out by a minimum of BSAC Assistant Club Instructor.

How do I become a BSAC Assistant Club Instructor?
To become a BSAC Assistant Club Instructor any BSAC member holding the qualification of Sports Diver or above must attend a two-day BSAC Instructor Training Course. These courses are held regularly throughout the year.

What about BSAC Branch that do not have enough Assistant Club Instructors?
Club Diver and Sports Diver can only be taught by those who have at least attended an Instructor training course – Assistant Club Instructors. The time is right for this move and it has been much welcomed from all sides. Where there is a problem in some Branches such as Youth and University Branches, the BSAC will give every support.

Please note that one change in the new programme is that Sports Divers who are Assistant Club Instructors may teach the entire Club Diver programme. They do not have to be Dive Leaders.
However in the case of Sports Diver training, the Assistant Club Instructor must have a minimum diver grade of Dive Leader.

Why have the BSAC raised the level of instruction to be Assistant Club Instructor?
We have long believed that diver training should be undertaken by those who have been specifically trained in it, rather than placed on the shoulders of experienced divers who may not be interested in teaching others. The BSAC introduced the rule of all training being under the supervision of a Nationally Qualified Instructor some years ago, and this is the next step along the road to the day when all training is undertaken by qualified instructors.

Can a Sports Diver undertake the training of a Club Diver?
A Sports Diver who is also a BSAC Assistant Club Instructor may train a Club Diver subject to the approval of the Branch Diving Officer. The DO should use their discretion as regards the selection of Sports Divers to undertake Open Water training to ensure that they are sufficiently experienced in diving in the local conditions, have a mature and responsible attitude to safety and planning and have gained the confidence necessary to partner divers under training. Elements of dive leadership are now included in the revised Sports Diver training programme.

Can a Dive Leader undertake the training of a Club Diver or Sports Diver?
Club Diver training must be carried out by a minimum of Assistant Club Instructor, regardless of diver grade. Sports Divers are trained by a minimum of an Assistant Club Instructor who is a Dive Leader.

When does this training programme become compulsory?
We strongly recommend that existing Novice and Sports Diver training is completed as soon as
possible after 1 April 1998, and a one-year transition period to complete these courses is allowed until 1 April 1999. All new training after 1 April 1998 should begin where at all possible with the Club Diver and new Sports Diver programmes.

BSAC Club Diver – how has it changed the Sports Diver course?

Has the definition of a BSAC Sports Diver changed at all?
This has changed slightly and now reads:
‘A diver who has gained open water diving and diver rescue experience and is considered ready to take part in dives partnered by another qualified diver. BSAC Sports Divers are restricted to a maximum depth of 35m. A Sports Diver who has gained the qualification of BSAC Assistant Club Instructor may partner Club Divers on training dives subject to the approval of the Branch Diving Officer’.

What does the BSAC Sports Diver course now contain?
Theory, sheltered water and open water training in artificial ventilation (AV), AV rescue and decompression stop diving. These are taught by three theory lessons covering decompression and diver rescue, two sheltered water lessons covering AV, plus four open water dives covering AV rescues and a simulated decompression dive, and of course the theory examination. This training is the same as that covered in the Entry-Level Module for those entering from outside the BSAC. Elements of dive leadership are now included in the revised Sports Diver training programme.

What are the purposes of the graduated depth check boxes in the Sports Diver section of the new Qualification Record Book?
During the training course, the Sports Diver takes part in training dives to a maximum depth of 20m.
Following qualification, the Sports Diver may undertake dives to a maximum depth of 35m. We strongly recommend that Sports Divers who wish to dive in excess of 20m undertake a series of progressively deeper dives under Branch supervision and partnered by a diver experienced at the target depth until they gain their own experience at the required depth. The check boxes are a means of recording Branch Dives to staged depths between 20m and 35m. They are optional, do not form part of the formal training and should not impede qualification, but we strongly advise that they are used.

Can a BSAC Sports Diver partner a qualified Club Diver or Ocean Diver on a Branch Dive?
Yes - Sports Divers will be able to dive with qualified Club and Ocean Divers.

Who can teach the Sport Diver training programme?
The Sport Diver programme will be taught by divers who have gained the award of Assistant Club Instructor and hold at a minimum the diving grade of Dive Leader.

When an Ocean Diver joins the Branch do they have to do the Entry-Level Module?
No. If it is more convenient to train them via the Branch Sports Diver course, then that is the preferable option. The Entry-Level Module is more applicable in a school environment although it is available to the Branch as an option.

What is the difference between the Entry-Level Module and the Sports Diver training programme?
They contain the same training materials but the programmes are structured slightly differently for the Schools and Branch environments respectively.

Can Branch mix the training of a group of Entry-Level Module trainees and Sports Diver trainees?
Yes since the course content is the same.

Are there any differences in what Sports Divers now learn, compared to the previous Sports Diver training?
The only difference is that whilst the old Sports Diver course contained training in the use of planning decompression stops, it had no practical lesson in this. The new Sports Diver course contains a simulated decompression dive and because of this we have now permitted decompression diving to a maximum depth of 35m for Sports Divers. This facility is extended to all current Sports Divers but the BSAC strongly recommends that they undertake a simulated decompression dive with an experienced Branch diver, or instructor before they undertake a genuine decompression dive.
Further questions or facts about Club Diver training materials

Novice Diver workbooks are put into the Welcome packs which are sent to members upon receipt of their initial £55 first year membership fee.
From immediate effect no Novice Diver workbooks will be included in any Welcome packs sent out to new members from HQ. However, if the Branch specifically wants Novice Diver workbooks we can supply them at the usual price of £2.50 each, plus £2.50 P&P, or if it is a new member joining to which we are sending a Welcome pack, the Novice workbook can be
included within the Welcome pack as before upon request by the Branch.

Any Branch may still want Novice workbooks if they are not able to yet start to teach the Club Diver programme - for example if they have not yet got sufficient instructors available (remember we have said that upon starting to teach Club Diver, ALL instructors must have attended an Instructor Training Course). Branches have a year to have switched to Club
Diver, and in 3 months time HQ will review how many Novice books we are still issuing, and to whom.

Why isn't the Club Diver workbook included in the Welcome Pack - the branch now have to pay for this, rather than the workbook being included in the joining subscription as before?
The Novice workbook cost a lot less to produce than the Club Diver workbook (that actually goes all the way to Sports Diver). Therefore its cost cannot be covered by the joining subscription at its current price alone.
The £7.50 cost of the Club Diver workbook is a subsidised price to reflect the fact that the Novice Book was included in the joining fee, although as noted above the Novice workbook was only of small value.
When the Membership Review is concluded this summer the new prices will be adjusted to reflect the fact that student workbooks are not included in the Welcome pack.

What happens if a branch has a stock of Novice or Sports workbooks that they now do not want to use?
This is important. It is unlikely that branches will have a particularly significant stock, and therefore BSAC MailShop will accept returned Novice or Sports Diver workbooks AS LONG AS:
- these books are clearly brand new and have not been used
- the branch purchases at the same time a number of Club Diver workbooks that IS EQUAL to the number of Novice books returned
- each Novice workbook and Sport Diver workbook returned that satisfies the two conditions above will have a credit of £2.50 each - i.e. if you return one brand new novice workbook and a brand new sports diver workbook you can buy one Club Diver workbook for £2.50. Likewise if one brand new novice workbook is returned they can buy one Club Diver workbook for £5.00

What about instructor manuals?
This will be dealt with on an individual basis. If someone truly has bought an instructor manual in the last couple of months and they can prove it then we will do a swap and they just pay the difference. Otherwise they have to buy a new instructor manual. The silver-tone BSAC instructor manual still contains the teaching notes for DL and AD, so it is not useless!!

How are the branches being told?
A news update will be sent out over the next week, and HQ have been briefed to answer these questions.

Can Schools have this facility?
No - the above is not relevant to schools since they do not teach Club Diver.

How much are the new Club Diver workbooks?
They are £7.50 each, or £7.00 each if 10 or more are purchased.

What about existing students training as Novice Divers?
There is no conversion course to convert Novice students to Club Divers. Novice students have a year until April 1999 to complete their training to Sports Diver.

How much is 'Experience Scuba', and what do the branches have to charge for it?
The 'Experience Scuba' pack costs £5.00 from the BSAC MailShop, and the pack contains a certification pack and certificate, and other associated BSAC information. The pack is left open so the branch can also include their own materials. The recommended price for an 'Experience Scuba' session (3 hours) is £25, but branches can charge anything they like - for example just recharge the cost price of the materials (£5) to the student.

Can any items of the Club Diver Instructor Pack be purchased separately?
No - acetates, videos, CD-ROM and all other components are sold together in the pack for a launch price of £50 (not including P&P of an additional £10)

CD-ROM formats
The CD-ROM is not available at present in Apple Mac format. We are currently reviewing the feasibility of issuing it in Apple Mac.

The requirement for all instructors in the branch to have attended an ITC
The BSAC requires all divers who are teaching the Club Diver programme to have attended an ITC. This will mean that some branch instructors, who may even be of Advanced Diver or First Class Diver standard, are now unable to teach this programme. Extra ITC courses will be put on over the year and branches that have a problem with this requirement should contact their regional coach in the first instance. We fully accept that many branch instructors who have not attended an ITC are nonetheless very competent instructors, however this change has been requested and supported by the membership and is a further step in the BSAC's long stated objective that all instruction should one day be undertaken by nationally qualified instructors.
If the branch does not have sufficient instructors who have attended an ITC then this may be a factor that prevents them from starting to teach Club Diver until some of their members have attended an ITC.

‘Are you in the Club?!’

The review of the Novice Diver training programme has been long awaited by many patient BSAC Instructors and Diving Officers. With the results of this review now complete, BSAC Club Diver is set to be an enormous success story!

What has guaranteed this success is the input of the BSAC membership in designing a diver-training programme for the next Millenium that they, the instructors and divers, wanted to teach to their new members. As a flexible, modular training programme, BSAC Club Diver is able to be successfully taught in many different environments whilst always ensuring the high standards of BSAC training that
are recognized around the world are not compromised.

In addition the emphasis on the BSAC Branch and the unique way in which the BSAC Club Diver training programme is interwoven with Branch activities and its members will clearly show to the new member why they should stay diving with the BSAC!

If you want to know more about the BSAC Club Diver training programme, contact a member of your Regional BSAC Coaching Team and ask them to visit your Branch to answer questions or to give a presentation to your members. You can also telephone BSAC Headquarters on 0151 350 6200 and ask to speak to our staff in Technical Support who will be pleased to help you.

And has your Branch got a copy of the BSAC Branch Promotional Video, available free-of-charge from BSAC Headquarters? This new promotional video will help in attracting new members to your Branch where they can become BSAC Club Divers!

A new BSAC Branch member starting to learn to dive will begin with ‘Experience Scuba’, and then move onto the ‘BSAC Club Diver’ programme, and finally the ‘Sports Diver’ programme.

Supported by state of the art materials, specially tailored for the Branch environment, this new programme allow the Branch to train their members in a safe, progressive streamlined fashion that therefore makes diver training with the BSAC even more attractive to the newcomer.

With BSAC Club Diver we can now offer a unique type of entry-level training that can be formulated to offer the perfect solution to the Branch trainee, whatever the requirement and whatever the location, whilst giving some freedom to the more experienced divers within the Branch.

The BSAC Branch can easily welcome Ocean Divers into their Branch and get them diving immediately with their existing members.

Remember, this new training programme is not only for your Branch, and for the Branch down the road, it’s for all BSAC Branch, and you are the people who will deliver it. If you need support or other help in the transition period to BSAC Club Diver…..tell us!

Club Diver launched at LIDS

The launch of the BSAC Club & Sports Diver at the London International Dive Show over the weekend of 28/29th March was a huge success and, combined with advance orders at HQ, every single copy of the Instructor Handbook was sold over the two days, which kept our stand shop on their toes!

As you may be aware, the video that accompanies the Instructor Handbook is not available at present since some final UK footage is being filmed. The video will be forwarded to you as soon as it is ready, which is expected to be at the end of May, beginning of June. However, this video is a training support aid and therefore does not prevent new members starting Club Diver.

If you were one of the lucky ones who managed to purchase a copy at the Show, we hope you are enjoying it!

Thank you in advance for your patience. Remember, if you have any queries about the transition from Novice Diver to Club Diver, please call BSAC HQ.

PS. We would love to hear any feedback from your first Club Diver students.

For further information, contact:
The British Sub Aqua Club
Telford’s Quay
Ellesmere Port
South Wirral,
Cheshire, UK
CH65 4FL

Tel: 0151 350 6200
Fax: 0151 350 6215
email: technical@bsac.com