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An overview of the changes in diver and instructor qualifications
The Incoming Grades
The Diver Training update 2002 has made the transition through the main grades more progressive:
- A slight increase in Sport Diver due to the additional skills identified
- A more significant increase in Dive Leader as some skills have been moved from Advanced Diver
- A more sensible step to Advanced Diver
An overall reduction in the total number of hours for the total training scheme reflecting the need that the core diving syllabus needs to concentrate on skills and knowledge appropriate to all divers. The whole syllabus will continue to be supported by SDC's for those wishing to acquire specialist skills (e.g. boat handling for those branches who own / operate their own boats).
Conducting an overall review and addressing the anomalies means a smoother and more progressive training process throughout.
| Ocean Diver |
Ocean Diver - the name that will be used for our first diving grade whether in a Branch or a School
A diver who can dive:
- In open water in controlled conditions
- to a maximum depth 20m
- within their previous experience
- under the supervision of a Dive Marshall
Branches and Schools will use exactly the same syllabus with the same name - Ocean Diver
Retains
- concentration on basic skills - if competency at these skills is not fully
- achieved, subsequent training takes longer
- rescue skills
Changes
- buoyancy control has been given much more attention
- navigation only by pilotage - also teaches trainees to look at their surroundings
- both of the above are factors in reducing the diver's impact on the environment
- high task loading skills such as compass and SMB use have been moved to Sports Diver - currently they occur before buoyancy skills properly mastered
Depth
- a depth range of 15-20m is specified due to problems in some areas obtaining exactly 20m
- whatever depth is achieved during training will be noted in the Qualification Record Book (QRB)
- this depth can subsequently be extended to a maximum of 20m under the supervision of an Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI), but may be partnered by a Dive Leader
Qualifying Dives
A combination of 5 dives, totaling a minimum underwater time of 120mins and a range of specified conditions better define experience requirements. |
| Sports Diver |
A more experienced diver who:
- can undertake dives including planned decompression
- can dive with others of equal status within the limits of their previous experience
- can dive with Ocean Divers within the limits of the Ocean Diver's experience
- has resuscitation skills
Retains
- the teaching of stage decompression stop procedures
- resuscitation / rescue skills
Changes
- use of distance lines to return to shot lines, included as part of decompression techniques
- SMB use moved from Ocean Diver and supplemented by DSMB use. This not only covers the use, but an understanding of when each is and is not appropriate
- compass use moved from Ocean Diver. Straight line courses only (no triangles or squares) but supplemented by use as a tool for the general awareness of position / direction
- as divers progress they acquire more kit so further advice on configurations appropriate to their experience level is included
- Assistant Dive Marshalling - basic involvement in branch dive organisation by taking on the role of log keeper under the supervision of the Dive Marshal
Qualifying dives
- a combination of 5 dives, totaling a minimum underwater time of 150mins and a range of specified conditions 20m max depth during training, but once qualified depth experience an be extended under the supervision of a NQI, and partnered by a Dive Leader minimum, progressively to 35m - if they want to!
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Dive Leader |
| Dive Leaders are expected to be able to plan and participate in a wider range of diving than Sport divers so the level of skills and knowledge is increased appropriately. In many circumstances Dive Leaders may be the most experienced divers available and hence may have no one of greater experience to help them to expand their own. They therefore need to understand how to expand their own experience progressively and safely.
In addition to personal rescue skills, Dive Leaders also need rescue management skills, as they will take on a wider role in branch diving activities. Part of this wider role includes organising and marshalling dives within the bounds of their experience and what is 'normal' diving for their branch.
Dive Leader training retains
- the leading of divers with lower qualifications, but expands this to address more adventurous diving
- the review of diving and rescue skills to ensure these are kept fully up to date and in practice
New additions
- planning and marshalling 'normal' branch dives - the definition of 'normal' is to locations well known to the branch or using experienced skippers - because this is what a lot of Dive Leaders do. This includes the basic interpretation of charts and tidal information
- Oxygen Administration and Practical Rescue Management have been absorbed into core diver training - although Oxygen Administration can still be done from Ocean Diver level
- deployment and recovery (using a simple lift) of a shot line, with associated basic rope handling kit configuration review appropriate to the diver's progression of experience and diving conditions
Qualifying dives
- A combination of 20 dives, totaling a minimum underwater time of 600 minutes and a range of specified conditions
- depth during training no more than 35m. Post qualification depth experience can be progressively extended to 50m - again if they want to! There is no compulsion to dive to that depth if people are not into that type of diving.
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Advanced Diver |
A diver who is comprehensively trained, experienced and responsible and can manage and supervise a wide range of adventurous and challenging diving activities including:
- branch diving expeditions to explore unfamiliar locations
- branch diving activities including dives utilising developing technology and techniques
- while Advanced Divers do not necessarily need to be qualified to use emerging technologies themselves, they need to know sufficient about it to understand how to safely incorporate it within branch diving.
Advanced Diver Key Features
- There are no SDC's in Advanced Diver training. Where have they gone?
- Oxygen Administration and Practical Rescue Management have moved to Dive Leader
- Advanced Diving Techniques and Dive Planning and Marshalling have been carved up and spread throughout the grades
- Boat Handling, Chart work& Position Fixing, Search & Recovery, and Advanced Nitrox all remain as SDC's outside 'core' training
Advanced Diver training will be focused on more challenging and adventurous diving:
- planning diving to 'new' locations using more in-depth knowledge of charts, tides etc, and with more understanding of the logistics involved
- boat / skipper awareness and co-ordination when diving from all types of platforms from small boats to large hard boats. Organising divers and logistics on all types of platforms
- setting up and using more advanced decompression techniques such as lazy shots, trapezes etc.
- understanding the impact on branch diving of emerging technologies
- it also includes a further review of diving and rescue skills to ensure these are kept fully up to date and in practice
Qualifying dives
A combination of 20 dives, totaling a minimum underwater time of 600 minutes and a range of specified conditions. |
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