The First Class Diver course is the pinnacle diver course within the BSAC. Within the Southsea Sub-Aqua club branch, we’ve had a number of members complete this course over the years and their names appear on the club’s honour roll board.
Whilst the content of the course has changed over the years to cater for new diving technologies that are being used by recreational divers, this course has always been a challenge and has required a high level of dedication, experience and training to complete it.
The course is run on a national level and involves a number of trips around the UK where the candidate’s skills are put through the rigors of training, sharpened up and more. There are three segments to the exam that can be completed in any order. They include a two day Practical Diving Assessment, an expedition plan and a theory test. To help the students with the course, there are various people across the country that can help on a mentoring basis.
A First Class Diver is expected to have an above-average level of knowledge and capable of organising diving expeditions to previously unknown places.
Prerequisites
As with previous courses, there are a number of criteria that you must have first completed prior to starting this course. You must have completed at least 100 dives in a range of conditions since qualifying (20 must be below 30m), be an Advanced Diver, and have successfully completed the following Skill Development Courses:
- Chartwork and Position Fixing
- Diver Coxswain Award
- Oxygen Administration
- Practical Rescue Management
- Advanced Lifesaver
- First Aid for Divers
The award of First Class Diver is normally presented at the BSAC Conference.
If you would like to speak to our Training Officer about starting this course, please speak to them on a club night or send them an email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You can read more about this course on the BSAC Website.
Return to the Training page...
