Training
An important feature of our branch is the high quality of training which we provide for new and qualified divers. This is performed under the guidance of the governing body for diving in Scotland – the Scottish Sub Aqua Club (ScotSAC)
Download the ScotSAC Sport Diver Lecture Notes from the ScotSAC website.
All new diver training is executed within our own branch using our own instructors and resources. This leads to the internationally recognized Sport Diver award. Short conversion courses are available for divers qualified under different regimes including PADI, SAA and BSAC. ScotSAC offer training to Master Diver level and conduct specialist training in a number of fields such as boat handling, photography, marine biology and radio operation and charges are usually set to cover only accommodation and equipment hire. You will not be asked to join the Club immediately, so you can visit the Club for a few weeks and see what is involved in more detail before making a decision.
Club Training. This will give an idea of what is required to get qualified to begin open water training.
Open Water Training. This will give you details of the requirements of the open water training to obtain ScotSAC Sport Diver or Master Diver level.
Lecture Program. This details all the lectures given as part of the Snorkelling, Sport and Master Diver training programs.
Compressor Operator. This lists the requirements to become a club compressor operator.
Boat Tower. This lists the requirements to become a club boat tower.
Boat Handler. This lists the requirements to become a club boat handler.
Club Training – Lectures.
The club training starts on a Tuesday evening at 7.45pm. The first hour will be a lecture taken from the list of ScotSAC standard, sport diver and master diver lectures. We often have additional talks by divers in place of the regular lecture program. If you need a particular lecture to complete your set, speak to one of the Branch Instructures or to the BDO.
Club Training – Pool.
After the lecture finishes, we move to the local pool for one hour of pool practice and testing.
We will take you through the initial stages of a swimming test, some snorkeling practice and tests, and then progress you on to the use of the aqualung.
This includes various practice and tests, such as mask and demand valve clearing, removing and replacing equipment under water, buoyancy control, and finally on to rescue and resuscitation.
Once you become proficient in the use of the aqualung, and you can get your hands on a dry-suit, you can join our diving trips at the weekend. Until you complete your pool training, you will be limited to diving to 5m, but after the BDO has signed off your pool training, you can dive to 20m.
Open Water Training.
Open water students are welcomed on all club dives which take place every weekend. On these, qualified divers will be glad to share their experience by assisting with their training in any of the many varied sites which we have available. Using our powerful RIB trainees can practice in quiet bays, off shallow cliffs or on sheltered safe wrecks allowing them to build up valuable experience of all types of diving.
For Sport Diver, you are required to perform a minimum of 10 dives. The first 3 down to a maximum of 10m, the remaining 7 dives to be between 10m and 20m. There are also several open water tests to be performed.
These include buoyancy adjustment, signals demonstration, mask clearing, demand valve clearing, regulator sharing, shared ascents, a compass course and a rescue drill. These must all be performed from a depth of 15m. Two means of water entry from a height of 1m must also be demonstrated. The manual inflation of your BCD must also be performed. You will also have to perform a 100m snorkel swim and swim 200m on your back.
Once these tests are complete, and you have a minimum of 5 hours underwater, and the BDO is satisfied with your performance, you will be recommended to ScotSAC for the Sport Diver award. Once obtained, you can dive to a maximum depth of 30m. This award is recognized worldwide and will permit various levels of diving internationally.
Lecture Program.
Download the ScotSAC Lecture Notes from the ScotSAC website.
Standard Lectures
- Ears & Sinuses
- Signals & Surfacing Drill
- Description & Use Of B.C.D.s
Sport Diver Lectures
- Basic Equipment
- Effects Of Pressure
- Aqualung Use And Buoyancy Control
- Burst Lung And Ascent In An Emergency
- Respiration, Hyperventilation, Anoxia & Hypoxia
- Exhaustion, Protective Clothing & Hypothermia
- Rescue & Life Saving
- Principles Of The Aqualung
- Maintenance Of Equipment & Diving Accessories
- Open Water Diving & Dive Procedure
- Decompression, Hazards & Avoidance
- Decompression Tables
- SSAC Organisation
Master Diver Lectures
- Safety & Emergency Procedures
- Nitrogen Absorption & Narcosis
- Decompression (Advanced)
- Oxygen, Carbon Monoxide & Carbon Dioxide Poisoning
- Underwater Navigation & Search Methods
- Basic Seamanship
- Expedition Organisation
- Compressor Operation Lecture
- Compressor Operation Practical
- Written Lecture Test’
Compressor Operator.
To become a compressor operator you must do 4 evenings performing air fills under the supervision of a current compressor operator. You must also complete the compressor lecture and practical. Once completed, you may operate the compressor unsupervised.
See the Compressor Rota for who is filling on what dates. Arrange with the operator on that date. Make sure you get the evening signed off by the operator.
Boat Tower.
To qualify to tow the boat, you must complete 4 days out towing the boat under the supervision of a current Boat Tower. This will include launching and recovering the boat on the slip. Contact the current Boat Officer to arrange your dates.
Boat Handler.
To qualify as a boat handler, you must complete the Day Course, then perform 5 days out as boat handler. One day must be a rough weather day. Contact the current Boat Officer to arrange your days.