OBUSAC

Learning to dive / Crossing Over / Improving your skills

Click here to go direct to the course schedule
Click here to find out how to 'Cross-Over' from a different training org.
Click here to find out more about 'Easter Training'

New members start training in September each year. Training for novice divers to Ocean Diver level (and for members crossing over from other training organisations) begins on Tuesday evenings and carries on through the Autumn term. This comprises lectures at 7:00 followed by pool sessions at 8:30 to practice in-water skills (the pool is just across London Road at Headington Girls School). A short test is taken at the end of term to check you have attained the level required.

By Christmas we expect to have trained newcomers to Ocean Diver level, so we can start on the Sports Diver training programme in the new year; this continues through the Spring term. The Sports Diver training culminates in a compulsory ten day Easter Training trip to Cornwall (known as ET) to put everything you've learnt into practice in a real 'open water' environment. Equipment for ET must be bought in January/Febuary to ensure you have a chance to practice with it before getting into the sea.

For those who want to continue developing skills after ET, the theory element of Dive Leader training is taught in the Summer term but you have to complete at least 20 certified open water dives after gaining your Sports Diver qualification before the Dive Leader exam can be taken.

If you already have a qualification from another training organisation i.e. PADI, CMAS, SAA, etc., you can 'Cross Over'to the equivalent BSAC diver qualification upon proof of your existing qualification(s) and following a skills-check by one of our instructors in the pool. We do appreciate your attending the basic lectures and pool sessions during the Autumn/Spring terms as some details in the BSAC training may differ to the training you have already received... It also helps everyone get to know each other!

Please note that all divers need to sign a declaration of their fitness to dive annually, including details of any relevant medical conditions &/or medication(s) they have been prescribed. Failure to do so is not in an individuals interests as it is illegal and potentially fatal!

During your time with the club we encourage members to continue developing their skills. This helps both the members and the club, as many become involved in helping to run the club as dive leaders, diving instructors and/or committee members. For those who are interested, we run a series of more advanced courses throughout the year. Last years courses included:- Extended Nitrogen Range, BSAC Lifesaver Award, Oxygen Administration, Club Instructor, Assistant Club Instructor and Boat Handling. Take a look at the table below for details of training we hope to provide this year.

For details of all courses use this link to e-mail the Training Officer (unless another contact is mentioned in the table).

Easter Training comprises a 10 day trip based at the Porthkerris Dive Centre near St. Keverne on the Lizard Peninsular in Cornwall. We stay in modern caravan accommodation (with hot & cold running water and central heating!). The dive centre provides the following facilities:-
Cafe
Toilets
Restaurant/Bar
Shore Dives
Boat Dives
Boat launching
Air Fills
...and more.

We aim to carry out two dives a day (weather permitting) giving plenty of opportunities for you to become comfortable in an open water environment and to practice or develop new skills. Trainees will also find some time to relax in this lovely part of Cornwall.

This area offers a range of diving opportunities from boat or shore. These include a good range of wreck sites and some stunning natural underwater landscapes including inshore reefs and the Manacles - a dramatic group of rocks lying approximately a mile offshore, that reach the surface from a depth of around 40 metres. (Later in the year, basking sharks can be found in the area, feeding on the plankton in these warmer Gulf Stream waters).

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