BS-AC sports diver grade

This page outlines the course for the Sports Diver grade. This is the second diving grade in the BS-AC grade sequence, and the next after Ocean Diver. BS-AC consider the Sports Diver grade to be equivalent to the CMAS Two Star Diver and PADI Rescue Diver levels.

Diving as a Sports Diver

A sports diver is a diver who is competent to dive with another Ocean Diver, within restriction of conditions already encountered by the Ocean Diver during their training and under the supervision of a Dive Marshal.

Sports Divers can dive with other Sport Divers within the restrictions of conditions already encountered during their training or previous experience and can dive with a Dive Leader (or higher) to expand experience beyond that previously encountered, under the supervision of a Dive Marshal.

Sports Divers can dive to a depth which is initially limited to 20m but which can subsequently be extended progressively, under the supervision of a Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI), to a maximum depth of 35m.

Sports Divers will have sufficient experience or knowledge to conduct stage decompression stop dives and provide full rescue and BLS.

Course

  • 6 Classroom lessons
  • Theory assessment
  • 1 Sheltered water (pool) lesson
  • 1 Refresher/Orientation dive (done as a pool session in DUSAC)
  • 5 Open water lessons/dives
  • 1 Dry practical lesson
  • 5 Dives, minimum of 150 minutes underwater time

To assist preparation for the theory you should try out the BSAC online quizzes!

Open water diving should encompass experience of at least five of the following: shelving shore dive, steep shore dive , dive using a shot line, low (2-4m) visibility dive, drift dive (0.5-1.0 knots), small boat dive, large boat dive, wall dive, dive in protective clothing, dive using breathing gas mix >21% O2.

Syllabus

Lesson type Lesson Key components Links
Theory lessons ST1: Sport Diving Sports diving, variety in diving, underwater conditions, Tides and currents, underwater visibility, surface conditions, local knowledge, risk assessments, minimising risk, personal limits Slides
Notes
ST2: Diver Rescue Effective rescues, buddy awareness, rescues, towing, landing casualty, resuscitation, recovery position, breathing and circulation, BLS, casualty care Slides
Notes
ST3: Equipment & Techniques Shot lines, Surface Marker Buoys (SMB), delayed SMBs, other surface detection aids, distance lines, compass, dive torches Slides
Notes
ST4: Deeper Diving Planning for deeper diving, pressure, nitrogen narcosis, decompression, BSAC tables, Dive computers, travelling and diving, altitude diving, surface intervals, safety margins Slides
Notes
ST5: Breathing Gas Planning & Systems Rule of thirds, cylinder sizing, breathing gas planning , alternative supply, BCD demand valves, Octopus, independent regulators, pony cylinders, twin sets Slides
Notes
ST6: Going Diving Leading dives, dive briefing, personal limits, Nitrox and rebreather divers Slides
Notes
Theory test Multiple choice review of lecture course
Pool lesson SS1: Rescue Skills Towing, towing with RB, Air sharing ascents, controlled buoyant lifts, removing kit Notes
Open water lessons SOR/O: Refresher / Orientation Mask clearing, inflator stuck drills, buoyancy Notes
SO1: Diver Rescue Towing and RB, jettisoning casualties weights, landing casualties, controlled buoyant lifts, full rescues from 6m Notes
SO2: Use of SMB Use SMB on a 15-20m dive Notes
SO3: Simulated Decompression Dry practice of distance lines, descending a shot line, using distance lines, time-air-depth management, ascents, Simulated 3 minute stops at 6m Notes
SO4: Compass Navigation / dSMB Dry practice of compass use and delayed SMB use, taking bearings, estimating distance, reciprocal bearing, swimming on a bearing, pilotage, deployment of delayed SMB from seabed Notes
SO5: Dive Leading / Basic Skills Review Removing mask, air sharing, buddy monitoring, navigation, time-air-depth management, ascents and safety stops Notes
Practical lesson SP1: Assistant Dive Marshal Notes

Instructors

All instruction is to be carried out or supervised by a Nationally Qualified Instructor, minimum Open Water Instructor. Other instructor requirements are as follows:

Grade: Can instruct:
ADI/Dive Leader Classroom, sheltered water, open water – on site supervision
Assistant OWI Classroom, sheltered water, open water – on site supervision
Theory Instructor Classroom – unsupervised
Practical Instructor Sheltered and open water – unsupervised
Open Water Instructor Classroom, sheltered water, open water – unsupervised

Exams

Theory exams for Sports Divers are run at various times throughout the year. Keep an eye out for emails from the training officer. To assist preparation for exams you should try out the BSAC online tests.