Club Training
All training at Hazel Grove SAC is based on the British Sub Aqua Club
(BSAC) methodology and standards. You can start as early as 14 years
of age, however parental consent will be required for anybody under
18 years old. You must be reasonably fit and sign a sign a medical
declaration prior to diving with the club.
Hazel Grove provides an excellent training opportunity through a highly
structured and safe curriculum. It's great fun and you'll make a lot
of new friends. Equipment is available for hire and there is the opportunity
to purchase it when your ready.
As part of the club membership you will automatically join the BSAC
and receive your monthly Dive magazine.
The theory lectures are usually held in the club from 9:15pm onwards,
Tuesdays and Fridays and they usually last about an hour to an hour
and a half.
Skills training is either in the pool or in open water, the pool sessions
last about one hour and start at 8pm Tuesdays (Reddish Vale Sports
Centre) and Fridays (Jackson's Lane). The Club has to pay a substantial
sum to the local Council for the hire of the pool so a small charge
of £2.00 is made for each diver attending.
Open water sessions usually all day. Whilst we prefer to dive in the
sea, due to unsuitable diving conditions we sometimes use quarries
and rivers which can be just as good for learning the basics.
Diver Grades
The BSAC has been training people to dive since the early fifties.
During this time their Diver Training Programme has been regularly
updated and improved, to keep pace with developments in equipment and
diving knowledge. The programme is designed to build confidence and
self-reliance, whilst keeping safety uppermost.
Diving skills are taught progressively so that each new experience
is built upon step by step. Following basic training in the safety
of a swimming pool or protected area, students soon complete their
first open water dives to Ocean Diver level. This progression continues
to Sports Diver and beyond, where open water skills and techniques
are further developed.
Ocean Diver
This course provides you with the essential knowledge and skills needed
to prepare for open water diving. Learning to dive is all about learning
to use your equipment properly and safely. The Ocean Diver training
course concentrates on preparing you for this in the safety of a swimming
pool or sheltered water and then introducing you to open water in a
controlled and safe manner. This also gives you the opportunity to
practice safety skills in the company of a qualified instructor or
experienced diver.
See Ocean Diver syllabus for full details
of the Ocean diver training programme.
Sports Diver
In Sports Diver training, the emphasis is on building a sound foundation
of open water diving skills and experience through a series of structured
practical lessons. Once you have gained this open water experience
with a qualified instructor, you are ready to take part in dives with
other Sports Divers or those of higher grades.
See Sports Diver syllabus for full details
of the Sports diver training programme.
Dive Leader
Dive Leader training concentrates on the responsibilities and safety
aspects of leading an open water dive. Practical lessons in rescue
management and rescue skills will give you the confidence and ability
to deal with those unforeseen emergencies. Leading a dive will develop
your enjoyment and experience as a diver.
See Dive Leader syllabus for full details
of the Dive Leader training programme
Advanced Diver
This course further develops your knowledge and skills. You will gain
experience in planning and organising dives at different sites and
under different circumstances. Additional experience will be gained
in using small boats, chart work. navigation and many other related
skills. The BSAC consider this grade as being a fully trained diver.
See Advanced Diver syllabus for full details
of the Advanced diver training programme
1st Class Diver
The BSAC's highest diving grade which requires a higher than average
level of theoretical knowledge, organisational and personal diving
skills. The 1st Class Diver award is a culmination of a number of years
diving experience. BSAC 1st Class Divers are assessed through nationally
conducted examinations.
For further details, please Email our training officer, .
