BSAC training

[Darkprincze]

Hi all,

I was doing a little research and came across BSAC training. Coming from the UK it seems a little more tailored for my needs. I had been going down the PADI route (had a bad experience if you read my other post), but given the climate here, it's going to be more expensive as dry suit training and advanced open water are all extras under the PADI system. It seems to me dry suit, advanced open water etc is all covered under the first BSAC certification - BSAC Ocean Diver. I found a club near where I live and for a yearly membership fee (which incidentally is roughly the price of a PADI OW course), they provide constant training and dives. Their instructors are unpaid and they do it voluntarily. Has anyone had any experience with BSAC? Is it recognised by other dive centres? I ask because I am going on holiday and all the dive centres there use PADI. Also I would like to continue diving at home and the BSAC seems better for that.

Cheers. Paul.

 

[DCBC]

BSAC is the World's oldest diving certification body (closely followed by the World Diving Federation: CMAS). Both Agencies teach similarly. Although I've owned a LDS, I've taught most of my recreational/technical diving as a volunteer in a Club setting. I believe that good instruction is something (like drinking fine wine) that shouldn't be rushed. A Club setting generally allows the training to be more comprehensive than commercially available programs (which are often more about the money than quality education). BSAC is recognized internationally and I'd encourage you to pursue this path.

 

[dbulmer]

Good move.

Most dive centres have heard of BSAC and you should not have any problem but you've started PADI training and I would advise you to complete it (or look into a referral) and then move over to BSAC.

Why? Nothing to do with PADI teaching methods just a practical consideration; in the summer months it's harder to schedule training times as most club divers are out diving if they can. A lot of training takes place in the winter months.

 

[Oldbear]

Paul,

My experience with BSAC is limited to just one club, the Kuwait Mantas. And from my experience the training and diving was fantastic. I came up the PADI system. When I was in Kuwait I joined BSAC just to dive. I also took thier Dive Leader's program; this was fairly simular to the PADI Dive Master, but just simular, not the same. Too me BSAC's and the PADI's training were just diffeerent enought that I feel my overall traiining has been much more comprehensive than just taking training from one agency. My BSAC Dive Officer hands down is the most experienced and knowledgable diver I have ever encountered and I cheerish the time I got to spend with him and truly learn the art of scuba diving.

As far as being a recoginized organization within the diving community, BSAC has the distinction of being the world's largest dive club. I now primarily dive in the western hemisphere so PADI is extremely recognized here, but BSAC is equally recognized worldwide. I would encourage any diver to explore the BSAC realm of diving as you have pointed out it is a club, which has its advantages, e.g. the socials and organized holidays. IMO BSAC will be money well spent and chances are you will develop live-long diving/friendship relationships.

I wish that I had the opportunity to join a UK based BSAC club. BTW I am still a BSAC member even though I have yet to find an affiliated club in the US.

Cheers,

Michael

 

[DevonDiver]

Has anyone had any experience with BSAC?

Yes, I was a nationally qualified instructor with BSAC.

Is it recognised by other dive centres?

Yes, it is generally accepted globally, as are certifications from most major scuba agencies and organizations.

BSAC qualification don't exactly mirror those from agencies that have adopted WRSTC guidelines. However, Ocean Diver can generally be considered an equivalent of Open Water certification. Sports Diver equates approximately to Advanced Open Water. If you add the BSAC Practical Rescue Management (PRM) course (along with CPR/First Aid certification) to the Sports Diver, then it compares with PADI Rescue Diver.

It is important to visit and assess a BSAC club before committing to membership. In a club environment you may notice distinct 'personalities' in different clubs - make sure that your potential club suits you and does the sort of diving that you want to achieve. Some clubs are more active than others. Some are more developmental of novice divers than others. Some have cliques and heavy politics... others are welcoming and inclusive.

You can hop-scotch between agencies to your heart's desire. Train with BSAC at home, do PADI courses on holiday... whatever you like. There is a robust system of course equivalencies between agencies, so you don't tend to get penalized for training however you want.

 

[Hickdive]

BSAC is the World's oldest diving certification body.

SSAC pre-dates BSAC by about six months.

That said, you can rest assured that BSAC qualifications are well-recognised worldwide.

Be aware though that because the instructors are mostly unpaid (there are BSAC schools though, DV Diving in Newtownards for example) you're tied to the instructor's schedule.

If you want to learn quickly then a school (BSAC or PADI) is probably the best choice.

If you're content to have your training over a longer period then a BSAC club is a good choice, particularly as you'll learn far more from listening to and watching the old salts when they're diving than you'll get in most formal courses.

However, you don't sell your soul to either organisation, there's absolutely nothing to stop you taking a PADI course if you're in a BSAC club or joining a BSAC club if your training has been through PADI and you can continue to chop and change as you wish. If you encounter a club or a school that simply gives the "other" organisation a slagging then you're best off going elsewhere though.

 

[Imla]

Just thought I'd mention.. In Norway, most dive centres train new divers in drysuit from the start. There is no extra charge for that, even if it is PADI. So I figure, if you look for a shop that does OW in the winter, they might have drysuits to train you in.

 

[knotical]

SSAC pre-dates BSAC by about six months...

That's my understanding as well. Both were formed in 1953. But FFESSM has them beat by five years (1948). And CDG goes back to 1946.

As others have said, BSAC is universally recognized. And well respected. And old.

 

[Edward3c]

Hi all,

I was doing a little research and came across BSAC training. Coming from the UK it seems a little more tailored for my needs. I had been going down the PADI route (had a bad experience if you read my other post), but given the climate here, it's going to be more expensive as dry suit training and advanced open water are all extras under the PADI system. It seems to me dry suit, advanced open water etc is all covered under the first BSAC certification - BSAC Ocean Diver. I found a club near where I live and for a yearly membership fee (which incidentally is roughly the price of a PADI OW course), they provide constant training and dives. Their instructors are unpaid and they do it voluntarily. Has anyone had any experience with BSAC? Is it recognised by other dive centres? I ask because I am going on holiday and all the dive centres there use PADI. Also I would like to continue diving at home and the BSAC seems better for that.

Cheers. Paul.

I’d just like to cover some points not included in the replies so far.

You can train in a dry-suit from the start. Saves the expense of buying a wet-suit then a dry-suit. Its possible to hire them from dive shops for training with BSAC if your local club doesn’t have any.

Qualification recognition. BSAC’s diver qualifications comply with ISO/EU standards.

According to the club listing there are a number of BSAC clubs in NI. See here and enter your Postcode.

Welcome to the fascinating underwater world.

 

[dbulmer]

I’d just like to cover some points not included in the replies so far.

You can train in a dry-suit from the start. Saves the expense of buying a wet-suit then a dry-suit. Its possible to hire them from dive shops for training with BSAC if your local club doesn’t have any.

Qualification recognition. BSAC’s diver qualifications comply with ISO/EU standards.

According to the club listing there are a number of BSAC clubs in NI. See here and enter your Postcode.

Welcome to the fascinating underwater world.

Nitrox as well if I'm not mistaken?