WUC Rules POST SGM July 2010.doc

What is a Club Dive?

The following MUST be assessed as being Club Dives:

1. An training dive

2. Any dive involving the Club RIB

3. Any dive arranged as a scheduled activity of the club and displayed on the Club Notice Boards and Web-site involving 2 or more members This must be notified to the Diving Officer in advance

Under other circumstances members of the club can dive together and not classify it as a Club Dive, although normally this activity would be expected to be a club dive, especially if occurring within the UK. Dives should typically be longer than 5 minutes

What is the Minimum Qualification for Dive Managing?

A Dive Leader with the necessary managing qualifications (which includes all DLs under the new training scheme), or an Advanced Diver or First Class Diver. The DO will consider the suitability of any plans in advance, and authorization will be given depending on the relevant experience of the Manager, especially for Dive Leaders.

What is the Minimum Number of Members for a Club Dive?

This will depend on the circumstances of the dive:

Hard boat diving or skippered RIBs will need at least two members

Shore diving will need four members generally (at least two for shore cover) although two experienced divers at supervised inland sites (e.g. Stoney Cove) might be acceptable

Training dives normally require a minimum of 4 people including two Nationally Qualified Instructors (NQIs). 2 may be sufficient for advanced training from skippered boats

Club RIB dives need at least 4 divers including one recognized Boat Handler

Generally, a minimum of 2 club members diving together 

How is a Club Dive Arranged?

Discuss with DO and get pre-authorisation

Inform DO of safe return

Inform DO as soon as possible if an incident occurs

Use Club Dive Sheet (obtainable from DO) and return to DO as soon as possible

Who Can Teach What?

Section 4.2.5 of the BSAC Branch Officer's Manual states:

It is the BSAC's policy that all instruction shall be undertaken by Nationally Qualified Instructors (Section 2.2.1). All instruction must be carried out or supervised ((the definition of supervision is contained in the BSAC Instructor Manual) by a Nationally Qualified Instructor. A 'supervising' Nationally Qualified Instructor may be assisted in presenting individual lessons as shown below.

Try Dive- The Instructor must be at least an Assistant Diving Instructor 

Ocean Diver Training - Instructor must be at least (minimum level) a Sports Diver + Assistant Diving Instructor (under supervision of Nationally Qualified Instructor)

Sports Diver Training - Instructor must be at least (minimum level) a Sports Diver + Assistant Diving Instructor (under supervision of Nationally Qualified Instructor)

Dive Leader Training - Instructor must be at least (minimum level) a Dive Leader + Assistant Open Water instructor (under supervision of Nationally Qualified Instructor)

Advanced Diver Training - Instructor must be at least (minimum level) an Advanced Diver + Nationally Qualified Instructor (under supervision of an Advanced Instructor)

The Nationally Qualified Instructor (minimum OWI) who oversees open water training should acquaint the instructor with the aims of the training course and lesson contents, which are published in the BSAC Instructor Manual. Providing instructors with relevant lesson materials from the Branch Resource of Training Materials does this best.

Club Instructor is a pre 2002 Nationally Qualified Instructor qualification, because no open water assessment was required, they are not permitted to supervise either Assistant Diving Instructors or Practical Instructors at open water locations. However, they are permitted to teach open water lessons (to their diver grade) without the need for another Nationally Qualified Instructor to be present.

This schedule is adhered to by the Club, but all training dives must be sanctioned by the DO, who may insist on more senior instructors if he/she feels it to be necessary.