This guidance is to help our clubs keep young people safe whilst enjoying their training and diving with BSAC.
For guidance on the safeguarding of young divers and snorkellers, please see the BSAC Safeguarding policy.
- All open water dives involving under 18s must be managed (on-site) by a suitably qualified diver over the age of 18.
- Supervision of divers over the age of 14 should follow the existing guidelines outlined in the BSAC Diver Training Programme.
- Dive Managers are reminded of the Duty of Care, subject to risk assessment, to provide sites and conditions suitable for all the divers in the diving group.
- BSAC clubs with members under the age of 18 are recommended to follow good practice by appointing a Branch Welfare Officer and adhere to the BSAC Safeguarding - Procedures and Guidelines (for clubs in Scotland this practice is required by law).
Qualification limitations (for 10-14 years)
Junior Diving Members, between the ages of 10 and 14, may train and dive with clubs and centres in BSAC. The following requirements are for those clubs who choose to welcome Junior Diving Members to train and dive.
Age 10-12 |
Age 12-14 |
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Max. qualification |
Discovery Diver | Sports Diver (Under 14s who have completed Sports Diver can undertake Dive Leader training that does not require depth in excess of 20m or entail mandatory decompression, but will not be able to complete the course until their 14th birthday) |
Max. depth |
12m | 20m |
Supervision |
Must be directly supervised in open water by a diver who is over the age of 18 and is qualified to the minimum grade of Dive Leader (or equivalent), while under the supervision of a Dive Manager. | Must be directly supervised in open water by a diver who is over the age of 18 and is qualified to the minimum grade of Sports Diver (or equivalent). |
Notes |
Sports Divers under 14 cannot embark on the post-Sports Diver depth progression. |
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Qualification limitations (for 14+ years)
Diver Training Programme
- There are no limitations on Diver Training, so over 14s can progress to Advanced Diver.
- There must be a responsible adult present when under 18s are diving (e.g., an under 18 could act as Dive Manager but would need adult support).
Skill Development Courses (SDCs)
- Boat handling - minimum age 14.
- Diver Coxswain - minimum age 16.
- Compressor Operator - minimum age 16 (under adult supervision).
- Technical diver training for mixed gases (trimix) and CCR Rebreather training - minimum age 18.
Instructor Training Scheme
- IFC & OWIC - minimum age 16.
- TIE & PIE - minimum age 18.
- Snorkel Instructor - students can do the SITCA and become full instructors at 16, but they can only teach under adult supervision.
