The below FAQ has been created to answer your immediate questions about teaching Advanced Ocean Diver (AOD) in your BSAC Centre.
If you have any additional specific questions regarding the new Advanced Ocean Diver course, please email drt@bsac.com.
What are the benefits of Advanced Ocean Diver for BSAC training centres?
The new Advanced Ocean Diver course is a commercial response to ensure BSAC remains competitive while directly supporting BSAC centres to attract new customers who would otherwise potentially choose another agency to learn to dive.
As an optional add-on after Ocean Diver qualification, Advanced Ocean Diver has been positioned to directly compete against other entry-level training such as PADI’s Advanced Open Water certification. The modular system of AOD with eLearning is also much more commercially adapted and suited to delivery through a BSAC Centre, both in the UK and overseas.
By using the option of eLearning, AOD can also be delivered over two days. This works to the expectations of the holiday or travelling customer and means they can qualify as an Ocean Diver and an Advanced Ocean Diver within five days.
What are the unique selling points for customers of this course over other agency alternatives?
Positioned to compete with other agency entry-level diver grades, AOD has some distinct advantages to the student:
- The course pack is competitively priced and are further discounted for centres based on the volume sold.
- Option for eLearning so they can complete their theory at home or before the course.
- The AOD course can be completed in as little as two days.
- AOD is part of BSAC’s internationally recognised diver qualifications so they can dive anywhere in the world (within the limits of their qualification).
- Provides additional skills, such as Nitrox and DSMB, that are not included in some other agency equivalent grades.
- AOD also counts towards the next BSAC grade, Sports Diver.
- They have the option of joining a BSAC club when home to continue their diving and training journey.
- All the benefits of BSAC membership, including third-party insurance, access to world-class training and diver advice and support.
- Students will be learning and training on Nitrox improving both the experience and safety.
What lessons/modules is the AOD course made up of?
To enrol on the Advanced Ocean Diver, a trainee must have successfully completed the BSAC Ocean Diver course. They must also be aged 14 or over to progress to the maximum depth of 30m.
Those who hold an equivalent qualification from another agency qualification can attend the course but will need a nitrox qualification. For those who do not have it they this can be included in the course via the BSAC Nitrox Workshop.
As an Advanced Ocean Diver trainee, they will need to complete the following to obtain their AOD qualification:
Theory:
- Four theory modules covering the skills and techniques to dive deeper (these lessons can be classroom-based or delivered via eLearning)
Practical:
- An optional skill refresher session
- Two open water lessons
- Two depth progression dives (25/30 m)
- A compass lesson which can be integrated in any of the other dives
What Nitrox training do AODs get?
Advanced Ocean Divers receive the same Nitrox training as Sports Divers so can use it to both extend dive time and increase safety.
How do we progress a diver from AOD to Sports Diver?
A diver with the Advanced Ocean Diver qualification can choose to complete their Sports Diver training at a BSAC Centre, in the UK or overseas, or opt to continue their diver training within a BSAC club.
The Advanced Ocean Diver will need the Advanced Ocean Diver to Sports Diver pack, which includes all the outstanding Sports Diver theory sessions and practical lessons they need to complete.
How long will it take to deliver an AOD course?
The beauty of the Advanced Ocean Diver is that it has been designed to be flexible for both centres and clubs, and so there is no set timescale for delivery. However, by using the option of eLearning, a BSAC Centre can then complete the practical sessions in two days.
This is in direct comparison with the equivalent other agency training courses. It also works to the expectations of the holiday or travelling customer, meaning they can qualify as an Ocean Diver and an Advanced Ocean Diver within a week.
Are the equivalent modules in Advanced Ocean Diver different to those in Sports Diver?
The following modules are identical and can be taught together:
- AOT2 and ST3 – Equipment and Techniques
- AOT3 and ST4 – Deeper diving
- AOT4 and ST5 – Breathing gas planning & systems
- AOO1 and SO2 - Use of surface marker buoy
- AOO2 and AOO3 contains the content from SO4 Compass navigation and DSMB deployment
What format are the AOD student materials available in and how much are they?
The Advanced Ocean Diver student materials are only available in a digital format and cost £20, which includes their physical QCard. Centres can order AOD student packs from the BSAC Shop.
Centres are eligible for discounted rates on digital training packs which start at 10% but can be as much as 50% depending on the volume sold. If you do not know how to apply this, please contact adrianc@bsac.com.
Is there eLearning for the theory element?
eLearning is available as an option for all the theory elements of the Advanced Ocean Diver course to support its commercial delivery within a BSAC Centre. This gives the AOD student greater flexibility as to how they learn as well as the option to complete all the theory in their own time, which could include before they fly out to complete the AOD course on holiday.
Why is 14 the minimum age for Advanced Ocean Diver but Sports Diver is only 12?
BSAC’s policy, based on advice from the UK Diving Medical Committee (UK DMC), is that young people should not dive below 20m until they are 14 years old. Diving to 30m is an integral part of the Advanced Ocean Diver course.
The maximum depth reached on the Sports Diver (SD) course is 20m and depth progression only occurs once the qualification has been gained. Younger divers who complete SD are limited to 20m until they reach 14 years old.
