It is now nearly six months since my last update, so here's a round-up of the latest training news and developments from BSAC. Please note, this update will be of most interest to BSAC Branch Officers and instructors.
COVID-19
Following national changes to recommendations we have updated the COVID-19 Safe Diving Guidance. All instructors should familiarise themselves with these documents to protect everyone involved in training. We will be sharing the news of the updated guidance with all members in the next couple of weeks.
Updates to instructor manuals
We’ve started a process of updating instructor manuals and student guides so that they are more usable on phones, and other mobile devices. Several of the Ocean and Sports Diver manuals are complete and have been uploaded to the Instructor Materials area of the website (see OS1, SO1 and ST3 for examples). The remainder will follow in due course and we’ve also created a short video designed to explain how to access them.
Compressor Operation
Earlier in the year the Compressor Operation course was extensively updated bringing it into line with current legislation and best practice.
Shore Surveyor
The recently launched Shore Surveyor course is a great way to learn more about native species that are in decline and provides the knowledge to carry out shore surveys in order to help protect them.
Diving student record card
The student record cards available in the shop have been updated to include Advanced Ocean Diver.
Snorkelling student record card
The snorkelling student record card has also been updated.
BSAC App Phase 2
The next version of the BSAC App is being tested and will allow instructors to record completion of Diver Training Programme lessons. This information will then be visible to students either in the App or via the MyBSAC page on the web. It will be launched soon and will be supported by a detailed set of instructions and training so that the benefits can be maximised. We will be in touch with you again soon on this.
IFC and OWIC course manuals
In 2020, the definitions of Technically Correct and Effective were clarified in the manuals for Instructor Trainers (ITs). The student manuals have now been updated and anyone who has completed the Instructor Foundation Course (IFC) and Open Water Instructor Course (OWIC) should have access to them. I’d encourage all instructors to visit the Instructor course materials area of the website and update themselves. Note that you will only have access to materials relating to instructor grades that you hold!
Advanced Ocean Diver
It is great to see so many branches and centres, including the military, making use of the Advanced Ocean Diver (AOD) qualification. Feedback from branches, instructors and divers is universally positive so this may be a qualification that is appropriate for your students.
2023 courses
Thanks to the hard work of our Regional Coaching teams and senior members of the Instructor Training Scheme, there is a full programme of events for 2023 available to book on the website. If you are thinking of progressing your own qualifications or there are members of your branch looking to do the same then now is the ideal time to book! In addition, if you'd like to organise in-branch training, it will be worth you checking out the offer running through November on digital SDC training packs.
Open water Instructors (OWIs)
If you are an Open Water Instructor there are plenty of opportunities to progress to Advanced Instructor in 2023. This is an important instructor grade and a great qualification so I hope as many of you as possible will look at attending.
Incident report
The 2021 Incident Report has been published and contains details of 235 incidents. If you haven’t already done so, then I encourage you to have a look. There is also a video recording available of the recent Incident Report webinar presented by BSAC's Safety and Development Manager, Jim Watson.
Member survey
This weekend all members should be receiving an email containing a link to the 2022 member survey. The responses we get to this are important in determining BSAC’s future direction so it is hoped you’ll take the time to respond.
Please note, only qualified instructors can access the instructor materials.
Thank you once again for all your hard work. Safe diving!
Dom Robinson
BSAC Head of Diving and Training
Author: Dom Robinson | Posted 22 Nov 2022
