Now's the time to recruit already trained divers to your club

There are thousands of already qualified divers in the UK and early summer is the best time to attract them to your club. Learn how with this guide.

Whether they’ve learnt on holiday and want to dip their fin into UK waters, are UK-experienced and looking for a group of dive buddies or would like to help others to learn to dive, there are thousands of already qualified divers out there who have yet to experience BSAC club diving.

These divers represent a massive opportunity for your club - around 45% of new BSAC members already have a diver qualification from another agency. And, with an already trained diver, you have a head start as they are already ‘sold’ on scuba and can get going as an active diver and club member straight away.  

The best time to recruit already qualified divers is the early summer - so they can get "hooked" on your club and UK diving over the summer.

Already qualified divers are more likely to continue their BSAC membership beyond their first year compared to a new trainee. So, time spent welcoming a qualified diver into your club this dive season will undoubtedly be time well spent.

Here are our top tips on attracting already trained divers...

Catch their attention

• Your Facebook Page will be your best friend here. Create a post along the lines of the following and use the 'Boost' feature to promote your post to people in your local area. We recommend you target people within a given radius of your club and target people who 'like' : 'scuba diving', the big agency Pages such as PADI, SSi etc. Suggested Facebook post text(you'll need a great pic to go with it that shows off club life and UK diving):
  Already qualified diver? Try scuba diving with xxyour club namexx! We offer refresher courses or one-to-one training for those who have learnt on holiday a while ago. Please get in touch for details and to arrange a visit. Please contact Xcontact namex on xnumberx or at xxxx@xxx.xx. More info at: xxLink to your websitexx
  Step-by-step guide to boosting posts
• Have a page for already trained divers on your website. Get support on how to do this. Your website (and Facebook Page) need to appeal to potential members and provide the information they need. For already trained divers, this means showcasing how active your club is – from a busy diving and training calendar to great photos posted up after each trip. And make sure it’s easy to get in touch with you to find out more.

• An active, friendly club is an attractive proposition so talking to other divers when out and about and letting them know what your club offers can reap new member rewards.  At quarries and on dive trips, use your BSAC club banner to get your club seen and strike up conversations with the divers around you. 
  
  

Get them diving with you

The best way for an already qualified diver to test out BSAC diving is to get them in the water, so invite them on a club dive as soon as possible.

Inviting them as a guest is not only a good way to see their diving skills but it also shows your club in action. The right buddy, a great (but diver appropriate) dive site, and a friendly, fun group will create a positive taster of BSAC club life to whet their appetite for more.

Remember:

• BSAC welcomes ALL divers – if their qualification is recognised and valid then they can dive with us! Check out our qualification equivalency chart.
• An already qualified diver can guest dive with a BSAC club and will be covered by BSAC’s third party liability insurance (already trained divers can dive up to seven times within a year with a club before joining and still be covered with BSAC's insurance).
• A diver with a qualification from another agency doesn’t have to re-train with BSAC or apply for a BSAC equivalency qualification card. They can simply dive within the limits of their current diver grade if they wish too.
  
  

Embracing club life

Once you’re diver joins, your next task is to keep them motivated so they quickly embed into your club and club activities.

• Get them booked onto a club trip so they can relax into your club and have some fun. If need be, arrange to have any ‘skill gap’ training such as a skills refresher or dry suit training done as a priority so they can do what they joined your club to do – go diving! Using your club trip calendar to showcase how awesome UK diving is will get them planning ahead, this season and beyond.

Remember: already trained divers do not need to retrain or crossover their grade to BSAC so make sure they feel that their other agency grade is respected and that you understand and value the skill level they have obtained.  However, joining your club’s training for the next BSAC diver grade is also great way for them to get to know others.

• Encourage your new member to book on a Skill Development Course too - highlight courses that can help them play an active role in your club, such as Boat Handling, First Aid or Practical Rescue Management. Also look at SDCs that could help your member progress their own diving – ADP or Twinset for example - and looking ahead to where their club diving can take them. 
• Assign a 'buddy' to look after members through their first year. Think about the best person for the job (it doesn't have to be a committee member). This is just as important for already trained divers as it is for new trainees.

• Finally, ensure they are informed and included in your club’s social and non-diving plans, and given the chance to get involved in organising activities so they quickly feel that this is the club they belong to.

After instructing abroad, I joined a BSAC club and instantly understood that BSAC is about community as much as diving. People come together to experience diving as friends, rather than get as many dives as possible or get another certification.  I've met some amazing people who have taken me all over the world, challenged me to become a better diver, and have made   lifelong friends.

- Phil Fieldhouse, University of Nottingham SAC (PADI OWSI, BSAC OWI & Dive Leader)

Roll out the Instructor red carpet!

Other agency divers with an instructor qualification are a fantastic addition to any club and should be welcomed with open arms!

When bringing an other agency instructor into your club, it’s important to show that BSAC values their qualification and experience. They can make a really big difference in training and developing your members - all they need to do is complete the BSAC Instructor Crossover, which involves some pre-study and then attendance on the Open Water Instructor Course.

To help, BSAC has recently made it even easier for other agency instructors to teach in a BSAC club, including a reduction in price for the Instructor Crossover course.  You can find out more at Instructor Crossover.

Need more advice?  For more information and guidance on recruiting other agency/already trained divers, check out our web section - How to recruit already trained divers.