Ocean Diver Training

OT1 – Adapting to the Underwater World

Module Objectives

This module provides a basic understanding of air and water pressure and the effects of the underwater environment on the diver. It also covers the purpose and function of diving equipment, and the other specialist kit that divers need, and introduces the concept of buoyancy. Heat loss from the body and how this can be reduced through the proper choice of protective clothing is considered.

Achievement Targets

• Have a basic understanding of air and water pressure and the physical effects on the diver of the underwater environment
• Understand the purpose and function of basic equipment
• Understand the purpose and function of scuba equipment
• Understand buoyancy
• Understand heat loss, body temperature control and thermal protection options

Equipment Required

• Mask, fins, snorkel, and weight systems
• Scuba equipment – cylinder, regulator with alternative supply, and buoyancy compensator
• Wetsuits and drysuits

OT2 – The Body and the Effects of Diving

Module Objectives

Having introduced how air and water pressure affect divers in relation to basic and scuba equipment in OT1, this module looks in more detail at the human body and the effects of diving on it. Understanding the body provides a background to future modules on diving disorders, prevention and treatment. Diving with nitrox mixes is introduced.

Achievement Targets

• Have a basic understanding of respiration and circulation
• Understand the need to monitor breathing gas
• Understand the need for general awareness and fitness before diving
• Understand what happens to air spaces in the body when diving
• Have a basic understanding of the effects of nitrogen on the body when diving
• Understand that management of nitrogen is crucial to minimise the risk of decompression illness (DCI)
• Have a basic understanding of breathing gas mixtures and the effect of oxygen on the body when diving

Equipment Required

• Dive computers, BSAC dive tables, oxygen analyser, diving cylinder, etc.

OT3 – Going Diving

Module Objectives

This module offers practical advice to students on going diving. They may recognise many elements from their practical sessions and here we give guidance on what to expect on dives.

Achievement Targets

• Know that diving is an adventurous sport and that risks need to be assessed and mitigated to make it as safe as possible
• Understand the importance of diving as a buddy pair
• Understand that diving is controlled by a Dive Manager
• Understand the importance of the dive plan, briefing and buddy check
• Know how to use diving signals
• Know what to expect and what to consider during a dive
• Have a basic understanding of the environment underwater

Equipment Required

• Flag, torch, knife, net cutters, compass, etc.

OT4 – Dive Planning

Module Objectives

Having walked through what students can expect to happen on an open-water dive in the last session, this module looks in more detail at the basics of dive planning. It reinforces the need for decompression planning and gives practical advice for planning with tables and dive computers. Gas planning and gas toxicity are also covered.

Achievement Targets

• Know how to manage nitrogen absorption and release to minimise the risk of decompression illness (DCI)
• Understand the terminology used in the BSAC decompression tables and how to use the tables to plan a single dive
• Know how to plan repeat dives with no mandatory decompression stops
• Know the monitoring equipment needed to dive a planned dive
• Understand the basic functions of dive computers and how they can be used for dive planning and diving
• Understand the fundamental differences between dive tables and dive computers and that neither tables nor dive computers are infallible
• Be aware of the effects of altitude on decompression planning
• Be aware of the effects of flying on decompression planning
• Reinforce their basic understanding of oxygen toxicity
• Reinforce the need for gas planning, the use of the rule of thirds to plan gas requirements, and the need to monitor gas on dives

OT5 – What Happens If?

Module Objectives

Diver training is “preventive” training; not only when teaching diving skills but also when anticipating how to recognise and resolve problems should they arise. As Ocean Diver students are at an early level of training, some of the areas considered will give them an awareness rather than in-depth knowledge and these will be built on in later diver training grades.

Achievement Targets

• Understand that anticipating problems is part of dive training and planning
• Understand the importance of the early resolution of underwater problems
• Be aware of the types of problem that divers may encounter
• Know that oxygen administration is a first-aid tool for divers
• Know that recompression treatment should be sought following any abnormalities present after a dive
• Know how to effect a rescue

Equipment Required

• Oxygen administration kit
• SMB/DSMB

OT6 – Enjoying Your Diving

Module Objectives

When students have completed their Ocean Diver training, they will begin to extend their diving either with a BSAC branch, BSAC centre or on other organised dive trips. They will experience a variety of different dive sites and different diving conditions. This module pulls together what they have already learned and experienced during training and takes it forward because, as qualified divers, they will need to incorporate some of the advice into their planning and diving.

Achievement Targets

• Know about the different types of dive site and diving conditions that they may experience in the future
• Be aware of the different diving platforms that they may encounter
• Understand the essentials of reef, wreck and night diving
• Understand that reef and wreck divers carry a responsibility to protect the sites for future divers
• Be able to plan for holiday diving, which may take place outside a branch or centre
• Know how to progress their experience once qualified as Ocean Divers

Equipment Required

• A diving knife or net cutter
• A diving torch
• A light stick or strobe light

OS1 – Being Underwater

1. SEEDS brief

2. Fit and use mask, fins and snorkel – in standing depth

• Enter into shallow water, without equipment
• Demist mask
• Fit mask
• Secure snorkel
• Breathe through snorkel, face submerged, static
• Flood/clear snorkel by exhaling, static
• Fit fins
• Practise finning on back
• Practise finning on front
• Flood/clear snorkel, face submerged, while finning
• Remove fins
• If needed, exit water

3. Fit and use scuba – in standing depth

• Fit weight belt
• Fit scuba equipment
• Quick but thorough buddy check
• Refit mask
• If needed, enter into shallow water, wearing scuba kit
• Breathe from demand valve, standing depth
• Use hand signals
• Fit fins, standing depth

4. Buoyancy control – in standing depth

• Demonstrate BC controls, on the surface
• Swim on back with BC inflated, on the surface
• Swim on front with BC inflated, on the surface
• Monitor instruments
• Descend and adjust for neutral buoyancy, kneeling
• Adjust buoyancy lying flat
• Hover clear of bottom
• Check trim
• Swim at constant depth, develop finning action

5. Swimming underwater – in deeper water

• Buoyancy adjustment with changing depth
• Use hand signals
• Practise swimming underwater

6. Remove scuba – in standing depth

• Remove fins
• Remove weight belt
• Remove scuba kit
• Exit water

7. Equipment care

8. REAP debrief

OS2 – Basic Skills

1. SEEDS brief

2. Kit assembly

3. Kit up and buddy check, dry run and entry

• Fit weight belt
• Fit scuba equipment
• Buddy check
• Dry run, demand valve clear by exhaling
• Dry run, demand valve clear with purge button
• Fit mask and regulator
• Entry
• Fit fins, standing depth

4. Surface and underwater swimming, buoyancy control

• Swim on back with BC inflated, on the surface
• Swim on front with BC inflated, on the surface
• Buoyancy check, standing depth
• Swim underwater to deeper water
• Consolidate underwater use of BC controls, deeper water
• Mini ascent/descent, deeper water
• Ascend to surface, deeper water
• Descend to bottom, deeper water
• Swim underwater to standing depth

5. Mask and demand-valve clearing – in standing depth

• Breathing without mask, nose submerged
• Mask clearing, face partially submerged (no strap fitted)
• Mask clearing, face submerged (no strap fitted)
• Mask clearing, standing depth (no strap fitted)
• Partial-flood mask clearing, standing depth (strap fitted)
• Progressive-flood mask clearing, standing depth (strap fitted)
• Full-flood mask clearing, standing depth (strap fitted)
• Demand valve clearing by exhaling
• Demand valve clearing with purge button
• Switch to own AS demand valve
• Demand-valve retrieval
• Demand-valve retrieval and switch
• Full demand-valve retrieval and clear

6. Use of alternative supply – in standing depth

• Underwater use of ‘out of gas’ signal
• Use of AS, student as donor
• Use of AS, student as recipient

7. Exit and de-kit

• Remove fins
• Exit water
• De-kit

8. Equipment care

9. REAP debrief

OS3 – Developing Skills

1. SEEDS brief

2. Kit up and buddy check, dry run and entry

• Assemble scuba equipment
• Carry out functionality checks
• Kit up and buddy check
• Dry run, action for BC inflator stuck open
• Stride entry, into deeper water

3. Buoyancy control and descent/ascent procedures

• Demand valve and snorkel exchanges while surface swimming
• Controlled descent into deeper water
• Efficient underwater swimming (changing depth)
• BC inflator stuck open
• Mid-water hover
• Controlled ascent and surfacing procedure

4. Mask clearing – in deeper water

• Partial-flood mask clearing, standing depth
• Full-flood mask clearing, standing depth
• Remove and replace mask, standing depth
• Breathing from a free-flowing regulator, standing depth
• Recap mask clearing, in deeper water
• Partial-flood mask clearing, deeper water
• Full-flood mask clearing, deeper water
• Remove and replace mask, in deeper water

5. Alternative-supply ascents – in deeper water

• Static AS use, student as donor then recipient
• AS ascent, student as recipient then donor
• Surface actions, following AS ascent

6. Exit from deeper water and de-kit

• Remove fins
• Exit water
• De-kit

7. Equipment care

8. REAP debrief

OS4 – Beyond the Basics

1. SEEDS brief

2. Kit up and buddy check, backward-roll entry

• Assemble scuba equipment
• Carry out functionality checks
• Kit up and buddy check
• Backward-roll entry, into deeper water

3. Master basic skills

• Controlled descent into deeper water
• Adjust for neutral buoyancy
• Buddy-diving techniques and monitor instruments
• Efficient underwater swimming (changing depth)
• Remove and replace mask, in deeper water
• Remove and replace mask, place it down
• Finning without mask

4. Extend mobility skills

• Surface snorkel swim in scuba kit
• Controlled descent into deeper water
• Frog kick
• Forward rolls in deeper water
• Ascent in buddy pairs from deeper water

5. De-kit, in water, exit suitable for small boat

• Swim to ‘boat’
• Remove weights in water
• Remove scuba in water
• Enter boat

6. Equipment care

7. REAP debrief

OS5 – Safety Skills

1. SEEDS brief

2. Kit up and buddy check, dry run, forward-roll entry

• Assemble scuba equipment
• Carry out functionality checks
• Kit up and buddy check
• Dry run, controlled buoyant lift
• Forward-roll entry, into deeper water

3. Master alternative-supply skills

• Surface actions, following AS ascent
• AS ascent, student as recipient then donor, with surface actions
• Use of AS on horizontal swim
• Controlled buoyant lift
• Self lift
• Mini CBL
• Full CBL

4. Surface towing

• Identify towing hold
• Tow
• Alternative holds
• Rescue with controlled buoyant lift
• Surface actions

5. Initial underwater contact

• Rescue CBL
• Rescue CBL and surface tow

6. Exit from deeper water and de-kit

• Remove fins
• Exit water
• De-kit

7. Equipment care

8. REAP debrief

OO1 – Introduction to Open Water

Advance briefing

SEEDS brief

Kit up and buddy check, dry run and entry

• Assemble scuba equipment
• Carry out functional checks
• Prepare weights
• Fit suit
• Kit-up, in buddy pairs
• Conduct buddy check
• Dry run, operating controls wearing gloves
• Dry run, action for BC inflator stuck open
• Dry run, action for drysuit inflator stuck open
• Fit mask and check seal

Shore entry, by wading or steps, into standing-depth water

• Adjust weighting and achieve neutral buoyancy
• Descent and initial weight check, in standing-depth water
• Adjust weight, if necessary
• Maintain hover
• Check trim

Exploratory dive in 4-6m

• Descent following shelving shore
• Use of hand signals and monitoring of instruments
• Buoyancy control
• Underwater swimming
• Underwater orientation
• Awareness of environment
• Pilotage
• Weight check with less gas, and controlled ascent to 2-3m
• Check student comfort

Skills practice in 2-3m

• Recap mask clearing
• Partial-flood mask clear
• Full-flood mask clear
• Remove and replace mask
• Demand-valve clearing
• Switch to own AS demand valve
• Demand-valve retrieval
• Full demand-valve retrieval and clear
• Drysuit inflator stuck open
• BC inflator stuck open
• Drysuit inversion recovery

Exit from standing-depth water and de-kit

• Weight belt/weight jettison practice
• Exit water by wading or steps
• De-kit

Report back to Dive Manager

Brief on equipment care

REAP debrief

OO2 – Developing Open Water Skills

Advance briefing

SEEDS brief

Kit up and buddy check, dry run and entry

• Assemble scuba equipment
• Carry out functional checks
• Prepare weights
• Fit suit
• Kit-up, in buddy pairs
• Conduct buddy check
• Dry run, AS ascent wearing gloves
• Fit mask and check seal

Shore entry, by wading or steps, into standing-depth water

• Check correct weighting and surface buoyancy

Descent into 4-6m water

Skills practice in 4-6m

• Buoyancy control
• Recap mask clearing, in deeper water
• Partial-flood mask clear
• Full-flood mask clear
• Remove and replace mask
• Demand-valve clearing
• Switch to own AS demand valve
• Static AS use, student as donor then recipient
• Use of AS on horizontal swim
• Mini AS ascent, student as recipient then donor
• Full AS ascent, student as recipient then donor
• Surface actions, following AS ascent
• Check student comfort

Exploratory dive in 7-10m

• Vertical descent
• Use of hand signals and monitoring of instruments
• Finning action and trim
• Maintain neutral buoyancy, in changing depth
• Awareness of environment
• Pilotage
• Vertical ascent
• Carry out surfacing drill
• Actions at the surface
• Demand valve and snorkel exchanges while surface swimming

Exit from standing-depth water and de-kit

• Exit water by wading or steps
• De-kit

Report back to Dive Manager

Equipment care

REAP debrief

OO3 – Open Water Rescue Skills

Advance briefing

SEEDS brief

Kit up and buddy check, dry run and entry

• Analyse Nitrox mix
• Assemble scuba equipment
• Carry out functional checks
• Prepare weights
• Fit suit
• Kit-up, in buddy pairs
• Conduct buddy check
• Dry run, CBL wearing gloves
• Fit mask and check seal

Deep-water entry, stride or backward roll

• Check weighting and surface buoyancy
• Controlled vertical/near-vertical descent to 6m, using datum

Skills practice in 4-6m

• Self-lift
• Mini CBL
• Mini CBL with initial underwater contact
• Intermediate CBL from 6m
• Full CBL from 6m
• Surface actions, following a CBL
• Signal for help
• Tow casualty to safe exit
• Check student comfort

Exploratory dive in 12-15m

• Finning action and trim
• Maintain neutral buoyancy
• Awareness of environment, impact of finning
• Dive-leading demonstration and practise
• Controlled vertical ascent
• Carry out surfacing drill
• Actions at the surface

Exit from deep water, onto jetty or small boat, and de-kit

• Weight belt/weight jettison from casualty, in shallow water
• Deep-water exit using ladder
• De-kit
• Alternative small boat exit

Report back to Dive Manager

Equipment care

REAP debrief

OO4 – Buddy Diving Skills

Dive planning and briefing

SEEDS brief

Kit up and buddy check, dry run and entry

• Check cylinder contents with gas analyser (if nitrox is used)
• Assemble scuba equipment
• Carry out functional checks
• Fit suit
• Prepare weights
• Kit-up, in buddy pairs
• Conduct buddy check
• Dry run of dive leading skills

Deep-water entry, stride

• Check weighting and surface buoyancy
• Controlled vertical/near-vertical descent to 6m, using datum

Dive-leading practice at 14-17m

• Dive-leading demonstration
• Dive-leading practice
• Depth extension to 20m (optional)
• Controlled vertical ascent
• Check student comfort

Skills practice at 4-6m

• Partial-flood mask clear
• Full-flood mask clear
• Remove and replace mask
• Controlled breathing underwater, static without mask
• Alternative finning technique, frog kick
• Low-gas weight check
• Weight-belt/weight jettison practice

Exit from deep water, onto jetty or small boat, and de-kit

• Deep-water exit using ladder
• Alternative small boat exit
• De-kit

Report back to Dive Manager

Equipment care

REAP debrief