The Sports Diver Award is the BS-AC’s second diving grade awarded within a Branch or Centre. Following the completion of a series of Classroom Lessons, Sheltered Water Lessons, Open Water Lessons and a Dry Practical Lesson, the award of Sports Diver prepares the diver to extend their diving experience to dives down to a maximum depth of 35m.
Definition of a Sports Diver
A Sports Diver is defined as a diver who is competent to:
- Conduct dives with an Ocean Diver within the restrictions of the conditions already encountered by the Ocean Diver during their training, and under the supervision of a Dive Manager
- Conduct dives with another Sports Diver, within the restrictions of the conditions already encountered during their training or previous experience
- Conduct dives with a Dive Leader or higher grade, to expand their experience beyond that previously encountered, under the supervision of a Dive Manager
- Dive to a depth which is initially limited to 20m, but which can subsequently be extended progressively, under the supervision of a Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI), to a maximum of 35m
- Use breathing gas mixes up to Nitrox 36
- Plan and conduct dives requiring mandatory decompression stops
- Rescue a casualty and provide Basic Life Support
- Conduct dives where other divers, capable of providing assistance and rescue management skills, are available at the surface
- Conduct dives within BS-AC safe diving recommendations
Assessment Components
A Sports Diver must successfully complete the following components:
A Sports Diver must successfully complete the following components:
- Attend lessons on diving knowledge
- Demonstrate a level of diving knowledge through a written Theory Paper
- Demonstrate their practical ability with a range decompression related skills
- Demonstrate they have developed a suitable level of competence in their personal Rescue Skills including Basic Life Support
- Demonstrate an understanding of their role in assisting with the organisation and management of a day’s diving