Crossovers!

[scubajon]

Hi everyone,

I'm just after some advice about what to do with crossover students from Padi and other similar agencies.
Our club has recently had an influx of Padi Open and Advanced Open Water divers - most of them qualifying on holidays.

I have noticed that there is a BSAC crossover training pack to sports diver level. Is this a wise move or is it best to start them off as Ocean Diver trainees, with more pace to their training?

Finally can a Padi Advanced Open Water diver dive within a BSAC club with a similar buddy like an ocean diver does? Or until they are crossed over they have to dive with an instructor.

Thank you,

Jon

[derek perry]

Hi everyone,

I'm just after some advice about what to do with crossover students from Padi and other similar agencies.
Our club has recently had an influx of Padi Open and Advanced Open Water divers - most of them qualifying on holidays.

I have noticed that there is a BSAC crossover training pack to sports diver level. Is this a wise move or is it best to start them off as Ocean Diver trainees, with more pace to their training?

They cross over as qualified to Ocean Diver and that is the qualification I give as a DO. We then get them in the pool and have a look at how good they are. We then take then gently into British open water. Starting shallow and working deeper. At the same time they are in training for Sports Diver.
There are many threads on this subject but my view is that you do what BSAC say and cross them over to the equivalent grade. To do anything else would alienate them from BSAC and your branch, as you will see in a similar recent thread.
In all this there is a bit of common sense. If they qualified 10 years ago and haven't dived since then run them through everything as a refresher. We find most people are quite honest and don't over exaggerate their abilities. Many want to go over things again.




Finally can a Padi Advanced Open Water diver dive within a BSAC club with a similar buddy like an ocean diver does? Or until they are crossed over they have to dive with an instructor.

With guests like this we always put them with an experienced diver.

Derek

[scubajon]

Thats great thanks, has anyone used/seen these crossover training packs yet, I need to work out if its worth getting our new crossover memebrs these or the Ocean Diver Pack with Sports Diver notes.