how long?

[billy bubbles]

hello
i've just signed up to my local bsac and after signing on the dotted line have been told it will take two years to get to sports diver level!! if thats correct how come it only takes 4 days to get the same level in the padi system?
cheers
billy

[Nigel Hewitt]

Two years?
Grief it will take longer than that.

The thing about instructors that you aren't paying is they don't have to take attitude problems. They can just walk away.

Sports diver is PADI Rescue diver plus some decompression procedures stuff.
Four days huh?
And change out of a thousand quid?

Yes I do know you're trolling.

[northern_diver]

hello
i've just signed up to my local bsac and after signing on the dotted line have been told it will take two years to get to sports diver level!! if thats correct how come it only takes 4 days to get the same level in the padi system?
cheers
billy

Dispite the fact that your post sounds very troll like....

PADI-professional's which do the job, for the job, e.g for money(some might actually even like diving too;) )....so have time and resources to meet your every whim to train you to be a diver.

BSAC-non professional, but only in the fact they aint paid, that teach when you and they can arrange something...they will train you to be 'their' buddy.

Both are good...though both are only human. One costs lots and takes little time and one takes longer but costs less. Argubly the experience levels are higher with a BSAC member on been qualified, as its took longer, exposing them to more knowlegde...not always the case.

It took me less time than 2 years, and even then, i was basically waiting around for 1 signature (dive lead i think), but some will wait for ages. I know guys that spend a life time on SD, not caring as they dont want a qualification. they just want to dive.

Its not the same level and i for one wouldnt care, its the diving and the experience i care about, not a flashy badge.

John

[Richard Whitcombe]

I dont see it as trolling. SD can easily take years in a club. Ive seen it.

As for "PADI in 4 days" if you think of AOW to 30m and SD to 35m its a rough equivalent.

Yes SD allows deco (no matter how sparse the training on it!) but no guided dives anywhere will let you do that anyway.

SD has a bit of rescue but nowhere NEAR as much as the full padi rescue course.

In short if he wants to dive to 30m he can do AOW in 2 days after ocean diver or 2 years as sport. If he wants 40m he can do PADI deep spec in 2 days more - or dive leader in about 5 years.

[paul_c]

and end up dead due to an abundance of ticket and not enough practical experiance.

one good thing about the slower BSAC way. it allows you actualy gain in water experiance in divig

[northern_diver]

and end up dead due to an abundance of ticket and not enough practical experiance.

one good thing about the slower BSAC way. it allows you actualy gain in water experiance in divig

Exactly.

The reaon thinking troll, was that anyclub worth its salt (maybe thats the problem, its on of those inland, freshwater only clubs that only dive in the depth of summer, only in the local quarry...) would have told him this before he signed. It can and does occur, the time fram for gaining the SD qualification.

On the slip side, i seen and actually been through it quicker, as for DL in 5 years, again, thats flexible as hell.

Most clubs, while you might not be strictly signed off as SD might well allow you to so the depth work pre-sign off, in effect diving at a higher grae, but only because you might be waiting for 1/2 boxes to be signe off, but your still diving safely. Regardless, so what?

Join a club, get diving, do as much as you want/can and see how it goes, he he's active, he might be able to fly through the course, on the other hand, if he isnt or is a bit of a numpty with skills, it might take longer.

The more exposure to the diving world the better, this is especially true when any club is involved (as let face it, PADI have them too) is gonna train, in the most holistically mean sence, the diver better than a stand alone course/s

John

[Mike Halligan]

We know little of the offer. I've heard of clubs which run OD and SD in parallel each year, so you wait for a course and two turn up at once. You must then wait a whole year for the second stage (SD).

Equally, I've known trainees who can only be available one club night per month, so how long does that make each of the two courses?

The BSAC.COM site shows what goes into each grade, so it shouldn't be difficult to see what needs to happen. Then I'd ask (politely) how come the estimate is 2 years? In gaining the qualification you might be one of the most experienced fresh-out-the-box SDs in history because your club teaches it that way. The only downside of slow achievement is that until SD qualified you've less opportunity of diving outside the club.

[northern_diver]

Indeed, Horses for courses, different clubs have different MO's.

It would be hoped, that if you were in a club, you would talk and chat and develope more knowledge, but yes, it depends how they teach it as well.

To the OP, Dont chase the grade, earn them. And have some fun along the way.

John

[John Bantin]

I went from BSAC Novice Diver to BSAC Advanced Instructor 726 in less than a year. Don't expect it to simply happen. You've got to make it happen.

[Maria]

One of the great things about Club diving is that there are usually a variety of instructors, and the training can be much more flexible to suit your commitments.
If you are keen, and take the initiative to ask, then you can usually get your training done much more quickly. By asking if any instructors are available for a training dive this weekend, or can do a theory lesson one evening, you will generally get a ositive response and build up a good circle of dive buddies along the way.

[garethwoodruff]

Decided not to post, thought it might be a troll but thought to give benefit of doubt

[billy bubbles]

hello
thanks for the all replies just feel abit disillusioned that it was going to take so long i'll keep pushing and see what happens.
billy

[Edward]

hello
thanks for the all replies just feel abit disillusioned that it was going to take so long i'll keep pushing and see what happens.
billy

Hi Billy,

Its a pity you're Branch didn't go through this before your signed-up and found out what your expectation is. How long do you think it would take? (That's an unfair question because you don't know at that stage what's involved).

Do you have a particular date or time when you wish to do something with the new skills you will learn? Or are you planning on going somewhere were you could dive?

These are the type of questions I ask potential new members.

But realistically, if you started now you should get OD signed-off by the end of May. SD well that depends on the amount of diving you do.

Regards

Edward

[Yazzyfooty]

hello
thanks for the all replies just feel abit disillusioned that it was going to take so long i'll keep pushing and see what happens.
billy


What is the rush to get to SD? In whatever time it takes, with BSAC you will invariably always have a buddy to dive with, there will be people there to mentor you or torment you. The main thing is that you will be diving and gaining valuable experience while you also gain qualifications.

I dive with so many PADI OW and AOW who go on to another forum I use and are asking for buddies as they have the qualification but no one to dive with because PADI train you then spit you out and your on your own.......unless you buy another course from them. :D

[GaryC]

What is the rush to get to SD? In whatever time it takes, with BSAC you will invariably always have a buddy to dive with, there will be people there to mentor you or torment you. The main thing is that you will be diving and gaining valuable experience while you also gain qualifications.

I dive with so many PADI OW and AOW who go on to another forum I use and are asking for buddies as they have the qualification but no one to dive with because PADI train you then spit you out and your on your own.......unless you buy another course from them. :D

Two years to Sport Diver is really a restriction on someone getting experience. Taking two years does not make someone more experienced it makes them less expierenced as they are going to be limited to 20 metre max diving during the period.

Two years is ok for those that want to take their time but those that are keen are going to be held back.

The Sport Diver qual is training with a little experience thrown in. But it facilitates people getting more and wider experience than OD level.

It has been said many times before. Ask the branches how long training will take before you pays your money.

Gary

[Hamish]

Two years to Sport Diver is really a restriction on someone getting experience. Taking two years does not make someone more experienced it makes them less expierenced as they are going to be limited to 20 metre max diving during the period.

Two years is ok for those that want to take their time but those that are keen are going to be held back.

The Sport Diver qual is training with a little experience thrown in. But it facilitates people getting more and wider experience than OD level.

It has been said many times before. Ask the branches how long training will take before you pays your money.

Gary

Garry,

I have to totally disagree with what you have said. Experience does not come with depth per say. It comes with continual diving and practice.

This can be achieved quite well by diving regularly to what ever depth you are qualified and hopefully with people who have more experience than yourself. This is what I believe BSAC do so well, in that they advocate diving with more experienced divers to gain that experience and enjoy your diving whilst doing so, to whatever depth you are qualified.

I know people who for whatever reason have never gone beyond SD even after 15 to 20 years, as that level allows them to experience the type of diving they enjoy. If you consider that the majority of divers today dive in the 20 to 35m level you will anderstand that for most of these divers it is not the depth that matters but what is there to be seen.

Regards

Hamish

[northern_diver]

I have to totally disagree with what you have said. Experience does not come with depth per say. It comes with continual diving and practice.


I must admitt i agree.

Depth is all well and good, but the ability to work well within a team, kit up, have your gear sorted well, experience of branch matter, branch diving etc hell, even how you pack a car full of dive gear properly for a trip out are all just, if not more important than depth.

The skills that comes with greater depth do tend, i agree to creat more capable divers. This is testified to by their survial, however under that thought train, all deep (+50meters plus, what ever YOUR PERSONAL understanding of the word) divers would be much better diver than say a sub 40meter diver etc etc, we know this is just not the case and you be bannana's in both groups.

If the OP is A) keen B) capable AND C) somewhat resource lucky then sure, get the qualifiction when you can, BUT the qualification WILL not save you, the training, experience and capability with. Its not to say dont get the qual, as Hamish say's, some people live on it, and why not? its certainly a capable enough grade. But take time over it, the results are worth it...those been safe and not been dead diving.

Someone, more wise than i said something like 'The more i train, the luckier i get'. I count, in a rough manner, any knowledge gained, to be training, in a class room, on RHIB, in a hard boat, in the water or in the club house etc. It all contributes, in a very holistic manner, to my overall experiences and skills.

John

[Mike Halligan]

Two years to Sport Diver is really a restriction on someone getting experience. Taking two years does not make someone more experienced it makes them less expierenced as they are going to be limited to 20 metre max diving during the period.
Sorry, Gary, I disagree entirely. It may be a restriction on some fully competent people doing precisely as they please, but it is rarely a serious restriction to their gaining relevant experience. We do not know the circumstances of the OP and branch, so cannot apply either premise to the case.
Two years is ok for those that want to take their time but those that are keen are going to be held back.

The Sport Diver qual is training with a little experience thrown in. But it facilitates people getting more and wider experience than OD level.
Those that are keen can (alternatively) be a danger to themselves and others. I don't believe that someone who can turn up on time, fully prepared for every lesson, take it all in and demonstrate competence / confidence immediately should necessarily wait more than 4 months for SD qualification, but I do then doubt they have any relevant experience whatever. This makes them a liability, IMHO. I want to see knowledge, skill, experience and attitude in my SD buddy, not a qualification page without all 4 attributes clearly supporting it.

The loose-cannon SD without fear of the sea or true comprehension of his limitations is a damning indictment of both syllabus and instruction, with equivalents in all agencies.
It has been said many times before. Ask the branches how long training will take before you pays your money.
True but discuss, don't simply challenge.

[John Bantin]

When I did a lot of teaching in the early 1990s I would take a group of four BSAC Novice Divers and turn them into BSAC Sport Divers in a week. During that week they would eat, breathe and sleep diving. They had the theory and immediately went out into the sea to put it into practice. They never forgot what they learned between lessons because they were talking about what they had done and what they were going to do, and preparing for it during the intervals. I think I turned out some pretty good divers although when they arrived they were almost without exception totally hopeless. One week later they were really proficient including with rescue skills. Many went on to eventually be instructors. I wonder if anyone reading these forums was one of those divers.
Anyway, you can do it but you have to make it happen. (The meek will inherit the earth - but only if it's all right with everyone else!)

[paul_c]

When I did a lot of teaching in the early 1990s I would take a group of four BSAC Novice Divers and turn them into BSAC Sport Divers in a week. During that week they would eat, breathe and sleep diving. They had the theory and immediately went out into the sea to put it into practice. They never forgot what they learned between lessons because they were talking about what they had done and what they were going to do, and preparing for it during the intervals. I think I turned out some pretty good divers although when they arrived they were almost without exception totally hopeless. One week later they were really proficient including with rescue skills. Many went on to eventually be instructors. I wonder if anyone reading these forums was one of those divers.
Anyway, you can do it but you have to make it happen. (The meek will inherit the earth - but only if it's all right with everyone else!)


sorry but i dont thionk that intensive courses are good for anything.
it doesnt give you the time to devlop a feel for what you do in any field.
i was a sailing instructor. and yes i cpould teach a kid to sail a boat reasonably in a day. was he a sailor? not a chance. he knew what he was doing but not WHY it was done that way and HOW it works.
same with diving.

i used to dive with a few people who litraly ran through training to get to DL. must go go go go. and yet they arnt comfortable in and around water in a SAFE manner. one is a recless idiot whome i refused to dive with eventualy because he just didnt understand what issues could occur.

i did OD one year, SD the next and am after another 2 years considering DL. as i understand that the increased depth requires additional skills and also a competancy level within my diving to ensure tim nt a risk to myself and to others.

an OD is a perfectly acceptable dive qualification, 20m isnt anything to sneer at when you actualy think how ****ing deep that realy is. would you jump off a 20m wall? no you will go nowhere near the edge cause its pretty scary yet you will happily o 20 meters away from the stuff you need rather oftern to breath.

i did a post a while back which i cant find which basicialy poo pooed the concept that OD is pointless. NO dive qualification is pointless at whatever level especialy as you then gain relativly safe experiance and then progress when you are fit to do it..

[John Bantin]

sorry but i dont thionk that intensive courses are good for anything.



Ah Paul, that's because I am an exceptionally good instructor. In fact I am exceptionally good at everything I do - except DIY. :)

[Mike Halligan]

When I did a lot of teaching in the early 1990s I would take a group of four BSAC Novice Divers and turn them into BSAC Sport Divers in a week. During that week they would eat, breathe and sleep diving. They had the theory and immediately went out into the sea to put it into practice. They never forgot what they learned between lessons because they were talking about what they had done and what they were going to do, and preparing for it during the intervals. I think I turned out some pretty good divers although when they arrived they were almost without exception totally hopeless. One week later they were really proficient including with rescue skills. Many went on to eventually be instructors. I wonder if anyone reading these forums was one of those divers.
Anyway, you can do it but you have to make it happen. (The meek will inherit the earth - but only if it's all right with everyone else!)

Too true. Eat, breathe and sleep diving for a full week after NoviceII and you have little option but to develop knowledge, skill, experience and attitude sufficient to be safe and thoroughly competent as a SD. :)

That is not a condensed course, IMHO. But is an intense combination of 25% course, 75% relevant experience which will make a diver of just about anyone. Now that I know the difference, I wish I had been able to take on something like that for myself. Mind you, at that stage I'd probably have run a mile. :eek:

[Nigel Hewitt]

There are intensive courses where as soon as you ought to have got one idea they move onto the next one and intensive courses where they keep making you redo things and grow into the next idea.

Diving really benefits from the second type. The best courses I did were my rebreather MOD1 and MOD 2 that both mandated lots of hours in the water so the instructors kept us doing and redoing skills. OK we finished thinking we had done everything a zillion times and were bored with fault recovery and, in fact, were pleasantly surprised when, post course, nothing broke.

There isn't actually much to learn for OD/SD but practise, practise, practise makes a reliable diver.

[Kris2]

Two years to Sport Diver is really a restriction on someone getting experience. Taking two years does not make someone more experienced it makes them less expierenced as they are going to be limited to 20 metre max diving during the period.

Two years is ok for those that want to take their time but those that are keen are going to be held back.

The Sport Diver qual is training with a little experience thrown in. But it facilitates people getting more and wider experience than OD level.

It has been said many times before. Ask the branches how long training will take before you pays your money.

Gary

You will find Sport diver is 35m. And if you think things like perfect bouyancy and trim are possible after only seven days then your opinion is worth even less than the material that your badges are printed on.

[billy bubbles]

hello
there seems to be alot of views on this,is there an actual time frame tha bsac say is the shortest time you can get sd?

[PeteM]

hello
there seems to be alot of views on this,is there an actual time frame tha bsac say is the shortest time you can get sd?

13 class room lessons, two theory assessments, six sheltered water lessons, one dry and ten wet practical lessons.

But you would need to cover the right experiences on the wet lessons which is not always easy and the lessons would need to be at least 4.5 hours underwater long.

But you have to ask yourself if after ten dives you would be up to doing 35m deco dives?

[MattS]

,is there an actual time frame tha bsac say is the shortest time you can get sd?No. There are a number of lessons, specific proficiencies that must be demonstrated, a minimum in-water time and a number of progression dives that must be completed.

[Mike Halligan]

hello
there seems to be alot of views on this,is there an actual time frame tha bsac say is the shortest time you can get sd?

No there isn't.

Your Qualification Record Book shows what you must demonstrate. The lectures total around 12 hours, if you do the prep and the homework. Otherwise they take longer. There are 6 Sheltered Water sessions, max 3 in a day I guess. So that's two long days taken up in theory and pool. The Open Water dives can take as little as 4 hours across the two grades but will take at least 4 days to complete. Demonstrating competence and confidence without additional experience is asking a great deal.

It is possible, I believe, to complete each course (OD and SD) in a long weekend of say 4 days. However, few volunteer instructors will tolerate the timetable. They know how to dive and are giving their time freely - but not to be condemned to endless repetition of basic skills they know well.

The choice is to collaborate with volunteer instructors within your club, or pay handsomely.

[Gordon]

[QUOTE=billy bubbles] there seems to be alot of views on thisQUOTE]

That'll be because every branch is slightly different: if you are doing one lecture and pool session a week and then waiting a good while until the instructors are free at the same time as you (like in my club at home), it will take you much longer than if you can give up 3 consecutive weekends and bash Ocean out then and do a similar thing with the Sports (like my Uni club) you'll get the ticket much quicker.
Then there is the complete spectrum in between! Unless you have something you definitely need to be qualified for, I wouldn't worry too much - but I agree with the others on here that have said it should be made clear to you before you sign on the dotted line.


Gordon

[John Bantin]

Typically, people would get at least 15 hours underwater in the sea during the week. Of course, I forgot to mention I taught in Mallorca and people came out specifically to learn to dive. I remember one guy asking if he could go for a walk because he hadn't had his feet on terra firma for a few days.

[Edward]

hello
there seems to be alot of views on this,is there an actual time frame tha bsac say is the shortest time you can get sd?

The simple answer NO.

In my experience each student learns at a different rate. For some an intensive course if fine, for others the gradual (with repetition) accumulation of knowledge/skill is better over a longer period of time. There is IMHO no one solution.

Regards

Edward

[Gareth]

hello
there seems to be alot of views on this,is there an actual time frame tha bsac say is the shortest time you can get sd?


As the others have said, each of the courses have specific requirements, see

ocean diver (http://www.bsac.com/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=10008&filetitle=Ocean+Diver+Course)
sports diver (http://www.bsac.com/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=10009&filetitle=Sports+Diver+Course)

The variable is the method in which they are provided. Each branch is different, & run there training programs in a different way. Most run pool & lectures weekly, others may do intensive courses, like all the lectures over a weekend, or all the sheltered water over a weekend etc.

The other issue is the students, there is a requirement in each lesson to achieve specific levels of competence. If this level is not reached, the lesson (or skill) needs to be repeated until the student demonstrate competence, prior to proceding to the next series of skills.

One of the big advantages with the branch system is that the student is not under pressure to perform, we are not working against a clock. In the case of my branch we have a pool available weekly throughout the year. If it takes you one pool session or 10 to master a skill that is of no issue to us, its not costing us extra. However a commercial school would be charging extra in the same circumstance.
The disadvantage with the branch system is that you work at the rate of the branch time table. So if you are motivated, or can't make the specified dates it is not always the best way to learn.
The other issue is post qualification & during training you are supported by experienced divers & can go diving under supervision.

Gareth

[Richard Whitcombe]

and end up dead due to an abundance of ticket and not enough practical experiance.

Really? And where exactly are these piles of corpses caused by every other agency training their divers in this time frame?


one good thing about the slower BSAC way. it allows you actualy gain in water experiance in divig

So by your logic the training by every BSAC centre is s**t then?

[northern_diver]

I dont especially favour 'intensive' courses, but i've seen perfectly capable students slowed down needlessly (in terms of there personal progress) by less capable group members. Sad but then people simple do learn at different rates to other.

As long as you get the full training course then thats whats important, doesnt matter if that takes 2 days or several weeks etc etc. Importantly the experience afterwards is VITAL. As not only does it teach new skills and increase knowledge, it also re-enforces primary skills.
After some open water competance has be proven, then then you can start doing more, and thats when the main amount of diving will be done.

Two years, your still be diving and doing what you like e.g diving. Not every dive is suitably to be signed off in terms of the qualifcation. It could well take much less time or a little longer. I would be fairly suprised if the club didnt let you gradually start diving progressively deeper after OD and they think your capable, even though the deep is supposed to be 'post-qualification'.

There is no reason you couldnt cross train with other agencies or more suitably, other clubs. This has all sorts benefits in experience terms.

John

P.s...they havent only said 2 years becasue your really really naff have they, if i go down and pretend (wouldnt be hard, im not very good at the best of times :rolleyes: ) that i was a newbie and they say 6 months, then i will laugh at you:p ;) :) :rolleyes: im only joking....Its possibly even down to the ration of trainees/instructors. Can we have more information please.

[STEVE MC]

Within our club we try and spell out for any prospective trainee the pro's and con's of joining a club instead of going to a commercial organisation, it's pointless setting an unrealistic timetable when your dealing with volunteers.
If you want immediate training or training for a set date then our advice would always be to go to a commercial school (bsac or padi) pay the money and then if you want to increase your experience or go diving regularly after that then join the club. If your happy to take your time then train with a club.
Realistically within our club from new diver to Ocean diver will take several months including pool and drysuit training depending upon your and the instructors commitments (work,family etc).
Personally I like it when trainees 'pester' me to go diving/training particularly this time of the year (ie when its cold) so my advice to Billy would be to speak to all the insructors in your club, find the one who likes being 'pestered' and go diving that way you'll get to Sport Diver quicker.
Safe diving
Steve

[Maria CM]

What is the rush to get to SD? In whatever time it takes, with BSAC you will invariably always have a buddy to dive with, there will be people there to mentor you or torment you. The main thing is that you will be diving and gaining valuable experience while you also gain qualifications.

I dive with so many PADI OW and AOW who go on to another forum I use and are asking for buddies as they have the qualification but no one to dive with because PADI train you then spit you out and your on your own.......unless you buy another course from them. :D

Very true... but if you want to whizz off to the Red Sea on holiday, 20m is restrictive... so... people either end up diving past their qualification level, or potentially being resentful about missing some of the wrecks.

It's a tricky thing as 30m here is very different to 30m in great viz and warm water. Sensible restriction in the UK is limiting abroad. I wonder if the possibility of an interim 'warm water depth qualification' solely for those about to go abroad??? Not sure how it could be trained for though. Just seems a bit unfair, that's all.

Being contentious, it would also be nice if before going on warm water holidays new BSAC divers had some briefings on the difference in the styles of diving etc. I for one, get quite sick of hearing continual questioning of dive guides of liveaboards during briefings, about surface intervals, depth and dive planning and all the other stuff.

PADI etc can tend to turn out loose cannons, but BSAC can turn out some really anal divers.

(Runs for cover)

best wishes,

maria

[PeteM]

It's a tricky thing as 30m here is very different to 30m in great viz and warm water. Sensible restriction in the UK is limiting abroad. I wonder if the possibility of an interim 'warm water depth qualification' solely for those about to go abroad??? Not sure how it could be trained for though. Just seems a bit unfair, that's all.

The trouble is that there are other differences besides between cold and warm water.

A Red Sea 30m no current bimble is an easy dive compared to some of the 15m dives I did in Sulawesi with raging currents, and for that matter some in the Maldives and a Brothers. At least if you keep people shallow you are unlikely to kill them when they panic and head for the surface because they can not cope whereas from 30m you might.

[Maria CM]

The trouble is that there are other differences besides between cold and warm water.

A Red Sea 30m no current bimble is an easy dive compared to some of the 15m dives I did in Sulawesi with raging currents, and for that matter some in the Maldives and a Brothers. At least if you keep people shallow you are unlikely to kill them when they panic and head for the surface because they can not cope whereas from 30m you might.

.... I'm so glad I don't instruct .....:) :) :) The responsibility must be a nightmare.:(

best wishes,

Maria

[John Bantin]

It's different strokes for different folks. Surely, it's up to the trainee as to how fast he progresses?

[northern_diver]

PADI etc can tend to turn out loose cannons, but BSAC can turn out some really anal divers.


ROTFL

Preparation and Planning Prevents P*** Poor Performance

I remember been on a RHIB in Oban,kitting up for the Breda with my buddy, asking how he was, what hey wanted to do and what his air was.

The other two guys on the boat, came out with "I guess you guys are BSAC?" as i clip my pony reg into place. Followed by myself saying "what gave it away, the torching with 'BSAC' on it?"..."No, you just seem to know what your doing."

It made me feel proud to be associated with good training and good planning.

If they were asking about seperation and survial procedure on the event of a freak wave or vessel defence in case of pirates or sea horse attack then i would slap them, but fair enough otherwise.

John

[Chris W]

My experience of the BSAC system has been a very positive one.

I joined my club in Jan 08. I finished my OD in June 08 - this was basically alternating weeks between lecture and pool, and once done on to the OW dives. During this time I also had work commitments that meant I couldn't dive every weekend. But the weekends I could I informed my instructors and they were very acommodating, there were about 3 of us doing OD at the time.

Just before completing my OD OW lessons I started on my SD lectures at our regular club night - this was May 08. I finished SD in May 09 - again this was hampered by work commitments and 8 weeks out with a badly torn calf. When I couldn't dive I made sure I still turned up - just to help people kit up and understand the role of DM and surface cover etc.

So 18 months from no diver to Sport Diver. This has been down to commitments made by myself and my club - who I have to say are a great bunch of guy's to dive with.

No doubt without my work commitments and injury I could have done it a bit quicker.

To the OP - don't give up or be disheartened - speak to your club, get involved and show a commitment and above all - have fun enjoying learning to dive.

[Maria CM]

ROTFL

Preparation and Planning Prevents P*** Poor Performance

I remember been on a RHIB in Oban,kitting up for the Breda with my buddy, asking how he was, what hey wanted to do and what his air was.

The other two guys on the boat, came out with "I guess you guys are BSAC?" as i clip my pony reg into place. Followed by myself saying "what gave it away, the torching with 'BSAC' on it?"..."No, you just seem to know what your doing."

It made me feel proud to be associated with good training and good planning.

If they were asking about seperation and survial procedure on the event of a freak wave or vessel defence in case of pirates or sea horse attack then i would slap them, but fair enough otherwise.

John

Aaahhh... but that was in the UK....;) :D

I have encountered hysteria because the dive time went two minutes over, refusal to move from the dive plan whatever, etc etc

[northern_diver]

[QUOTE]My experience of the BSAC system has been a very positive one.QUOTE]

Much the same as my diving careers in many ways, it comes down to 'you reap what you sow'.

To the OP, if you make and effort, training well and steady and try and get dives sorted, then 2 years will probably size down a fair bit. As i say though, Dive with other clubs, gain lots of experience. You might noot want to be SD, you never know.

Maria, Yeah, been there, seen that, got the drysuit badge:rolleyes: Its important to plan effectively and 'dive the plan' but doesnt give them the right to have a hissy fit :p I get your meaning, maybe a 'reality check SDC/Course' would be useful;)

Thanks for the Malta advise also.

John

[billy bubbles]

hello
going back to my orginal question,i wanted to get qualified and get into scallop diving averageing 20m but after signing on the dotted line have now found out this coarse will take two years and there does'nt seem to be any structure to the coarse me and my mate feel like we were signed up just to make up more members?

[Nigel Hewitt]

i wanted to get qualified and get into scallop diving
Commercial scallop diving?
You want to read this link (http://www.hse.gov.uk/hid/osd/scallop.pdf).
I'm afraid we can't help you. We do diving for fun.

[Mike Halligan]

hello
going back to my orginal question,i wanted to get qualified and get into scallop diving averageing 20m but after signing on the dotted line have now found out this coarse will take two years and there does'nt seem to be any structure to the coarse me and my mate feel like we were signed up just to make up more members?

In my experience, scallops are found only by careful research, a lot of unproductive dives and more than a little skill - in more than 30m of water. That is, where the dredgers can't get and therefore the seabed isn't a moon-scape.

Thus, you will need at least SD (more like DL) with excellent buoyancy skills, above-average navigation, good Nitrox, gas planning, site selection, dive management, first aid and O2 knowledge, quite a lot of experience and (to achieve all this) a positive and collaborative attitude. When you do get to go scallop diving, something to give back to those bored witless on the surface waiting for you - like some interesting dives elsewhere after you've been ferreting around in your own dustcloud wouldn't go amiss, either.

There is structure to OD, SD and DL courses, which you will see when you start doing your homework on student notes and trial questions. They also take quite a lot of arranging, organising and (voluntary or professional) effort - none of which is readily available at this time of year.

I strongly suggest you discuss your ambitions with your club openly, honestly and realistically because in my opinion, you are asking far more than I would be able to provide. (And we do go scalloping, routinely, as an adjunct to self-catering week-long trips.)