Conversion from PADI OW

[Gavin Smith]

Hi

I orginally qualified with PADI in 1987 but haven't dived for close to 10 years.

I'm going to a refresher course with PADI but would like to continue my training under BSAC is possible.

How much conversion is required from OW to OD?

I've looked at the syllabus on the main site and the content seems similar.

Thanks in advance.

[terryh]

How much conversion is required from OW to OD?


Very little. Under SALT you get an instant equivilency to
Ocean Diver when you join and start on Sport Diver.
Just needs the odd lecture on things like our 88 tables
(RDP is PADI only).

But ........

I'm the Training Officer of a large club and if you came along
even with BSAC qualifications after a 10 year absence, you
would need major revison. IMO a PADI scuba review would not
cut it. I would suspect that many clubs would have the same
attitude.

This is nothing to do with being anti-PADI (I'm PADI myself), more that your skillbase has eroded to the point where a
half-hour session in a pool is not going to be enough.

TerryH

[Gavin Smith]

Thanks for your input.

What would you suggest then? I don't really want to go through all the theory again as I still remember most of it. What I feel I need is practice in closed water to refresh my skills.

[Mike Halligan]

Gavin,

As TO of a small Branch (60ish), I totally agree with TerryH's post. PADI's Scuba Tune-up and BSAC's Safety First simply will not suffice after so long a lay-off. So much has moved on so very far that your knowledge even if honed to perfection is just that little bit off and the same must apply to your skills.

Like Terry, I would assure - seeking to confirm - your skills and your knowledge in the pool and in front of a PC before doing likewise in open water. This is precisely what I have done to BSAC 3rd Class and Sport Divers returning after a long break. It is acceptable for the DO to expect this and for the TO to deliver it.

We all wish to welcome you, to get you in the water as quickly as possible but must ensure you and your buddy are both safe - from the outset.

HTH,

Mike

[terryh]

Gavin,

As TO of a small Branch (60ish), I totally agree with TerryH's post. PADI's Scuba Tune-up and BSAC's Safety First simply will not suffice after so long a lay-off. So much has moved on so very far that your knowledge even if honed to perfection is just that little bit off and the same must apply to your skills.

Like Terry, I would assure - seeking to confirm - your skills and your knowledge in the pool and in front of a PC before doing likewise in open water. This is precisely what I have done to BSAC 3rd Class and Sport Divers returning after a long break. It is acceptable for the DO to expect this and for the TO to deliver it.

We all wish to welcome you, to get you in the water as quickly as possible but must ensure you and your buddy are both safe - from the outset.

HTH,

Mike

To Gavin (and a nod to Mike).

Well Mike said it all really, only thing I would add is to
checkout some local BSAC clubs and tell them what you have told
us. Most will work out a plan to get you wet safely.

If you get one that doesnt seem that interested then show the
same and walk.

Rgds
TerryH

[Gavin Smith]

Thanks to all.

That was more or less my thoughts - a proper review and practice of skills in a pool before moving back to open water.

BTW I really like the online tests on the main BSAC site this was what confirmed I still remember the theory.

[PeteM]

Thanks to all.

That was more or less my thoughts - a proper review and practice of skills in a pool before moving back to open water.

BTW I really like the online tests on the main BSAC site this was what confirmed I still remember the theory.

Just to add to the Terry and Mikes comments. We recently had someone join us after a layoff and they asked to sit in on lectures. They said afterwards that they found it a great help because whilst they remembered a lot if not most of the theory it helped get them up to speed on the bits they had forgotten and areas where we have moved on and how our training varies from what they had previously done.

If your going straight on to SD this may not be necessary but if there is going to be a gap I think sitting in on a couple of lectures is a good idea

Pete