Holborn BSAC run a range of courses throughout the year. These courses include the next levels of BSAC Diver Grades beyond Ocean Diver, as well as specialist Skills Development Courses (SDCs), all designed to broaden your knowledge.
In addition Holborn BSAC also offers a number of unique club courses, such as underwater photography, rebreather try-dive sessions and ropework, to name a few. All of these courses are available to club members, including those who have dive qualifications from other training agencies.
BSAC Diver Grades
The British Sub-Aqua Club has been teaching scuba diving since the early 1950s. During this time the Diver Training Programme has been regularly updated and improved to keep pace with developments in equipment and diving knowledge. The programme is designed to build confidence and self-reliance, whilst keeping safety uppermost.
Following on from Ocean Diver the next core grades are Sport Diver, Dive Leader and Advanced Diver. Each qualification builds upon the skills learnt in the previous grade as well as introducing new ones.
As you advance through the core diving grades, the depth to which you are permitted to dive increases, putting more and more dive sites within your reach. You will also learn the skills required to undertake dives requiring mandatory decompression stops, as well as more advanced rescue techniques. Everything, in fact, to make you a more complete and highly competent diver.
Skill Development Courses (SDCs)
As well as the core diver grade qualifications Holborn also runs many of the Skill Development Courses (SDCs) that are offered by the BSAC. SDCs are an excellent way of expanding your understanding of the broader diving environment and the skills required to support diving operations.
Whether your interest is in wreck diving, small boat handling, rescue, marine life or technical, there is an SDC to suit – many of which are run by Holborn. These include Lifesaver, Boat Handling, Oxygen Administration, Search and Recovery, Nitrox and Chartwork and Position Fixing.
Club courses
While SDCs are useful, they don’t cover every aspect of diving. For this reason Holborn offers a range of in-branch courses that cover other areas of interest. These one-off courses usually take the form of evening sessions and are both informal and informative. Club courses include; Underwater Photography, Rebreather try-dives, Ropework, Equipment maintenance and Instructor workshops.
Interested in learning more?
If you would like to find out more about the courses than Holborn run, please feel free to get in touch either via our contact section or by clicking on the button below.
CORE TRAINING COURSES
Sport Diver
Qualified BSAC Sports Divers are ready to take part in dives with other Ocean Divers or higher grade divers. Depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 35m after qualfying*. Sports Divers can embark on the first stage of the route of instruction.
Prerequisites
To enrol on the BSAC Sports Diver Course you must be 12 years or older.
You must have already successfully completed a BSAC Ocean Diver course (or qualifying certification from another recognised training agency).
What you’ll learn
You’ll hone your scuba skills and experience in various areas including rescue skills, Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs) and Delayed Surface Marker Buoys (DSMBs), navigation, techniques with equipment, and more about breathing gas. In addition, BSAC Sports Divers are taught how to support a Dive Manager by acting as their deputy as the first step in developing this important role in support of safe diving. The BSAC Sports Diver course has both practical and classroom lessons run in an integrated sequence. The course includes a sheltered water lesson and five open water lessons.
The fun bit
You will love the variety in this course. To ensure you experience a range of conditions, your instructor will include five types of dive from the following for you to experience: shore dive, nitrox dive (using a breathing gas >21% Oxygen up to a maximum of 36% (nitrox)), dive using a shot line, low visibility dive, drift dive, small boat dive, large boat dive, wall dive or a dive in protective clothing (wet suit or drysuit).
Qualification and what that means
A BSAC Sports is defined as a diver who is competent to:
• conduct dives to 20m (if you choose to do the post qualification progress dives, the depth is increased in 5m increments to 35m)
• conduct dives with a BSAC Ocean Diver within the restrictions of the conditions already encountered by the Ocean Diver
• conduct dives with another BSAC Sports Diver, within the restrictions of the conditions already encountered during training.
• Conduct dives with a Dive Leader or higher grade, to expand experience beyond the conditions encountered during training, under the supervision of a Dive Manager.
• use breathing gas mixes up to Nitrox 36
• plan and conduct dives requiring mandatory decompression stops
• rescue a casualty and provide basic life support
• support the role of Dive Manager by acting as a competent deputy
Learning materials
You will be given a pack as part of your course which includes all the learning materials you need for the BSAC Sports Diver course. The pack includes a Qualification Card application and your student diver notes. (There is also an A5 binder for divers crossing over from another training agency.)
Cost
£72.00: fee includes cost of the training pack (£93.00 for crossover from other training agencies).
In addition there may be other fees associated with the open water dives required to complete the qualification such as dive fees, accommodation, entry to inland sites etc. Where possible these costs will be determined prior to the start of the course.
*To complete the depth progression you need be over 14 years old. Those under 14 years can qualify to Sports Diver but can dive to a maximum depth of 20m.
Dive Leader
Leading a dive will develop enjoyment, confidence and experience as a diver. After qualfying, and if you wish, depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 50m. Dive Leaders are eligible to progress to Open Water Instructor.
Prerequisites
To enrol on the BSAC Dive Leader Course you must be 14 years or older*. You must have already successfully completed a BSAC Sports Diver course (or qualifying certification from another recognised training agency).
*Sports Divers who are aged 12-14 are able to complete those elements of Dive Leader that do not require depths in excess of 20m)
What you’ll learn
You will learn dive leadership skills through 12 classroom lessons, seven open water dives, two dry practical lessons and 20 dives (which may include the open water lessons) in a range of conditions.
The BSAC Dive Leader course covers the role of the BSAC Dive Leader, Dive Planning and Management, Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) use (midwater deployment), dive leading demonstrations, basic life support with Oxygen administration and practical management of diving incidents, casualty assessment, dive planning, shot recovery by simple lift and review of rescue skills.
Qualification and what that means
A BSAC Dive Leader is defined as a diver who:
• can plan and lead a range of dives including those requiring detailed dive, gas and decompression requirements planning.
• has rescue management skills.
• is competent to manage and supervise branch dives to locations well known to the branch.
• can conduct dives with divers of any grade, to expand their experience beyond that previously encountered by those divers, under the supervision of a Dive Manager.
• can conduct experience building dives with trainee Ocean Divers, within the restrictions of the conditions already encountered by the trainee Ocean Diver, and under the supervision of a Dive Manager.
Learning materials
You will be given a pack as part of your course which includes all the learning materials you need for the BSAC Dive Leader course. The pack includes: Qualification Card application and an A5 binder with your Student Diver Notes and the Dive Leading Manual.
Cost
£65.00: fee includes cost of the training pack.
In addition there may be other fees associated with the open water dives required to complete the qualification such as dive fees, accommodation, entry to inland sites etc. Where possible these costs will be determined prior to the start of the course.
Advanced Diver
The BSAC Advanced Diver course develops knowledge and skills. Divers gain experience in planning dives at different sites and circumstances. Additional skills will be gained in using small boats, chartwork and navigation and many other related skills. Advanced Divers who are Open Water Instructors are eligible to progress to Advanced Instructor.
Prerequisites
To enrol on the BSAC Advanced Course you must be 14 years or older. You must have already successfully completed a BSAC Dive Leader course (or qualifying certification from another recognised training agency).
What you’ll learn
You will learn dive planning and managment skills through four classroom lessons, two open water lessons, two dry practical lessons and 20 dives (which may include the open water lessons) in a range of conditions, since qualifying as a Dive Leader.
• The BSAC Advanced Diver course covers:
• The role of the BSAC Advanced Diver
• Advanced diving
• Organising diving from different platforms
• Review of diving conditions and on-site first aid
• Expedition planning
• Diving and rescue skills review
• Rescue skills and management review
• Dive planning and management
The BSAC Advanced Diver course has relatively few ‘formal’ practical lessons and is much more heavily based on a structured broadening of experience, particularly dive management.
Experience dives
The BSAC Advanced Diver syllabus includes open water lessons and experience dives which should total a minimum of 20 dives and 600 minutes underwater time since qualifying as a Dive Leader. To ensure that students receive experience in a range of conditions, the open water dives must include the conditions in the following list. To ensure consolidation of the skill requirements, each of the conditions should be experienced on at least three dives:
• planned decompression dive – dive involving at least two planned decompression stops
• dive in tidal waters – dive involving a direct descent following a shot line, to dive on a specific site in a slack water window.
• drift dive – dive to a minimum depth of 15m in water moving at a speed which precludes a return to the point of entry
Only one of the above conditions may be logged per dive. In addition to the above, a further six dives should include at least three of the following conditions:
• navigation dive – dive requiring navigation around a site.
• search dive – a dive involving the utilisation of underwater search techniques.
• no clear surface dive – a dive involving no clear surface, either cavern, wreck penetration or ice diving.
• mixed gas dive – a dive involving use of mixed gas, either closed circuit rebreather or open circuit.
• advanced decompression dive – a dive involving advanced decompression techniques and emergency gas deployment using decompression trapeze or lazy shot.
• surface location dive – a dive involving the surface location of an unknown site using surface searching techniques, followed by suitable precautions when diving an unknown site.
Of the 20 dives:
• at least ten should be carried out from boats.
• on at least ten the student should act as dive leader
• at least six should show depth experience greater than 30m
• on at least five occasions the student should act as Dive Manager (including taking responsibility for carrying out all planning activities):
• at least two should be full day diving activities, to sites which are unknown to the student Dive Manager
• at least one should be for a duration of at least two days, involving overall planning of the event
• the remaining two may be to either known or unknown sites
Qualification and what that means
A BSAC Advanced Diver is defined as a diver who is comprehensively trained, experienced and responsible and who can manage and supervise:
• a wide range of adventurous and challenging diving activities
• branch diving expeditions to explore unfamiliar locations
• branch diving activities including dives utilising developing technology and techniques
While Advanced Divers do not necessarily need to be qualified to use emerging technologies themselves, they need to know sufficient about them to understand how to safely incorporate them within branch diving.
Learning materials
You will be given a pack as part of your course which includes all the learning materials you need for the BSAC Advanced Diver course. The pack includes: Qualification Card application and an A5 binder with your Student Diver Notes.
Cost
£55.00: fee includes cost of the training pack.
In addition there may be other fees associated with the open water dives required to complete the qualification such as dive fees, accommodation, entry to inland sites etc. Where possible these costs will be determined prior to the start of the course.
Lifesaver Award
Holders of the Lifesaver Award will have demonstrated their lifesaving proficiency in diving and non-diving situations.
Entry requirement
This award is open to anyone over the age of 12 and an Ocean Diver (or acceptable alternative).
What you’ll be assessed on
The Lifesaver Award is obtained by passing an examination which comprises of two sections – a dry theoretical and practical test and a wet practical test:
• Lifesaver theory covers the human body, diver rescue and basic life support.
• Lifesaver in-water skills includes towing and throwing
Additional training prior to the examination may be necessary and this can be delivered in the branch or centre prior to assessment.
Cost
£22.00 BSAC administration fee.
Boat Handling
Many divers find this the most enjoyable course we do. It provides or enhances skills dramatically over a weekend that can often be further refined in the branch.
Entry requirement
This course is open to all over the age of 14. No diving qualification is needed to do this course.
What you’ll learn
The Boat Handling course has a mix of classroom-based and practical lessons, teaching you:
• familiarisation with the boat and its equipment.
• owner and driver responsibilities.
• boat handling basics – operating a boat, launching/loading and retrieval
• voyage planning – weather, tides, area familiarity, crew and ‘get home’ plan.
• both sheltered and open water handling.
• anchoring and diving.
The fun bit
As there is a maximum of three students per instructor, there’s lots of hands-on action with this course. You’ll feel the thrill of driving a boat at high speed, and face the challenge of conquering new skills and techniques. When you’re not driving yourself you’ll be practicing new skills as part of the boat crew.
Learning materials
Your course pack includes all the learning materials you need for the course. The pack includes: Seamanship: a guide for divers book, the Boat Handling course manual and a Qualification Card application.
Cost
£200.00: fee includes cost of the training and assessment pack and exam.
In addition there may be other fees associated with the practical elements required to complete the qualification such as transport to/from practical sessions. Where possible these costs will be determined prior to the start of the course.
Oxygen Administration
The course concludes with a practical and theory assessment. Only those who pass the assessment will be able to apply for a qualification card.
Entry requirement
You need to be a minimum of BSAC Ocean Diver (or equivalent). This course may also be open to others at the discretion of the BSAC Safety and Rescue Skills Chief Examiner.
What you’ll learn
The Oxygen Administration course has a mix of classroom-based and practical lessons, teaching you:
• basic life support
• use of the pocket mask
• oxygen and diving incidents and how they benefit from oxygen
• casualty assessment
• the use of oxygen administration equipment
Learning materials
Your course pack includes all the learning materials you need for the course. The pack includes: the Oxygen Administration course manual and a Qualification Card application.
Cost
£25.00: fee includes cost of the training pack.
Search and Recovery
Entry requirement
This course is open to BSAC Sports Divers or acceptable alternative.
What you’ll learn
The Search and Recovery course has a mix of classroom-based and practical lessons, teaching you about:
• the shotline and its uses
• search operations and techniques
• recovery operations and techniques
Learning materials
Your course pack includes all the learning materials you need for the course. The pack includes the Search and Recovery course manual and a Qualification Card application.
Cost
£25.00: fee includes cost of the training pack.
In addition there may be other fees associated with the practical elements required to complete the qualification such as dive fees, accommodation, entry to inland dive site etc. Where possible these costs will be determined prior to the start of the course.
Accelerated Decompression Procedures
Entry requirement
Entry level is BSAC Sports Diver who has completed the 2007 syllabus (with nitrox content) and has been endorsed as a Nitrox Diver, plus 20 additional dives including depth experience to 30 metres.
Alternatively, applicants must hold an acceptable diving and nitrox qualification with another agency which equates to the above standards. All students must hold gold standard buoyancy from the Buoyancy and Trim BSAC workshop.
What you’ll learn
The Accelerated Decompression Procedures course has a mix of classroom-based and practical lessons, teaching you:
• Knowledge of safe diving using Nitrox and accelerated decompression techniques
• Use of gas mixes up to 80% oxygen
• New concepts and skills
• Dive planning
Learning materials
Your course pack includes all the learning materials you need for the course. The pack includes: ‘Ox-Stop decompression tables’ (plus ‘Nitrox tables’ unless already BSAC Advanced Nitrox Diver), the ADP course manual and a Qualification Card application.
Cost
£66.00: fee includes cost of training pack A (includes Nitrox tables).
£51.00: fee includes cost of training pack B (excludes Nitrox tables).
In addition there may be other fees associated with the practical elements required to complete the qualification such as the cost of gas, dive fees, accommodation, entry to inland dive sites etc. Where possible these costs will be determined prior to the start of the course.
Chartwork and position fixing
The course focuses on the techniques of chartwork, position fixing and navigation and goes hand-in-hand with the practical Boat Handling course.
Entry requirement
This course is open to all. No diving qualification is needed to do this course.
What you’ll learn
The classroom-based lessons will teach you:
• chart basics and tides
• position fixing methods, GPS and radar
• how to find a dive site and voyage planning
Learning materials
Your course pack includes all the learning materials you need for the course. The pack includes: the Chartwork and Position Fixing course manual and a Qualification Card application.
Cost
£25.00: fee includes cost of the training pack.
In addition there may be other fees associated with the practical elements required to complete the qualification such as RIB fuel, accommodation etc. Where possible these costs will be determined prior to the start of the course.
Underwater photography
You are advised to bring your own underwater camera if you have one. If you have a digital camera but no housing, you may find it useful to have it to hand during the theory session.
Entry requirement
This course is open to BSAC Ocean Divers (or acceptable alternative). Because of the task loading imposed by using an underwater camera and the risk of damage to sensitive marine life, it is recommended that before attempting underwater photography in open water conditions, students should be able to control their buoyancy within ±1m or better, and that they should be very familiar with their own diving equipment.
What you’ll learn
• Optics – issues specific to underwater photography
• Camera and housing fundamentals
• Camera functions and shooting techniques
• Practical tips underwater
Learning materials
There are no learning materials with this course.
Cost
£10.00. This is a classroom/pool-based session so no other expenses will be incurred.
Rebreather try-dive sessions
Entry requirement
This course is open to BSAC Sports Divers (or acceptable alternative), you will need a minimum of 50 logged dives and hold a BSAC Advanced Nitrox Diver qualification or above (or acceptable alternative).
What you’ll learn
• General theory of rebreathers
• Specific theory of APD units
• Dive conduct and open water diving skills
Learning materials
There are no learning materials with this course.
Cost
£10.00. This is a classroom/pool-based session so no other expenses will be incurred.
Rope work
Entry requirement
This course is open to BSAC Ocean Divers (or acceptable alternative).
What you’ll learn
• The most essential knots used for diving and boat handling
Learning materials
There are no learning materials with this course.
Cost
There is no cost for this course.
Equipment maintenance
The course covers typical problems and has a mixture of lessons and hands-on sessions so you can practice and develop your new skills.
Entry requirement
This course is open to BSAC Ocean Divers or acceptable alternative.
What you’ll learn
This classroom-based session teaches you:
• typical problems and owner maintenance
• how to inspect your kit for problems
• what to leave to the professionals
• cheap alternatives to expensive dive equipment
Learning materials
There are no learning materials with this course.
Cost
There is no cost for this course.
Instructor workshop
Entry requirement
This course is open to BSAC Sport Divers or who have attended the BSAC Instructor Foundation Course.
Learning materials
There are no learning materials with this course.
Cost
There is no cost for this course.