Learn to scuba dive

The first step in learning to dive is the Ocean Diver Course. To enrol on the course you will just need to demonstrate that you can comfortably swim 200m in a pool, and the only kit you’ll need is a swimsuit and towel.

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What you will be able to do

As a qualified Ocean Diver, you can dive buddied with another Ocean Diver, under the supervision of a Dive Manager – so long as you stick to familiar locations and conditions you have encountered during your training.

If you want to expand your experience by exploring different locations and conditions, you can easily do this accompanied by a Dive Leader or higher-grade diver.

Your open water diver certification will be recognised worldwide. That means you will be qualified to use breathing gas mixtures of up to 36 per cent Nitrox to increase your safety on dives (you’ll learn all about Nitrox on the course). Many ‘learn to dive’ courses don’t teach Nitrox or rescue skills, but at BSAC we believe they are important skills to start learning from the start of your scuba journey.

What diving experiences will this open up for you?

At depths of down to 20m, Ocean Divers have plenty of chances to encounter a fascinating variety of wildlife and shipwrecks in seas, rivers, quarries, lochs and lakes.

Imagine finning over a rocky reef teeming with fish and covered in sessile life such as seasquirts, sponges and brightly coloured anemones, spending precious moments watching grey seals at play, or exploring a historic wreck.

The skills you will learn

Your instructor will start by getting you comfortable breathing underwater in a pool or sheltered water and then develop your skills so that you are competent to dive safely in open water. After that you’ll head out for a series of at least four dives to develop your skills and confidence in open water.

On your open water diving course, you will:

• Learn how to use basic dive gear, including your mask and snorkel.
• Control your buoyancy and underwater movements
• Understand your basic scuba diving safety skills – you will find out the importance of time, depth and gas
• Discover how to plan and manage your diving.

The Ocean Diver course includes six theory modules, at least five sessions in a pool or sheltered water, and at least four open-water dives.

The Ocean Diver course is continually assessed. So, after your classroom and in-water training and a short theory exam, you’ll have the grounding to continue your scuba diving journey as an open water diver.

All the equipment is normally provided except gloves for the open water. We have a large range of equipment sizes but cannot guarantee that we will have equipment to fit all.