Fancy learning to scuba dive? The BSAC Ocean Diver course is your starting point! On the Ocean Diver course you will learn to dive safely and confidently to a depth not exceeding 20m.
During the course, we’ll provide all the equipment you need to learn to dive – although many students choose to purchase their own mask and fins early on. (though ask us for advice!).
We generally run ocean diver training each year starting around October time, completing theory, pool and sheltered water sessions before Christmas, and open water sessions from February the following year – ready for the main dive season starting in April!
What’s included?
The cost for your course includes:
- Your training pack (Diving Manual, Qualification Record Book, Ocean Diver Student Notes, Qualification Card)
- Pool hire, the largest part of the cost
- All equipment hire for the duration of your course
- Air fills
- Boat and fuel charges for the dives on your course
- 12 months BSAC membership
- Covering instructors air fills and travel expenses
The only extra fees are for club membership, which will be pro-rata’d from when you join until April the following year. As a BSAC club, we operate on a not-for-profit basis – and all of our instructors are volunteers giving their time for free. We will provide a full breakdown of costs for you, but a rough guide to course costs (based on 2016 prices) are below. Course costs are based on the total number of students enrolled on the course, and you’ll never pay more than the actual costs incurred during your course.
2 students | 4 students |
£260 each | £215 each |
If you have taken a try dive with us in the same year as starting your course, we will be pleased to refund your try-dive fee on completion of your Ocean Diver course!
How does this course compare to a PADI Open Water course?
The BSAC Ocean Diver and PADI Open Water courses cover similar skills, but the training style is generally different. PADI courses are generally run in dive schools by paid staff – and can be a great way of getting qualified quickly if you have a specific holiday in mind you want to be able to dive on, as the course is often run full time for between 3-5 days.
On the other hand, BSAC Ocean Diver is usually taught in clubs, by volunteer (yet still highly qualified) instructors, who enjoy teaching you to dive just as much as you’ll enjoy learning! The training is progressive and spread out at a time to suit you – often evenings and weekends – and is specifically oriented around diving in the UK – where the conditions can sometimes be more challenging than abroad.
Our BSAC Ocean Diver course is one of the most cost-effective ways to learn to dive – as once your course is complete, you are a full member of our club and encouraged to join us on any club dive!
On the other hand, many of our members have joined us after completing a PADI Open Water course elsewhere, and then continued training within the BSAC scheme.
BSAC Ocean Diver is recognised internationally – so whichever route you choose you will be able to use your new skills to enjoy diving all around the world.
What next?
Want to find out more? Ready to learn to dive? Contact us to find out when our next Ocean Diver course begins! Alternatively, come down to the club any Wednesday and speak to our training officer or one of our instructors.
If you think you may be interested in learning to dive but are not quite sure, why not book a Try Dive?