Learning to dive with PSAC
We welcome new members with no previous dive experience who would like to learn to dive with us. We deliver BSAC training starting at Ocean Diver – the entry level diver training course.
We have a team of volunteer instructors delivering our training from BSAC Ocean Diver through to BSAC Advanced Diver. As a branch of the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), the training and qualifications acquired are standard in each BSAC club and are recognised world-wide.
Diver training
Diving is a physical activity and trainees must be medically fit. Enrolment on the BSAC Ocean Diver course is dependent on satisfying the BSAC Medical requirements. Before we can accept trainees on an Ocean Diver course, you must be able to satisfy the BSAC medical requirements by completing a BSAC self-declaration medical fitness form.
We offer two Ocean Diver training options:
1. Peninsula Sub Aqua Club BSAC Ocean Diver training
Our BSAC Ocean Diver courses are run at specific times during the year when we have sufficient numbers, with courses typically being run through the autumn/winter.
You will be learning in a club environment, which is slower and more spread out, therefore when signing up for this Ocean Diver training course, you will be committing to attend training which is carried out over eight weeks, along with two or three weekends for open water dive training.
Due to the club training environment, it is difficult for us to offer catch-up sessions as we rely on volunteer instructors, so commitment to the training schedule is essential.
2. Fast-track BSAC Ocean Diver training with a local regional BSAC centre
If you can not wait until our next club Ocean Diver course, we offer a fast-track training option which is carried out with a local regional BSAC centre.
Your Ocean Diver training, at the local regional BSAC centre, will be carried out intensively over 4-5 days. Once you have your BSAC Ocean Diver qualification, Peninsula Sub Aqua Club would then carry out your continuing training eg. BSAC Sports Diver, BSAC Dive Leader etc, and assist with your learning and skills.
What happens after my Ocean Diver training?
On completion of your Ocean Diver training, regardless of which route you take, you will be able to dive with other Ocean Divers and above on suitable dives to a maximum depth of 20m. At this stage you will need to have your own complete set of diving kit.
Ocean Diver training fee
1. Fee for Peninsula Sub Aqua Club BSAC Ocean Diver training
The training fee for BSAC Ocean Diver is £300*, plus your BSAC membership fee, payable to PSAC in one single upfront payment by bank transfer.
This includes:
- 1-year PSAC club membership (would be £120 per year)
- BSAC Ocean Diver training pack (including diver manual, log book and lecture notes)
- Training (in the classroom, pool and sea)
- Use of a full set of kit for the duration of your OD training only (including wetsuit for sea training).
*If you have carried out a try dive with us within 12-months of starting your Ocean Diver training with us, we will deduct the £25 try dive cost off of your training fee.
2. Fee for fast-track BSAC Ocean Diver training with a local regional BSAC centre
- BSAC Ocean Diver training pack (including diver manual, log book and lecture notes)
- BSAC Membership for 3-months (after which you will need to renew your membership with BSAC on an annual basis)
- Training (in the classroom, pool and sea)
- Use of a full set of kit for the duration of your OD training only (including wetsuit for sea training).
Further development
Progression to BSAC Sport Diver is the next step, and as a member of both BSAC and PSAC there is no further training charge other than £30 for BSAC Sport Diver Training Pack. For continuity, we recommend you progress straight on to Sports Diver following Ocean Diver. On completion of Sports Diver training and requisite dives, you will have the skills to be able to dive to a maximum depth of 35m. At this stage ideally you will need your own complete set of dive kit as the club only offers kit as part of the entry-level Ocean Diver course, however you may hire club kit for the Sport Diver course but you will need to have own wetsuit and boots.
What next?
Prior to joining, we suggest you get in touch with us to find out where we will be meeting that week and arrange to come along and have a chat.
Once you’ve come along to meet us, joining PSAC is straightforward – simply follow the steps below:
Step-by-step joining guide:
- Complete your PSAC application form, and return it to us
by email or post:
PSAC application form for trainee divers - Complete your BSAC self-declaration medical fitness form, and return
it to us by email or post:
BSAC self-declaration medical fitness form - Advise us whether you would like to learn through the club training programme, or through the fast-track training programme with a local regional BSAC centre.
- Make the appropriate payment to PSAC. Please email us to request payment/address details – we will respond to you directly with this information.
Medical requirements
All PSAC divers, including trainees, must satisfy the BSAC medical requirements. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions on the BSAC self-declaration medical fitness form, you will require a medical using the BSAC_Medical_Referee_Form. BSAC policy is that the medical must be carried out a doctor who is registered under the UK Diving Medical Committee (UKDMC). In the south-west, the options are:
- Dr Christine Penny (Aquamarine Medicals Plymouth)
1 Emma Place Ope, Stonehouse, Plymouth, PL1 3FD
https://www.aquamarinemedicals.co.uk/contact-us
- Diving Disease Research Centre (DDRC)
Research Way, Plymouth Science Park, Derriford Plymouth. PL6 8BU
http://www.ddrcorg
Email DDRC
The medical costs approx £100. Once you have a ‘Fit To Dive’ certificate please forward this to the club Membership Secretary.