Octopus Divers Doncaster (scuba diving)

Of the required ratio of instructors to students - because we are not for profit, safety comes first, often your training is on a one to one basis.
We have access to one of the deepest swimming pools in the area.
The use of the BSAC system, with it's world recognised standards, qualifications and quality training materials.

With the BSAC System you progress as follows:

Ocean Diver

Sports Diver

Dive Leader

Advanced Diver

Equipment

For a free brochure and video on learning with the BSAC click here

The training starts with the BSAC Ocean Diver course. After completing their Ocean Diver most of our members are keen to become BSAC Sport Divers. The Ocean Diver training starts in the pool and finishes with a number of open water dives.

Fitness to Dive

Prior to starting the Ocean Diver Course you will need to complete a medical fitness to dive. Which is then completed annually on renewal of your membership. This form is a legal document and the signed declaration confirms that the declaration is truthful. If you answer 'No' to all questions on the form you complete the declaration and hand it to the Diving Officer which is then held by the branch. You should also retain a copy for your Qualification Record Book for reference purposes. If you answers 'Yes' or are unsure on any area, you should not sign the form but must seek advice from a Medical Referee. From an initial telephone call and depending on the advice of the referee, you may be able to complete the form, or get the form endorsed by a Medical Referee by posting it to them with a stamped addressed envelope for return. If you are advised to see a medical referee and then passed fit to dive, a copy of a current Certificate of Fitness to Dive signed by the medical referee should accompany the annual medical declaration form. (The referee will determine for how many years that certificate of fitness will be valid).
click here to download a copy of the form

Ocean Diver Back to top of page

This is the entry level course that provides you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to prepare for open water diving. Learning to dive is all about learning to use your equipment properly and safely. The Ocean Diver training course concentrates on preparing you for this in the safety of a swimming pool and then introduces you to open water in a controlled and safe manner. This also gives you the opportunity to practice safety skills in the company of a qualified instructor or experienced diver. On qualification you can dive up to 20 metres deep. The course consists of 7 lectures followed by a theory test, 5 pool lessons and 5 open water lessons. If needed extra lessons are provided. For most of the open water lessons we use a training lake about 30 minutes from Doncaster - this means that your open water training could be completed in one weekend.

Click here for costs

Sports Diver Back to top of page

Many of our members on completing Ocean Diver go on to the Sports Diver course, the emphasis is on building a sound foundation of open water diving skills and experience through a series of structured practical lessons. On attaining Sports Diver, you are qualified to take part in dives with other Sports Divers or those of higher grades up to 35 metres & undertake planned decompression diving.

Dive Leader Back to top of page

For those who want to get really serious with their diving, this course is designed to extend your diving skills to undertake more adventurous & challenging dives. The training concentrates on the responsibilities and safety aspects of leading other divers on an open water dive. Practical lessons in rescue management and rescue skills will give you the confidence and ability to deal with those unforeseen emergencies. Leading a dive will develop your enjoyment, confidence and experience as a diver. It develops your existing dive leading skills to lead less qualified divers, marshall dives and develop your rescue support & management skills. On qualification you can undertake dives up to 50 metres.

Advanced Diver Back to top of page

Not to be confused with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver which is a more basic level grade - click here to view the crossover tables. This course further develops your knowledge and skills learnt in the Dive Leader course. You will gain experience in planning and organising dives at different sites and under different circumstances. Additional experience will be gained in using small boats, chartwork, navigation and many other related skills. The BSAC consider this grade as being a fully trained diver. Equipping you to take diving in more adventurous and challenging environments. Allowing you to be able to supervise and manage diving in unfamiliar locations.

Equipment Back to top of page

As a member you can borrow the Club's equipment for free - except cylinders which there is a £2.50 fee if they are not returned full. We advise though, that initially you purchase some basic equipment such as a mask, fins & snorkel as this will be more comfortable, it is of minimal cost and can also be used for snorkeling on holiday. For the open water element of your training you will need some form of exposure protection suit such as a Semi Dry or Dry Suit. These can be hired locally (£12 for the weekend) or can be purchased brand new or second hand - we have 2 Dry Suits & a Semi Dry Suit that can be borrowed if you are around 5ft 6ins tall and of medium build. We can provide impartial advice on what sort equipment is most suitable.

We also have a full range of teaching aids such as a laptop and projector, back up OHP projector, Official BSAC materials, & Resuscitation Dolls.

We also have a fully equipped (Radios, GPS Nav Aid, Sonar Depth finder, Flares, Oxygen Administration Kit, etc.) and insured RIB - available to suitably trained members for diving.