BSAC Dive Leader

[Dive Tramp]

I suppose, having started the thread on SSAC Dive Leader, I should update my Diving Qualification Level to that of BSAC Dive Leader now. I had my qualification signed off on Monday3rd Dec, after completing the final two deep dives at The Slates on Sunday 2nd Dec. I'm now qualified to dive to 50m (after some post-qualification depth progression dives, of course!).:D

[tomy2tums]

I'm now qualified to dive to 50m (after some post-qualification depth progression dives, of course!).:D

Well done.

but could you explain, if your qualified to 50m, how come you have to do post-qualification dives?

Is this like the PADI deep diver, where your qualified to 40m, but can get the qualification diving only to 30m?

[Dive Tramp]

Hi T2T,Yes I guess it is. I'm qualified to dive to 50m, however, having previously been qualified to dive to 35m as a BSAC Sport Diver, it would be, shall we say, unwise to dive straight to 50m without taking the time to acclimatise one's self with the added stresses of Deep dives.
The body, as you know, needs to become accustomed to things like extreme depth and I want to take my time investigating the likes of; When does Narcosis begin to affect me, how does it manifest itself with me, are my buddies up to doing this depth too, How does Narcosis show it's self in my buddies?
Other things like much better gas management and Deco time management have to be brought on board, along with the familiarisation of, perhaps new kit to be used on these deeper dives.

[olddog]

Hi T2T,

When does Narcosis begin to affect me, how does it manifest itself with me, are my buddies up to doing this depth too, How does Narcosis show it's self in my buddies?



Wouldn't mind picking your brains seen as you have had extra training at depth.

I have only been narked once at 42 meters on air. I didn’t have any warning just suddenly had tunnel vision and general feeling of being scared, even though I have always been happy under water. It went away just as quick once I came above 30 meters.

I have never done any specific deep dive training, is that what most people would experience.

[IanStevenson]

I thought DL technically only qualified you to 35m until you had the appropriate depth progression dives signed off?

Anyway congrats on finishing the course. I was hoping to get mine finished this year but I don't see it happening. Still got the exam and one Dive Management exercise to do!

Personally I don't plan to do depth progression beyond 40m (which I have a PADI qual for anyway), not until I have more redundant kit (twins), quals for gas that won't narc me out (at 35m in cold water I'm not so sharp) and a wee bit more experience.

I notice that PADI qual cards all have on them some caveat about "within the experience gained during training" too. You're supposed to do a "Discover local diving" course or something if you're planning on diving in significantly different conditions. Technically I think that means that if you do OW,AoW etc in warm water, you're not qualified to dive in cold water without some further training in cold water.

Ian

[Dive Tramp]

Definition of a Dive Leader: (from the qual book)

* Can plan and lead a range of dives including those requiring detailed dive, air and decompression requirements planning
*Has the skill and level of knowledge to progressively extend his/her skills to take part in a wide range of adventurous dives
*Has rescue management skills
*Is competent to manage and supervise branch dives (be a Dive Manager) to locations well known to the branch, or using experienced skippers, or in conditions not normally described as "challenging"
*Can dive to a depth which is initially limited to 35m, but which can subsequently be extended progressively to a maximum of 50m
*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
*Can conduct dives within the BSAC safe diving practice recommendations

I've highlighted the Depth limits to show that that's what I had put in my initial posting. I really don't think I'll be diving much to that depth as there's much more to be seen shallower, but if there are any photogenic wrecks to be found ....well, we'll see, after I've bought a new camera;)

[tomy2tums]

Oh, DT I see now. Good luck on the deep stuff.


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"Discover local diving", has anyone actually done this? I'm not too sure, I certainly never, as I completed my OW in Mallorca. Then completed Dry suit, AOW, RD in Scotland. Going from warm water to cool water, but the reverse could be said, a cool water west coast diver only used to the murky Loch Long/Fyne should really do a blue water orientation? But thats a whole different discussion!

[stew]

Can plan and lead a range of dives including those requiring detailed dive, air and decompression requirements planning
this mean your not using mixed gas?
what decompression training was involved?

well done on your new qualification.

[Dive Tramp]

this mean your not using mixed gas?
what decompression training was involved?

Deco training involves planning and executing (bad, bad terminology!:eek: ) some Dives requiring planned (mandatory) decompression stops.

On the Mixed gases, I joined up before Nitrox was a required section in the training, but I plan to do the SDC's very shortly. Of course, the use of Nitrox may be covered in the "Detailed dive, air and Deco requirements planning" section.