BSAC Open Water Instructor Training
BSAC Instructor training can be completed at any BSAC Centre of Excellence or with BSAC Thailand HQ directly.
The requirements to enter the BSAC Instructor course are that you must be:
• At least 16 years old
• Qualified as a BSAC Sports Diver or above [or equivalent from other organizations]
• Hold a current, self declaration medical
• For BSAC UK Branch members, you must also be a current BSAC UK Member
There are four steps to the BSAC Instructor Course:
1. BSAC Instructor Foundation Course [2 days]
2. BSAC Open Water Instructor Course [1 day]
3. Theory Instructor Exam [1/2 Day]
4. Practical Instructor Exam [1 Day]
Let’s take a look at each step.
BSAC Instructor Foundation Course [IFC] – 2 days
The IFC introduces you to the basic principles and approaches to teaching scuba diving, including teaching both theoretical and practical lessons.
You’ll practice teaching, receive feedback on how to further improve your teaching style and learn how to incorporate BSAC materials and teaching aids to enhance your presentations.
BSAC Open Water Instructor Course [OWIC] – 1 Day
The OWIC builds on what you’ve already learned, further enhancing your ability to teach in an open water environment.
You’ll improve your knowledge and practical skills, and gain valuable experience teaching in open water conditions under close supervision, receiving feedback on how to perfect your approach.
On completing the OWIC, you qualify as an Assistant Instructor, allowing you to assist instructors teach courses up to BSAC Diveleader level.
Theory Instructor Examination [TIE] Half a Day
To enter the TIE you must be at least 18 years old and be qualified as a BSAC Diveleader or equivalent.
There are two elements to the TIE.
During a classroom presentation, you be required to give a 10 minute teaching presentation to a group of students, covering a specific diving topic. You’ll be assessed on your ability to deliver the correct information and incorporate BSAC materials and teaching aids to enhance you presentation.
You’ll be informed of the topic of your presentation two weeks prior to the TIE.
Then during a one hour written examination you’ll be assessed on your diving knowledge, including topics such as physics and physiology, diving first aid and medicine, BSAC ’88 Decompression Tables, dive equipment and logistics, seamanship and boat handling, and the principles of teaching scuba diving.
Practical Instructor Examination [PIE] – 1 day
To enter the PIE you must be at least 18 years old, have completed an OWIC and be qualified as a BSAC Diveleader [or equivalent].
In the PIE you’ll be required to demonstrate your practical teaching skills under assessment by an examiner.
Once you’ve passed both the TIE and PIE you’ll qualify as a BSAC Open Water Instructor, allowing you to teach all diver grades up to and including BSAC Diveleader.
