Aberdeen BSAC FAQ

General

Where and when do you meet?

Our pool training takes place at Hazelhead Pool at 8:15 on Tuesdays. We meet at the Ferryhill Tavern after 8pm on Thursdays to discuss the coming weekends diving and future dive trips.

What facilities do I get use of as a member?

 The club has a 5.6 m rigid inflatable boat which we use on day trips and some longer trips farther afield. It costs 13 for two dives off the club boat on a day trip.

We have a pool session which, aside from dive training, you can use for testing kit, practicing diving techniques or just going for a swim. It costs 3 per adult to use the pool.

You also get to dive with a group of people with a host of different diver interests and experiences.

What do I get with my BSAC membership?

An internationally recognised diver qualification when you complete a training course

Third party insurance

Subscription to Dive magazine

Discount on the BSAC mail shop

Access to a wide variety of skill development courses

Access to instructor training

I have a son/daughter who would like to learn to dive. Can he/she join your club?

We only train junior divers over 14 if their parents are qualified divers and willing to accompany them to all training and on all club trips that they attend

I have a son/daughter who is a qualified diver. Can he/she join your club?

We only take on junior divers over 14 if their parents are qualified divers and willing to accompany them to all training and on all club trips that they attend

Who do I contact for further information?

Diving Officer: Greig Smith diving@aberdeenbsac.org.uk  h: 01224 861973

Training Officer: Alan Johnson training@aberdeenbsac.org.uk h: 01224 867141 m: 07775762027

Expeditions: Simon Greenstreet expeditions@aberdeenbsac.org.uk   h: 01561 320329 m: 0780 360 3856

Qualified Divers

I am a qualified diver and I would like to join Aberdeen BSAC. How much does it cost to join?

The cost depends on your level of qualification, and type of BSAC membership you seek. Please contact our membership secretary to discuss (membership at aberdeenbsac.org.uk).

I have just learnt to dive on holiday and would like to join a club here. What further training do I need?

You will need to use a dry suit in these waters so we would take you in the pool for a session with a dry suit, before taking you into the open water. Other than this, you can dive with the club with your qualification. However, we would encourage you to progress your diver grade to improve your diving experience.

And how much does this training cost?

Nothing... We charge a joining fee in the first year and annual membership fees for the club and BSAC. We do not charge for instruction. style="mso-spacerun: yes" The BSAC training pack costs around 30+p&p

How do I start getting out diving with Aberdeen SAC?

Come along to the Ferryhill Tavern on Thursday nights when we discuss the weeknds diving. Unfortunately diving in Scotland is very weather dependant, so alternatively you can drop a line with contact details to expeditions at aberdeenbsac.org.uk and we can contact you the next time that the club is going out.

I dont have my own kit yet. Can I use club kit?

You need your own mask, fins, snorkel, dry suit and weights. The club has kit for hire at a nominal cost, but new trainees have priority so you need to get your own SCUBA kit.

I would like to progress my diver qualification. How long will it take?

Training with a club is not like commercial diver training. It relies on the volunteered time of your dive instructors, who like to dive for fun as well as instructing. It also relies on your own enthusiasm to get out diving with the club. The BSAC courses are built around demonstrating competence and developing experience. The BSAC Sport Diver course is more involved and takes more time than most commercial qualifications as a result.

New to diving

I would like to learn to dive. How much does it cost?

We do not charge for training. We have an initial joining fee and annual memberships to the club and to our governing body the British Sub-Aqua Club. The BSAC training pack is around 30+P&P. Please contact the membership secretary to get precise details of the cost of membership (membership at aberdeenbsac.org.uk).

What kit will I need?

You will need mask, fins, snorkel, weight belt with weights and a dry suit for your Ocean Diver training. You will be able to use club SCUBA kit free of charge for training during this diver grade. You will, however, need your own SCUBA kit once you qualify.

How long will it take?

Training with a club is not like commercial diver training. It relies on the volunteered time of your dive instructors, who like to dive for fun as well as instructing. It also relies on your own enthusiasm to get out diving with the club. The BSAC courses are built around demonstrating competence and developing experience. The BSAC Ocean diver course is more involved and takes more time than most commercial qualifications as a result.

What does the Ocean Diver grade mean?

As a qualified Ocean Diver you will be able to dive to a maximum depth of 20 m with a diver of greater experience on air, NITROX 27%, 32%, and 35%.

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