Training

Introduction

Diver training in CUUEG is organised by the Training Officer. For more information on any aspect of training, please feel free to contact them either via email or by coming to speak to them in the pub on a Thursday night. The club has several Open Water Instuctors as well as Assistant Diving Instructors (ADIs).
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   

Training with the club

CUUEG is a UK diving club and the majority of our expeditions are to destinations in Great Britain with only one or two expeditions a year to warmer waters. Since we are a University Club, with only limited resources, our main aim in taking-on novices is to gain members who will play an active role in the club and our cold-water diving. If your intention is to gain a diving qualification solely for a tropical holiday then maybe CUUEG isn't for you! All active divers (including all trainees) are required to meet certain Medical Requirements. Unfortunately, due to Child Protection regulations, we are not able to provide in-water training for members under eighteen years old.

Training Timetable 2011-2012

The training timetable for Michaelmas and Lent Term 2011-2012 can be viewed here. Thursday Theory sessions will be held on Thursday evenings at 7.30-9.30pm in the Engineering Department, the venue for the OD Theory Day has yet to be decided. Pool sessions are taught on Monday evenings 7.30-10pm in the Chesterton Community College Sports Centre, which is on Gilbert Road. Please make sure you attend every session. If you really can't make a session then you must speak to the Training Officer as soon as possible.

Diving Grades

Through our membership of the BSAC, CUUEG is able to award qualifications recognised world-wide. We run four courses, aimed at different levels of diving experience. The entry level diving grade is that of Ocean Diver (OD), which is aimed at those who have no previous experience. For divers who already hold a basic certification, we offer the Sports Diver (SD) course, whilst more experienced divers can work towards Dive Leader (DL), and subsequently Advanced Diver (AD). For more information on the content and requirements of our training courses see the Diving Grades page.

Divers with other dive qualifications

CUUEG is more than happy to accept divers with qualifications from other agencies provided you are keen to be involved with the club and our mainly UK-based diving. Such divers can either choose to dive on the basis of their existing qualifications or can work towards a higher level of training through BSAC. The details of how qualifications from other agencies (e.g. PADI OW and AOW) are transferred to BSAC diver grades can get rather complicated, and the Training Officer can provide details of where your existing qualification fits into the CUUEG scheme of things.

Skill Development Courses

Skill Development Courses (SDCs) provide an opportunity for divers to expand their knowledge and practical skills in specific areas. These include important rescue qualifications such as Oxygen Administration and First Aid For Divers; as well as technical training such as Nitrox Diver and Advanced Nitrox Diver. SDCs are normally run at Regional level, however CUUEG sometimes runs them "in-house".

Instructing in the club

For experienced divers, gaining instructor qualifications can be a very rewarding progression. Not only does it involve learning and using teaching skills, but it can be a very satisifying way of "giving something back" to the club. CUUEG will support and encourage capable divers who want to progress into instructing. We are also very keen to meet divers with qualifications from other agencies who want to become an instructor within the club. If you have an interest in becoming an instructor, please get in touch with the Training Officer.

Instructor training

Instructor training is organised at Regional level - see the Instructor Training Scheme pages of the BSAC website. The entry level is for a BSAC Sports Diver to undertake a two-day Instructor Foundation Course, and become an Assistant Diving Instructor (ADI) . ADIs are able to teach, under supervision, practical pool lessons and classroom work. Dive Leaders with ADI status are also able to undertake supervised teaching in open water situations and work towards the status of full Open Water Instructor (OWI). OWIs are nationally-recognised and are able to teach without supervision in all situations, from this level experienced instructors can work towards Advanced Instructor Status (AI).