Craven Water Rats
Sub-Aqua Club

DIVER TRAINING

Dive Safe - Get Trained!

Hi my name is Ernie, the man they all love to hate when it comes to training, so you may ask why I took the job of Training Officer. Well it all started 6-7yrs ago; I was asked if I wanted to do a 'try-dive' at our local pool. Never having given this sport a thought before this, I decided to give it a go and so one Sunday off I went to the local pool to have a go, I enjoyed it so much that I enlisted myself for the SAA 12-week Course. Before I knew where the weeks had gone I was sat at our local meeting place doing my Elementory Diver exam.

"The SAA training programme has been devised to ensure that the novice moves through the grades of competence in an enjoyable and progressive way, each new level of training building on what has previously been learnt. This means that the novice learns to dive using an extensive system of evening classes and pool sessions, spread over weeks rather than days"

Like everybody else all I wanted to do was get all my diving gear on and get out and see what the other world was like under the water, well the day finally arrived full of nerves. We all met at a local safe inland water site, Helworth Bridge. After to our pre-dive brief from our training officer we got kitted up did our buddy checks ready to get in the water, with our assigned dive buddy's.

Finally, we got in the water and the shock of the freezing water (after all it was January) and the apprehension made me breathe faster and faster until I experienced my first ever free flow; From my training I new that this would not be a problem as demand vales are designed so if they in the unlikely event that they free flow they will fail open so I would still be able to breath. The Training officer had hold of me and we made a safe accent to the surface. On the surface he explained to me what had happened and told me this is why we had done the training I felt Good that the training I received prepared me so well for the type of problems I may come across in the new exciting world of Sport Diving,

From that moment I knew I wanted to know more. So here I am after a few years of hard work and a lot more exams and several hundred logged dives;

I am now training officer of our diving club; it's now my job to get the message across to all our trainees, how important training and more training is. I would like to think that anyone trained under the SAA guidance will be able to dive safely anywhere in the world confident in there ability backed by sound thorough training. Come along and see for yourself. Happy Diving - Ernie

SAA Standards

Like other diving organisations, the SAA lays down a set of guidelines and standards, which clubs follow in training and certifying their members. Many people who join from other organisations may have varying styles of tuition but as long as their training is in line with our standards their programme will be accepted by the SAA.

All diving qualifications are at the discretion of the Diving Officer. This means that the Diving Officer has a lot of flexibility when crossing over divers who have received training with other organisations. The Diving Officer may take into account training, experience and ability. Any individual crossing over may be sure of a positive reception and will be provided with all the support they require to make the transition. An additional benefit of joining the SAA, is that the Association is a member of CMAS (The World Underwater Federation) and as such will provide you with additional recognition anywhere in the world.

Water Rats Training

Here at CWR we have a comprehensive training schedule, both in the pool for beginners and at various dive sites in the UK for those who are progressing their training and gaining further experience. Craven Water Rats train extensively at the Capernwray Diving Centre, Dosstill, Kirbylongsdale, Liverpool as well as many other inland rivers & waterways and, we are one of the few clubs that train all year round. All training is carried out by experienced and qualified instructors and one of the responsibility of our club Diving Officer. Training starts with a period of lectures and pool sessions for 12 weeks, these generally take place on a Sunday.
(Regional Training Courses available HERE)

The standard of training at our club is highly regarded within the SAA & our members who go to regional courses always pass. This is not the case nationally, on a recent Diver Rescue course all our club members passed but the overall pass rate was only 20%... Diving Officer

SAA Training Courses & Qualifications

Elementary Diver Open Water Diver Club Diver Dive Leader

Diver Rescue Open Water Instructor Dive Supervisor Dive Master

Summary

Which ever organisation you decide to get your training from is up to you, we would obviously like to think that you will choose (have chosen) the SAA. The main things to remember are;

• Don't dive without the correct training
• Get your training from a reputable source
• Ensure that the training you receive is to an internationally agreed and recognised standard
• Once you have your initial certificate, don't be under the mistaken belief that you are now a 'fully trained diver'. It is an ongoing process and like any qualification, does not give you experience which you only develop over a period of time.
• Keep up to date with your training to develop your skills and experience and, above all
• Enjoy your sport - Dive Safely!