First Class Diver
Are you ready for the ultimate challenge? First Class Diver (FCD) is BSAC’s top diving grade reflecting a high level of theoretical knowledge, organisational and personal diving and dive management skills.
The highest diver grade First Class Diver is a challenging award to attain. It takes significant dedication, experience and training to get there – but the view from the top is worth it!
There are many reasons why divers want to achieve First Class Diver success, the main one often being the pure personal achievement of earning your place at the very top of the BSAC diving community. You will have demonstrated to BSAC’s most experienced instructors that you can lead safe but challenging national and international diving expeditions.
To enrol in First Class Diver training you must have successfully completed an Advanced Diver course. You will also need to have completed 100 dives in a range of conditions since qualifying, at least 20 of which must show experience of diving to depths greater than 30m.
You must also have successfully completed the following SDCs:
- Chartwork and Position Fixing
- Diver Coxswain Award
- Oxygen Administration
- Practical Rescue Management
- Advanced Lifesaver
- First Aid for Divers
There is no set training programme for First Class Diver, instead there is a support network to help candidates to prepare. The First Class Diver Exam consists of three separate modules, assessed nationally, that can be taken in any order.
You’ll need to complete a Theory Knowledge Exam, produce an advanced Expedition Plan and pass a two-day Practical Diving Assessment that examines 12 criteria including your teamwork and leadership as you make challenging diving happen for the exam team.
Qualifying as a First Class Diver means you have had your ability to run safe but challenging diving expeditions assessed by the most experienced BSAC instructors. You will have the ability to lead major diving expeditions to achieve specific aims or objectives.
You’ll then be in a position to contribute to BSAC developments at a club, regional and national level.
The qualification means you have a high level of practical diving skills and knowledge – far beyond that of BSAC Advanced Diver.
There’s not much you can’t do as a BSAC First Class Diver.
Already an Advanced Instructor? You could further your instructing skills by becoming a National Instructor, the highest instructor qualification in BSAC, which opens the door to teaching on Advanced Instructor and First Class Diver events.
You could continue to expand your diving interests further. BSAC Skill Development Courses (SDCs) include Closed Circuit Rebreather Diver courses and three levels of mixed gas training.
You can also further your diving development by planning and leading BSAC expeditions.