Branch Instructor Award

Overview

The Open Water Instructor (OWI) qualification is our core instructor award, allowing OWIs to instruct new ScotSAC members to take their first steps in learning to dive. During the OWI course and training, you will learn the basic skills needed to instruct diving safely and in a way that is fun. You should be keen to relay your own knowledge to others and help them to grasp the skills they need to enjoy the sport. It will be hard work sometimes but can also be very rewarding. At the end it will have been your training that gave your branch that newly qualified and competent diver.

 

Prerequisites

At the time of application to become a OWI, the candidate must:

  • Hold current membership of ScotSAC

  • Hold a current medical certificate

  • Be of age 18 or over

  • Have been a ScotSAC Sport Diver or equivalent for at least 18 months

  • Have at least 75 correctly logged dives in UK or similar waters

  • Have completed the Sport Diver – Dive Leadership training components or hold a recognised ‘Dive Leader’ qualification

  • Have attended the Master Diver lectures:

    • Advanced Decompression and Safety and

    • Emergency Procedures

  • Have the recommendation of the Branch Diving Officer

  • If the branch has an Acting BDO, the recommendation of the Regional Coach is also required.

 

Scope of the award

At the time of the application for the Instructor Course the candidate must submit proof of their current Medical Certificate along with the OWI Course Recommendation Form.

  1. Candidates will be required to complete the one-day ScotSAC Open Water Instructor Course.

  2. Complete 2 practical pool sessions of at least one-hour sessions under supervision of your Branch Diving Officer and Regional Coach or nominated Regional Instructor/Open Water Instructor Assessor or Examiner.

  3. Complete 2 practical open water sessions under supervision of your Branch Diving Officer and Regional Coach or nominated Regional Instructor/Open Water Instructor Assessor or Examiner (1 Open Water assessment shall be a rescue refresher).

  4. In order to comply with legislation regarding PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme, the candidate will also be required to undergo a PVG check.

The post course assessments shall be completed within 12 months of course attendance. 

Candidates who do not complete within this time are required to attend a further course

 

Course Dates

Open Water Instructor Courses are held at least twice per year.

Contact the Course Director for further information. The cost of the course is currently covered by the training budget and is therefore FREE to candidates. This reflects ScotSAC's commitment to volunteers.

Course Director: Course Director

Instructors from other organisations who are crossing over and do not meet the above pre-requisites should contact the Course Director via ScotSAC HQ.