We are an active club and diver training is part of our on-going activities. We have qualified scuba instructors who are able to train divers to internationally recognised standards.

Being affiliated to the Sub-Aqua Association (SAA), our club follows the SAA training syllabus and is therefore able to award SAA qualifications which are internationally recognised by the World Underwater Federation (CMAS).

Diver training commences in the swimming pool. At the beginning of his or her training, following the initial fitness assessment, the novice starts by learning proficiency with the basic equipment i.e. mask, snorkel and fins.

Once they have demonstrated that they are capable of proficient use of the basic equipment, the novice then moves on to train with the SCUBA equipment but before they can use the SCUBA they must pass a diving medical.

How long a novice takes to progress through the pool training is largely up to themselves but on average it usually takes around three or four months to complete this part of the training.

The trainee then moves on to the open water environment to complete their training. This is usually done in a local flooded quarry or in the sea.

Besides the practical training in the pool and the open water, the trainee must attend a series of lectures covering the theory of diving. At the end of the lecture series the trainees must pass a written examination in order to qualify to their respective grade.

Our club meets for pool training every Monday evening at 7.30pm in the Llantrisant Leisure Centre. Following this at 8.30pm onwards, the club meets on level 3 for a club meeting.

This is usually followed by retiring to one of our local pubs for a social gathering.

Besides the pool training, we also organise days for training in the open water environment. Some of these are indicated on our
dive schedule page.

A full list of all the various SAA Diver Qualifications is given below:

The National Diving and Activity Centre

The National Diving & Activity Centre near Chepstow, offers some of the best inland diving experiences in Europe. Whether you’re taking the plunge for the first time and want to learn how to dive or are a seasoned technical diver, we offer an exciting range of challenges and training to suit. With over 55 acres of fresh water, in depths of up to 80 metres, scuba divers can explore a plethora of underwater attractions.

To visit the website Click Here

Diving Qualification Grades

Novice

A novice diver must complete all pool and relevant classroom training, as set out in the SAA Qualification Record Book and Guidance Manual, to the satisfaction of the Club Diving Officer before being taken on their first open water dive. A novice must dive with an Open Water Instructor or above.

SAA One Star Diver

An SAA One Star Diver is fully pool trained in the use of SCUBA equipment. When diving in open water an SAA One Star must be accompanied by at least a SAA Three Star Diver or higher.

If the SAA One Star Diver is receiving any training or examination during the dive, it must be under the guidance of at least an Open Water Instructor. An SAA One Star may Dive to a maximum Depth of 20m whilst under Instruction for OWD.

An SAA One Star Diver may dive to a maximum depth of 35m whilst under Instruction for SAA Two Star Diver.

1 Star Diver Assessments

SAA Two Star Diver

A SAA Two Star is qualified to dive in open water and may dive with others certified to SAA Two Star or higher.

A SAA Two Star is not considered to have sufficient experience to dive with divers of Elementary or Open Water standards in open water. If the SAA Two Star is receiving any training or examination during the dive, it must be under the guidance of at least an Open Water Instructor.

A SAA Two Star may dive to a maximum depth of 35m and to 50m under supervision.

2 Star Diver Assessments

SAA Three Star Diver (Leader)

A SAA Three Star Diver has additional practical experience and knowledge, and has proven their ability to lead divers underwater. A SAA Three Star Diver may dive with any grade of certified diver. A SAA Three Star Diver is not an Instructor and may not instruct in open water unless qualified as an Open Water Instructor or above.

3 Star Diver (Leader) Assessments

SAA Three Star Diver (Supervisor)

A Dive Supervisor is an experienced and responsible diver, with a proven ability to organise and lead diving expeditions. A Dive Supervisor is not an Instructor and may not instruct in open water unless qualified as an Open Water Instructor or above.

SAA 3 Star Diver (Supervisor) Assessments

SAA Cross Over Guide

Guidance Chart for (approximate) Equivalent Qualifications

See the crossover page for more info

SAA One Star Diver - Open Water Assessments:

Before commencing aqualung training, the trainee must satisfy the Diving Officer that he/she is aware of the hazards of using compressed air equipment and pressure effects on the body such as burst lung, reversed ear etc. The trainee should also sign a declaration form and complete a medical questionnaire.

The SAA One Star Open Water Diver Assessment consists of an intial open water dive to be carried out at a safe location and should effectively be the trainee's first open water dive.

The trainee should take part in a supervised dive of at least 15 minutes duration to a depth of at least 10 metres., during which the following drills should be correctly carried out:

1. Carry out all pre-dive checks on your own equipment and your buddy's. The dive plan is to be agreed upon prior to diving.

2. Enter the water in a safe manner, demonstrate correct buoyancy and give O.K. signal.

3. Commence the dive by descending in a safe and controlled manner paying close attention to correct ear clearing, mask equalisation and buoyancy control.

4. Demonstrate the correct use of diver hand signals throughout the dive.

5. At a depth of at least seven metres, remove, replace and clear the mask three times.

6. At a depth of at least seven metres, discard, recover, refit and clear the mouthpiece three times.

7. At the end of the dive, demonstrate a safe ascent at the recommended rate (10 metres per min) including a Safety Stop at three metres for one minute.

8. At the surface, exchange signals with cover and inflate the ABLJ/STAB by any appropriate means. Remove weightbelt and S.C.U.B.A. and hand to boat/shore cover. Exit the water, de-kit and de-brief.

Following successful completion of the initial dive, the trainee must also complete a further four open water qualifying dives.

The trainee will also be required to carry out the following assessments during these qualifying dives:

1. Demonstrate the correct assembly of the SCUBA equipment, the correct method of filling the emergency cylinder from the main cylinder and the correct operation of the ABLJ/STAB including THREE methods of inflation and TWO methods of deflation.

2. Whilst correctly weighted, demonstrate neutral buoyancy by hovering above the seabed without excessive use of arms or fins.

3. Demonstrate correct buoyancy control by using the "fin pivot" method.

4. Whilst underwater, demonstrate the use of an alternative air supply, (octopus, Air II, Pony, Spare Air, etc.).

5. Carry out a dive to a depth of 20 metres.

SAA Two Star Diver Assessments:

Before commencing SAA Two Star Diver training, the trainee must have acheived the SAA One Star Diver qualification.

The trainee should also complete the BCD/ABLJ/STAB course to the satisfaction of the club Diving Officer, and have completed a minimum of 10 qualifying dives in a variety of conditions, each dive to be to a minimum depth of 10 metres with a minimum duration of 15 minutes. No more than two qualifying dives to be carried out in the same location or on the same day.

The following assessments should be carried out over a number of dives under supervision:

1. Swim 250 metres on the surface wearing S.C.U.B.A. breathing through the snorkel.

2. Rescue and tow a buddy diver for 50 metres on the surface giving E.A.R. Land victim, continue E.A.R. and E.C.M. Describe Aftercare.

3. Demonstrate correct buoyancy control using the ABLJ/STAB.

4. Demonstrate the use of an alternative air supply.

5. Demonstrate horizontal air sharing both as donor and receiver.

6. Demonstrate vertical air sharing from 5 metres to the surface, including a safety stop at 3 metres.

7. Diagnose a suspect decompression problem.

8. Demonstrate (on land), two methods of recovering an unconscious victim from depth.
   

SAA Three Star Diver (Leader) Assessments:

Before commencing SAA Three Star Dive Leader training, the trainee must have attained the level of SAA Two Star, and completed a further 15 qualifying dives in a variety of conditions. No more than two qualifying dives at any one site and on any one day. At least 8 dives must be sea dives.

It is recommended that the trainee should also have successfully attended a Basic Boathandling Course and an O2/EDFA Course. (Not Mandatory).

1. Plan and carry out a dive to a minimum depth of 30 metres.

2. Act as SAA Three Star Diver on four occasions.

3. Carry out an assisted ascent both as donor and receiver from a depth of 20 metres.

4. Demonstrate the ability to rescue an unconscious diver from a depth of 20 metres.

5. Demonstrate the ability to carry out an emergency ascent from a depth of 10 metres.

6. Take part in an underwater rope search using a recognised technique.

7. Plot a simple underwater navigation course.
   

SAA Three Star Diver (Supervisor) Assessments:

Before commencing the SAA Three Star Dive Supervisor training, the trainee must have achieved the SAA Three Star Dive Leader Qualification and must have completed a further 25 dives in a variety of conditions. Not more than 2 qualifying dives to be carried out in any one day or at any one site.

It is recommended that the trainee should also have successfully attended the SAA Diver Rescue Course.

1. Organise and lead four diving expeditions, including two boat dives.

2. Plan and execute a roped diver search, during which time the trainee must act as both tender and diver.

3. Plan and execute a stage decompression stop dive correctly with necessary stops.
   

NOTE: SAA Four Star (National Diver) training is not offered at club level.