Joining as a New Diver!

As a new diver the fist thing you will do is Ocean Diver training. Ocean Diver is the first level of the BSAC qualification route, see the Ocean Diver page for more information. Once you have gained your Ocean Diver qualification with the club you will be able to come on any of the club trips that are organised throughout the year, including the infamous Easter trip, and participate in further BSAC training.

There will be a series of lectures and pool sessions organised on Monday and Wednesday evenings on campus, it is important you attend these as they are only run once, and the majority of dive trips organised usually take place at the weekends. It is important to bear these days and times in mind when thinking about joining BUSAC.

As a member of the Bath University Sub-Aqua club you will be able to participate in numerous activities, both diving-related and social. The club has a large amount equipment for your use in training sessions and on dive trips, however we insist that everyone owns their own basic kit, outlined below.


What kit will I need?

For pool sessions you will need: -

  • Mask
  • Snokel
  • Fins (ideally open heeled fins so that you can still use them when you start diving in the sea)
  • Boots (for your open heeled fins)
  • Weight Belt (basic webbing type will do)
  • Swimming costume and old T-shirt

For open water (inland site of the sea) you will also need: -

  • Timing device - can be a £10 diving watch from Argos, or a dive computer/depth timer
  • Gloves
  • Hood

Other useful things to own for open water diving: -

  • Torch, for looking in holes and dark areas of the wreck/reef
  • Slate, for making a note of your dive plan
  • Mesh ‘goody’ bag, for keeping all your basic kit (mask, gloves, fins, etc) together on the boat

As a new diver it would be worth speaking to the instructors or experienced members of the club for help and advice before buying any new kit. Also it may be worth checking out the For Sale section of the website to see if anyone is selling on any items you are looking for, will be much cheaper than buying it new.