BSAC Ocean Diver and Advanced Ocean Diver: your first two grades

• What it is: BSAC's entry-level grade (20m) and the optional next step (30m).
• What you need first: Ocean Diver: age 12 or over, able to swim 200m comfortably in a pool, and the medical form. Advanced Ocean Diver: Ocean Diver (or an equivalent from another agency plus Nitrox training) and age 14 or over.
• What you'll learn: Basic kit, buoyancy, gas planning, Nitrox up to 36%, then compass navigation and marker buoys.
• How long it takes: Around five days at a BSAC centre, or weeks to months at a club. Advanced Ocean Diver can take two days at a centre.
• Cost: A PADI or SSI Open Water course at a UK centre is usually £445 to £900. BSAC courses are run by clubs and centres, which set their own prices.
• What's next: Diving track: Sports Diver. Instructing starts after Sports Diver. See BSAC instructor grades.

Ocean Diver

• Six theory modules.
• At least five sessions in a pool or sheltered water.
• At least four open-water dives.
• A short theory exam, with continuous assessment throughout.

Once you qualify, you can dive to 20m with another Ocean Diver, under a Dive Manager, at places and in conditions you met in training. With a Dive Leader or above, you can try new places and conditions. You'll also be qualified to use Nitrox up to 36%. Rescue skills start on this course too.

The only kit you need to start is a swimsuit and a towel.

Advanced Ocean Diver

It sits between Ocean Diver and Sports Diver, and it's optional. You'll do:

• Four theory sessions, in a classroom or online.
• At least two open-water sessions and two depth-progression dives, to 25m and then 30m.
• Compass navigation, SMB and DSMB use, more Nitrox, and two of the Sports Diver theory modules.

Once qualified, you can dive to 30m with another Advanced Ocean Diver, accompanied by a Sports Diver or above. Those dives must be no-decompression, in conditions you've met in training. You can still buddy an Ocean Diver, down to 20m.

Medical

A BSAC self-declaration medical form, done when you join and every year after. Answer yes to anything and you'll need to see a UKDMC medical referee.

Source: Ocean Diver course, Advanced Ocean Diver and Diving fitness and medical forms, BSAC, checked October 2026.

Governing body: British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC). It sets the UK safety standards and training awards for scuba diving, so it's the official place to find out more. PADI and SSI run their own courses too.

Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.

The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.