The first BSAC Instructor Training Scheme (ITS) event has been held in Sri Lanka, paving the way for new divers to learn in the country.

With 35 BSAC members on board and climbing, just one Open Water Instructor Jonathan Smith, the S. Thomas’ College Sub-Aqua Club scheduled its first branch ITS event to boost instructor numbers within the branch.

Having reached the threshold to qualify for a BSAC part-sponsored Instructor ITS event, and following several Covid-related delays, the week-long training to boost instructor numbers within the branch finally took place with BSAC National Instructor Adrian Collier arrival January 6th 2023.

The ITS Instructor Foundation Course (IFC)

BSAC National Instructor Adrian Collier began by delivering an IFC, BSAC’s popular start point for instructing. The two-day programme was held over a weekend at S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia and introduced the students to the fundamental principles and processes of teaching within BSAC. At the end of the IFC two of three candidates, Jason Senanayake and Yohan Abeyesekera were pleased to be awarded their Assistant Diving Instructor certifications.

The ITS Open Water Instructor Course (OWIC)

Adrian then set up an OWIC for two students, Yohan the clubs new Assistant Instructor and Jehan Pieris an already qualified instructor from another diving agency, so as crossover student, was helped to learn the BSAC way of teaching.

Classroom lessons presented no great problem. The evening open water schedule however brought about its own set of complications. Diving in Sri Lanka in general is at its best in the mornings, with winds picking up in the afternoons to typically force 4 or higher. Despite planning for this situation, the backup location in the sheltered breakwaters of the Colombo Port City were unavailable for the training.

STCSAC

Clockwise from top: Thermopylae Sierra in theory; the wreck in practice; IFC day 2.

This meant that Adrian has to alter the ITS schedule to push the OWIC evening session to the morning of the next day, and move to a previously planned primary site off surf club Dehiwela. The day after the OWIC was set aside as exam preparation day for students sitting for their theory and practical instructor exams. However, this was not to be as the OWIC was not over until the open water practical session was complete and a prerequisite leading to the two exams.

Exam day!

Towards the end of the week on assessment day, conditions were not at their best and the students faced surf, swell and poor visibility. It was a learning curve for the would-be instructors on having to teach open water skills in such conditions, as it was paramount the event stuck to the course schedule. Naturally, all necessary steps were taken to keep all training aspects safe and to BSAC standards. 

By late afternoon, the Sri Lankan club had its second Open Water Instructor (OWI), Jehan Pieris, and Assistant OWI Yohan Abeyesekera, who would become the club’s third OWI on successfully sitting for his theory and practical exams in the days that followed.

Skill Development Courses!

On the last day of the ITS event Friday 13th,the fresh OWIs upgraded their new qualifications by becoming Skill Development instructors, ready to teach Compressor Operation, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Oxygen Administration courses within the branch.

We wish to thank BSAC, Adrian Coiler, Jonathan Smith and the school for their support to our branch in making the ITS event a success.

Sri Lanka welcomes first BSAC-trained instructors - British Sub-Aqua Club 

Author: STCSAC | Posted Feb 06, 2023