Sub-Aqua

NB. All sub-aqua activities have a degree of risk and must not be undertaken without proper training, supervision and equipment. As the use of an aqualung/compressed air should not be undertaken by anyone under 15 years of age, this award can only act as an introduction to anyone who would want to pursue the sport more fully.

The Grades of the award would in many ways approximate to Scottish Sub-Aqua Club/British Sub-Aqua Club/Sub-Aqua Association, Snorkel Awards.

Grade 1
Theory
1 .	Aims and purposes of training.
2.	Basic equipment.
3.	Ears and sinuses.
4.	Snorkelling techniques and activities.
5.	Theory Test.
Swimming Test (Group A) (Swimming costume only)
Tests to be completed at one pool session.
1.	Swim 200m free style (on the front).
2.	Swim 100m back stroke.
3.	Swim 50m wearing 4 kilo weight belt (allowance should be made for size/buoyance of Boy).
4.	Float on back for 5 minutes.
5.	Tread water, elbows clear of water, for 45 seconds.
6.	Recover 3 objects (3 dives) in 2m of water (all surface dives).
7.	Swim distance of 15m underwater.
*Open Water Tests
1.	Fitness endorsement.
2.	Fin 500 m in basic equipment and lifejacket (if suit is worn adjust for neutral buoyancy).

Grade 2
Theory
1 .	Respiration (hyperventilation, hypoxia, drowning).
2.	Signals and surfacing drill.
3.	Rescue and lifesaving (including EAR and CM).
4.	Theory Test.
Pool Tests (Group B) (Wearing basic equipment - fins, mask and snorkel).
Tests to be completed at one pool session.
1.	Sink basic equipment in pool at 2m depth. Surface dive, recover f ins and f it on surface. Surface dive again and while underwater fit mask and snorkel, then clear mask, surface and clear snorkel.
2.	Fin 200 m. Surface diving to 2m every 25 min.
3.	Perform a set of 3 forward rolls, followed by 3 backward rolls. Breath may be taken between sets.
4.	Tow someone of similar build 50 m using method that incorporates EAR (simulated) giving 3 breaths in this distance.
5.	Land body, continue EAR. Describe how to carry out cardiac massage.
6.	Fin 20 m underwater.
7.	Hold breath underwater for 30 seconds.
*Open Water Tests contd.
3.	Rescue a diver similarly clad and of similar build.
4.	Snorkel dive to 7 m.

Grade 3
Theory
1.	Protective clothing, exposure and exhaustion.
2.	Lifejackets.
3.	Open water expedition/planning.
4.	Theory Test.
Pool Tests (Group C) (Wearing basic equipment and lifejacket)
Tests to be completed at one pool session.
1.	Fin 100m wearing 5 kilo weight belt.
2.	At the end of (1) surface dive to bottom at 2 m, remove mask and weightbelt and surface.
3.	Fin 50 m, face submerged, breathing through snorkel. (Eyes must be open most of the time.)
4	Surface dive, recover and fit mask and weight belt. (On surface or underwater.)
5.	Run through full set of diver/surface and diver/diver signals.
6.	Orally inflate and deflate lifejacket on the surface.
*Open Water Tests contd.
5.	Act as snorkel cover on at least 2 diving expeditions to the satisfaction of the leader/instructor.

*Open Water Tests must not be commenced until the assessment of the instructor is such that the trainee is fully fit/trained/equipped for the tests involved - and then only under full supervision.

Consequently progress from Grade 1 to Grade 2, etc., should not be unreasonably prevented pending such tests, provided all 4 open water tests and 2 snorkel covers are completed prior to completion of Grade3.