Become an instructor overseas on a BSAC Combined Instructor Event

Mark Paisey reports from a combined Open Water Instructor / Advanced Instructor event held in Cyprus.

Overseas Combined Instructor Events have returned for BSAC members as an option to complete their ITS courses in warm and clear water. Cyprus-based Divestop (note: since rebranded to Rec 2 Tech Scuba) recently hosted two weeks of events, beginning with the Advanced Instructor Course and Exam (AIC/AIE) followed by the Open Water Instructor (OWI) courses and exams.  

In total, 14 BSAC members from the UK, Ireland and Dubai made the journey in November, hoping to complete their chosen instructor journey. Cyprus is not new to BSAC members because it benefits from year-round sunshine and clear water, with a sea temperature range of 21°C in the winter to 27°C in the summer. 

It therefore makes an ideal base in the UK winter months, allowing members the opportunity to train, when diving in the UK is a cold and unpredictable affair. Overseas events require the help of a local dive centre for logistical support; Rec 2 Tech Scuba provided this, acting as local organiser as well as providing transport, RIB services and gas and equipment. 

Having such a capable local facilitator enables the instructor team to concentrate on the combined events, which are a busy experience for candidates and instructors alike. Accommodation is self-catering in an off-season apartment block close to the dive centre. With cars provided by Rec 2 Tech Scuba, Aldi was in easy reach for much needed supplies between events. 

Ciara Corcoran, from Dublin University SAC had a phenomenal experience on the AIC/AIE. There was a lot to take in, but she described her instructors as ‘pillars of leadership’, and took satisfaction from learning how to teach others. Ciara said:

Preparation is the key, so remember to get your seamanship and navigation dusted off and read some of the relevant SDC (Skill Development Course) materials. If you have aspirations to become an Advanced Instructor, then consider these events as a really good option to achieve it.

Advanced Instructor is a big step from Open Water Instructor, but it’s readily achievable via the combined event framework. Combined events provide an intensive but manageable week in which to learn and deliver the all-important conversational teaching techniques. This style of teaching is a hallmark of Advanced Instructor, in which trainees don’t necessarily realise they are being taught. During the exam, candidates must demonstrate these skills during the planning and execution of normal diving activities on wrecks, reefs and projects.

The Open Water Instructor combined event commenced with the pool-based Instructor Foundation Course (IFC), followed by the Open Water Instructor Course (OWIC) in the sea and then a preparation day before the exam.

Suzy Pritchard, another candidate said:

Getting together with other divers from all over the place and sharing ideas is what BSAC does well, and this OWI event was no exception. Having the three National Instructors on tap and being able to share ideas meant we learned and grew over an intensive week. We all liked the fact that the groups were rotated, and we got to learn from different instructors at different times.

While the courses are intensive, there’s time for consolidation and fun, with the group choosing to ‘lick their wounds’ in a local restaurant each evening after the day’s events. I asked why members chose the combined event, and here are some of the reasons given: 

I wanted to get it all done in one go

I don’t have to take all the different weekends off to get the same things done

I like the opportunity to cover courses in clear, warm water

Learning overseas makes it more of an adventure

As a BSAC combined event, I knew it would be well run and taught well

A final note: these events are only possible because of the dedicated instructors who gave their time to support the event. My sincere thanks to National Instructors Andy Hunt, Steve Batt and John Potten.

If you are interested in future combined events in Cyprus please contact Mark Paisey by emailing markpaisey@bsac.com

• Open Water Instructor/Advanced Instructor - 21-25 October 2024
• First Class Diver prep and exam - 26 October to 2 November 24

Learning Curve article ‘A classic combo’ by Mark Paisey first published in SCUBA magazine, Issue 144 April 2024.