Clubdiver 2**: Training Programme...

Before you can take the 2** test you must have completed the pre-requisites and have the Diving Officers recommendation. The club had a very successful year in 2006-2007, producing a lot of 2* divers. We want to build on that success and maintain the momentum. We also want to make sure that the present 1*'s are not left out in the cold while the new batch of trainees are inducted into their new world. To this end it has been decided that the club will set up a structured 2** training program, the aim of which is to ensure that we again produce another healthy crop of 2** divers next season and to have some fun along the way.  
Pre-Requisites:

• Be 17 years of age and have a current Diving Medical.
• Hold a Diver* certificate for a minimum period of three months.
• Have the Club Diving Officers recommendation to undergo the test.
• Have logged the following dives in Irish or North European waters - minimum 15 minutes duration: 4 x 10 Metres 4 x 15 Metres 5 x 20 Metres 4 x 25 Metres 3 x 30 Metres
• All 30 Meter dives must be lead by at least a Leading Diver and completed only when all previous dives are logged. After the 30 metre dives have been logged, no dive in excess of 25 metres should be undertaken until the Club Diver Test (Diver **) has been passed.
• Complete the Diver ** Module Lectures.
• Within two weeks of the test and in open water, snorkel 500 metres in Basic equipment, and 200 metres in full equipment to the satisfaction of the Club Diving Officer.

Diving: The principal aim of the program is to get all the required dives out of the way and the candidates ready for testing early in the new 2001 season. To that end the plan is to dive through the winter at whatever suitable locations we can find, that includes the west coast. Since a full club weekend can be a major logistical event trainees and their mentors would be expected to arrange their own diving trips so as to achieve the overall goal. 2** Mentor Programme The plan calls for the club 2**'s and up to act as mentors to the trainees. The mentor is to co-ordinate with the trainees in arranging their diving, helping with their training, encouraging them and to prepare them for the final exam. It is envisaged that most of the dives that the trainees will do, will be with their respective mentors. It is hoped that enough 2** will volunteer to be mentors to allow a one to one ratio, however two to one will be permitted. All the mentor trainee pairs will have to be approved by the diving officer. Lectures: To help with the theory part of the exam the course will include a mini lecture series. The lectures will cover the main technical part of the course, dive physics, dive tables, equipment, safety etc. Like the 1* course the lectures will be given in UCD on a Tuesday evening. Deep Dives: Because the 30 meter dives require a 3*** or higher the trainees' mentor and the program co-ordinator will arrange these dives with the diving officer.  
Club Diver Testing Procedure: Ensure that the following has been completed:

• Diver ** Module Lectures.
• A "dummy run" of the complete test.
• The pre-requisite snorkels in the allocated time.
• A fully completed logbook to include:
  • Photograph glued or stapled in position and overstamped.
  • Medical declaration signed and stamped by doctor.
  • All training dives and pre-requisite dives (25) logged and signed.
  • All necessary signatures filled in by Club T.O. and DO.
  • Current CFT. Diver's brevet If any of the above items are incomplete the test will be cancelled.

Once the D.O. is satisfied that a diver is ready for testing, the R.D.O. is contacted to arrange an examiner, venue and date. No diver may be examined without the express knowledge of his/her Club D.O.  
Club Diver Test:

1. Assemble scuba equipment and present oneself ready to dive, properly weighted
2. Demonstrate Buddy Check, Hand Signals, and ditching of weight belt.
3. Demonstrate on shore use of compass.
4. Discuss a Dive Plan with Examiner. (Depth, Time, Site, Tides, Weather).
5. 20m. of water; submerge with mask in hand. Fit mask below surface and proceed to bottom. At Bottom: Remove mask, give to examiner. Remove regulator; purge and replace. Replace mask and clear. Buddy breathe for 2 minutes.
6. Demonstrate buoyancy control. Slightly inflate jacket, lift one metre from bottom, maintain that elevation for thirty seconds then return to bottom. Use jacket inflation to accomplish this.
7. Simulate a free ascent. Fin 5m. horizontally along the bottom, breathing out continuously. Regulator retained in mouth.
8. Ascend to surface (after safety stop). Tow fully equipped diver 100m (Buoyancy allowed).
9. Snorkel 200m. in full equipment.
10. Demonstrate CPR on land.
11. Oral examination in Dive Theory, Safety, Equipment and Tables.

Before commencing the test, the following will be checked:

• Candidates logbook is fully signed up and completed.
• Medical is in date.
• CFT Diver * brevet (No card, no test)

Tests 1-4 are proceeded with before leaving the shore. Tests 5-9 are completed in sequence. Test 10 is then demonstrated on shore with basic equipment worn. The oral test (11) is held after the candidates have changed, and is done indoors. Points to Note:

• Hand signals used throughout must be noted for clarity and response.
• The oral dive plan shall be simple and to the point. Main factors are: Depth, Time, Site, Weather, Tides. Do not spend more than 3 minutes on this.
• Test 5 shall be done as follows: The candidate removes his mask at the surface and at a signal from the examiner, submerges with mask in hand either feet first or in a duck dive.
• Once the candidate is below the surface he may fit the mask at any depth. The mask must be checked by the examiner before proceeding any further.
• The "Free Ascent" is done with the regulator in the mouth, the candidate breathing out. The examiner swims with the candidate, along the bottom, slightly ahead and facing towards him/her.
• Open Water Training Dives are not part of the pre-requisite dives.
• The oral test is not a marathon. It should not be longer than 15 minutes duration