Boat diving specialty

Overview:
One of the important elements in dive planning is the ability to anticipate real sea and diving conditions within the dive plan. The fact that sea conditions are influenced by many factors, some with fixed cycles and some changing due to non‑constant environmental factors, requires the diver to be familiar with all of these elements in order to be able to predict diving conditions with a reasonable degree of accuracy and reliability. The farther the planned dive is from the shore, the more complex it will be, requiring the diver to use means of transport to reach and return from the dive site, and to take into account both the current sea conditions and those that may develop during the dive.
This specialty will present the use of a vessel as a means of reaching the dive site and returning from it, the way the vessel is prepared and organized for diving and for diving operations from it, and the integration of forecasting and consideration of sea conditions as part of the overall dive planning and its execution.

Learning objectives:
Familiarization with weather forecasting as a tool for predicting diving conditions, preparing a vessel for diving, and the principles of diving from a vessel.

At the end of the specialty, trainees will:

• Be familiar with basic concepts in weather forecasting and their impact on future diving conditions.

• Be familiar with the current patterns of currents, winds, and waves characteristic of the coasts of the country (Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea).

• Be familiar with basic seamanship concepts, including preparation and organization of a vessel for diving, anchoring, and the correct conduct of dives from a vessel.

This specialty is a mandatory specialty for obtaining the 3‑Star Diver certification of the Israeli Diving Federation.

Prerequisites: 

1. Two-Star Diver (or equivalent level from another diving organization).

2. Age 15 on the first day of the course.

Structure of the specialty and its topics:
The content of this specialty is delivered as an orientation to prepare the diver for the 3-Star level. The specialty enriches the trainee with extensive knowledge regarding boat preparation for diving and functioning as a group leader during boat dives.
The specialty consists of theoretical and practical topics integrated with each other.

Classroom lessons will include the following topics:

• Weather forecasting - basic concepts.

• Development of winds, waves, currents, tides, and ebb.

• Basic seamanship - fundamental concepts in operating vessels, use of ropes, anchors, and knots.

• Organization of a vessel for diving.

Practical lessons (including at least 2 boat dives):

• Boat diving - rules of conduct.

• Return to the boat in open water.

• Emergency procedures.