Merchiston Castle School Sub-Aqua Club is a youth branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC).
Training
The entry grade for a pupil with no previous diving experience is called 'Experience Scuba'. This training involves an introductory lecture followed by a pool session.
After 'Experience Scuba' we train towards the 'Club Diver' qualification which takes a further two terms of lectures and pool sessions before the trainees are ready for their first open water dives.
We dive mainly at St.Abbs, which is a voluntary Marine reserve, about an hour's drive down the coast from the school. Occasionally we go through to the west and dive in Loch Fyne. Five open water dives are required to complete the Club Diver qualification.
The next grade is called 'Sports Diver' which requires further lectures, training and diving experience. This is a good target qualification to have before leaving school.
Branch Training Policy
All training is carried out by BSAC qualified instructors.
Maximum of 4 trainees per instructor when pool training.
Minimum training age is 14.
Branch Diving Policy
Prior approval sought for all diving activities.
All Club Diver training dives led by BSAC qualified instructors.
'Club Diver' trainees restricted to 15 metres maximum depth. 30 metres maximum depth for other diver grades. No diving involving decompression stops (unless simulated for training purposes).
Octopush
This game, played on the bottom of the swimming pool, provides an excellent means of developing snorkelling skills. It is a competitive team game for up to six players on each side. There is a puck called the 'squid', made of lead, that can be passed over the bottom of the pool using a short stick called a 'pusher'. The objective is to score by shooting the squid into a goal at opposite ends of the pool. Opposing players can tackle and intercept passes.
