We really hope that you enjoy this copy of BSAC Talk. If you have any comments regarding this issue, please let us know by email at maryt@bsac.com

A PDF copy of this issue of BSAC TALK can also be downloaded from the BSAC TALK index page on our website at www.bsac.org/page/93/bsac-talk.htm.

NOW IN STOCK

We've updated BSAC's Come Diving brochure - which is now smaller, snappier and more 'user-friendly'. Primarily targeted at non/new divers, the new A5 booklet can be used to support all aspects of your branch marketing as well as being used as a 'stand-alone' introduction to diving with BSAC. The booklet will also accompany our brand new DVD (more details below) and will replace the old A4 'Come Diving with BSAC' brochure.

Go to http://www.bsac.org/page/644/branch-stationery.htm for the online Branch Stationary order form.

Sponsored by

Our brand new promotional film - Go Diving UK - is hot off the press and will be available to branches shortly. Produced by BBC journalist and underwater cameraman, John McIntyre and sponsored by Dive Master Insurance, the film showcases the very best of UK diving with BSAC. It's a fantastic introduction to diving in British waters, BSAC and our branches and should really inspire people to Go Diving with us!

Copies of the DVD are free and will be sent out to all branches as soon as it is available as well as being included in new members' welcome packs that are sent out with training packs. The plan is for the new DVD to help branches recruit new members and also support the Go Dive and Try Dive campaigns as well as branch open evenings.

We will also be making the most of the profile raising opportunities of the DVD - it will be used as a magazine cover mount and sent out to regional and national newspapers to raise awareness of the beauty of UK diving with BSAC.

This is the first in a regular BSAC Talk slot specifically for our overseas branches. If you have a subject you would like covered in this section please email alisond@bsac.com.

Did you know you have a choice of options for your monthly Dive magazine?

As well as being delivered direct to you via surface mail, we can also -

• Arrange for your branch to have all the magazines delivered to one branch contact who can then distribute to those members whose membership include the magazine (address labels supplied)



• Arrange for your individual magazine to be sent to you via Airmail. There will be an additional cost for Airmail as follows: £15 per year for Europe, £35 Middle East, Africa, North America & Territorial Waters & £40 Pacific Rim, Australia & Rest of the World.

For more information on overseas posting and to arrange an alternative delivery method for your Dive magazine please contact Sandra Crowley on sandrac@bsac.com.

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is offering the opportunity to join their research trips off the west coast of Scotland this summer.

The Trust is based on the Isle of Mull, and surveys cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) from its research yacht, Silurian. Surveys cover the Inner and Outer Hebrides, and involve visual observations and acoustic monitoring. The Trust encourages (paying) volunteers to join them onboard these trips to learn survey techniques and assist in research. As the research vessel is a yacht, there is also the opportunity to learn sailing skills. Trips offer the unique opportunity to learn about Scottish cetaceans onboard a boat that travels to the wild and remote reaches of the Hebrides. Surveys last for seven or ten days at sea, and the cost of the trips include full board and lodging on the boat and training.

For more details on dates, costs and what the trips involve, contact HWDT by emailing volunteercoordinator@hwdt.org.

BSAC Travel Club (http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk) will soon be four years old, having gone from strength to strength since its launch in the summer of 2003. However, this year will see a review of how the Club operates so it can bring clearer benefits to BSAC members. At the same time some changes are expected within the team of volunteers on the Travel Club Project Team.

There have been a series of writers, or Correspondents, involved who have helped develop the content of the website under the guidance of Allie Boler, our Chief Correspondent. There are also special Correspondents who look after the photographic and the environment sections. Whilst the Project Team will still retain the support of most of these individuals, David Dixon, Travel Club Co-ordinator, is now eager to extend the Team's activities and skill base. In particular, he is keen to expand commercial activities. This is likely to involve using the travel website as a great opportunity to bring in advertising revenue to BSAC, as well as securing sponsorship opportunities with BSAC Centres, travel partners, and tourist boards.

David has called for more volunteers to join the team in the exciting developments that lie ahead. He would very much like to hear from any BSAC member who could help sell advertising space or might be particularly knowledgeable about the travel trade and understand liaison with tourist boards and such like. Additionally, David would like to recruit more volunteers from members with IT experience and those with knowledge of web design and layout.

There is a good deal of autonomy given to volunteers, although they will work within guidelines and are likely to be accountable to either Allie or David and ultimately the Council. BSAC Headquarters also provides extensive support, including administrative and marketing assistance. It is envisaged that it will be necessary for small working groups to meet from time to time to address specific tasks. The main Travel Club Project Team meets normally once a year in London each September.

The BSAC announces that the age for youngsters to take up snorkelling with the Governing Body for the sport has now been lowered from 8 years old to 6 years old.

BSAC National Diving Officer, Clare Peddie says; "I am delighted that we have been able to lower the age. At a time when the Government is keen to encourage young people to take up sport earlier and to get fitter, BSAC can demonstrate its support for this policy by welcoming boys and girls into the fascinating world of snorkelling from as early as the age of 6."

For more information on snorkelling please go to http://www.bsacsnorkelling.co.uk or telephone 0151 350 6200 and ask to speak to Alistair Reynolds.

Polo Style Casual Shirt Available in size Medium - X/Large 38/40" - 44/46" £20.00		Fitted T-Shirt Available in sizes Medium - X/Large 37" - 41" £15.00
	Baggy Fit T-Shirt Available in sizes Medium - X/Large 38/40" - 44/46" £20.00
Ladies V-Neck T-Shirt in Black Available in sizes S/M 8/10 - M/L 12/14 £15.00		Ladies Cap-Sleeve T-Shirt in Fuchsia Available in sizes 8/10, 12/14, 16/18 £15.00

Our new-look BSAC membership card has now been designed (right) and will be phased in over the coming months to replace the current version. Information on all the cards remains the same and all old-design cards are still valid.

The membership card's design has been refreshed and features a new diving image. We hope to change the photo on the card each year - so if any of your members have photos that could be a great image for future cards, please let us know at sandrac@bsac.com.

BSAC provides a selection of instructor training courses each year all around the country to meet the needs of members who would like to develop their instructor skills for teaching other divers.

Most are either one day or weekend events in the UK; there are however two week-long events that have become regular fixtures on the calendar. These are generally known as Joint Events because they provide either the Open Water Instructor (OWI) suite of courses and exams or the Advanced Instructor (AI) course and exam.

The Joint Events are run in Tenerife during March and Gozo (close to Malta) in October each year. As Gozo 2007 is about 5 months away now is a good time to consider this opportunity for developing your instructor skills.

Gozo 2007 is seven days from start to finish. Due to leaving the UK behind it really offers the opportunity to focus on the events with time to really concentrate on achieving new instructor diving grades. The Joint Events are great for divers with busy lives and would like to achieve an instructor grade in one concentrated effort. It has to be said that although the Joint Events are very enjoyable the standards are the same as the UK. Both events offer time to consolidate skills and with very experienced Instructor Trainers available 24 hours a day (well almost) there is a wealth of experience to help all the students succeed.

On the OWI the week starts with an Instructor Foundation Course (IFC) this leads onto the Theory Instructor Exam (TIE), the OWI course and finally the Practical Instructor Exam (PIE). For those who have the OWI qualification there is the opportunity to do the Advanced Instructor Course (AIC) followed by the Advanced Instructor Exam (AIE).

The price of the Gozo event is £750 for this you get flights, accommodation, the courses, the exams, full insurance and additional support from the Instructor Trainers on the events. There are a host of restaurants for evening meals at very reasonable prices. The accommodation, restaurants, dive centre, classroom and dive sites are all within a stone's throw of each other which again helps the success of the event.

The organiser of the event is Jack Ingle jack@jackingle.co.uk. For more information on the event please contact Jack who will be pleased to answer any further questions.

The BSAC South East regional conference (DiverSE'07) was hailed a huge success again by all attendees. Organisers had promised bigger and better and delivered just that on the day with the help of sponsors DIVE magazine, Tony Backhurst Scuba and Scubapro UWATEC. The diverse range of speakers and stands offered something for everyone. From wreck divers and explorers Leigh Bishop, Teresa Telus, Rod McDonald and Innes McCartney to marine biologist and photographer Paul Naylor, a vast variety of different topics were covered. The highlights of the day for many were split between a presentation by the metropolitan police diver (Constable Phil Marsh) driving home the message of ditching your weight belt and a fun packed presentation by Andy Jeffrey (submarine escape instructor) explaining in very practical and humorous ways how to survive a 200m buoyant ascent. Blind world record holder Mark Threadgold had the audience close to tears with his opening line "thanks for clapping, now I know I'm facing the right way....."

South East regional coach, Dave Tresidder commented, "the day was all we could have hoped for and huge thanks go to the fantastic team of volunteers we have in the south east region, in particular the conference organiser Graham Pettett. The speakers were certainly diverse with many different points of view being aired throughout the day. If every delegate went away with an idea of what they might do differently this dive season, then our aims will have well and truly been achieved. Roll on DiverSE'08."

At the AGM on 19th May 2007 Sean Gribben will be taking over from Clare Peddie as BSAC National Diving Officer (NDO). In order to build upon the excellent work carried out by the current National Diving Committee (NDC), the NDO will be establishing and recruiting people to positions within a revised NDC as quickly as possible.

The NDC serves as an advisory body and working group to support the NDO and their important role within BSAC. Working on the National Diving Committee of BSAC is an excellent way of becoming more involved in our sport and gives great opportunities for learning and extending experience. It allows us to contribute to the development of our sport and the support the Club provides for its members. Although this requires a significant commitment on the part of individuals, the experience is also very rewarding.

A summary of the current structure of NDC can be found on the Website at http://www.bsac.org/page/118/national-diving-committee.htm and covers all the activities and responsibilities of NDC by means of five specialist groups that work together on their areas of interest, with group leaders reporting to a Steering Group. Many of the key roles, especially within the Instructor and Diver Training fields require National Instructor status but there are opportunities for people with specialist skills or knowledge.

If you would like to know more or to offer your services please contact the relevant Group Leader through Steering Group by email at ndcsg@bsac.com

This is just a reminder that Branch members can pay their BSAC annual subscription by Direct Debit.

Paying by Direct Debit has many advantages for both members and Branches:

• Easier for members
• Less work for Branch Secretaries - easing admin burden
• Guaranteed uninterrupted membership

How do I arrange to pay my BSAC subscription by Direct Debit?

Your Branch Secretary should have all the details. There is a simple form for you to complete and your Branch sends this to BSAC Headquarters and we do the rest!

The BSAC Membership Department will set-up the DD instruction and send it to your bank. We will also send the Branch secretary details of which members have elected to pay by this method and their renewal dates etc, together with their membership cards.

Do I have to pay by Direct Debit?

No - the system is completely voluntary and you can continue paying conventionally if you wish.

We think that the vast majority will sign up to this concept - it's so much easier for all.

All members electing to pay BSAC subscriptions via Direct Debit will receive a £5 voucher to spend in the BSAC Shop. Alternatively, members can ask for the 'Waterbook' instead. A6 size, 50 leaves.

DIRECT DEBIT Information Hotline: 0151 350 6214 or email: karenc@bsac.com.

Branch Secretaries/Treasurers

Have you received the Direct Debit details? If not, or want to know more, contact the Accounts Department on telephone no 0151 350 6214 email: karenc@bsac.com.

The UK faces a range of covert threats to its security. There is a serious and sustained threat from international terrorism to the UK and UK interests overseas. In order to offer reassurance and raise awareness to the business community here are some points to consider when taking enquiries from prospective customers.

• Do they come from your usual customer base
  
  
• Is the booking unusual
  
  
• Have you checked their documents carefully
  
  
• Are they being evasive/secretive
  
  
• Is the payment unusual/suspicious
  
  
• Have they requested private/night time tuition

Once the customer or group are on site for their training other points to consider are

• Be aware of any behaviour or changes in behaviour that might give cause for concern
  
  
• Trust your instincts - if you feel something is wrong inform your local police or call the Anti Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321

BSAC AGM 10am, 19th May 2007 - Mountbatten Centre, Plymouth, hosted by Totnes SAC.

We've a packed programme this year, including guest speakers, a dive on the wreck of the Scylla plus evening dinner at the National Marine Aquarium.

For more information and tickets visit http://www.totnesbsac.co.uk/bsac_agm.

SAFETY AT SEA
Whilst the Annual Diving Incident Report for 2006 noted a continuing downward trend in the number of boat breakdowns and surface incidents during the 2006 reporting year and perhaps explains the downward trend in RNLI involvement (increasing use of helicopters for DCI incidents being a further explanation) it is a trend we all would wish to continue? In attempting to address any such trend ensuring that all who go to sea are as well informed and trained as possible a variety of resources and training are available but the 'Sea Safety Guide' developed by the RNLI is an excellent resource and best of all it is 'free' and very user friendly.

Information
In addition to the booklet that contains key safety messages, the Interactive CD-ROM has the opportunity to select your own specific area of interest ranging from sailing, powerboating, jetski's and of course diving. Some of the many pages of information are relevant to all but there is also some specialist advice within specific areas.

Training
The resources are not intended as a substitute for formal training in seamanship however they provide a valuable starting point especially in mastering basic skills and should be considered a first point of reference for anyone just starting to go to sea with their club and especially for crew members. In particular the advice of safety equipment should prove essential reading for anyone going out in a club RIB.

Quizzes
The interactive CD-ROM and website links mean that any learning can be consolidated by working through the variety of quizzes and tests built into the system. The buoyage, lights and collision regulations versions are particularly entertaining and imaginative, especially the way you can adjust the level of fog.

Resources
The information booklet itself is a useful resource that clubs and boat owners should consider carrying aboard their boats (in a suitable protective bag) as it serves as a simple reference guide for many situations afloat. Clearly the CD-ROM and the internet are not as useful whilst afloat (for most users of open boats) but the pack does include an A5 sheet of stickers, which include radio (VHF & DSC) procedure cards and labels for Flares, First Aid Kits and Lifejackets.

To find out more and order a Guide visit http://www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety

Think SAFE - Dive SAFE

Jim Watson
BSAC Safety & Development Manager
For more detail and information please visit http://www.bsac.org/page/45/diving-safety.htm

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