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.

You will remember a while ago we got in touch to seek members' views on how we can develop the BSAC brand. The aim of this consultation was to ensure that the BSAC brand continued to reflect the values of today's Club and its members.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the consultation, particularly the online surveys which proved highly effective.

Feedback from these surveys clearly highlighted that while you all liked Neptune, you felt that he was looking a little old-fashioned. It was also agreed that our logo as a whole needed modernising and a new, organisation-wide strapline should be introduced.

As a result of the consultation, the BSAC logo has now been redesigned, with a new typeface and featuring a smaller Neptune along with the introduction of one single strapline - Diving for divers.

Clear guidelines on using our refreshed brand image have also been developed to ensure that it is consistently and effectively used across the organisation.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to making the implementation of the updated BSAC brand as smooth and cost-effective as possible while maintaining quality and impact.

Over the coming months, you will start to see the introduction of the logo and strapline across all our training, marketing and promotional materials. This is going to be a very gradual process and you will only see a change in the logo when we have run out of current stock, are reprinting or we are producing something for the first time, e.g. the new Diver training packs now have the new logo and the new snorkelling posters. We will also shortly be making the new logo available for branches to use on their own materials, including branch websites. Again we do not expect you to rush out and use the new logo. We just ask that if your branch is producing something new, you use the new logo rather than the old logo.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about the new brand, please contact Alison Dando at alisond@bsac.com or by telephone on 0151 350 6221. Once again, many thanks for your invaluable feedback - by refreshing our brand we can continue to build on BSAC's distinct image and reputation as the biggest & best dive club in the world.

Best wishes,

Marcus Allen
Chairman

This year's Try Dive campaign will run 24th to 30th September when we will be inviting interested non-divers to have a try dive the BSAC Way.

We're currently putting the finishing touches to the external PR campaign in which we will encourage non-divers and divers across the UK to visit their local BSAC branch, either for a try-dive or to find out about crossing over into the BSAC.

In the meantime, you can register your branch to take part in this year's campaign now by filling out the online form at  http://www.bsac.org/page/958/try-dive-registration.htm

Try Dive is an ideal way to get new members into your branch and to promote diving and BSAC to a much wider audience. So register your Branch today and enjoy the benefits, whether you are looking for new members, to raise your local profile, for fundraising or to promote your own activities.

Meanwhile - our Go Dive with BSAC campaign - aimed at existing divers - continues to run throughout the summer. Go Dive enables interested divers to go along to a Go Dive night at their local branch to find out more about BSAC and we're asking all participating branches to promote the campaign in their local area.

You can also invite your friends who used to dive but have had a break - a neighbour who has always "fancied having a go", a colleague who "just loves the idea but isn't sure where to start" - we all know someone who would like to try diving or for whatever reason has given the sport up. This is your chance to entice them to our sport- and to encourage them to join the best diving club in the world.

For more information on this year's Go Dive and Try Dive campaigns, email alisond@bsac.com or call 0151 350 6221.

We've produced a new range of eye-catching snorkelling posters which are now available to all branches.

Produced in two sizes, Poster (A3) and the smaller Flyer option (A5), the new promotional material has been specifically designed to help promote snorkelling as an accessible and family-friendly activity within your branch.

These new snorkelling posters are part of BSAC's ongoing push to grow our membership by appealing to BSAC's wide range of potential members.

Snorkelling is an ideal opportunity for youngsters (and adults alike) to take their first steps towards learning to dive. It's also a great way to get the whole family involved in your branch and BSAC.

If your branch offers snorkelling, then the posters can be used alongside your existing promotional material or displayed in specific target areas such as swimming pools, leisure centres, libraries, colleges, hospitals, shop windows, youth clubs and of course your branch meeting place.

If your branch would like more copies of the poster or flyer, they can be ordered via our website at  http://www.bsac.org/page/644/branch-stationery.htm or by calling 0151 350 6200.

OPSAK^TM Odour Proof Barrier Bag

For more information and to order these new products
from the BSAC Shop, please visit:
http://www.bsac.org/page/975/new-products.htm.

Voices From the Sea - Ruth Cocks
This fabulous book tells about Selsey's coastguards, divers, fishermen, lifeboat crew members and various other sea stories.

The forward which is by Sir Patrick Moore starts with: I have known Selsey all my life, and have lived here for almost forty years now, so that although I am or was! - an airman I am very well acquainted with the "people of the sea" I know the coastguards, the divers, the fishermen and the lifeboat crews. They are remarkable people, and Ruth Cocks has written a remarkable book about them. She has spent sixteen months talking to them, and she has let them speak for themselves. They have much to say, and much to tell us.

Strange things have been found below the waves including: a submarine, the remains of the first British-built sub, the A1 launched in 1902, a torpedo, a bomb or two. a giant lobster, an exploding jellyfish and part of an extinct rhinocerus.

There are tragedies; the sea can be merciless, but the Selsey lifeboat men have saved many lives, and Ruth Cocks makes us realise how brave and how dedicated they are. Remember, they are all volunteers. They run risks at every 'shout', and not many people really appreciate how much we owe to them.

ALL the money from the sales of these books will distributed to the following three charities: The RNLI Selsey, The Coastguard Association and The Shiprecked Mariners Society.

Voices from the Sea

was £17.00

now £14.00 plus p+p

Order your copy now. Please quote 'BOM 2' in the 'Special Instruction' box when ordering online. Alternatively, please call the BSAC Shop on 0151 350 6222/6225. For the full range from the BSAC Bookshop, please visit

http://www.bsac.org/page/514/bookshop.htm.

Did you know that when you place an order for 5 or more BSAC 88 Decompression Tables or Nitrox Decompression tables, you will receive 10% off the cost. This could be a big saving for the Branch and the students as individually a student will pay £17.00 plus £3.00 P+P.

If they are purchased at the same time as student training packs, they will be included in the postage cost that you already pay.

Polycarbonate plastic high-visibility yellow waterproof case designed to hold a mobile phone or GPS. Floats, O-ring sealed, shock-absorbent shell. Inner core foam holds the phone in place. Ringing can be heard when the case is closed.

Get yours whilst stocks last. Only eight left.

Retail Price : £20.00 Members Price : £17.50 (free p&p)

http://www.bsac.org/page/522/special-offers.htm

Following feedback, BSAC HQ will be introducing a two-month membership renewal notice period with effect from August 2007. This means that you will now get two months' notice to renew your yearly membership. The change will provide more time for your membership secretary to collect and process your renewals and make the process easier for all concerned. Your current renewal date will not change.

For more information, please speak to your membership secretary.

BSAC Ireland have recently received 5 new Welch Allyn "AED10" trainers for use on Regional AED (Automated External De-Fibrillator) courses. These units have been kindly donated by MDI Medical, based in Belfast.

Any Branches within the Region who are interested in the AED course should contact the Regional Coaching Team.

Caroline de Lacy,Product Specialist at MDI Medical presents the new AED trainer units to Gary Mulhall from BSAC Ireland (pictured right).

£224 pp (inc 10% BSAC discount) Tropicana Rosetta Hotel 3 star B&B flights & transfers included valid on all departures until 20 August

£233 pp (inc 10% BSAC discount) Sonesta Club 3½ star B&B flights & transfers included valid on all departures until 20 August

Incident Reporting
BSAC have monitored and reported on Diving Incidents since 1964. The latest report can be viewed at NDC Diving Incidents Report 2006 and is produced by the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) in the interest of promoting diving safety. It is important to note that it contains details of UK diving incidents occurring to divers of all affiliations, plus incidents occurring world-wide involving BSAC members.
We are often asked if a particular incident should or should not be reported. The guidance below seeks to clarify this but a general principle should be to report any unusual occurrence and allow the Incidents Advisor to decide on its inclusion.

Opportunity to learn
The primary objective of the report is to allow ALL divers to learn from the incidents experienced by others. This removes the necessity for each and every diver to learn by their own personal experience and therefore make diving safer for all. BSAC accepts reports from all sources, including the SAA, SSAC, PADI, MCA, RNLI and managed inland sites such as Stoney Cove. Incidents which are successfully resolved are just as valuable as those which result in injury to people or loss of or damage to equipment.
It also does not need to be the person who is directly involved in the incident who reports it as anyone witnessing an incident is welcome to submit a report; we take great care not to duplicate information but would report more rather than less incidents if there is any doubt. If in any doubt please submit a report.

BSAC Insurance requirements
BSAC members, as part of their membership, benefit from Third Party Liability Insurance cover. It is a requirement of the policy that any incident that could give rise to a claim (i.e. involves injury to another person or damage to someone else's property) is reported to the insurers at the earliest opportunity.
The easiest way to do this is to submit an Incident Report in the normal way and BSAC HQ will use the information to notify the insurers as appropriate.

In Confidence
It is very important to stress that the Incident Reporting system is never used to apportion blame or point the finger at any individual or group. The published Report does not contain any personal identifying details and simply records a summary of the incident and the key facts that will allow divers to understand the problem encountered and consider for themselves how to avoid a similar situation.
The content of the formal reports are not shared with any third party unless the person submitting the original notification gives their explicit permission to do so.

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