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/services/talk/index.html.

If you need to change your email address, please go to the foot of this email and choose the "To unsubscribe/change profile: click here" option.

Project Neptune has reached the testing stage. We supplied Computer Software Group with a complete data extract from our existing systems for a data conversion 'first cut' during December.

Key BSAC staff at HQ and in particular the Membership department have been rigorously testing the data to see if it is all in place and ready for the change over to Integra.

The database testing has involved checking consistency and data, ensuring everything is in the correct place. Membership processing and renewals processing is being tested to the maximum in a determined effort to ensure that the changeover is smooth and consistent.

As well as testing the first data cut, BSAC Staff are undergoing general training in anticipation of the existing systems being converted to a halted state and the new system taking its place.

We are on schedule to complete phase one in time for February. This will mean a system freeze on the existing system for the live data conversion towards the end of January once all of the testing and amendments are completed.

Once the conversion is complete, the Membership Services department will be operating with the new Integra system completely and the old system will cease.

This we feel is a major milestone in the project and the beginning of a superior service to our members.

Chris Horan Project Neptune Project Manager

Chris Horan
BSAC Project Neptune Project Manager

For a full list of HQ Staff and contact details, please visit www.bsac.com/meet/meethq.html

Following the restructure of the Diver Resources Team, Mary Tetley, BSAC Operations Manager has taken on the role of the BSAC Welfare Officer. Mike Clack has become more involved with the launch of the new BSAC Centre scheme and is busy visiting potential new centres and looking after this new scheme. If you have any queries on Welfare , please do not hesitate to now contact Mary Tetley at maryt@bsac.com or direct line 0151 350 6220

The 'Technical Department' at BSAC HQ has been a source of advice and guidance on many aspects of diving, particularly aspects that were considered to be 'technical'. With the advent of 'technical diving' the title is now somewhat of a misnomer. The Team deals with all matters and enquiries on diver training, instructor development, ITS bookings, SDC registrations and Coaching Scheme. The Team also liaises with other diver training and government agencies on all diving related matters.

As part of the recent department restructure and to reflect the wider range of activities that the team covers, it has been decided to change to title of the department to:

Diver Resources Team

The Team members are: Alistair Reynolds - Diver Resources Team Manager, Mike Clack - Diver Resources Adviser and BSAC Centres Co-ordinator, Phil Clifton - Diver Resources Adviser and Coaching Co-ordinator, Jenny Smith-Hughes - Events Bookings Administrator and Zoe Macleod - Events Results Administrator.

Your opinion matters!

CLOSING DATE 31st January 2006 please visit www.bsac.org/survey2005.htm today
and make your opinion count.

Each Branch that responds to the survey will be entered into a Branch
draw to win one of these fantastic prizes:

BRANCH PRIZES

1 x full set of diving kit supplied for Branch training and use, to include
1 x cylinder, 1 x Regulator, 1 X BC Jacket, kindly donated by Aqualung worth £900.00
1 x Marinox Marine Oxygen Therapy Unit supplied for Branch use, kindly donated by Sub-Aqua Products.

A date for all your diaries, April 1st & 2nd 2006.

The London International Dive Show (LIDS), sponsored by the British Sub Aqua Club and run by Dive Shows Ltd will be taking place in Excel , London.

The show offers ALL divers something of interest; holiday companies, diving manufacturers, seminars, try dive pools and the BSAC's very own Rebreather Pool where divers can have a go with the most up to date Rebreather equipment, under the expert tuition of qualified BSAC Instructors.

Visit BSAC World
LIDS 2006 will, for the second year, feature BSAC World. You can find out everything you want about the BSAC and have the total BSAC Experience! The usual BSAC stand will be at the show, with helpful staff on hand to offer diving advice, and deal with any queries.

The BSAC will also be actively encouraging divers who have trained with other agencies to go diving with the BSAC and experience the unique friendly, social Branches of the BSAC.

Try A Rebreather Dive
Alongside the BSAC stand BSAC World will feature the Rebreather pool. Once you have experienced a Rebreather dive you can talk to one of our Technical Rebreather Advisors who will be on the BSAC Stand and discuss how you can progress Rebreather diving with the BSAC.

There's More!
On top of this, if your Branch is struggling with Marketing then come to the BSAC's Branch Doctor stand. You will find first hand advice on how to build your Branch Membership numbers and what Marketing advice and support is available to all Branches completely free of charge from the BSAC.

Insurance
Worried about insurance? Dive Master, the BSAC's insurance company will be in BSAC World too. You can ask them questions and have discussions about insurance, travel, equipment etc. Why not take the opportunity of signing up with Beneficial Bank , BSAC's affinity card? You can apply for the card at the show and receive your free gift to take away with you.

Travel Club
The BSAC Preferred Travel Partners (PTPs) will also be available for booking holidays. Do take the time to look at the amazing special offers the BSAC PTPs will be offering to ALL BSAC Members. You could save more than your annual Membership fee in one booking!

So start your diving adventure with BSAC World at LIDS - we'll see you there!

Dive Ireland 2006 is the first ever all-Ireland Dive conference. It will be held on 25th & 26th February 2006 in the Ramada Hotel in Belfast.

The aim of the conference is to bring divers together from all agencies to promote scuba diving in Ireland as a sport for everyone.

The conference will feature high profile speakers and practical workshops that will cater for all levels of diver interest including; photography, wreck diving, overseas diving, mixed gas and technical diving.

Two of the largest agencies in Ireland will be at the conference; BSAC and the Irish Underwater Council (CFT) and the BSAC will hold their first regional meeting with newly appointed Regional Coach for Ireland, Greg Hanna.

For more details about the conference visit www.diveirelandshow.com or email Gary Mulhall at info@diveirelandshow.com or call him on 07775 577090.

Win the trip of a lifetime with BSAC's very own Travel Club.

The BSAC Travel Club Photographic Award offers some truly tempting prizes for this year's winners, quite apart from the pleasure of seeing your photograph published as one of our monthly Great Shots. The winner of the Newcomer's Category will win £300 of camera equipment courtesy of Cameras Underwater - a great way to begin a serious interest in underwater photography.

The winner of our Open Category is set to win a fantastic diving holiday for two people on the spice islands of Grenada and Carriacou. Grenada was hit hard by hurricane Ivan in September 2004 but through the enthusiasm of its people has rebuilt itself and is now once again one of the most exciting diving destinations in the Caribbean. Grenadian diving offers reefs, walls and some of the most photogenic shipwrecks in the world, notably the Bianca C. Carriacou is a sleepy dot on the ocean which also offers fantastic diving. It's a superb prize which is well worth winning. The first week will be spent on Grenada staying at the Blue Horizon Cottages and diving with Aquanauts. The second week will be spent on the tiny island of Carriacou, staying at a villa courtesy of Down Island Villa Rental and diving with Carriacou Silver Diving.

You can find the BSAC Travel Club Photographic Award entry form and the rules on the BSAC Travel Club website at http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/photography/awardentry.htm

News from Australia

BSAC Adelaide Inc is a fairly close knit club of around 40 dedicated BSAC divers ranging from 20 right through to 70+ years of age. Having just celebrated their 30th Anniversary this year, BSAC Adelaide has had a full year of activities, including a 2 week diving trip for 16 to Bali in September, a government grant for new scuba units, purchase of 3 banks to streamline cylinder filling, and the usual appearance at Australia's (Adelaide) 4WD & Adventure Show. In December, the Wilderness Society contacted them to help out with Ocean Care Day (4th Dec) and 10 of their divers participated in their Wilderness Society Dive to highlight the plight of the Australian oceans. This event made the ABC news and managed to get an article on the dive club in the local paper aswell.

Mix and Match your training

Branch members can always do part of their training at BSAC recognised Centres. As well as providing complete courses, Centres will always tailor training of part of a course to suit a Branch member - identifying gaps in their Record Book. For a complete list of recognised BSAC Centres, go to: http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/schools/schoolstable.htm

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

The Bromley Branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club took to the cold water at Surrey Docks, to celebrate 50 years of scuba diving in December 2005. "It's a fantastic achievement, and the Club is going from strength to strength" said chairman David Green. " Diving over the last five years has gained in popularity as a sport - not only abroad but in the UK too. With the advancement of scuba equipment, it's becoming a more affordable sport".

The Bromley Branch welcomes new members. Interested? Contact davidwgreen1@yahoo.com or on 020 8464 0038. You can also find us at http://www.Bromley-bsac.ukdiver.com The Club meets on a Monday night at The Bridge Leisure Centre, Kangley Bridge Road, Sydenham.

Bromley Branch of the BSAC was established in December 1955. It now has around 100 members and has an active training programme to teach divers. The Club welcomes other qualified or part qualified divers from other organisations e.g. PADI, SAA.

CUPAR SAC MAKES A SPLASH FOR CHARITY

Members of Cupar Sub Aqua Club recently presented a cheque for £528.55 to the Robert Gough Centre in Leven, Fife. This is a Day Centre for adults with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.

The money was raised through a sponsored night dive and barbeque at Elie. At the presentation, Robert Gough's Manager, Margaret Caskie expressed her thanks for the Club's donation, which will be used to help upgrade IT facilities for the centre users.

The divers were lucky to have a beautiful sunset and great viz. Some members dived from the club boat near the Lady Tower while others dived from the slip. Critters which put in an appearance were butterfish, scorpion fish, lobsters, spider crabs, bloody henry starfish, sea urchins and dab. The highlight of the night was huge numbers of pipe fish which are not normally seen in such vast numbers. Club members on shore provided safety cover and also an excellent barbeque.

The club would like to thank all who took part and made the night a huge success and also the Elie Harbourmaster and the Elie Harbour Trust for permission to hold the event.

Cupar Sub Aqua Club founded in 1979 is a thriving branch with 50 members. To find out more about diving activities log on to http://www.cuparsubaquaclub.co.uk

The London Sports Awards, supported by the London Development Agency (LDA) and the London Sports Forum for Disabled People (LSF) and Sport England London, recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and groups in the field of sport for disabled people.

Sport provides pathways for disabled people to compete at an elite level, or develop a career in sport as a coach or volunteer. By increasing awareness of opportunities available for disabled people to get involved in sport at a grass-roots level, recognising best practice amongst clubs and sports governing bodies and promoting positive role models, the LDA and LSF aim to improve the development pathways for young disabled people to get to the level they aspire to in sport. The London Sports Awards have a number of categories.

Make a nomination now!
Who do you know that has made an outstanding achievement over the past year in sport for disabled people?

Visit http://www.londonsportsforum.org.uk/awards.html and make your nomination.

AVAILABLE NOW!

A comprehensive manual covering every aspect of seamanship a diver coxswain is ever likely to require. It covers boat terminology, knots, charts, weather, boat handling, engine basics, VHF operations and much more. There is also a detailed section about procedures to take in an emergency right up to and including being picked up by a SAR helicopter.

Illustrated with many detailed diagrams and colour photographs this book is a must for anyone who owns or drives a diving RIB. Retail Price : £20.00 Members Price : £17.00

To purchase your copy now, please go to http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/manuals.htm

Q. Has BSAC produced overlay pages for the new diver-training syllabus that can be stuck into the old blue qualification book (QRB)?

A. If you have completed any old pre October 2002 BSAC diver training syllabus and wish to gain the next available diver grade on the new diver training syllabus you will need to purchase the relevant training pack. Included in the new QRB with this pack will be a plastic pocket in which to keep your old blue qualification book. A list of all available training packs can be found at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/newdtp.htm or contact BSAC HQ for a hard copy, please note that training packs can only be ordered by branch officers.

If you know friend or colleague who may like to receive this monthly bulletin, please ask them to visit www.bsac.org/etalk, where they can subscribe online.