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.

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Please accept my apologies for this month’s membership renewals. Any of you who have renewed in the month of April will have received an incorrect membership form. Contact has already been made with all membership secretaries to confirm this error.

The actual member details on the form are correct but unfortunately the form was issued with the incorrect heading; a salutation of Dear Ms Crowley and the form also contained Direct Debit information. After consultation with branches, it was agreed that you would all continue with these forms as the actual individual member information is accurate.

Thank you all for your patience in this matter. Next month’s renewals will be issued on the correct form. I apologise once again for this inconvenience. If you have any queries on this matter please do not hesitate to telephone me on 0151 350 6220 or email me at maryt@bsac.com Mary Tetley, BSAC Operations Manager

We have now officially started phase 2 of Project Neptune.

Phase two is the events module of Neptune and will handle the bookings and results processing of Skill Development Courses and Instructor Training Scheme Courses.

All of the existing data we hold for courses ongoing for this year and past years will be converted for use with Project Neptune. All Members’ details and information on previous courses will also be converted. This will allow us to see which courses Members have done.

We have had some training on the events module and a couple of sessions of consultancy and data conversion discussions. We are now in the position to start looking at a 'data cut one' which will mean that we can use a training system with real data to streamline and tweak to suit. The project 'go live' date for phase two is May 2nd 2006.

Chris Horan
Project Neptune Project Manager

Our new forums have been very successful. There are already hundreds of BSAC members from all over the world online, chatting, exchanging information, helping each other and keeping in touch. All the very latest news from the BSAC and the rest of the world normally breaks on the forums first. But we would like more of you to join in! There is something there for every member from our newest trainee diver through to national instructors, so come and join us online!

From the date of this BSAC Talk through until the end of April we will be holding a prize draw. There are two prizes of a £25 BSAC Shop voucher for BSAC members who register and join in from now until the end of April. Entering our prize draw couldn't’t be easier, it’s all done online, to enter –

• Register online with our forums at http://www.bsacforum.co.uk
• Fill in your BSAC membership information (number, branch, renewal month).
• Introduce yourself by placing a message in our Members Chat Room forum that is exclusively for BSAC members.

Your name will go into the hat (an electronic one) for two prizes –

• A £25 voucher to the lucky member.
• Another £25 voucher to their branch (nominated branch or region for Direct members).

Already registered? We’ve got a third £25 voucher prize for you as well, details online. See you all at http://www.bsacforum.co.uk, we look forward to welcoming you to the new 21st Century BSAC Online Services!

Branch web sites work, hundreds of clubs report getting thousands of new members via their club web sites. We are launching a major new initiative to help our branches with their web sites. We can give you hints and tips, help if you want it, even some web site hosting space if you need it. All clubs should have a web site, it’s easier than you may think. So if you want to get online or spruce up your existing web site then come and talk to us. If you are a webmaster of an established club web site then please come and help.

It’s all done online via our forums. There is a special Branch Web Site Help forum for you to join. All branch webmasters or budding branch webmasters should come and join in, find out how it’s done, see what other clubs are doing and find out what works and attracts new members. See you there!

The Heinke Trophy, in the form of a shield with a silver sports diver motif, is the Club‘s premier award. It was donated to the BSAC in 1958 by the old established British diving firm of Heinke, which had been making high quality hard-hat diving equipment for many years. Although the company was later taken over by Siebe-Gorman, some of its original products continued to be made and are available from Collins & Chambers.

The Heinke Trophy is awarded to the Branch judged to have done the most to further the interests of its members and those of the BSAC. Any entry submission should provide the adjudicating panel with all the information and documentation necessary to make a balanced judgement.

It is suggested that Branches prepare and keep yearly records of their activities and achievements using the format of a Heinke Trophy entry. For a year of particularly high achievement, such records could quickly be brought together to form an entry for the Heinke Trophy Award.

Branches are reminded that if they wish to enter for the 2006 award, their application must be received before the end of December 2006. This then gives the entrants three months to put the final touches to their entry before the final submission date of 31st March 2007.

For further information and entry notification form, visit our website at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/services/heinke1.htm

Alistair Reynolds
BSAC Diver Resources Team Manager

The following letter was sent out to all snorkel and diving branches in mid-February in preparation for the change of snorkel membership conditions that came into effect on 1st March. As a result of further consultation with snorkel branches a slight amendment has been made to the contents of the Welcome Pack; namely that the Basic Snorkel Diver certificate and cloth badge have been removed. These will continue to be available from the BSAC shop.

As a result of a review of the Club's insurance cover, we would like to bring to your attention that non-members may only visit a BSAC branch on a maximum of 7 visits. These visits are as a guest in order to determine whether they wish to join your branch and the BSAC.

What training non-members can receive

The non-members may receive some snorkel training up to Basic Snorkel Diver only within this set period. Any person wishing to continue their training and association with the branch must be a registered member of the organisation.

Instructors' liability

Any instructor training non-members beyond this 7-visit agreement are considered to be working commercially and outside current BSAC insurance cover. In order to protect our volunteer instructors and the integrity of the BSAC, it has been agreed that any visitor wishing to receive training beyond this 7-visit period must become a member of the BSAC.

New Snorkel 'Welcome Pack'

To assist in the compliance of this insurance condition, as from 1st March, Snorkelling Qualification Record Books (SQRBs) will be issued to BSAC members only, which will be through BSAC HQ on receipt of membership application.

New Members will receive, for their first subscription, a Snorkel Welcome Pack, including the following:-

• Introductory letter from the Chairman
• Snorkel Qualification Record Book
• Copy of Snorkel News & Views newsletter
• Safe Diving booklet
• Snorkel grades Information sheet A14
• Preferred Travel Partners information sheet
• Opt-in application form
• Dive Master Insurance information leaflet
• Issue of Snorkel Diving qualifications

The Basic Snorkel Diver certificate & badge to be completed and issued to the member on gaining the award.

As from 1st March, branches can continue to purchase certificates and badges for issuing to current BSAC members only, for further snorkelling qualifications gained.

Existing branch stock

If branches are carrying a stock of green SQRBs after this date they can be returned to the mailshop and a credit note issued for all items in a resellable condition. For further guidance, please contact the Diver Resources Team at HQ on 0151 350 6200 or at snorkelling@bsac.com

Alistair Reynolds
BSAC Diver Resources Team Manager

THE CLUB 1953-2003

SPECIAL OFFER
A celebration of the history of the British Sub-Aqua Club from 1953-2003. For 50 years the BSAC has been at the forefront of exploring the underwater world.

Each copy comes with a special dedication insert which can be tailored for individuals or branches making it a unique gift or record.

Normal Retail Price : £25.95
NOW ONLY: £20.00 including P+P!

TO ORDER:

• Call the Shop on 0151-350-6222/4 with your credit/debit card details.
• Order on-line at www.bsacshop.com

Please quote CLUB1 when placing your order.

Due to relevant changes to the content of the Dive Leader training materials to include the 'Dive Leading' manual with effect from April 1st 2006. The cost of these packs will increase by £10.00. Note the retail price of this manual is £18.00 (members price £15.00).

As of 1st April 2006 the price of a selection of the Skill Development Course packs will increase. This increase affects those packs that are currently charged at £12 and two of the Nitrox diver courses.

£12 SDC Packs
The SDC packs that are currently charged at £12 will see an increase of £3 per pack, making the new price £15.

Nitrox Courses
The Basic Nitrox Diver course pack will be increased from £27 to £30, while the Combined Nitrox Diver course pack also sees an increase of £3 making them £40 each.

The Advanced Nitrox Diver course pack is unaffected and remains at the current price of £27.

Please be aware of this increase when registering SDCs and ordering packs after the commencement date of 1st April this year.

Following a review of the Resuscitation Council (UK) Guidelines 2005 and other relevant documents, the BSAC Rescue Skills Chief Examiner and the National Diving Committee have published their revised ‘BSAC Basic Life Support Guidelines 2006’ for the benefit of all members. These Guidelines is included with this issue of BSAC Talk and can also be viewed and a copy downloaded from http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/techserv/irc/resupd06.htm.

A special edition of the NDC E-Bulletin has been published and circulated to all members who have registered to receive communications in this way. You can register for the service at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/etalk.

This Bulletin covers the ‘BSAC Basic Life Support Guidelines 2006’ and some related advice from the Rescue Skills Chief Examiner in relation to teaching In-Water Rescue skills. This advice is in support of an identified weakness in the teaching of this skill identified from students taking the Practical Instructor Exam and the advice is aimed at clarifying the most effective techniques for effective teaching of this skill. This advice can be viewed on the Website at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/techserv/irc/inwater.htm.

The Pass/Fail rates on the various components of the Open Water Instructor Examination and the Open Water Instructor Chief Examiners analysis of the factors associated with these results can be viewed at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/techserv/irc/instpass.htm.

National Diving Committee

The sight of an RNLI vessel as it hove into view is often one of immense relief for anyone with the misfortune to get into trouble at sea. Much as the gratitude expressed on such occasions is appreciated the best option for all concerned is to avoid the need for the callout in the first instance and some simple checks can avoid most problems.

The RNLI Sea Check offers a free Safety Check of your boat and can be requested online at http://www.rnliseasafety.org.uk/leisure/seacheck . The check will be conducted by an RNLI volunteer, who may well be an experienced diver, who will also be able to provide additional safety advice and suggestions for any additional improvements that can be made to the vessel or its operation.

Rick Raeburn
RNLI Leisure Boat Safety Manager

The time has at last come for that first ‘real’ dive of the year. The personal diving mothballs have been aired with dives in that wonderful, much loved, quarry and perhaps even the odd shore dive to ease back into things but the first boat dive of the year somehow seems more of the real thing.

Taking the club, or privately owned, RIB out of it’s winter storage requires similar thought and preparation to that personal health check and preparation we give ourselves and there are some simple steps you can take to ensure that first trip is a relaxed and enjoyable success.

1. Boat Fitness

• As with personal equipment, winter is the ideal time to get the boat and engine properly serviced. Ensure it is done by a reputable dealer and service agent.
• Consider having the boat independently checked using the RNLI SEA CHECK
• Check and service all electronics as well
• Check out the boat on short trips before committing to more adventurous activities

2. Coxswain preparation

• Before loading the boat for the first trip of the season check the boat and engine to ensure that everything functions properly
• Check the Weather Forecast and make sure you have a Passage Plan on board
• Use a Safety Checklist
• Brief the crew
• Notify Coastguard

3. Crew Preparation

• Make sure all crew members are fully briefed on the trip
• Ensure all are aware of emergency actions

Much of the information and Guidance required for the ‘Safe Operation of Member Club Boats’ is contained within the publication of the same name from the Combined Diving Associations and can be downloaded from the BSAC Website at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/techserv/diveboat1.htm

A key element of this document is reference to the SOLAS V regulations and the requirement to have a current weather forecast and passage plan on board.

Think SAFE – Dive SAFE
Jim Watson
BSAC Safety and Development Manager

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.