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Following the Council Meeting at the weekend of 23rd and 24th July 2005, the NDC published its guidelines for Branches who wish to train divers between the ages of 12-14. From 25th July 2005, these guidelines are live for Branches and Schools that choose to welcome Junior Diving Members who wish to train and dive. The Guidelines can be found on our website at www.bsac.org/services/youngdiver.htm. If you have any queries on these guidelines, please contact Alistair Reynolds, BSAC Technical Manager at alistairr@bsac.com or on 0151 350 6261.

As the newly elected BSAC Council begins their term, one of their desires is to bring the whole of the BSAC network closer together and to be more in touch with our Branches and Members.

To help you show your Members and potential Members that your Branch is part of the BSAC, the biggest and best diving Club in the world, all branches will be receiving an official Certificate of Recognition personally signed by Marcus Allen, BSAC Chairman. The certificates will be sent to all Branch Chairpersons within the next month.

We hope you will take great pride in displaying this certificate on your Branch notice board or at your Clubhouse.

Over the next few months headquarters will be undertaking the task of cleansing the membership database. We would like to ask for all Members' assistance in this by checking renewal forms carefully and making sure that all the information detailed is correct, it does not matter how small an error there may be on it, we want to know! If you have changed address did you also update telephone numbers and email address? If you do have any changes then please email these to membership@bsac.com or contact the membership team at 0151 350 6202/6208/6257.

As you will no doubt be aware, the BSAC as the National Governing Body for our sport has become increasingly more active in the area of safety for all divers, working with the HSE, BDSG, RNLI and MCA to name just a few organisations. In addition, in the changing climate, we have an increased demand to support our members with expert advice and guidance in the event of an insurance claim. Over the past few years, Jim Watson has become increasingly involved in this area at BSAC Headquarters and has spent personal time developing additional expertise in this important field. To enable Jim to spend more time concentrating in this area, we have created a new and exciting post of BSAC Safety and Development Manager, which will lie out of the Technical Team. Jim will be supported in this important work by Jenny Smith-Hughes, who will also support other HQ departments at busy times.

Alistair Reynolds, Manager of the Technical team, will take on the role of supervising the staffing and co-ordination for the Instructor Training Scheme, supported by our newly appointed administrator, Lorna Alexander.

To support Alistair, we will be recruiting a new Technical Advisor who will be responsible for looking after the Coaching Scheme and other areas. A new supporting administrator will also be recruited. We plan to have the new staff in place before the next annual Coaches' meeting and you will have seen the advertisement for the Technical Advisor in the July & August issues of DIVE.

Mike Clack will also take a change in direction to use his marketing and sales expertise to springboard the launch of and provide continued support for the new BSAC Schools' policy, together with being responsible for Corporate Snorkelling.

These changes will obviously take a few months to implement, as we need to recruit new and train existing team members. However, the transition to the new structure should be completed by the end of the summer / early Autumn.

This restructure has come about after a lengthy period of consultation and revision with the staff and we believe we will have an excellent support structure that will take the BSAC forward.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the results of research carried out to review breathing performance of 'octopus' regulators.

Commenting on the research findings, Chris Sherman, HSE Chief Inspector of Diving, said: "This research highlights a potential problem that may be encountered in an emergency situation using an 'octopus' regulator."

Many recreational divers use an 'octopus' system which has two second stage regulators (or demand valves) attached to a single first stage regulator; thus enabling two divers to breathe from the same cylinder.

The breathing performance for a single demand valve and first stage regulator combination is set out in British Standard EN250. This, however, gives no indication as to how two demand valves would perform together when drawing on a single first stage regulator. This, along with evidence of divers struggling to use 'octopus' systems in genuine emergencies, prompted the research. The results of test data show that SCUBA single demand valve systems capable of meeting the requirements of BS EN250 cannot necessarily be relied on to perform to the same standards when used as part of an 'octopus' system.

In particular, the research found that the performance of a first stage regulator is a vital factor when determining the performance of a complete system and that reduced breathing performance was experienced when using low cost/performance first stage regulators compared to high cost/performance models. In addition, tests showed that the poorer performing demand valve of any 'octopus' pair will experience a greater loss of performance with increasing depth and ventilation rate when compared to the better performance valve. Breathing in-phase as opposed to out-of-phase also affected performance.

The report recommends that a completely independent gas supply and demand regulator is the preferred system as an alternative air supply during an emergency situation. However, if divers choose to use a 'octopus' system, they should be aware that:

• although CE marked valves to BS EN250 may be considered as 'fit for purpose' when used alone, their performance cannot be assured when configured as part of an 'octopus' system;
• octopus systems should be based on a high-performance first stage regulator;
• systems should be configured with demand valves of similar performance; and
• older valves, or valves whose performance may have degraded should not be used.

Chris Sherman added: "HSE recommends the use of a completely independent secondary gas supply system; for example, a pony cylinder set-up. That way, if there is a problem with the 'octopus' system or if a buddy pair become separated, divers have a much increased chance of survival in the event of running out of air."

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES: Call HSE's InfoLine, Tel: 0845 345 0055, or write to: HSE InfoLine, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

HSE information and press releases can be accessed on their website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/.

The BSAC has for many years advocated diving with the minimum of a suitable octopus rig. The advice contained in the HSE Press Release concurs with BSAC advice concerning the best combinations of primary and octopus regulators.

The BSAC fully supports that further risk control can indeed be gained by carrying separate gas supplies with suitable independent regulators.

BSAC HQ is introducing another exciting new campaign to help your Branch appear in the local press and to attract more Members to your Branch. "Branches in the Press" will offer your Branch its own regional Press Office! Press releases on subjects relevant to you and contacts in your local area will be provided by PR experts - Image Wizard.

How do we get involved?

Getting involved is easy - we have an online form at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/news/branchpress.html for you to complete to tell us about your Branch and the story you would like to get in the press - have you seen things in the sea you had never imagined? Has diving changed your life? Have you been out on some amazing Branch diving trips? Whatever your story, add the points in the online form and we'll do the rest!

Image Wizard will write the release, contact you to discuss it and then send it to the local media desks in your area.

Tell us your story…

To get your Branch in the Press, get writing - fill in the online form at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/news/branchpress.htmltoday and your Branch could be in print! We're looking forward to hearing from you.

First Aid for Divers, Rescue First Aid, Boat Handling, Nitrox Courses and Diver Coxswain Assessor.

There is a facility on the SDC Section of the website for those Instructors who wish to obtain 'Approved Status' for any of these courses, to register interest.

The on-line form will be forwarded to Regional Skill Development Course Organisers, who will try to accommodate the request and arrange for applicants to assist on a forthcoming course as part of the accreditation process. For more information, go to:www.bsac.org/techserv/sdc/appinstreg.htm

Please note that there is a specific process for approving Instructors for Extended Range Diver (ERD) by a team of designated ERD Instructor Trainers. Contact HQ for details.

HAS YOUR BRANCH REGISTERED FOR THE 2005 CAMPAIGN?

The BSAC's annual Come & Dive campaign has received a re-vamp for its tenth anniversary in time for the biggest campaign yet. Taking place from 26th September - 2nd October 2005, this year's event will see branches charging try-divers for the first time to take part. The £10 try dive fee has been introduced to drive branch participation and cover the costs of hosting the event (£2.50 will cover administration costs at HQ and the remaining £7.50 will be sent to the branch once their try dive night is completed). It should help to convert participation into membership by attracting those truly interested in diving.

To make Come & Dive a nationwide success it is important that as many branches as possible decide to take part in the event, and breathe new life into the BSAC!

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

After the success of the 2004 campaign, Come & Dive will have sponsorship and support from the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism for the second year running.

Double your discount - Exclusive Red Sea offers for BSAC Members!

As a BSAC Preferred Travel Partner, Regaldive is delighted to offer BSAC members an exclusive 10% off* holidays to the Red Sea departing from Gatwick on selected dates this July and August.

This superb special offer is available on the following departure dates:

• Hurghada, Safaga and El Gouna, 29th July, 12th and 19th August 2005



• Sharm-el-Sheikh, Dahab and Nuweiba, 7th, 14th and 21st August 2005



• Marsa Alam, El Quseir and Shams Alam, 11th and 25th August 2005

So don't delay - get your BSAC number at the ready and call Regaldive on 0870 2201 777 to book your getaway to the Red Sea.

*These are limited offers, subject to availability and may be withdrawn without notice. 10% includes normal 5% discount.

Conditions apply - please call Regaldive for details.

Surrey Aquanauts (BS-AC 689) recently responded to a cry for help, and took part in a fun day for families of children affected by hemiplegia.

Childhood hemiplegia is a condition, similar to cerebral palsy, which affects one side of the body. The effects are similar to that of a stroke and it affects around one child in 1,000. Further information can be found on their website at www.hemihelp.org.uk

The event, which is in its 5th year, attracted some 500 parents and children who enjoyed a variety of activities. Surrey Aquanauts provided six instructors and four poolside marshal/helpers to give the children a chance to do a try-dive. With help and advice from BS-AC and the Scuba Trust, (www.scubatrust.org.uk) a programme was put together with safety being paramount in the children's participation. One challenge was setting up equipment to accommodate small children and what proved the most effective were old fashioned backpacks with ABLJs (remember those?) attached to the packs to provide buoyancy, or alternatively a small wing, plus a 3 litre pony for air. Scuba diving was voted the most popular activity and everyone was kept busy, with the instructors in the water for close on six hours, giving 46 children a try-dive experience. The amazing thing was the underwater ability of some children once they realised that they could breath in this new environment. The expressions on their faces afterwards were worth all the effort we put into it.

Surrey Aquanauts meet at 9pm on a Thursday night at Woking's Pool in the Park. Information on the Branch is available at www.surreyaquanauts.org.uk or by calling our free phone number 0800 018 6431.

***COMING SOON - RESERVE YOUR COPY 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.

Available late summer/early autumn.

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

INSTRUCTOR MANUAL

This Instructor Manual covers the latest Diver Training programme. It covers training for all grades from Ocean Diver to First Class Diver. Includes CD Rom with visual aid templates.

Members Price £47.00
Retail Price £94.00

INSTRUCTORS' PROMPT CARDS

3 separate sets of spiral bound BC pocket-sized slates. Sets for Ocean Diver, Sports Diver and Dive Leader + Advanced Diver 'wet' lessons. One lesson per slate with blank reverse side for the instructor's own notes.

Price £10 per set.

DIVE MARSHALLING BOAT SLATE

A4 waterproof plastic slate for recording details of dive group composition, dive details and timings. For an underwater pencil for use with this slate please check out Accessories. Safety details on reverse.

Members Price £4.50
Retail Price £6.00

SEPARATE DIVE PLANNING SLATE

A waterproof plastic slate for inputting full details of Dive plan for underwater use.(This slate is included in the BSAC Decompression Tables) for underwater pencil for use with this slate please check out Accessories.

Price : £3.40

INSTRUCTOR POLO SHIRTS

Hard wearing cotton pique polos. Available in Purple, Royal Blue and Black. Sizes: M, L and XL (Proof of qualification required - add instructor number to membership number when requested)

Price : £15.00

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