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It's all go with Neptune as two more phases kicked off in August.

Survey training began on 9th August. This will give us the ability to survey branches and members to ensure that we are meeting everybody's needs and requirements and that we are providing a quality service to members based on your feedback.

Your opinions are important to us, so we feel that the survey module will be an excellent vehicle for analysing feedback to improve our services.

The other phase is the merchandising module. This will give us greater control over handling our products and quality of service for our members.

Ultimately, the back office will be synchronised with the website, so any purchases made by members will be real time and will help speed up the order processing.

More exciting developments are happening on an ongoing basis so keep watching this space for more updates.

Chris Horan
Project Neptune Project Manager

There is still time to register your Branch to take part in the Try! Dive campaign.

Try! Dive is the BSAC's new annual campaign developed from the successful Learn to Dive campaigns. Taking place from 25th September to 1st October, Try! Dive is aimed at raising awareness of the BSAC to non-divers.

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. Our membership statistics show that this campaign really does work in bringing new members into the Club.

Our aim is to offer a truly nation-wide network of Branches so that participants need only travel as far as their local pool. The more branches that participate the better the campaign will work, we already have over 100 Branches registered who will be entered into a draw to win a fabulous diving holiday for two.

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.

Register Now!

We hope that you will join us to make Try! Dive accessible to try-divers across the UK and encourage them into the BSAC.

To register early for the campaign, please visit http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/services/trydive2006.htm.

We look forward to working with you on the campaign.

A logbook sticker has now been created for all instructors who attend an Instructor Trainer Development Course. This will be distributed to all those who attend the course from 2006 onwards as part of the process to becoming an Instructor Trainer.

For anyone who has previously attended the course and would like a record of it logbook stickers are available from the Diver Resources Team, at HQ, upon request.

Please contact alistairr@bsac.com or philc@bsac.com for the endorsements.

The BSAC compiles a comprehensive Annual Incident report see http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/techserv/increp05/intro.htm to aid diver safety by sharing information and allowing all divers to learn from the reports of the misfortunes of others.. The report is published at the annual Diving Officers Conference (2nd December 2006).

The reporting year runs from 1st October to 30th September each year to fit with both the diving season and to allow compilation of the report in time for DOC. It is important that all reports are submitted as soon as possible in order to be included in this years report and so we would remind all members to submit reports for any incidents occurring between 1st October 2005 and 30th September 2006 before Friday 13th October 2006.

Please note that all reports are treated in confidence and names and other identifying characteristics are not included in the published report.

SITA/IDEST is pleased to announce that Accreditation has been granted by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Accreditation has been granted to ISO 17024 to provide certification of persons.

Up to 1st July 2006, testing standards required that the work be carried out by a "competent person".

From 2nd July 2006, the Department for Transport (which has now taken over responsibility from HSE) has announced that the "competent person" requirement has been replaced by "persons subject to a third party conformity assessment".

This means that Test Houses will have to have their facilities and/or operatives assessed by an assessment/accreditation body. Only one accreditation body, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is recognised by DfT.

Almost 21 years ago, the diving trade body and the BSAC were of the opinion that there should be some means of accrediting those Test Houses that were found to be working to the required standards and the Inspectorate for Diving Equipment Servicing and Testing (IDEST) was born. IDEST carries out independent inspections and assessments of cylinder Test Houses and those meeting the standards receive IDEST approval and a unique cylinder stamp. In recent years this activity has been overseen by the Scuba Industries Trades Association (SITA).

To meet IDEST criteria, a Test House must employ appropriately trained staff, have appropriate, regularly maintained equipment, work to an approved code of practice (SITA/IDEST use the Code of Practice 2 of the Association of Scuba Engineers and Technicians (ASSET CP 2), have adequate written procedures, appropriate British Standards and keep full records.

In order to meet DfT and UKAS requirements IDEST has changed from approving premises to also approving people (Cylinder Test Technicians).

Consequently SITA/IDEST made an application to HSE and to UKAS for assessment under BS EN ISO/IEC 17024:2003 - "Conformity assessment - General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons".

Now that accreditation has been granted, SITA/IDEST approved Cylinder Test Technicians will be UKAS approved. SITA/IDEST Approved Test Houses MUST use only IDEST/UKAS Approved Cylinder Test Technicians.

Many BSAC branches continue to take advantage of the availability of Awards for All Grants of up to £10,000 to fund various branch activities such as equipment purchases and training costs. The grant form makes reference to a letter of support for a 'dependent' branch of the overall organisation.

In the Guidance notes for the Award it says:

Dependent branch of another organisation

If you are a branch of another organisation, your parent body may have some management and financial control over you. In this case, you can apply to us as a 'dependent branch', provided you have a local governing document (or have adopted your parent's governing document), your own annual accounts (which may be included in your parent's annual report), and your own branch bank account. With your application you will need to enclose a "letter of endorsement" from your parent. You can find this on our website or by contacting us on 0845 6 00 20 40.

The BSAC has no management (other than agreeing branch Bye Laws to ensure they do not conflict with the BSAC Articles of Association and Rules) or financial control over the operation of your branch and therefore BSAC branches do not meet the criteria for a Dependent branch and consequently do NOT require this letter of support.

We are happy to support any application by BSAC branches but would emphasise that you do not require a letter of endorsement from us.

Jim Watson
BSAC Safety & Development manager

The Gurney Fund Activity Week

Kendal & Lakes Sub Aqua Club (KALSAC), Branch 0546 of BS-AC (British Sub-Aqua Club,) once again played host to 30 try-divers between the ages of 12 and 16 at Kendal Leisure Centre. The youngsters, all from East Anglia, Wales & South of the M6 regions, but based at Ghyll Head, Windermere, for the week, were all enjoying a diverse range of activities in and around the Lake District organised by the Gurney Fund' who help children not only of Police Officers who have died, but of those who have taken early retirement on ill-health grounds within the 22 subscribing Forces.

The 70+ membership of Kendal & Lakes Dive Club (BS-AC branch 0546) has hosted over 120 try-dives for Scouts, Air Cadets, Boy Brigade, Guides & members of other youth activity groups during the past 12-months, and is considered central to their existence as a Community Amateur Sports Club.

How your club can raise funds.

2007 Calendar Divers is a joint fund-raising opportunity for dive clubs, initiated by Forest Pirates SAC. It's like 'Calendar Girls' but for Divers so the calendar is composed of cheeky (but modest) pictures of divers and their equipment in dive related situations. Some examples are 'How close are you to your Buddy?' (our club in their Buddy jackets), 'When you want to see something small underwater' (male diver hiding behind a Kowalski torch).

Your club can raise funds by selling this calendar and some of the income will go to a dive-related charity.

If you are interested in this offer please email suemiddleton27@yahoo.co.uk or call 01594 836883. Alternatively you could look on our website http://www.forestpirates.co.uk for thumbnails of some example pictures and follow links for more information for sponsors or clubs.

We would like to thank the sponsors who have contributed to the calendar (APValves, Dive Worldwide, Dive 90, SAA, NDAC, Bristol Channel Diving, Lighthousediving). The most frequent response when ringing round to ask other clubs to participate was 'Is this a wind up?' so great thanks to those brave enough to pose (Cotswold, Llantrisant, Bromsgrove, Bath, M'nM's Telford). If you would like to contribute pictures for the calendar from your own club, please contact Sue for more information.

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Book of the Month - Oxygen First Aid for Divers John Lippmann and Trevor Davies

The on scene management of diving emergencies by providing oxygen first aid is an area of critical importance for all divers. Oxygen First Aid for Divers provides a wealth of information on resuscitation and oxygen administration equipment and techniques. Although this book has been targeted at divers, much of this material may be suitable for other pre-hospital oxygen providers.

Special Price - only £9.99 for BSAC Members

To order your copy of this book, call the BSAC Shop on 0151 350 6222, any of our team will be happy to help you. Alternatively, order online at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/bookshop.html.




NEW - Evolution Drybag

EVOLUTION DRY BAG 20L

Heavy Duty Rip-Stop Dry Bag with Detachable Shoulder Straps.

Available in Yellow and Black.

Price : £19.95.

Order this and other accessories online at: http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/accs.htm.



NEW - DZ Flex Mean Beams

The DZ-Flex^TM combines performance, function and practicality. This powerful pocket-sized torch has a fully flexible and 360 degrees rotational neck. Perfect for use in any weather conditions.

• 100,000 hours LED bulb life
• 360° flexible rotation
• Full 15 lumen output
• Dual function signal switch
• Visible up to 10km
• Hands-free clip
• Lanyard loop on base
• Water resistant
• Ultra lightweight
• Pocket sized - when neck is fully extended 166mm x15mm

Available in Silver and Black.

Price : £9.95.

Order this and other accessories online at: http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/accs.htm.



NEW - Safesea Lotion

Safe-Sea is a sun block that comes in different levels of SPF and special protection for kids.

More importantly Safe-Sea also contains unique, patented ingredients that protects against most jellyfish, sea lice, sea nettles and coral. Safe-Sea is waterproof and has been clinically tested by dermatologists.

Available in: No Factor, Factor 15 & Factor 30+ for kids and adults.

Retail Price : £11.99 Members Price : £9.99 (including p&p)

Order this and other accessories online at: http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/accs.htm.

NEW - Aquatalc

• Aquatalc is used as a drying agent, lubricant or antiperspirant
• Contains no perfume, starch, colourings or other additives

Aquatalc contains only pure micronised pharmaceutical grade talc and is sterilised for your protection, “European Pharmaceutical Quality”. Retail Price : £4.45 Members Price : £3.45 (including p&p)


Order this and other accessories online at: http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/accs.htm.

NEW - Swim-Ear Drops

Swim-Ear is an ear-water removal and drying aid designed to relieve the unpleasant symptoms and potentially harmful effects of trapped ear-water.

• Removes trapped water in the ear
• Kills bacteria that can cause ear infections.

Retail Price : £5.99 Members Price : £4.99 (including p&p)

Order this and other accessories online at: http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/accs.htm.

NEW - Equaleze

Equaleze is a non-medicated nasal solution containing a pure saline solution buffered and isotonic with the lining of the nose. Helps relieve nasal congestion and aids in equalisation, also moisturises dry nasal lining. Equaleze will not cause any burning, stinging or irritation.

Retail Price : £5.99 Members Price : £4.99 (including p&p)

Order this and other accessories online at: http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/accs.htm.

RISK ASSESSMENT
The process of Risk Assessment is not a new one in recreational diving and the practice has always been an integral part of conducting safe diving. The diver's simple mantra of "Plan the Dive, Dive the Plan" has all the essential components of a Risk Assessment inherent within it and the only difference today is a change in the terminology used.

Risk Assessment is not however the preserve of just one individual but is part of an extensive and cohesive system that involves many aspects and the involvement of several people as in the examples below.

TRAINING

The inherent risks of diving have been considered within diver training and the training provided is geared towards minimizing and controlling the risks associated with particular levels of diving. The importance of this training is that as long as divers remain within the limitations of their qualifications then their training should adequately prepare them for meeting the risk levels for their diving. Consequently it is vitally important that further training be undertaken before extending the diving undertaken.

DO

The Diving Officer is responsible for all diving and training conducted within their branch and should ensure that divers remain within the limitations of their training but also ensure that adequate opportunity is provided to expand and extend their skills and experience.

DIVE MARSHAL

Appointed by the Diving Officer, the Dive Marshal has responsibility for planning and organizing the overall diving on the day and advising individual divers of the safety implications of their dives and taking appropriate steps to ensure the safety of all diving activities.

DIVE LEADER

Appointed by the Dive Marshal they take on responsibility for leading the dive and for monitoring dive progress and taking decisions throughout the dive for the benefit of the buddy pair. This should not always be considered in isolation and appropriate communication and agreement should be sought from the dive buddy.

DIVER

Each of us as responsible divers need to conduct our own personal Risk Assessment throughout the diving process. This would include expressing when we are not comfortable with a planned dive through to questioning or challenging a buddy's/dive leader's decisions if they are clearly inappropriate. If you do not believe it is safe to continue a dive you should say so and not just carry on regardless just because your buddy is more experienced.

For more details on the Risk Assessment process visit the Risk Assessment Resource Centre at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/techserv/ra/raintro.htm.

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

For more detail and information please visit http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/safety.

COMING SOON
Visit us at the Dive Show at Birmingham's NEC - we'll be on stand 1420 and will be launching an exciting NEW clothing range with an exclusive 50% discount for BSAC Members.

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