| November 2006 Issue - www.bsac.org |
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 or wish to unsubscribe from receiving emails from the BSAC, please choose the 'Edit my Profile' button below or go to the foot of this email and choose the "To unsubscribe/change profile: click here" option.  |
COMING SOON |
BSAC will be launching a revised version of the members Website www.bsac.org.
Scheduled for launch in November the revised site makes use of a Content Management System that not only improves the look and navigation of the site but will improve updating and development of new content to continue to serve the needs of our members. Please watch out for the notification of the launch at www.bsac.org and a special E-mail bulletin. |
DIVING OFFICERS' CONFERENCE 2006 |
This year's Diving Officer's Conference is kindly sponsored by Dive Master Insurance.The 2006 event will be hosted on Saturday, 2nd December 2006 at the Institute of Education, University of London, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL. Tickets can be booked online at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/services/doc2006tickets.htm or by calling Odette Baker on 0151 350 6221. Clare Peddie, the National Diving Officer, has once again arranged an informative line up for the day which all keen divers and instructors are sure to find enjoyable. The day will include presentations from Gerard Laden of the Hull Decompression Chamber whose presentation will focus on "Deeper for longer, more often". Plus information from BSAC Divers about Going Diving; Steve Cowley, Steve Pearson and Andy Hunt will focus on expeditions. For full programme details visit http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/services/doc2006prog.htm Book your ticket today at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/services/doc2006tickets.htm or by calling Odette Baker on 0151 350 6221. |
PROJECT NEPTUNE |
Things are progressing steadily with events now and we have a projected data conversion in November. Once that is completed, we will rigorously test it and barring any major issues, should be in a position to be live in time for the new year.There has been more work done on the back office for the web implementation, things are moving along steadily and we hope to see integration with Neptune and the website early in the new year. Keep watching this space for more updates. Chris Horan Project Neptune Project Manager |
COMPETITION WINNERS |
The winners of the Go! Dive and Try! Dive competitions were drawn at random on 9th October 2006 and the two lucky Branches and recipients of a diving holiday for two people are as follows:
Go! Dive was won by Branch 1180 Stowe Sub Aqua Club. Try! Dive was won by Branch 0105 Luton British Sub Aqua Club. Both holidays were kindly donated by the Campaign Sponsor WOWPhilippines. 
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MORE HOT OFFERS FROM THE BSAC SHOP |
 MARINE LIFE GUIDESInformative and educational Marine Life Guides that are totally waterproof with a punched hole in the left hand corner to enable you to attach them to your dive kit. Available individually or purchase all seven and receive a discount. Price includes postage & packing. Retail price : £3.50 each or order all seven guides for £21.00 Members price : £2.99 each or order all seven guides for £17.50 Visit the BSAC Shop website http://www.bsacshop.com to see more! |
FANTASTIC NEW CLOTHING RANGE UP TO 50% DISCOUNT FOR BSAC MEMBERS |
A fabulous new range of clothing was launched at the Dive Show 2006 - Call the shop today 0151 350 6222.
 
 for more details about the fabulous new line of BSAC clothing and the exclusive BSAC Member discount. Last posting dates for UK Christmas orders: 1st class - 19th December 2nd class - 16th December Special Delivery - 21st December |
A REQUEST FROM BSAC MEMBERSHIP |
We would like to be as up to date as possible with your Membership details, if your Branch has changed its bye-laws, please send a copy to Sandra Crowley the BSAC Membership Supervisor at sandrac@bsac.com
Are we getting it right? Please update us with any changes to your address, telephone number or email address. Please send any changes through to sandrac@bsac.com. |
A MESSAGE FROM THE MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY |
| View our stunning marine life and vote for marine reserves now! |
 Please click here: www.marinereservesnow.org.uk or click the picture (right) Only 3km2 of the UK's seas are fully protected from damage and destruction. Take 3 simple steps to help protect our seas: 1) View the video and see what we stand to lose if action isn't taken [you need broadband] 
2) Add your voice to the call for Marine Reserves - Vote Now! 3) Forward this message to your friends, family and colleagues. Thank you Marine Conservation Society www.mcsuk.org Caring for our seas, shores and wildlife - now and for future generations |
FREE TO BSAC MEMBERS AND MCS SUPPORTERS |
An evening with wildlife TV presenter Kate HumbleZoological Society of London, Regents Park. November 22nd, 7pm. BBC presenter Kate Humble will describe how she made the documentary Seawatch, recently aired on BBC1. Seawatch looked exclusively at life in UK seas, from turtles to lumpsucker fish. Kate highlighted all of the most important issues affecting UK marine life from fishing to pollution and climate change. She also promoted a practical approach and found out first-hand how MCS and others are working to protect our seas, from the only no take zone in Britain to MCS beach litter surveys. Organised by the Marine Conservation Society. Ring 01989 566017, or email info@mcsuk.org |
MCS DIVERS DIVE DEEP WATER CORAL REEFS |
A team of seven divers from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) have just returned from Norway, diving the only deep water temperate coral reefs that occur within normal diving depths. Cold water coral reefs occur around the UK at depths or 200 metres or more but in Tondheimsfjord, uniquely, can be found as shallow as 40 metres.
The reefs are based on the branching colonial coral Lophelia pertusa, which is bright white because of the lack of microscopic plants that give tropical corals their colour. Many reef structures may be thousands of years old. In addition to the coral itself, the reefs support a rich population of sponges, sea fans, crabs, squat lobsters and tubeworms. They are also home to a number of fishes including the deep water Norway redfish and the rabbitfish or chimaera, relative of the sharks. The MCS team felt privileged to be amongst only 200 or so divers in the world who have seen these cold water reefs, first-hand. The reefs in Trondheimsfjord are protected under Norwegian law - in 1999 Norway became the first country to introduce laws to protect these deep sea coral reefs. The UK protects part of the Darwin Mounds off north-west Scotland where a permanent ban on bottom trawling came into force in August 2004 - the first area to have Europe-wide fishing restrictions imposed. However these reefs remain unprotected elsewhere . However, like so much of our marine wildlife heritage, these reefs are threatened almost everywhere else, they occur by deep water trawling, oil and gas exploration, pipelines and cables. We have heard reports of tyres being dragged across the coral to break it up and make it easier to trawl. For more information about the work of MCS please visit www.mcsuk.com |
LONDON HOSTS FIRST FESTIVAL OF DIVING ON SUNDAY 3 DECEMBER 2006 |
Divers in and around London are invited to the London Festival of Diving on Sunday 3 December at the London Welsh Centre, 157-163 Gray's Inn Rd, WC1 - a full-on day of kit, speakers, workshops and socialising. The Centre is a ten minute walk from King's Cross or Russell Square, and a whole day's entertainment can be had for £6, or £5 for London-based members of the BSAC.More information can be found at www.londondivers.com If you're going to DOC, why not make a weekend of it? |
THE DIVETRACK COMPETITION |
 Launched at the Dive Show 2006, NEC Birmingham, by Penny's sister Fiona, this competition is in memory of her two great loves: diving and engineering. Her family and friends want to develop something to help divers keep in contact and to ensure that families of missing divers do not have to endure the pain that comes with waiting for news if someone goes missing. The development of a 'Locating Device' for divers would go a long way towards meeting these aims. The Competition To develop and manufacture a simple, easy to use and inexpensive device that ensures divers and others who have gone missing can easily be found. A prize of £5,000 will be awarded to the winning design. The competition is supported by the IET (www.theiet.org) and BSAC (www.bsac.com). There is no limit on team numbers and may be particularly suitable for student projects. How do I get involved? Simply download and complete the registration form from http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/safety/divetrack.doc indicating your interest in entering the competition and send it to Odette Baker at British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) HQ, Telford's Quay, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4FL, United Kingdom or email it to divetrack@bsac.com. The BSAC Diver Resources Team would be pleased to offer advice and support to competition entrants without diving experience. Email: divetrack@bsac.com You will then need to ensure that your project plan, together with any drawings, photographs and commentary is submitted to Odette Baker, by 15th April 2007. Finalists will be asked to submit prototypes by 31st August 2007. |
THE PROTECTION OF MILITARY REMAINS ACT 1986 DESIGNATION OF VESSELS AND CONTROLLED SITES) ORDER 2006 |
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BSAC welcomes the above latest Statutory Instrument put before Parliament in September, and coming into effect on 1st November 2006. It is intended to minimise the disturbance of wrecks that are the last resting places of military personnel from various conflicts. These include wrecked ships of two world wars and the Falklands war. The designation of these wrecks does not remove access to most of the wrecks but recognises and encourages responsible behaviour by divers visiting these wrecks.
The two classifications adopted are: Controlled Site, this means that access to these wrecks are controlled by the Ministry of Defence and may not be dived without a license from the MOD. Protected Place means that access to the wreck is allowed on the understanding that divers look and do not touch, and do not disturb the site. These designations make sure that what are effectively the 'war graves' of those who gave their lives are protected from interference that could upset relatives and friends, but will allow visiting divers to pay their respects, recognise what they are diving on, and help to preserve the vessel and her contents. However we must be quite clear that protection at Control level is essentially a ban on diving the wreck named. Licenses to dive on Controlled sites are very rare. Control level is only used in exceptional circumstances, such as Royal Oak in Scapa Flow. Full details of the Statutory Instrument can be viewed at www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/20062616.htm. BSAC will continue to support and promote responsible diver behaviour, and would encourage all divers to follow the 'Divers Code' www.bsac.org/techserv/sdpcoc.htm.
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DIVE-IN TO SUPPORT MACMILLAN! |
Ross Bale, a 29 year old Computer Engineer and Scuba Diver from Gillingham, Kent has organised a Family Fun Day at a local dive club in Hoo, near Rochester to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support
The event will be held at the BAE Sports and Social Club, Hoo, Kent ME3 9JD. The event will take place on Sunday 19th November 2006 from 12am to 4pm. The event will allow complete novices to complete a 15 minute Try Dive with a qualified instructor, as well as Remote Controlled Shark Racing, and a number of games and competitions throughout the day, such as Pick a Lolly, Hook the Duck, Safe Cracker competitions culminating in a prize raffle, for which there is currently over £600 of prizes (diving and non-diving related) that have been donated by companies in dive industry, mostly from within Kent. Instructors from Falcon Divers Dive Club have donated their time and equipment to carry out the Try-Dives for this event, without which, this would not have been possible.  Several Scuba Diving related companies from the Medway Towns will be exhibiting at the event and talking to the general public about diving as well as selling their products.Ross says "I thought a family fun day would be great way to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, as well as giving people the opportunity to try a new sport, we hope the event will raise £1000". The event is part of a series that Ross is undertaking to raise money for Macmillan following the death of his mother earlier this year. "When Mum was first diagnosed with cancer it was a very difficult time for us", Ross explained. "We had no idea what sort of specific help and support was available until the local Macmillan team became involved". Beckie Stokes, Kent Community Fundraiser says " We are delighted to receive the support from Ross as this will enable Macmillan to continue to give practical, financial and emotional support to people affected by cancer in Kent." Ross would like to thank the following companies for their support of this event, as well as donations of raffle prizes, Roko Gym, Diggerland, Kent Tooling, Dive Machine, Scubapro, Blancmange and The BAE Sports and Social Club. |
MORE BSAC OFFERS - NEW! SOUTHERN SPECIALS |
Regaldive, one of the BSAC Preferred Travel Partners, is now offering direct flights from both London Gatwick and Manchester into Marsa Alam throughout the winter, and have some excellent packages available in the southern Red Sea.
Save up to £70 with these fantastic winter offers: 
Marsa AlamCoral Beach Diving Hotel - from just £349 Half Board Tulip Resort - from just £349 Half Board Hamata Zabargad Dive Resort - from just £479 Half Board Lahami Bay - from just £579 Half Board For further details, call 0870 2201 777 or visit www.regaldive.co.uk. LIVEABOARDS Regaldive have reduced liveaboard prices for this winter, with savings of up to £110. Various boats and itineraries are available, with several departures every week throughout the year. Regaldive's Red Sea liveaboard programme features 15 boats and a variety of itineraries to ensure that every diver is catered for. Sailings from Sharm, Hurghada and Marsa Alam. Red Sea Liveaboard Packages Sharm-based MY Orchid - from £749 Brand new MY Elite - from £799 Steel-hulled MY Tranquillity - from £849 Regaldive have also announced a selection of speciality liveaboard trips, including Singles weeks, Photography trips and Women Only. For further details, call 0870 2201 777 or visit www.regaldive.co.uk FREE DIVING THIS WINTER Regaldive are now offering FREE diving for buddies in both El Gouna and Hurghada this winter. Combine these diving offers with Regaldive's winter break prices to save £££! Dive Tribe - El Gouna Book one 6-day dive pack and your buddy gets the same FREE! Save £165 per buddy pair. 01 December - 15 December 2006 05 January - 23 February 2007 Divers' Lodge - Hurghada Book a 5-day dive pack or PADI Open Water course and your buddy gets the same FREE! Save £175 per buddy pair. 14 October - 22 December 2006 For further details, call 0870 2201 777 or visit www.regaldive.co.uk. Remember to quote your BSAC Membership to receive your exclusive BSAC discount! |
PRICE RESTRUCTURING - 2007 SKILL DEVELOPMENT COURSE REGISTRATION AND INSTRUCTOR TRAINING EVENTS |
From 1 January 2007, costs of some events will change.
Skill Development Courses (SDCs) Registration fees of all SDCs will be £15 with the exception of: Boat Handling £30 (includes 'Seamanship for Divers') Rescue First Aid £37 (Fixed fee) Practical Rescue Management £19 (includes 'Safety and Rescue for Divers') Extended Range Diver £30 Combined Nitrox Diver £37 Advanced Nitrox Diver £30 Full Face Mask £52 (Fixed Fee) Rebreather Price on application Gas Blending £25 Instructor Events Snorkel Instructor Training Course £50 Open Water Snorkel Instructor Training Course £50 Advanced Snorkel Instructor Training Course £70 Instructor Foundation Course £95 (includes CD Rom of current Instructor Manual and 'The Diving Instructor's Manual'') Theory Instructor Exam £30 (Knowledge paper - £10, Classroom - £20) Open water Instructor Course £45 Practical Instructor Exam £40 Advanced Instructor Course £95 Advanced Instructor Exam £95 (Knowledge paper - £10, practical - £85) First Class Diver Examination Theory £25 First Class Diver Examination Practical £95 National Instructor Examination Practical £75 All BSAC SDCs are open to non-BSAC members - on Coaching Scheme-run events and at BSAC Centres. The premium payable by non-BSAC members has been increased to £30 and will include 3 months free full membership of the BSAC. |
SAFETY TALK - NOVEMBER 2006 |
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WINTER DIVING Last month we hinted at the value of continuing diving until the end of the year as part of preparation for type of diving you want to do next year. The concept of a diving season is one that is a symptom of the changing seasons in the UK and often results in a significant blip in the incident statistics as divers begin diving again over the Easter weekend. Continuing to dive throughout the winter is one way of maintaining dive fitness and preparation for a new season but it is also so much more. FITNESS Going to the gym, running, swimming and other sports are all good ways of maintaining physical fitness but are a poor substitute for the 'real' thing. We all go diving for the enjoyment we derive from it and so continuing to dive into the winter can keep us dive fit and extend our experience. SKILLS As we focused on last month the opportunity to practice new and existing skills is a great way to maintain dive fitness and prepare for the opportunities of a new dive season. If winter diving means being restricted to inland sites or shore diving it is a valid means of maintaining interest during a dive especially during safety stops. ENJOYMENT Hard to believe that winter diving can be enjoyable when you compare the benefits of staying in a nice warm bed against braving the elements to go diving. Many people when they first experience winter diving are pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy it and much of this is due to the fact that the water retains a reasonable temperature much longer than that experienced on the surface. The temperature records at Stoney Cove for example show the average water temperature remaining at 12.5 (Oct), 10.3 (Nov) & 8.2 (Dec) all above the average air temperature. The sea temperatures on the west coast of Scotland for example remain high until well into the New Year. NEW EXPERIENCES At the very least the seasonal changes experienced with marine life are worth the effort with some species becoming more sluggish and approachable. As certain life dies back (seaweeds) or enters an inactive phase it often makes other species easier to spot and winter storms frequently uncover previously hidden features including wrecks allowing for fresh discoveries. Winter diving has much to offer but you will never know and learn to appreciate it if you don't give it a try. Think SAFE - Dive SAFE Jim Watson BSAC Safety and Development Manager For more detail and information please visit http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/safety. |
COURSES FOR DECEMBER |
| Date | Course | Location | Contact/Book |
| 03 Dec 2006 | Outboard and Boat Maintenance | North West | Email nw.sdco@bsac.com |
| 09 Dec 2006 | Rescue First Aid | Southern | Email s.sdco@bsac.com |
| 09 Dec 2006 | Rescue First Aid | East Midlands | Email em.sdco@bsac.com |
| 09 Dec 2006 | Theory Instructor Exam | SOUTH EAST | Book TIE |
| 09 Dec 2006 | Theory Instructor Exam | YORKSHIRE | Book TIE |
| 09 Dec 2006 | Theory Instructor Exam | WEST MIDLANDS | Book TIE |
| 09/10 Dec 2006 | Lifesaver | Ireland | Email ni.sdco@bsac.com |
| 10 Dec 2006 | Lifesaver | Ireland | Email ni.sdco@bsac.com |
| 10 Dec 2006 | Outboard and Boat Maintenance | Yorkshire | Email y.sdco@bsac.com |
| 16 Dec 2006 | First Aid for Divers | Yorkshire | Email y.sdco@bsac.com |
| 17 Dec 2006 | Rescue First Aid | Yorkshire | Email y.sdco@bsac.com |
ERRATA TO PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2007 |
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It has been identified that Page 34 of the above publication contains one or two errors and is therefore not the most recent information due to recent changes of Regional Coaches and SDCOs since the publication. The following is to replace that information on page 34.
Regional Coaches
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BSAC DIRECT DEBIT SCHEME |
Responding to demand by Members, the BSAC has now devised a process to enable Branch Members to pay their BSAC subscription by Direct Debit.
Paying by Direct Debit has many advantages for both Members and Branches alike:
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SMARTGROUPS SERVICE WILL BE CLOSING SOON |
It has come to our attention that 'Smartgroups', a service used by many regions and branches is being closed on the 30th November 2006. Smartgroups have sent out the following message to help users keep their information or migrate to a new service:
'To make sure you don’t lose any stuff, you’ll need to move your group details before the service closes. It’s really easy to do, but if you do get stuck you can email customer support on support.response@smartgroups.com. Here’s what you need to do: To save your pictures Go into your picture album and view the images individually. Then simply right click on each image and select ‘Save Picture As’ and save it. You then need to select where on your computer you want to save it. To save your files Go into the file section of your groups and just download each file. Remember to save them somewhere easy to find on your computer. If you reach your download limit, just contact customer support on support.response@smartgroups.com, and they’ll increase the limit for you. To save your database Go into the database section and select the database you want to keep. Then click on the ‘Export’ link in the bottom right corner, choose the data you wish to export, then select ‘Copy’. Finally, open Microsoft Notepad and paste the data into it and save it as a ‘.csv’ file. This file can then be opened in Microsoft Excel or imported into another application. Keep your members list To save a copy of your member list, go to ‘Manage’ then ‘Members’ in the left-hand navigation bar. Click on ‘All’ in the top right corner to make sure that the list includes all of your members. At the bottom of the screen, there’s a link named ‘Export this link to a csv file’. Click on it and follow the instructions. You’ll be able to save your contact list as a csv file, which can be opened in most applications, such as Microsoft Excel. But what about everything else? If you want to keep any of the other information, you’ll need to copy and paste them into another application, such as Microsoft Word. When all your stuff has been saved, you can move it to another site such as: Yahoo! Groups – http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/ MSN Groups – http://uk.msnusers.com/ Google Groups – http://groups.google.co.uk/ We’re sorry if this has caused you any hassle. If you need any help on the above, remember you can simply email customer support on support.response@smartgroups.com or click here, to post a note on the Managers’ Support Group. Thanks Customer Support' |
BSAC E-TALK ON EMAIL |
If you know a 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. |