BSAC E-TALK - December 04 Issue

December 2004 Issue - www.bsac.org

At the bottom of this issue of BSAC Talk is a link to your profile where you can unsubscribe, or change your email address. This also gives you the option to receive BSAC Talk as a HTML email or a plain text email. A PDF copy of this issue can also be downloaded at www.bsac.org/etalk/dectalk.pdf.

We really hope that you enjoy this issue of BSAC Talk. If you have any comments, please let us know by email at maryt@bsac.com

THE BSAC AT DIVE 2004

The British Sub Aqua Club enjoyed another show with plenty of interactivity on the stand and rebreather pool.

The Birmingham Dive Show, which took place over the weekend of 30/31 October, was a busy show for the BSAC. We saw the number 1,000 rebreather diver go through the Rebreather Try dive pool.

BSAC Diver, Mr Colin Knapp of E.P.M. SAC, in Kent, had a go on the Inspiration Rebreather and received a certificate from the BSAC for being number 1000. What an achievement for Clare Peddie, the NDO, in her first year of office to see number 1,000 go through the pool.

Over the last 4 years the BSAC has run a rebreather try dive pool at each Birmingham and London show.

Run by volunteers, the pool is managed by Tom Fitzpatrick, Heather Kirlow and Joan Smith. Instructors from all over the country and Europe give up their time to encourage people to have a go on a Rebreather. A big thank you to; Tom Fitzpatrick, Heather Kirlow, Joan Smith, Jeff Reed, Mike Rowley, Penny Rowley, Giles Rowley, Graeme Bruce, Craig Billingham, Penny Glover, Ian Hiscocks, Nick Jewson, Fran Duinker, Sophie Rennie, Lesley Maw, Andy Goldby, Mark Callaghan, Dave Lock, John Adams and Steve Millard.

Mr Colin Knapp receiving his certificate from BSAC NDO Clare Peddie (left) and Jeff Reed (right).

If you are interested in having a go on a Rebreather there will be an opportunity next year at the London International Dive Show, 5/6 March 2005, in London. Information about tickets for the London International Dive Show will be available from mid-December at http://www.diveshows.co.uk

THE BSAC ALSO LAUNCHED ITS NEW PREFERRED TRAVEL PARTNER SCHEME

Dive Worldwide, Peter Hughes Diving, Touchdown Collection, Harlequin Worldwide Travel, Regaldive, and Hayes and Jarvis have all joined the BSAC in this scheme.

This scheme offers BSAC members' special membership discounts on holiday bookings from six very different diving holiday companies. Through this scheme, BSAC members will be able to travel better informed and better prepared and enjoy a greater variety of new dive destinations.

It is an easy scheme to use. Holidays were sold at the show through the scheme. All you have to do is register online at www.bsactravelclub.co.uk. Once registered you are given the opportunity to subscribe to the BSAC Traveller newsletter. This newsletter will include all the special BSAC discounts from our partners. You can also see the offers on the links provided on the website

GO ON BOOK A HOLIDAY NOW! Treat yourself and have a look at the website and book that winter holiday now. There really are some great offers for BSAC members only!

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE BEFORE 31 DECEMBER 2004 you can have the opportunity of winning a fantastic holiday. This holiday is being sponsored by Touchdown collection, a BSAC partner. The holiday is certainly a holiday of the Lifetime! Worth just over £5,000! You will fly Malaysia Airlines to Kota Kinabalu; spend one night at the luxury Sutera Harbour Resort and Spa then Fly to Tawau and transfer to Mabul for six nights, full board, at the Sipadan Water Village Resort on Mabul Island.….....….
And there is more! Go online, register now and you will be entered for this fantastic competition!

SUBSCRIBE TO BSAC TRAVELLER HERE

ESCAPE THE WINTER CHILL FOR LESS!

Award-winning dive specialist and BSAC Preferred Travel Partner Regaldive is offering BSAC members an exclusive 10% off Red Sea departures this Winter. And you get FREE DIVING!

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

Hurghada and Marsa Alam -
3rd, 10th and 17th December 2004
7th, 14th, 21st and 28th January 2005

Sharm-el-Sheikh, Dahab and Nuweiba -
5th, 12th and 19th December 2004
2nd, 9th, 16th and 30th January 2005

The FREE DIVING offer is great news for buddies! When you purchase a 4, 5 or 6 day dive pack you get the same FREE!

Divers can choose from a huge range of accommodation options including the 5-star luxury of the Intercontinental in Sharm, to family friendly resorts and everything in between. Fights are available to both Hurghada and Sharm from Gatwick and Manchester.

This exclusive special offer is only available to BSAC members. With package prices starting from just £249, this is an offer too good to miss! To book your winter escape, get your BSAC number at the ready and give Regaldive a call on 0870 2201 777 today.

*Free Diving is available on all dates except departures on 19th December to Sharm. Conditions apply - call Regaldive for details.

CALLING ALL BSAC MEMBERS, ALL CHANGE FOR BSAC

Any BSAC members who wishes to stand as an officer of the Club or as a member of council must ensure their nomination is received at BSAC HQ by 31 January 2005.

The election for ten members of council, Chairman, Vice-chairman, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary and National Diving Officer will then take place next spring and the successful candidates will start their three year term after the club's Annual General Meeting (AGM).

To obtain a nomination form, write to the Honorary Secretary, BSAC Headquarters, Telford's Quay, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4FL or email maryt@bsac.com. Any queries or questions on the above, please feel free to call Mary Tetley, BSAC operations Manager on 0151 350 6220.

The AGM hosted by Kingston and Elmbridge SAC winners of the 2004 Heinke Trophy will be held on 21 May 2005.

Motions submitted by a branch committee must be accompanied by the relevant extracts from the minutes of the branch's meeting. Motions submitted by a voting member must be seconded by at least four other voting members. All such motions for discussion at the AGM must be received at BSAC HQ by 31 January 2005.

'NEW' STYLE MEMBERSHIP CARD

As you are all aware BSAC have been looking to improve the services it provides to its members. As part of this a new membership card has been designed and was launched on 25th November 2004. All membership secretaries will now receive a package for those members who have renewed. In the package will be an envelope for each member which will contain a membership card which is fixed to a covering letter. We hope this will make it easier for membership secretaries to then pass this on to the individual members. Your comments as always will be greatly appreciated but we are sure that you are going to be pleased with the new card.

BSAC BRANCH MARKETING PACK IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Branch Marketing Pack has now been out since the end of August 2004. Over 800 branches have now received a copy. If your branch does not have one then please, either email Odette Baker at odetteb@bsac.com or, go to our website and complete our online order form at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/services/branchmktgpk.htm.

The Branch Marketing Pack is making a difference. The feedback from branches regarding the pack is excellent and if you have any ideas on how to improve it, please let us know. We keep all your emails and review them regularly.

We are currently working on the update pack and hope to have this out soon.

MAKE YOUR BRANCH FAMOUS

How would you feel about taking a BSAC Dive Magazine journalist diving with your branch one weekend? We are keen to feature some branch diving in Dive next year.

The plan is to try and dive regularly with our branches and then feature BSAC Branch Diving. Branch diving is what we are all proud of in the BSAC. We want to share it with our members, perhaps give other branches new ideas and details on new sites.

If your branch is interested in taking part in this scheme then please let Mary Tetley, BSAC Operations Manager know at maryt@bsac.com.

INCIDENTS REPORT 2004

The Incident Report for 2004 will be available at the Diving Officers Conference. If you are unable to attend and would like a copy please contact Jenny on 0151 350 6259 or Mike on 0151 350 6206 alternatively email technical@bsac.com.

COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION

We are trying to talk to you all more and we would also like you to talk to us. Our email opt in scheme is progressing brilliantly and we can now talk directly to you via email, over 7000 of you have said you want us to do this! If you haven't yet opted in, please do and we can keep taking to you!

Opt in at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/etalk

NEW REGIONAL COACH FOR THE SOUTH EAST

Dave Tresidder will be taking on the role of the BSAC South East Regional Coach from Pete Smith. Pete's three-year term comes to an end on 1st January 2005. The South East region includes all of Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex.

Dave says:

"This is an exciting move for me involving a very steep learning curve, and what a difficult act I have to follow. Many think the coach's role is all about instruction but it's not, it's about managing the voluntary help in the BSAC region for the divers, branches and schools within it.

I've got lots of ideas and enthusiasm for the region and want to concentrate in the first instance on communication between divers and branches. We already have a fantastic web site where anyone can find out about the region, where all the branches are and book onto Skill Development Courses. There are also hundreds of links to other useful sites; the amount of information available seems almost endless - worth a visit for any diver http://www.bsac-se.org.uk. I've also set up an email smartgroup for all in the region to be able to communicate with each other, send an email to bsac-se-subscribe@smartgroups.com to join up.

Most of all I'd really like to hear from anyone with any thoughts, ideas, problems or issues, so please get in touch"

You can contact Dave on 07841 431689 or email at david.tresidder@bsac.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can Club Instructors teach in the Open Water?
A: Yes. Prior to the introduction of the Open Water Instructor qualification Club Instructors were allowed to teach in the open water even though they had only been assessed on their practical training in the pool. When the system was changed in 2001 they retained this ability. Club Instructors however are not able to supervise Assistant Diving Instructors in the open water as this must be conducted by Open Water Instructors (or above).

The route to upgrading to Open Water Instructor for Club Instructor's remains a simple one. They simply need to attend an Open Water Instructor Course (OWIC) and then maintain a record of their open water teaching after the event and submit a log of 12 hours to the Chief Examiner who will grant the award. Details of dates and venues for the Open Water Instructor Course can be found on the BSAC Website at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/events/poeowic.htm

Q: On the BSAC website, under branch listing, the Branch Contact list, who is listed as point of contact?
A: The contact shown is any member of a branch, nominated by the branch, who is willing to have their details printed or shown on the BSAC website. This person does not necessarily have to be a committee member and therefore is not automatically entered when a branch updates their branch committee details with BSAC headquarters. The point of contact for any BSAC branch, who is listed on the BSAC website of the branch contact booklet, should always be indicated separately and clearly, when a branch is updating their records to BSAC headquarters.

Q: Why can't I order Training Packs on the Website?
A: Training packs can be ordered on the Website at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/newdtp.htm, however there is a certain procedure for ordering Training packs. Only The Branch DO or Membership Secretary may order and authorise the issue of Training packs to New members, unless the member has a Training pack voucher signed by the DO or Membership Secretary and then the member may purchase the pack himself. Training pack vouchers are available from BSAC HQ.

STUCK FOR CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS?

Why not take the hassle out of buying and purchase a BSAC gift voucher from the BSAC Mailshop, available in £5.00, £10.00 & £15.00 to order simply contact Christine, Kate or Linda on 0151 350 6222/6224/6225.

Please note anyone ordering any items from the mailshop for Christmas could you please have your order to the mailshop by Monday 13th December (UK only). For overseas branches please contact Christine, Kate or Linda on any of the above numbers.

FREE CHRISTMAS PRIZE DRAW:

Included with this months BSAC Talk is an invitation to enter the first ever BSAC Christmas prize draw with the opportunity to win a £50.00, £25.00 or £15.00 BSAC gift voucher. No purchase is necessary just simply complete and return the enclosed flyer to BSAC Headquarters to be entered in to our free Christmas prize draw. Closing date is 17th December 2004.

CHANGES TO THE POE 2005

Since the Programme of Events booklet 2005 was printed there have been a couple of changes, new details listed below: -

Regional Coaches:

South Scotland Regional Coach - Sandra Castro, 16C Melbourne Road, East Lothian, EH39 4JX
Tel - 01620 890346/email - scotland.south.coach@bsac.com

North Scotland Regional Coach - Dave Sydenham, 44 Braehead Crescent, Stonehaven, AB39 2PS
Tel - 07711 378769/email - scotland.north.coach@bsac.com

South East Regional Coach - Dave Tresidder, 4 Avenue Road, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3QF
Tel - 07841 431689/email - southeast.coach@bsac.com

Skill Development Course Organisers (SDCO):

South Scotland SDCO - Chris Holland, 7 Bellvue Gardens, Edinburgh, EH7 4JX
Tel - 0131 4782150/email - ss.sdco@bsac.com

South West SDCO - John Adams, 5 Saltbox Close, Mylor Bridge, Cornwall, TR11 5NN
Tel - 01326 372378/email - sw.sdco@bsac.com

London SDCO - Michelle Haywood, 13 Malden Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 0DJ
Tel - 0208 8640460/email - l.sdco@bsac.com

UK Schools:

East Anglia School of Diving
Tel - 0870 2647699/email - easod@ntlworld.com

Instructor Courses/Exams:

Advanced Instructor Exam (AIE)
9/10 April Northern Ireland - this has been withdrawn.

BSAC COURSE DATES FOR JANUARY 2005

For more details regarding later course dates and costs, and the detailed syllabus please click on the course that applies.

Date	Course	Venue	Organiser
09 Jan 2005	First Aid for Divers	Eastern	SDCO – 01223 503891
15 Jan 2005	First Aid for Divers	North East	SDCO – 07990 590880
15 Jan 2005	First Aid for Divers	Southern	SDCO – 01962 865766
15/16 Jan 2005	Instructor Foundation Course	Yorkshire	HQ – 0151 350 6209
15/16 Jan 2005	Instructor Foundation Course	West Midlands	HQ – 0151 350 6209
16 Jan 2005	Oxygen Administration Award	London	london.coach@bsac.com
16 Jan 2005	Oxygen Administration Award	North East	SDCO – 07990 590880
16 Jan 2005	Rescue First Aid	North East	SDCO – 07990 590880
16 Jan 2005	Oxygen Administration Award	Southern	SDCO – 01962 865766
22 Jan 2005	National Instructor Prep NI prep	Prep - Pool Yorkshire	HQ – 0151 350 6209
22 Jan 2005	Diver Cox'n Assessment	Bristol	SDCO – 01326 372378
22 Jan 2005	Rescue First Aid	Southern	SDCO – 01962 865766
22 Jan 2005	Oxygen Administration Award	North Wales	SDCO – 01978 363472
22 Jan 2005	Oxygen Administration Award	South Wales	SDCO – 01792 416428
22 Jan 2005	Outboard and Boat Maintenance	Yorkshire	SDCO – 07887 854678
22 Jan 2005	Theory Instructor Exam	West Midlands	HQ – 0151 350 6209
22/23 Jan 2005	Instructor Foundation Course	London	HQ – 0151 350 6209
22/23 Jan 2005	Boat Handling	Bristol	SDCO – 01326 372378
22/23 Jan 2005	Chartwork and Position Fixing	Falmouth	SDCO – 01326 372378
23 Jan 2005	Oxygen Administration Award	Rr Derby	SDCO – 01332 864894
23 Jan 2005	Oxygen Administration Award	Eastern	SDCO – 01223 503891
23 Jan 2005	First Aid for Divers	London	london.coach@bsac.com
23 Jan 2005	National Instructor Prep NI prep	Prep - Pool Yorkshire	HQ – 0151 350 6209
23 Jan 2005	First Aid for Divers	South Wales	SDCO – 01792 416428
23 Jan 2005	Lifesaver	North Wales	SDCO – 01978 363472
29 Jan 2005	Disability Awareness	North Scotland	SDCO – 01456 476237
29 Jan 2005	First Aid for Divers	Yorkshire	SDCO – 07887 854678
29/30 Jan 2005	Instructor Foundation Course	South West	HQ – 0151 350 6209
29/30 Jan 2005	Instructor Foundation Course	North West	HQ – 0151 350 6209
29/30 Jan 2005	Instructor Foundation Course	Netherlands	HQ – 0151 350 6209
30 Jan 2005	Rescue First Aid	London	london.coach@bsac.com
30 Jan 2005	Oxygen Administration Award	Leamington	SDCO – 0121 353 4617
30 Jan 2005	Rescue First Aid	Yorkshire	SDCO – 07887 854678

FESTIVE WORKING HOURS

Christmas:

Close Friday 24th December 2004 at 2.00pm
Re-open Wednesday 29th December 2004.

New Year:

Close Friday 31st December 2004 at 2.00pm.
Re-open Tuesday 4th January 2005.

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