2012 Listing
Planning Any sporting activity will have elements in common. All involve some form of physical activity, even diving. Falling off a boat and drifting lazily around may seem relaxed and uncompetitive (to the uninitiated) but as divers we are all only too aware of the growing physical demands of humping kit and being able to cope with the ever changing conditions in the water. The effectiveness of a sporting event is only possible with considerable detailed planning (seven years in the case of the London Olympics 2012) and the success of our own diving is usually founded on a similar standard of planning. Commitment The commitment of Olympians may be undoubted and at the opening ceremony representatives of players, coaches and officials each took an oath to uphold the principles of their role (best to forget the pretend play by some Badminton players!). But look around you on the dive site and you will find similar excellent and selfless commitment from those who not only take responsibility for their own diving but contribute significantly to the safety and enjoyment of others in the form of Diving and Training Officers, Dive Managers, Coxswains, Instructors and senior divers who take more junior divers under their mentoring wing. Determination Achieving your objective is somewhat dependent on having an initial aim. For Andy Murray it may have been winning a major tournament, for Olympians their goal may not just be winning but could be qualifying for the Olympics, reaching a final, setting a personal best or many things in between. As divers we will get more from our diving if we set ourselves specific objectives, such as visiting a new wreck, improving our photographs or gaining a new skill. The future If you recognise yourself in the above, congratulations, you are not only a support to others but an inspiration. Enjoy the benefits such opportunities provide and revel in the achievements of those you help. If you have benefited from the efforts of others then appreciate what they do and take inspiration from them. For me one of the most inspiring events of the Olympics was the handing over of the torches by seven great British Olympians to the athletes of the future for them to kindle the Olympic flame. The opportunity to inspire and develop others must be the ultimate goal and achievement and importantly in diving keeps everyone safe. Think SAFE – Dive SAFE Jim Watson, BSAC Safety and Development manager
Getting fit
All the best intentions of a New Year’s resolution frequently focus on the need to get fit. Gym memberships peak at this time of year but then steadily decline as the year progresses and the motivation declines. Diving is not noted as a high energy sport and many consider that it does not require peak levels of fitness nor does it actively keep you fit. However, due to the weight of the kit involved and the resistance given the environment, there is a significant degree of energy expended - just think of how you feel after a day’s diving. By far and away the best way to get fit for any activity is to engage in that activity itself. The benefit of actually going diving is that you get the opportunity to see things that maintains your interest and helps keep that motivation going.
New kit
Practising with new kit in controlled conditions provides another opportunity to keep your interest and motivation high. Even if the opportunity is limited to practice in a swimming pool, such practice can keep you (and others) entertained for a long time. For example practising deploying a DSMB could involve practising deployment with buddy help, then solo and then in mid water and honing the level of buoyancy control you can achieve it with. Then all you need do is practice it in the open water with the added equipment (and cold) constraints that brings.
Refresher Training
Refreshing your training is always a sensible thing to achieve. However, a key aspect to consider, especially at this time of the year, is refreshing those skills you rarely get the opportunity to practice. Rescue skills in particular – which we fortunately rarely get to use for real. As a consequence they can deteriorate over time and we can all benefit from some regular refreshing of these important skills. CPR skills can be refreshed at the same time as taking on new skills such as Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training. However, refreshing in water rescue skills can have the benefit of not only updating the skill but contributes to the fitness aspects as well.
Think SAFE – Dive SAFE
Jim Watson, BSAC Safety and Development manager
