Branch Info 021001 Hi all, I've just returned from a trip abroad where we did some excellent wall diving and I managed to fit in a course. The price I paid (800 US $ for 4 days) make me realise what a bargain BSAC's courses are. We are moving into the last SDCs of the season now, so could you get any applications in early please? Prep. Events I'll be running more First Class Diver prep. events next year so if anyone is interested please let me know. Costs are minimal so there's no excuse there. The ITS prep. events will move to open water to reflect the change on the exam. SDC Instructors I'm looking for willing volunteers who want to help on Regional and Branch courses. The number of Branch and inter-Branch courses rose dramatically this year and the Regional Team is finding it extremely hard to support more events. The idea is to qualify as many Instructors ASAP so they can then teach in their own Branches. I would like to move to the Region only running the special SDCs during the next couple of years. This should make the branches completely independent to teach the Advanced Diver syllabus. Regional Meeting I would like to hold a couple of evening meetings at the end of November, I'm fully occupied working away until then. Do you have a venue we could use on a weekday evening for 3 hours? Remember if we use your venue, you don't have to travel. Trimix Group I'm thinking of forming a small group who want to use Trimix to dive some sites next year. Obviously you have to be qualified before committing to this venture, I intend it to be in the normoxic range at first. We will dive mid-week of charter boats on the south coast. However RIB trips can be organised if there's sufficient interest. Contact Dave Lock if you are interested. Smartgroups I'm thinking of replacing this format with an E-group. This means you would be able to subscribe and unsubscribe yourself as well as subscribing other people. In addition you'll be able to advertise Branch events and kit for sale etc. There'll be an introductory E-mail when I've completed this. It also means that when this E-mail address changes next month it should be transparent to all of you. This has been trialled successfully by Southern Region and they now have 600 members. Area Coaches I've a few vacancies for Area coaches, you need to be at least OWI and have completed several SDCs. This is the only method I can use to improve to the service to Branches, so if you are qualified please volunteer your services. Branch Info 021001 Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 10:20:14 +0100 From: dave.lock@bt.com To: CXMURPHY@ctrl.com, Johnadams_umi@compuserve.com, johnrfinch@btinternet.co.uk, jonandtracey@roberts842.freeserve.co.uk, mark.murphy@clashway.freeserve.co.uk, Martin.Royal@mecmht.nhs.uk, pete.gosnell@ntlworld.com, P_Stansfield@compuserve.com, a3swc@aol.com, Steve.Game@Virgin.net, Steve.Gore@ThreeRivers.Gov.uk, wilf.tanser@btinternet.com Hi all, I've just returned from a trip abroad where we did some excellent wall diving and I managed to fit in a course. The price I paid (800 US $ for 4 days) make me realise what a bargain BSAC's courses are. We are moving into the last SDCs of the season now, so could you get any applications in early please? Prep. Events I'll be running more First Class Diver prep. events next year so if anyone is interested please let me know. Costs are minimal so there's no excuse there. The ITS prep. events will move to open water to reflect the change on the exam. SDC Instructors I'm looking for willing volunteers who want to help on Regional and Branch courses. The number of Branch and inter-Branch courses rose dramatically this year and the Regional Team is finding it extremely hard to support more events. The idea is to qualify as many Instructors ASAP so they can then teach in their own Branches. I would like to move to the Region only running the special SDCs during the next couple of years. This should make the branches completely independent to teach the Advanced Diver syllabus. Regional Meeting I would like to hold a couple of evening meetings at the end of November, I'm fully occupied working away until then. Do you have a venue we could use on a weekday evening for 3 hours? Remember if we use your venue, you don't have to travel. Trimix Group I'm thinking of forming a small group who want to use Trimix to dive some sites next year. Obviously you have to be qualified before committing to this venture, I intend it to be in the normoxic range at first. We will dive mid-week of charter boats on the south coast. However RIB trips can be organised if there's sufficient interest. Contact Dave Lock if you are interested. Smartgroups I'm thinking of replacing this format with an E-group. This means you would be able to subscribe and unsubscribe yourself as well as subscribing other people. In addition you'll be able to advertise Branch events and kit for sale etc. There'll be an introductory E-mail when I've completed this. It also means that when this E-mail address changes next month it should be transparent to all of you. This has been trialled successfully by Southern Region and they now have 600 members. Area Coaches I've a few vacancies for Area coaches, you need to be at least OWI and have completed several SDCs. This is the only method I can use to improve to the service to Branches, so if you are qualified please volunteer your services. Branch Info 070901 Hi all, Any more for this months info for Branches? Dave Pool available in St. Albans Also, please put the word around that SASAC's open air 30x20 metre pool (max depth 2.1M is available for hire/use until October. can be used for galas, or move specifically practising open water rescues before going to the trouble of going to Stoney/the coast. Contact me for details. Steve Gore 01727 834437 Shipwrecks Legally Protected for the First Time Historic Scotland, acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers, has legally protected a number of underwater shipwrecks in Scapa Flow. Three battleships and four cruisers of the German High Seas Fleet, scuttled in Scapa Flow, Orkney in June 1919 are the first wrecks, lying below the high watermark, to be scheduled in Scotland as monuments of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The three battleships are the Konig, Kronprinz Wilhelm and Markgraf. Each is about 175 metres long and originally weighed over 25,000 tons. All lie to the northeast of the island of Cava. The four light cruisers are the Brummer, Dresden, Karlsruhe and Koln. They range from 142 metres to 155 metres long and weigh from 4,308 tons to 5,531 tons. Three lie to the northeast of the island of Cava, the Karlsruhe lies to the northwest. The wrecks are the only remains of the large vessels of the German High Seas Fleet to have survived commercial salvage activity. Normally the powers contained in the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 are used to ensure that wrecks of historical, archaeological or artistic importance are protected from unauthorised interference. It was decided to schedule the wrecks in Scapa Flow because this designation means that no permit is required to visit these sites, provided they are not disturbed or damaged in any way. Divers are legally bound to treat the wrecks with the same care and respect as anyone visiting a land based scheduled monument. The Ministry of Defence and the Receiver of Wreck have both been very supportive of the schedule, as has the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites, a UK body. NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS 1. Section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 provides for Scottish Ministers to compile a Schedule of ancient monuments and to include any monument which appears to be of national importance. Until now all scheduled monuments, such as forts, cairns, and castles have been above the high water mark. 2. The definition of what constitutes a monument in the 1979 Act includes any site comprising the remains of any vessel. 3. There is a website showing the results of the ScapaMAP project which recorded 3D images of the vessels. Historic Scotland accept no responsibility for the contents of this site. www.ccom.unh.edu/scapamap/index.html Isla MacLeod Cook 24 August 2001 0131 668 8852 Medical Referee Suffolk The Suffolk Medical referee, Alan O'Malley, has had an increase in the number of 'phone calls since the introduction of self certification. His advice is to call him at home not at work, if you leave a message for him to get back to you he will not call. Therefore keep trying until you speak to him. Instructor Training Scheme Local Organiser John Finch wants to retire at the end of the year so we need someone to take over from him. Ideally you need to be at least an O.W.I. and a good organiser. The job involves liasing with H.Q., course bosses and the venues it does not involve liasing with the students. This is a key role in Eastern Region so please think about helping your Coaching Team, contact Dave Lock for further details. CIE Prep. The next, and final, SDC in Eastern Region is on November 17th in Rochford (Southend). Again we will be holding evening prep sessions for this event at various locations in the region. It is evident that these sessions really prepare the candidates for the exam. We don't teach you how to pass but how to break down the individual parts of the exam. Contact Dave Lock for further details. SDCs 2002 Steve Gore and I are sorting out next years Regional SDCs. If you want a specific SDC or can offer a venue please let us know. Dive Planning & Marshalling Inter-Branch Course to be held in Portland on 27/28th October with a few places available. Contact Dave Lock for further details. First Aid For Divers An extra course to be held in St. Albans, contact Steve Gore for details. This and O2 are necessary for attendance at Rescue First Aid which we are running on 18th Novenber. Full Face Mask Finally I've got enough students to run the course which will hopefully be in Cambridge at the end of October, this might change yet. Contact Dave Lock for further details. Rebreather Awareness Course Again a new course where dive marshals, D.O.s and dive buddies can appreciate what a rebreather diver is thinking about during a dive. It's a full day course and involves a wet session where you get to try a semi-closed and a closed circuit rebreather in a pool. There are some restrictions as to whom can attend (Dive Leader with Nitrox) but these are under review. I'm looking at arranging something for early December possibly in Cambridge, unless anyone knows of cheap pool/lecture facilities elsewhere. Regional Conference There will be no Regional Conference in 2002. There were very few replies to my question asking who would attend. Snorkelling Instructor Training Courses 2002 East Anglia March 24/25 Nov 10/11 Contact Liz on 0151 350 6255 for more details Branch Info Thu, 2 Aug 2001 "The Marine Environment Awareness Project in Dahab, Egypt is looking for volunteers to assist with coral reef research, monitoring and other related conservation projects. Participants will explore the coastal ecosystems of the Red Sea including its coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds. They will also become acquainted with linked ecosystems such as deserts, wadis, dunes and their inhabitants, learn the history of Egyptian nature conservation and take part in practical conservation work. If you are interested in this project, please visit the following web-site: http://www.conservation.hu/dahab/ To receive a detailed project description and a registration form, send an e-mail to marine@conservation.hu." AGM 2002 Following the excellent 2001 AGM hosted by Leamington (thanks folks) we would like to come to the members again next year. We want our 2002 AGM to be "on the road" at a location that you would like us to use. But where? we don't know your area, YOU do! Our thanks to the branches who responded to our request in BSAC Talk last month, some great ideas that we've followed up, we would like a few more options if possible. What do we need? Well keep an eye on BSAC Talk (see http://www.bsac.org/services/talk/bransec0701.htm for the July issue) for the details or contact Sandra (sandrar@bsac.com) and she will guide you. We want to improve and expand on our AGM activities and we need your help to do it. We'll listen to anyone - an individual branch, a consortium of branches, a region... you suggest somewhere we can hold our AGM and we'll give it very serious consideration. So over to you. Regards Keith Lawrence BSAC Council Member BSAC APPOINTS NEW SNORKEL DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS Mike Smith has retired from his role as Snorkel Advisor in order to concentrate on his role as Snorkel Chief Examiner. On Friday, 29th June, two new volunteers were appointed to jointly share the role. Sally Mutton from Stonehouse, Gloucestershire will be the new Snorkel Development Officer for the Southern Region while Paul Ewan, from Illingworth, Yorkshire is to take on the role of Snorkel Development Officer for the Northern Region. Sally is a BSAC Dive Leader and Club Instructor and has been actively involved with snorkelling since 1997 when she started a snorkel section in her branch. She has been instrumental in writing Skill Development Courses for snorkellers and is the author of the Snorkelling Newsletter that is published quarterly. Paul is also a BSAC Dive leader and Club Instructor, working hard to get his OWI hours logged. He has been snorkelling since he was 16 and that is a long time! Jerry Hazzard appointed Paul as the Yorkshire Area Co-ordinator for snorkelling many years ago when Paul identified a need for snorkel training in his region. Both Sally and Paul have been very active snorkel instructors in their regions for some time and are very keen to start their new roles. They are full of enthusiasm and have some great new ideas. "We are really looking forward to working with Mike Smith to give BSAC Snorkelling a new boost of enthusiasm and support him in his role as Snorkelling Chief Examiner." Their initial tasks involve putting into place a network of regional and area snorkel advisors followed by the creation of a three-year plan for snorkel development. This will include a programme of events for dedicated branch snorkel training and instructor development as well as regional seminars and meetings. We wish them well in their new roles and hope that over the next few months we can see some of that enthusiasm coming through. For further details contact Alistair Reynolds, Technical Manager on 0151 350 6261 or e-mail on alistairr@bsac.com Alistair Reynolds BSAC Technical Manager 07/01 British Sub Aqua Club Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the SELF-DECLARATION MEDICAL SYSTEM FOR SPORTS DIVING I have an existing Sport Diving Medical. Is it still valid and for how long? A current Diving Medical is sufficient to identify that you are fit to dive and so is still valid until It Expires. When an existing medical runs out you MUST complete a self-declaration Medical or consult a Medical Referee should there be any questions. Should your current Diving Medical expire before your Membership renewal date then you should complete a self-declaration at that time and then again on your next and subsequent renewals. If I answer ' Yes' to any of the questions on the form, what do I do and who do I speak to if I am unsure about whether an illness in the past will stop me diving? The first thing to do is to telephone your local Medical Referee. Medical Referees are listed on the reverse of the Self-Declaration Form or you can check the UK Sports Diving Medical Committee' s website or your Diving Organisation for the most up-to-date list of Referees. >From your initial telephone enquiry and the information you give to a Medical Referee they may: * Say you can complete the self-declaration yourself. * Need to contact your own doctor for further information and on this result, may endorse your self-declaration form. All this will involve is sending the Self-Declaration form to the Referee with a stamped addressed envelope for return of the endorsed form to you. * Require you to visit them for a medical examination before a Certificate of Fitness to dive can be issued. If a diver signs the Medical Self-Declaration Form stating that all is OK, but is hiding a past illness... The Form is a legal declaration. If a diver is found to have been untruthful and an accident occurs then that diver may be uninsured and may be held individually liable for the consequences. What if I have had DCI but been cleared to dive? or What if I have a condition listed on the Medical Self-Declaration Form but have been cleared to dive by a Medical Referee? The Medical Referee will have issued you with a Certificate of Fitness to Dive. This certificate may cover a certain time period or be a clearance that self-declaration can be completed by the diver for the future. Provided the Medical Referee has given you the all clear, then there will not be a problem. Learn to Dive 2001 Dear All First of all I would like you to pass on my thanks to all the branches in your region that have registered for the Learn to Dive Campaign this year. I know that all branches are busy and that not all can afford to continue participating in the campaign year after year but for the ones that do, we really appreciate it. The reason for my writing to you is to ask for your help! As Regional Coach I would like to ask you to speak to the branches in your region that have not yet registered for the campaign. As you will see by the attached table, there are plenty more branches yet to register! Please also find attached the relevant Branch registration form. To date we have had 363 callers and of these we are unable to allocate 73 of them because we do not have enough registered branches. I appreciate that not all branches want to register or are even unable to register but I feel there could be more branches out there who just haven't got around to completing and submitting the paperwork. Please stress to them that they will get all the promotional material they will need and we will support them in any way we can. As an added incentive we have just had confirmation that Hayes and Jarvis are offering a free diving holiday in the Maldives to a registered branch (name to be drawn from a hat). To be in with a chance all that is required is for the branch to be registered for the National Free Try Dive Week! If you require any further details, please contact me. Sandra Reynolds Event Organiser Tel: 0151 350 6221 Branch Info 030701 New Launch Facility at Hornsea The new launch facility at Hornsea (East Yorkshire) is now fully operational. It offers the following facilities from dawn to dusk: Tractor Launch & Recovery @ £15 per boat Free Car Parking Free Boat Washing Facilities Free Warm indoor and outdoor showers Free Toilet facilities Free Changing Rooms Free Picnic area with BBQ facilities laid on free of charge - so the family can join in the expedition too! Free Weather forecasts, tidal information (including slack at the dive sites) sea state reports (including assessments of underwater visibility). The Launch Master also operates a free shore party service - reporting all overdue boats to the coastguard. Cafe and breakfast bar - which opens in plenty of time for breakfast before an early slack dive, and offers a flask-filling service! There are also secure storage facilities ashore for those who want to leave their boat based at the site. All of this is there all the time at weekends and can be accessed anytime midweek by ringing the helpful and considerate staff on 07899792273 Please spread the word that this long-awaited facility is now ready and able to swing into action. Yours John Williams BSAC Area Coach CIE Help There are 2 more Club Instructor exams in Eastern Region before they cease to exist. They are 2nd September in Cambridge and 17th November in Southend. If you have anyone who wants help preparing please put them in contact with me. I can run informal evening sessions or a full days prep. For the latter I will need sufficient numbers i.e. 10 or more. The new system for qualification as a BSAC Instructor is already well known, I'll attach it for completeness. Final Arrangements for BSAC Open Water Instructor From 2002 Introduction When any new scheme is introduced, a cut-off point has to be adopted, from when the current scheme ends and the new one begins. It has long been our intention to introduce the results of the Instructor Training Review at the beginning of 2002, and the new Open Water Instructor Training scheme will operate from 1st January 2002. At this point, the new system, comprising Instructor Foundation Course (IFC), revised Open Water Instructing Course (OWIC) and separate Theory Teaching, Practical Teaching and Theory Knowledge Exams, will be run. The Instructor Training Course and Club Instructor Examination will cease to be offered by the BSAC from 31st December 2001. The ITS review team have considered the arrangements for Club Instructors and part-trained instructors to transfer across to the new scheme. The first principle to state is that the Open Water Instructor (OWI) award in the new scheme will be regarded as exactly the same as the OWI awarded in the current scheme - only the training and assessment methods will change. The other basic principles we adopted when considering the transfer arrangements were: to ensure that current instructors are given full credit for what they have achieved to date to encourage part-trained and qualified instructors to progress to maintain our standards and the credibility of the OWI award by ensuring that all OWIs can genuinely be regarded as being equivalent to make the transitional arrangements easy to understand and administer to allow sufficient time for the transfers to take place For ease of reference, a summary of the current and new Open Water Instructor training schemes is given in the attached document entitled 'Open Water Instructor Comparison'. The following conclusions have been reached: The Courses Although the ITS review has resulted in significant improvements in the way in which we will train our OWIs, the overall content of the courses under both systems is much the same. Thus, whilst there are differences between the Instructor Training Course and the Instructor Foundation Course and between the current and revised Open Water Instructor Courses, sufficient similarities exist for them to be regarded as equivalent for transfer purposes. The Assessment The main structural changes to the system will occur in the way in which we assess our OWIs. Currently, an OWI's ability at teaching practical diving skills is examined in the pool, followed by assessment of logged experience of open water teaching. Under the new scheme, the OWI's ability at teaching practical skills will be examined in the open water. The new scheme involves a Theory Instructor Examination and a Theory Paper which can be taken separately, but which essentially cover the same ground as the current Club Instructor Exam. Transfers To ensure that existing instructors gain full credit for what they have achieved to date and to encourage progression in the future, the following arrangements will apply: Those who have attended an ITC (Assistant Club Instructors) will be transferred as Assistant Instructors and will then follow the new route through to OWI. The Club Instructor grade will continue to be valid. To progress to OWI, CIs will be required, as under the present system, to extend their skills in the open water by attending an Open Water Instructor Course. Having already passed the theory paper and the classroom teaching exam, these elements will not need to be repeated. To give CIs credit for already having proved their ability at teaching practical skills in the pool, they will then be able to submit 12 hours logged experience for assessment, as under the present scheme, to gain the OWI award. For those who would prefer to take the Practical Instructor Exam, this option will also be open to them, as an alternative to logging experience. Those CIs who have already attended an OWIC, will have the same option of either completing their transition to OWI under the current system (by logging experience) or under the new system (by passing the Practical Instructor Exam). An Assistant Club Instructor who has taken, but failed, the Club Instructor Exam, will not be able to claim a credit for any individual part of the exam in which a pass mark was gained. This is because the CIE is a stand-alone event which requires a pass in all areas at the same time to result in the Club Instructor grade being awarded. The recently introduced concession of allowing candidates who pass the practical parts of the exam to resit the theory paper within 12 months will however continue, bearing in mind that the last CIEs will take place in December 2001. This system represents a logical, intuitive transfer to the new scheme and allows uninterrupted progression of individuals through to OWI. Credit for what the instructor has already done is given, without diluting our standards or requirements for the OWI grade. Time Scales As mentioned earlier, a cut-off date between the existing and new schemes is essential. The ITS review team has considered various time scales in which transfers should take place. It became clear however that whatever period was selected, this could represent a barrier or inconvenience to existent instructors who wish to progress. The assessment by the OWI Chief Examiner of logged experience is relatively easy to administer, and it was therefore decided that there should be no time limit for people wishing to transfer into the new scheme. Thus, although the ITC and CIE will not be available after 31st December 2001, divers who have already begun their journey along the path to OWI will be able to continue their progress at any time. Crossovers from other agencies The current requirements for instructors who qualified with other agencies to gain the BSAC OWI qualification, being a combination of attendance on the ITC and logged experience, will not change, except that the IFC will replace the ITC in the crossover arrangements. Any feedback or questions about the new Open Water Instructor Training Scheme should be forwarded to Maggie Cowing c/o BSAC HQ or via email maggie.cowing@bsac.com Maggie Cowing NQI Level 1 Co-ordinator May 2001 Advanced Instructor Course This course can now be arranged at reasonably short notice and for smaller numbers of participants. The minimum level for this course is Advanced Diver + OWIC + Boat Handling. The courses would be held at Portland (using Budgies as a base) and the cost would be £80. (Accommodation etc extra). Depending on the availability of the National Instructor concerned, they can be organised at short notice, during the summer months for groups as small as 3 students. If anyone is interested, contact Dave Lock. Dive Trip Spaces Please distribute this around your club members! I know this is really short notice, but I have had a couple of people drop out of the Cambridge Uni trip to Mull at the beginning of July. Diving is (mainly) from the MV Brendan, of Lochaline Boat Charters, but another boat, recommended by the Brendan's skipper, is being used for the first two days. (www.lochaline-boats.co.uk) Accomodation is at Ardtonish Estate (Claggan and "Craigendarroch Two" Cottages) - see http://www.ardtornish.co.uk/ The trip will almost certainly include both scenic and wreck diving. The exact balance will depend on what people want to do once we're there. Minimum Qualification: BSAC Sports Diver or equivalent. Cost £150 for boat and accomodation. Food, transport, air/nitrox is extra. We will be travelling from Cambridge to arrive mid-to-late morning on 7 July, after which we will dive. The Brendan is booked up to the 13th, and we have accomodation for that night. There is no diving booked for 14th, as we've got a several hundred mile trip to do. However, some may decide to organise something while we are there. If you're interested, please reply to me ASAP. Email: iainmsmith@btinternet.com Phone: 01223 511 989 Iain Smith ---------- Diving Officer, BSAC Branch 52 Cambridge University Underwater Exploration Group Scapa Flow I have a couple of places available on a trip to Scapa from 26th August to 1st September. This is a BSAC Regional Expedition Diving Scheme trip, which means we will have a number of bubblers doing drills to get their Advanced Nitrox and Practical Rescue Management tickets. There is plenty of 'proper' diving planned too though. (At present, I'm the only despiration guy on the trip). REDS is intended to provide rich and challenging diving for suitably qualified and experienced divers - the sort of diving that is frequently impossible within a BSAC branch due usually to a lack of experienced expedition leaders. The cost is estimated at £403 per diver including foot ferry, food, accommodation (aboard) air (but not O2 or Sofnolime) etc. For anyone who would prefer a hotel on dry land, that is an option as we will return to port each night - details of what is available and a cost breakdown is included in the participant packs. The minimum entry level for this trip is BSAC Dive Leader or equivalent. paul.marshall@bsac.com HAYES AND JARVIS BECOMES BSAC'S DIVE TOUR OPERATOR "Out of this world holidays at down to earth prices!" The BSAC launches "BSAC Travel Club" The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), the world's biggest diving club and UK governing body for scuba diving, has appointed Hayes and Jarvis as its dive tour operator. Hayes and Jarvis, the UK's No.1 scuba diving tour operator, will be able to offer exclusive benefits to BSAC members including a 10% discount on all holidays, a bespoke holiday service and dedicated BSAC telephone hotline and email address (Telephone 0870 3331961, email bsac@Hayes-Jarvis.com). Branch Info 150601 Sport for active grandmothers Help urgently needed!! the quote above relates to the French peoples description of diving. Obviously DIVE have just heard about it and want to do an article on three generations of divers and would like to interview a grandfather, father and son group who all dive (their choice but I'm sure they could include a woman diver?). my brains are wracked (wrecked?)and I can't think of anyone so I am calling on your broader knowledge of all things and people aquatic. If you know of anyone who would fit this profile then can you please let me know, and provide contacts, as soon as possible Jim Watson jimw@bsac.com Sunday 29th July at Alton Water PRM SDC Places available, contact Dave Lock for details Open Air Pool Available Also, please put the word around that SASAC's open air 30x20 metre pool (max depth 2.1M is available for hire/use until October. can be used for galas, or move specifically practising open water rescues before going to the trouble of going to Stoney/the coast. Contact me for details. Steve Gore 01727 834437 Scapa Trip - Diving I still have a couple of spaces spare for a trip to Scapa on 8 - 11th August if anyone is interested. Steve Gore 01727 834437 Norwegian fjords - Diving I belong to a Bsac club called London Hellfins based at Shell Centre by Waterloo, Central London (formerly Lensbury).   We are running a trip to the Norwegian fjords and need to fill in 5 spaces.  I am calling on your help.  I would be ever so grateful if you could distribute the details of this trip to your club in case any of your divers are interested. It's a great trip. The trip is a liveaboard on an old fishing trawler called the Jane R with loads of character. I went on this trip last year which proved to be one of the best trips ever. The plan is to meet Gordon, the skipper, in Bergen and from there sail north through the fjords. The diving is mainly wreck diving, ships from the 2nd world war and even older. Some of these wrecks are not even listed, Gordon the skipper has found them. The beauty of it is that the water is crystal clear and the wrecks are intact. The sheer size of them is mind-blowing. You can still see the ship's armoury, the holes where torpedos have penetrated, living quarters, bathroom, toilets etc. It has been compared to a cold Truk lagoon. The fact that Gordon is the only skipper to take divers through the fjords means that we have the wrecks to ourselves. The scenery is breathtaking, so a camera is essential. There is also the chance to stop in an old fishing village where you can taste the local cuisine including whale steak if you are adventurous enough. The boat stops at different beauty spots for lunch where you can enjoy scenic walks or go shopping in the modern and picturesque town of Flora. The water temperature varies bt 8 derees to 14 degrees (a drysuit is recommended), the wrecks lie bt 35m to 60m, there are no currents so you dive whenever you roll out of bed. The air temperature should be around 20 degrees in July. The trip will run from 8th to 15th July, priced at £490 inclusive of airfills (mixed gases available), weights and 3 meals a day. This price DOES NOT include your trip to Bergen. Bring your own sleeping bag and alcohol (very expensive in Norway). Jane R has 3x2 sleeping cabins, and 2x3 sleeping cabins, one bathroom with hot shower and 2 toilets (m/f). There are cheap flights to Bergen (Scandinavian Airlines 084560727727). If you fly the idea is to leave on Saturday and spend the night in Bergen in a hotel meeting Gordon by Bergen marina on Sunday 8th at about 1pm, and arrive back at the marina on Sunday 15th at around 9am to get a flight/ferry back. The ferry goes from Newcastle to Bergen (23hr journey via Fjord line a/s 01912961313) where you can leave your car in a carpark for a week. It leaves Newcastle on Saturday and arrives in Bergen on Sunday at about 1pm. There is one person taking the ferry so far and is willing to share his car and costs. So far there are seven people going. There are five spaces left.  If you know of anybody else that would like to join us please let me know. Gordon's number is 07775851150 in case you want to know about mixed gases etc. This trip is really worth the money. If you or any of your divers are in London and would like to come to our pool for a splash you are most welcome. We meet on a Wednesday night for training at 6pm Bird Cage entrance to Shell Centre, York Road and then at Bar Med in Chicheley Street just off York Rd by Waterloo at 7.30pm. Thanks for your help Gretel Ensignia mailto:Gretel_Ensignia@hotmail.com 0771 467 5461 37 Elliotts Row, London, SE11 4SZ BSAC54 QUIZ NIGHT Boxted Sports & Social Club Monday 25 June 8pm £5.00 per team, maximum of 6 people per team Buffet available £2.50 per mouth. Please contact Andrea or Jeremy on 01255 886735 for details. Branch Info Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001 08:41:52 +0100 Please find enclosed the press release for our walks. There are 65 all over the country, some on the coast with a chance to spot bottlenoses or harbour porpoises... If you want any further details about any particular walk please call me on 01225 334511 or email me back on this address... Thanks very much for your support Kate Walk for Whales and Dolphins 2001. Dear News Desk, Please find enclosed a press release and editor's notes for a very special event on June 10th this year. The WDCS Walks for Whales and Dolphins 2001 will raise valuable funds for UK whales and dolphins - such as the tiny harbour porpoise and the huge blue whale. Walkers will also be wearing red clothes and carrying red flags and banners to support our SEA RED campaign to 'get angry over whaling!'. This highlights the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting taking place in London in July, where proposals to resume commercial whaling are being considered. Our SEA RED campaign totally opposes any return to commercial whaling and advocates maintaining the ban which has been in place since 1986. It is a critical year for all whales, dolphins and porpoises around the world so would you please mention the Walks for Whales and Dolphins in your newspaper and help us make it the biggest walk to date? I would also like to invite you to join us on June 10th at your local event. I have enclosed a SEA RED press release and would be grateful if you could follow up our 2001 walks with an article about the campaign. Please do not hesitate to contact me, (Kate) on 01225 334511, email kates@wdcs.org if you require any further information, photographs or interviews about the walks. Should you require further information about SEA RED or the UK Programme, then please contact Nicky Knowles on events@wdcs.org. Your local walk will take place from (venue) Starting at: Local Co-ordinator's name (if known) Tel: Email: We look forward to hearing from you. With best wishes, Kate Sweeney WDCS Walks Organiser FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WALK FOR WHALES AND DOLPHINS 2001 A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR UK WHALES AND DOLPHINS Children's Channel 5 presenter Eddie Matthews from Milkshake has joined forces with WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, to launch its biggest campaign ever to highlight the threats facing the UK's whales, dolphins and porpoises. WDCS's UK programme is designed to improve the situation of the whales, dolphins and porpoises found in UK waters. These animals are presently not well known and are provided very little protection in an increasingly dangerous and degraded environment. Threats to UK whales and dolphins include increased chemical and noise pollution, boat traffic and fishing nets. Various conservation measures are identified in the programme including education, research and legislatory reform and these are supported by the dedicated fundraising effort necessary to give the programme life. You can help WDCS tackle the threats facing these UK species by joining hundreds of people in the 2001 Walk for Whales and Dolphins. There will be 66 sponsored walks throughout the country taking place on SUNDAY 10th JUNE, starting at 10am. Most will be approximately five miles long. In addition, to raise awareness of UK species, we will be hosting three 10-mile walks on which you may get the chance to see bottlenose dolphins or harbour porpoises from the coastline. These walks will take place in Torbay, Devon, Moray Firth, Scotland and Jersey, Channel Islands. WDCS's SEA RED campaign will also be highlighted at the 2001 Walks for Whales and Dolphins. During the International Whaling Commission meeting being held in London in July, proposals will be put forward to resume commercial whaling. If these go ahead it will mean thousands of whales and dolphins will be killed every year. To help WDCS highlight the campaign, we are asking supporters to wear red clothing, or make red flags for the 2001 walks. By supporting the SEA RED campaign you will be joining in the fight to stop commercial whaling forever! For more information about the WDCS Walk For Whales And Dolphins please e-mail walks@wdcs.org or contact Kate Sweeney on 01225 334511, or write to Kate at WDCS, FREEPOST (SN863), Bath, BA1 2XF. For more information on the SEA RED campaign please contact Nicky Knowles on 01225 334511 or email events@wdcs.org. EDITOR'S NOTES WDCS - the global voice for whales, dolphins and porpoises. WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, is the largest charity of its kind in the world dedicated to the conservation, welfare and appreciation of all whales, dolphins and porpoises. WDCS and is at the forefront of efforts to provide a secure future for these enigmatic and much maligned animals. Walk for Whales and Dolphins The Walk for Whales and Dolphins has developed over the past six years into a major event. There are 66 walks taking place this year and they will all be raising funds for the WDCS UK Programme. Each walk is approximately 5 miles in length. Apart from the Moray |Firth in Scotland, Torbay, Devon and Jersey, Channel Islands where we will be hosting 10 mile walks with the possibility of spotting dolphins from the coast. This year the walks will be supported by Eddie Matthews, children's TV presenter for channel 5's Milkshake. Eddie Matthews also presents 'Wannabe' and 'Wired' for ITV, as well as regularly broadcasting for the BBC on a range of subjects. Eddie is a keen supporter of animal welfare and recently he has been meeting a wide variety of unusual animals in his new programme 'Pet Project'. UK Programme. Many people are unaware that 24 different species of whale and dolphin can be spotted in UK waters. However, many of these animals are facing daily threats from increased chemical and noise pollution, boat traffic and fishing nets. WDCS is helping these animals through the UK Programme by: * Supporting whale and dolphin research in Wales, Scotland and England. The UK has around 300 resident bottlenose dolphins found in Cardigan Bay, Wales and the Moray Firth in Scotland. The Scottish dolphins are reportedly declining at an alarming rate of 5% a year so it is crucial that we monitor the threats to these animals before they disappear forever. * Fighting for clean and healthy seas in the UK by monitoring pollution and disturbances - including offshore oil and gas and increased boat traffic. * Developing a WDCS sightings network through our Sail to Save project. By sending whale and dolphin spotters guides to divers and yachting enthusiasts WDCS can raise awareness of UK species and record their sightings on a regular basis. * Working with communities, because support and commitment is essential to ensure a brighter future for whales and dolphins. SEA RED Campaign During July this year, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) will meet in London. During the meeting, a series of proposals will be presented to re-introduce commercial whaling. There is a real danger that these proposals will be successful which would be devastating for whales and dolphin all over the world. To raise awareness of the IWC meeting and past and present whaling issues, WDCS has launched a SEA RED campaign. SEA RED, because if commercial whaling goes ahead the seas will turn to red with the blood of thousands of whales. SEA RED because we want you to get angry and help now, before it is too late. 5 good reasons why WDCS opposes any return to commercial whaling. * Killing methods in whaling are inherently and unacceptably cruel and inhumane. * Increasingly, scientific research has provided clear warning that cetaceans are faced with a catalogue of human-induced environmental threats. There is now overwhelming evidence to cast serious doubt on the ability of whale populations, already under mounting pressure from threats including climate change, ozone depletion, pollution, over-fishing and habitat destruction, to withstand the additional burden of renewed commercial hunting. * The whaling countries have deliberately over-simplified the biology, ecology, genetics, population structure and life-history of whales in order to create the illusion that they can easily be managed and sustainably harvested. * Cetacean meat is polluted - much of it is not fit for human consumption. Some may actually be acutely toxic. * The Revised Management Scheme (RMS) which is being negotiated to manage a future resumption of whaling, lags far behind management, control, surveillance and catch documentation schemes already implemented in other contemporary fisheries regimes. In the absence of robust legal mechanisms for the reporting, investigation, prosecution and punishment of offences, the RMS cannot ensure compliance with the management and conservation provisions of the International Whaling Commission. The SEA RED campaign. * WDCS is fighting for internationally endorsed protection for all whales. * WDCS believes that attempts to compromise with the whalers are futile, and ultimately, very dangerous. * WDCS believes that whaling isn't a matter of culture or science, just the economics of greed. * WDCS promises to fight for an end to whaling, be it commercial or scientific. For more information about the SEA RED campaign please look on the WDCS website: www.wdcs.org Medicals Hi All, the following was posted ont he website this morning. This is just to keep you all in the loop should you get any questions. Jim Following a larger than anticipated response to the request for feedback on the proposed changes to the medicals, (over 40% response rate) and a number of replies received after the deadline to consider, it has taken a while to collate all the responses. There have been a few issues raised, which need further consideration including consultation with the UK Sports Diving Medical Committee. This should be done in time for presentation and discussion at the Council meeting in June and a decision should be reached at that time. As soon as a decision has been made then it will be communicated widely using all possible means. Until this time members are reminded that they still need to comply with the current requirement for a full diving medical. Final Arrangements for BSAC Open Water Instructor From 2002 Introduction When any new scheme is introduced, a cut-off point has to be adopted, from when the current scheme ends and the new one begins. It has long been our intention to introduce the results of the Instructor Training Review at the beginning of 2002, and the new Open Water Instructor Training scheme will operate from 1st January 2002. At this point, the new system, comprising Instructor Foundation Course (IFC), revised Open Water Instructing Course (OWIC) and separate Theory Teaching, Practical Teaching and Theory Knowledge Exams, will be run. The Instructor Training Course and Club Instructor Examination will cease to e offered by the BSAC from 31st December 2001. The ITS review team have considered the arrangements for Club Instructors and part-trained instructors to transfer across to the new scheme. The first principle to state is that the Open Water Instructor (OWI) award in the new scheme will be regarded as exactly the same as the OWI awarded in the current scheme - only the training and assessment methods will change. The other basic principles we adopted when considering the transfer arrangements were: to ensure that current instructors are given full credit for what they have achieved to date to encourage part-trained and qualified instructors to progress to maintain our standards and the credibility of the OWI award by ensuring that all OWIs can genuinely be regarded as being equivalent to make the transitional arrangements easy to understand and administer to allow sufficient time for the transfers to take place For ease of reference, a summary of the current and new Open Water Instructor training schemes is given in the attached document entitled 'Open Water Instructor Comparison'. The following conclusions have been reached: The Courses Although the ITS review has resulted in significant improvements in the way in which we will train our OWIs, the overall content of the courses under both systems is much the same. Thus, whilst there are differences between the Instructor Training Course and the Instructor Foundation Course and between the current and revised Open Water Instructor Courses, sufficient similarities exist for them to be regarded as equivalent for transfer purposes. The Assessment The main structural changes to the system will occur in the way in which we assess our OWIs. Currently, an OWI's ability at teaching practical diving skills is examined in the pool, followed by assessment of logged experience of open water teaching. Under the new scheme, the OWI's ability at teaching practical skills will be examined in the open water. The new scheme involves a Theory Instructor Examination and a Theory Paper which can be taken separately, but which essentially cover the same ground as the current Club Instructor Exam. Transfers To ensure that existing instructors gain full credit for what they have achieved to date and to encourage progression in the future, the following arrangements will apply: Those who have attended an ITC (Assistant Club Instructors) will be transferred as Assistant Instructors and will then follow the new route through to OWI. The Club Instructor grade will continue to be valid. To progress to OWI, CIs will be required, as under the present system, to extend their skills in the open water by attending an Open Water Instructor Course. Having already passed the theory paper and the classroom teaching exam, these elements will not need to be repeated. To give CIs credit for already having proved their ability at teaching practical skills in the pool, they will then be able to submit 12 hours logged experience for assessment, as under the present scheme, to gain the OWI award. For those who would prefer to take the Practical Instructor Exam, this option will also be open to them, as an alternative to logging experience. Those CIs who have already attended an OWIC, will have the same option of either completing their transition to OWI under the current system (by logging experience) or under the new system (by passing the Practical Instructor Exam). An Assistant Club Instructor who has taken, but failed, the Club Instructor Exam, will not be able to claim a credit for any individual part of the exam in which a pass mark was gained. This is because the CIE is a stand-alone event which requires a pass in all areas at the same time to result in the Club Instructor grade being awarded. The recently introduced concession of allowing candidates who pass the practical parts of the exam to resit the theory paper within 12 months will however continue, bearing in mind that the last CIEs will take place in December 2001. This system represents a logical, intuitive transfer to the new scheme and allows uninterrupted progression of individuals through to OWI. Credit for what the instructor has already done is given, without diluting our standards or requirements for the OWI grade. Time Scales As mentioned earlier, a cut-off date between the existing and new schemes is essential. The ITS review team has considered various time scales in which transfers should take place. It became clear however that whatever period was selected, this could represent a barrier or inconvenience to existent instructors who wish to progress. The assessment by the OWI Chief Examiner of logged experience is relatively easy to administer, and it was therefore decided that there should be no time limit for people wishing to transfer into the new scheme. Thus, although the ITC and CIE will not be available after 31st December 2001, divers who have already begun their journey along the path to OWI will be able to continue their progress at any time. Crossovers from other agencies The current requirements for instructors who qualified with other agencies to gain the BSAC OWI qualification, being a combination of attendance on the ITC and logged experience, will not change, except that the IFC will replace the ITC in the crossover arrangements. Any feedback or questions about the new Open Water Instructor Training Scheme should be forwarded to Maggie Cowing c/o BSAC HQ or via email maggie.cowing@bsac.com Maggie Cowing NQI Level 1 Co-ordinator May 2001 Regional Conference 2002 I've had an offer of 2 places for this event in February 2002.They are in Romford and inn Soham near Ely. Could you poll your members and find out if they are likely to attend and which venue they would prefer. If there's ther same apathy as this year the event will not be organised! Nitrox Tables IMPORTANT NOTE Please note that we have identified an error in the tables on Page 15 Table B 18 metres depth Decompression Stop Dives between 92 & 108 Dive time is printed 161 in error This should be 101 minutes. The page is currently being reprinted and a replacement page should be in stock in the next 3-4 weeks. Existing stocks of Tables will have the replacement page inserted as soon as it is available and meanwhile an error sticker is being placed in any stocks sent out in the interim period. Anyone who would like a replacement page to be sent to them should contact Mary Tetley, operations Manager on maryt@bsac.com or telephone 0151 350 6220. Branch Info 170501 Alton Water Will the Dive Clubs who use Alton Water please contact me as I have some information which will be useful. Stolen Dive Gear Could you please circulate the regional coaches with the attached document which lists dive equipment that we had stolen at the weekend whilst diving at the Farne Islands. Please ask the coaches to circulate to all their branches with a request to contact Northumberland Police and myself if they are offered this equipment for sale. It should also serve as a warning to all members not to leave kit in their cars overnight. Your assistance would be appreciated in disseminating this information as quickly as possible. Best regards Roy Creed Diving Officer Peterborough Branch 07980 993067 >>Details Deleted<< Dive Trip Places ianlegon@hotmail.com I Have Three Maybe four places on a weekend in Falmouth, If There is anybody in your branch contacts that may wish to attend then please contact Ian Legon at home on the above E-Mail or tel 01702 435133 The cost is £120.00 for 3 days diving and 3 nights B&B PROVIDING WE FILL THE PLACES The diving is off a hard boat and we go out for the whole day 2 Cylinders will be required. THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST SCENIC DIVING IN ENGLAND WITH A CHANCE OF DIVING SOME GOOD WRECKS. THE DIVING IS NORMALLY AROUND 20 METERS WITH A OCCASIONAL DROP TO 35 METERS ON THE MANACLES ITS SELF (THIS A WALL DIVE AND IS NOT MANDATORY). THE DATES ARE THE 29TH JUNE - 2 JULY FRI -SUN NIGHTS B&B DIVING SAT SUN AND MON IAN IS A BSAC ADVANCED DIVER / OWI AND IS THE TRAINING OFFICER FOR RAYLEIGH SAC. HE HAS ARRANGED THIS TRIP FOR THE PAST 10 YRS Press Notice No: 136/01 24 April, 2001 RECEIVER OF WRECK ANNOUNCES END OF AMNESTY The first ever UK Wreck Amnesty, launched by the Receiver of Wreck on the 23rd January, officially comes to an end at midnight tonight. In its three-month run, the Wreck Amnesty has encouraged divers and dive clubs, fishermen, beachwalkers, museums and other sea-users from all over the UK to come forward and report items recovered from wrecked vessels, hovercraft and aircraft which they have in their possession. Thousands of reports have been received, with the last days of the amnesty seeing upwards of 500 reports a day arriving at the MCA headquarters in Southampton. The aim of the amnesty was to offer an opportunity for all those with unreported wreck finds to set the record straight. The large number of reports submitted to the Receiver of Wreck have also brought to light objects which could be of historic interest, and some which may lead to previously unknown wrecks. The amnesty has also brought to light a substantial number of unstable explosives recovered from First and Second World War wrecks. The Ministry of Defence Police are working with the Receiver of Wreck to ensure that all potentially hazardous material is made safe. Musket parts, musket shot, cannon and cannonballs have also been reported, along with more modern munitions. While the majority of items have been completely safe, it has been necessary for a number to be removed and made safe by explosives experts. In one particular case, 89 live and unstable shells were removed from one address. Items reported under the amnesty include portholes and various brass fixtures and fittings, copper and lead ingots, coins, including pieces of eight, pieces of jewellery, silverware, cutlery, and more fragile items such as bottles of perfume, champagne, gin and vodka, and large collections of crockery. More unusual items reported under the amnesty include toilet bowls, toilet pumps, toilet roll holders and chamber pots, as well as a pair of white lace panties! Veronica Robbins, the Receiver of Wreck said: " The Wreck Amnesty has been a great success and we have had lots of positive feedback. In general, finders from all over the UK have welcomed the opportunity to set the record straight. So far we have processed thousands of reports (excluding those from museums), but due to the overwhelming response, it will take time to assess all the material and collate the information that we have received. "The main aim of the amnesty was to further enhance sea-users' knowledge of the law and we are sure that in the future people will more readily report their finds now that they understand how straight forward the reporting process is and that by reporting their finds they have much to gain and nothing to lose. "The penalties for failing to report can be severe, and include fines of up to £2500 for each offence. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will continue to encourage safe, responsible, legal practices by all sea-users, and will take appropriate action in relation to unreported wreck." Detective Inspector, Alan Stevens of the Ministry of Defence Police said: "While not wishing to be alarmist, some people have been in possession of potentially dangerous material which has now been made safe. We are glad that the amnesty had made the public aware of the law and that they have been able to come forward to report past finds without the worry of being prosecuted. We will continue to follow up reports and claims which are made post Amnesty, with the assistance of explosives ordanance experts." For further information please contact Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on: (023) 8032 9401 www.mcga.gov.uk Branch Info 03/05/00 Dive Trips - Places available Rayleigh Branch have places on three trips in that need to be filled, these have occurred due to a cock up with the dates on our Scilly island trip that overlaps the other two weekends. All these places need to be filled by experienced sports divers, or above. sorry no club divers unless they bring their own dive leader as we only just have enough experienced divers to cover our own club divers on these weekends. There is One place for a 1 week diving in the Scilly islands date 29th June for 1 week phone Graham Towler on 01702 545228 cost aprox £350 check with Graham for the exact amount. Two places on a long weekend at Falmouth diving on the Mannacles etc. date 29th June~ 2 July 3days b&b £ days diving, cost £120 inc B&B Hard boat diving Two cylinders required as we stay out all day. Phone Ian Legon on 01702 435133 after 5 April Six places on a farne island trip on 6,7,8,9, July cost aprox £150 inc air B&B Hard boat dives 1 cylinder req phone Gary Forward on 01268 691962 CIE Rochford 2nd June Help is available for those who are preparing for the exam. This can be a couple of informal evening sessions, or a day long preparation event. If any of your Branch members want assistance please contact Dave Lock. New Branch Welcome to our newest Branch, Gulp Divers BSAC Branch 2298. They are based in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire and their meeting venue and times are on the WWW page. Website: www.gulpdivers.co.uk BSAC AGM The AGM I am sure you all know is Saturday 9th June so not long off! In response to feedback from members this years event is being held outside London. In actual fact it is being hosted by a Branch of the BSAC in the Midlands (Leamington & Warwick) and this is just the sort of Branch involvement we should be encouraging. Firstly can you each encourage your Branches to send at least 1 representative to the meeting so that they can air their views and feedback the news to their Branch. Secondly, please also make sure there are a couple of other events following the AGM which would be of interest to them, namely a series of breakout sessions on various aspects of running a successful branch and related issues AND a chance to socialise with Officers etc. at the Bar-B-Que to be held in the evening.(might even be able to buy me a drink ;-)) Finally, if you think that any of YOUR Branches would be interested in hosting future events then I would encourage them to attend so that they can see first hand what they would need to improve on. I'm sure that Leamington & Warwick will put on an excellent effort. Branch News 200401 Hi all, I've been away working recently so if you've tried to contact me and I've not replied - sorry. I'm slowly catching up with E-mails and Telephone calls so I'll be in contact soon. Regional Meeting This was attended by about 40 divers and was judged a success. We tried to pack too much into the evening which left little time for chatting. However we covered some important ground on Regional and National issues and hopefully these were received positively. The main outcome of the meeting is that I'm looking for a branch to host the Regional Conference next year. You will need to have access to a cheap venue with seating for 70 people and with adequate car parking. Wilf is willing to help organise the speakers and to help generally. Are there any takers? Coastguard I've recently been chatting with the D.O. of Thames Coastguard who are keen to talk to divers and offer advice. They are able to offer trips to their station at Walton on the Naze on evenings and weekends. This obviously needs to be in their quiet season, October to April. If you want further details please contact me. If you want advice on any aspects of boating please ring them direct - I have the 'phone number. Wreck Amnesty Final reminder that the wreck Amnesty ends 24th April, that's next week!! Can you make one last push to your Branches to ensure that ALL members declare their finds before this date. In particular it is VERY important that Branches who have Clubhouses with lots of Trophies ensure that they have all been declared or the Branch and ALL it's members could be in a very serious position. If Scarborough Branch can address the situation everyone can. http://www.mcga.gov.uk/news/press_releases/111-01.htm Press Notice No: 111/01 April 10, 2001 EASTER WEEKEND DIVERS REMINDED OF AMNESTY As Easter approaches Veronica Robbins, Receiver of Wreck, urged divers and sea walkers alike to the imminent end of the Wreck Amnesty on the 24th April. She said: " The Amnesty has been a great success so far, and we have had lots of positive feedback. In general, finders have welcomed the opportunity to set the record straight. So far we have processed thousands of reports (excluding those from museums). The material reported ranges from the obligatory porthole to cannon and shot, several pieces of eight and a Charles 1st gold coin. We have even had a German U-Boat toilet reported - we have also had reported chamber pots, loo seats and sinks! " Many ship's bells, some named are now known to us, and of course, lots of munitions - mainly shell cases and bullets, so our colleagues at the Ministry of Defence Police have had plenty of activity in dealing with these Reports. On average the MCA is receiving 70 reports daily, mainly from recreational divers, but also fishermen, Dive Centres/Shops and museums, and antique dealers who might be worried that they might be offering undeclared wreck for sale. Mrs Robbins continued: " Only yesterday two renowned maritime museums sent two inventories including over 300 individual reports. Various other museums are also compiling reports. So far we have processed hundreds of reports (excluding the museums). " The reports were mainly from England, but following a high profile launch and Dive Show we are now getting many Reports from Scotland. We have also had a lot from Yorkshire this week after our presentation in York. Dorset and Kent are the front runners in England at the moment - mostly recreational divers. Quite a lot of Dive Clubs have declared the items they hold on display in their Clubhouses and many have pledged better reporting behaviour in future. I am particularly pleased by this comment as it remains one of the main planks of the Amnesty. Sid Rapson has also tabled an EDM which follows up the good work that the Diving Agencies have been doing. Please lobby your MP to sign this one. In fact I visited one branch, Bramston who had invited their MP to their Branch meeting. He listened to some well presented arguments and signed EDM 458 as a result. I know other Branches have written letters and invited MPs to their Branches, keep up the good work. Personally I have declared all that I have recovered from wrecks and found it wasn't too taxing. It made me get out my logbooks and look at charted positions again and brought back some pleasant memories about some of the dives that were involved!! EDM 458 DIVING ON MARITIME MILITARY WRECKS 19.03.01 Mr Syd Rapson Mr Eric Clarke Dr Norman A Godman Mr Mike Hancock Lynne Jones Mr Bill Michie 6 signatures That this House congratulates the three main diving agencies BSAC, PADI and SAA for producing a code of practice, 'Respect our Wrecks', advocating a look but do not touch policy incorporating all wrecks and underlining that removing items from wrecks is seen as unacceptable; and urges all responsible divers to use peer pressure on the small, irresponsible minority who interfere with marine war graves. Dive Trips Due to illness, I now have one place vacant on a four day dive trip to Oban, on the West coast of Scotland. We are travelling up on Friday 8th June Diving 9th to 12th inc returning on Wednesday 13th The trip would suit an experienced Sport Diver or above, and, weather permitting will include scenic dives in the Garvellachs, and finishing the trip in the sound of Mull on wrecks such as the Hispania and Rondo. Most dives will be in the range of 20 to 30 metres. Anybody requiring further information can either e-mail, or telephone me on Office hours...... 01268 725880 Evenings.......... 01268 416174 Regards Bob Butcher Basildon 0356 branch West Norfolk Sub-Aqua Club have a trip diving the wrecks of Normandy organised from the 10th - 17th August 2001 aboard the MV Dawn Louise - the cost of the trip is £365 which includes 6 days diving, air and all food aboard the boat. There are a few places still available so if anyone is interested they should contact Dave Hubbard on 01945 - 860535. SOUTHERN RED SEA June 29th -6th July Liveaboard - Shalkamy Explorer 2 Full board / ensuite twin rooms /3-4dives per day /night dives /dive guide £843.00 approx +visa (£15) +insurance (£20) Sports Diver and above Monarch Airlines - Gatwick / Hurghada. 3 hour transfer from Hurghada to board Explorer 2. 3rd year on Explorer 2 led by Advanced Instructors from Hoddesdon Sub Aqua Club. If you are interested in joining us please contact Sue Howes sue.howes@dial.pipex.com or 0410 888078 Norfolk North Norfolk Divers (1151) often have places on their RIBS which they launch from Weybourne. Please contact Rowley on 01263 712180. Branch Info 16/03/01 Hi all, Here's the info on how to find the venue for the Regional meeting on 29th March, 20:00 at Ely Rugby Club. There is a bar but no food available. I've also added an agenda although the order may change I hope to cover all of these subjects. The presentations will be 10-15 minutes apart from Wreck Respect which will take longer as it's by far the most serious item on the agenda. The main time is allocated to the audience to ask questions and provide feedback on how they want the Region to develop. I believe that my team have worked hard to develop communications between the Branches and HQ but we need to know what more you would like from us. If anyone would like to add anything to the agenda please let me know. Could we have as much support as possible for this event as it's your chance to help develop the Region and to get up to date with National and Local Issues. http://uk2.multimap.com/map/photo.cgi?client=photo&scale=10000&X=553200&Y=28 1600&width=700&height=410&gride=0&gridn=0 http://uk8.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=553000&Y=281500&gride=&gridn=&width =700&height=400&client=M6&db=&scale=10000&scale=25000 The club is the building in the centre of the photograph just off the B1411, an adequate car park is on site. Trimix and BSAC - Gareth Leyshon Rebreathers and BSAC - Dave Lock Regional Conference - Wilf Tanser Wreck Respect - Keith Lawrence Council Information - Keith Lawrence CIE Preparation - Steve Game ============================================================================ ================== Farnes trip North Norfolk Divers have a few places on a trip to the Farne Islands on 27-29th April. The cost is 80 UK pounds for 2 nights B&B and 2 days diving. Contact me for further details. ============================================================================ =================== INSTRUCTOR E-MAIL LIST This NDC Bulletin is one of the methods the BSAC uses to ensure our Instructors are able to keep up to date with current trends and changes in our diver training programme. The BSAC is constantly striving to improve our communications and our Instructors are identified as a key group for this communication process. In order to ensure that BSAC Instructors have access to new information as quickly and reliably as possible we propose to introduce a new system of E-Mailing information direct to Instructors. A trial mailing has already been done to circulate the Resuscitation Update (elsewhere in this issue) to those Instructors we had addresses for on the Membership database. Unfortunately many of these addresses are either incorrect or out of date. We would therefor invite any BSAC Instructors to register for this mailing list by simply E-mailing Chris Horan at HQ chrish@bsac.com with a message stating 'Instructor list' and you will be included in future mailings. The list will be used for mailing updates on BSAC Information ONLY and will not be provided to any outside agency. Branch Info 28/02/01 Hi all, Some important news in this posting. I'm off on holiday next week, rebreathering in the Red Sea. There'll be a Regional meeting on 29th March at 20:00 at Ely Rugby Club. Could those of you who want to go please contact me for directions? We'll tackle the usual new stuff at Regional and National level plus allow plenty of time for you to tell us what you want from the Regional team. Many thanks to Great Yarmouth BSAC for hosting the Hyperbaric visit, this went exceedingly well, see the report below. Regional meeting 29th March, 20:00 Ely Rugby Club Proposed Agenda: Rebreathers in BSAC Trimix in BSAC Wreck Amnesty Early Day Motions Failure of Regional Conference A.O.B. ============================================================================ ======== Resuscitation Training Update Feb. 2001 During August last year, the first International Guidelines for CPR were published after a lengthy period of consultation between the American Heart Association and the European Resuscitation Council. These guidelines are a very extensive, evidence based reference source which the Resuscitation Council (UK) have distilled into a more practical document called Guidelines 2000. This document has just been published. The BSAC has reviewed this document, with the result that the following three changes are to be made to our resuscitation training procedures 1. Identification of circulation - the identification of a pulse using the carotid artery has been documented to lead to an incorrect conclusion (present or not) in up to 50% of cases. Training in detecting a circulation in this way is no longer recommended for non-healthcare persons - a definition which covers the vast majority of divers. The indications for a circulation should now be to assess the casualty for any signs of breathing, coughing or any indications of movement. If there are no signs of a circulation, or if the rescuers are at all unsure, they should commence chest compressions. 2. Two person CPR - the sequence of chest compressions / ventilations for two person CPR has standardised on 15:2 for all healthcare personnel. The 5:1 ratio is now only recommended for paediatric life support and is a function of the casualty not the number of rescuers. Both single person and two person CPR should now use a common 15:2 ratio of chest compressions / ventilations. 3. Recovery position - Since 1998 the recovery position recommended by the Resuscitation Council (UK) has differed from that recommended by the BSAC. The difference arose because it was considered that the position recommended by the BSAC (which was in fact the Resuscitation Council (UK)'s 1997 recommendation) offered greater stability in the environment more likely to be encountered by divers - ie. a rolling, pitching boat. Guidelines 2000 does in fact acknowledge that there are a number of different recovery positions and that each has its advocates. For a casualty on a stable base (shore) there is little to choose between the positions, each has its advantages and disadvantages. For consistency with other first aid agencies the BSAC will adopt the Guidelines 2000 position but will also continue to teach the pre-1998 position as a variation for situations where its added stability is a benefit. One further aspect that emerged is clarification regarding Mouth-to Nose AV. In water AV is identified in Guidelines 2000 as being one of the situations where this technique is appropriate, due to the difficulties of adequately sealing the nose / achieving jaw lift in these circumstances. One relevant statement is that during mouth-to-nose AV, soft parts of the nasal passages may flop back to obstruct the airway. While this will not affect air flowing in to the casualty, it can obstruct air coming out. It therefore recommends that the casualty's jaw is allowed to open during the expiration part of the cycle - in practice this will mean relieving any pressure holding the jaw shut. While this is not really a change to our training, this additional advice should be incorporated. ============================================================================ ====================== Letters to MPs. Here are copies of letters sent to Westminster by the BSAC. If you haven't done anything about this issue yet they could act as a template for you letter to your MP! «Title» «FirstName» «LastName» House of Commons London SW1 0AA Dear «Title» «LastName» Re: Diving on Military Wrecks We, the British Sub-Aqua Club, are the Governing Body for the sport of scuba diving in the UK. Although the BS-AC has some 45,000 members it is estimated that there is in excess of 150,000 scuba divers in the UK. It is clear that there is a real possibility that control level status may be applied to military wrecks that will in essence, prohibit scuba diving on all military shipwrecks in UK waters, and banning only British nationals from certain wrecks overseas. This ban would be as a direct result of the activity of a small number of misinformed individuals. I refer in particular to the recent articles published in the Western Daily Press and the fact that you, amongst others, have offered full support to the 'let them rest in peace' campaign. We are saddened that you should have done so without seeking clarification of both sides of the argument. Whilst respect for our war dead and national underwater heritage is non negotiable we must not lose sight of the benefits and pleasures gained from exploring these sites. In addition to the adventure and appreciation of exploring first hand the engineering achievements of our underwater heritage, it must also be recognised that once underwater any wreck very soon becomes, in effect a man made reef and a focus for marine life. The sights of a shipwreck with its indigenous shoals of fish, crustaceans and marine growth is something to behold and appreciate. The BSAC has recently signed a memorandum of understanding along with PADI and SAA to protect and preserve our national underwater heritage. We, as the governing body are actively supporting the joint organisations 'Respect our Wrecks' initiative. This is a pro-active and highly visible group committed to educating divers about their responsibilities to dive wrecks with respect. We also work closely with the Receiver of Wreck to ensure full co-operation in line with current legislation and are actively promoting the wreck amnesty. In addition, we apply our own policy of 'take nothing except photographs, leave nothing except bubbles'. We are a professional organisation with a very clear ethos of leaving our underwater heritage intact for future generations of British divers. There are suggestions from misinformed groups that we are nothing short of grave robbers by diving these wrecks. This is a not a fair reflection on the majority of recreational divers. They do dive wrecks with respect, and are certainly not souvenir hunters. I would draw a simile to people visiting the fields of Flanders. They enjoy the experience and appreciation of the scale of sacrifice gained by visiting these sites. They do not take a spade with them, neither do we. As stated above, we adopt a policy of respect for these sites. The whole position does appear somewhat paradoxical. Our war dead died for our freedom, why then is there a threat to curtail our freedom to visit these sites clearly with the respect that they deserve. I would ask that, before making a decision on a purely emotional rather than an informed basis, you consider the benefits provided by sports divers. These benefits can be categorised as: Locating military wrecks that would otherwise remain undiscovered. Innes McCartney, a recreational diver, has located the last resting places of 552 submariners. These locations have been reported to the appropriate authorities, and only photographs have been taken. Another recreational diver, at the time RNLI lifeboat coxswain, discovered the true last resting place of HM Submarine Swordfish. He too reported it to the proper authorities and a service of remembrance has been held for the families over the true last resting place of the boat. Providing the various survivors associations with photographs and reports of the final resting places of their loved ones that clearly, they would never see without the intervention of sports divers. Last year an expedition to such wrecks abroad were followed up by the divers sending photographs to the survivors association, at their request. (It was a recreational diver who reported disturbance to HMS Repulse. The removal of propellers weighing eight and a half tonnes was a quasi-commercial undertaking outside the scope of the recreational diver). Providing the MoD and MCA with details of wreckage and finds that would otherwise go unreported. The research and identification of previously unknown wrecks would probably stop when divers realise that identifying the ship would then exclude them from diving it again. A very clear policy of preserving our national underwater heritage for future generations. Many divers spend endless hours researching ships, and locating them. By finding out the background to the wrecking they keep the story of the ship and sacrifice alive. They research and search to locate the wreck, not to loot it. A considerable cash injection into the coastal economies where diving takes place. This would include boat skippers, B&B establishments, hotels, restaurants and public houses. In areas such as Plymouth, a whole industry has grown up around diving. There has been a culture of souvenir hunting, but in recent years the new attitude is one of conservation, being able to go back and wonder at the remains. We accept that there are some people who are not willing to change. The wreck amnesty offers honest divers the chance to declare what they have. After the amnesty the way will be clear for some very public prosecutions by the courts. We totally support Dr. Moonie when he stated 'the time is up for rogue divers'. Our concern is that new legislation will stop the honest diver from visiting these sites, and will not bother the rogues one bit. The current legislation should be enforced, not new legislation imposed. Finally, it has to be acknowledged that divers were not immune to the effects of war, we too had fathers, uncles and grandfathers that sacrificed themselves for our freedom. Yours sincerely Phil Harrison Allan J Bretherton Lizzie Bird Chairman Vice-Chairman National Diving Officer ============================================================================ ==== Dear (name) Re: Respect our Wrecks Campaign For some time there has been a small but growing public concern at the apparent vandalism by sport divers of military wrecks; these are often referred to as war graves, but include all military wrecks where life was lost, whether in war or peacetime. This concern has been greatly developed over the last year. Following some well-publicised incidents in which the media showed interest, the activity by certain pressure groups seeking to stop sport divers from diving on military wrecks has intensified. We have been in constant discussion with many different groups of people in an effort to raise the profile of the responsible recreational diver who enjoys diving wrecks. BSAC, PADI and SAA have joined together in an initiative called 'Respect our Wrecks' aimed at ensuring that all divers act within the law; and with sensitivity towards war graves All divers in British waters are facing a very real threat to their freedom to dive military wrecks. There are some pressure groups that are lobbying Parliament very successfully to make diving military wrecks illegal. Questions are being asked in Parliament, and some MPs are arguing that a ban on all diving on war graves should be brought in immediately. At the moment only military aircraft have been protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. These cannot be dived, or excavated on land, without a licence from the Ministry of Defence. If shipwrecks are designated under the 1986 Act then the situation will be more serious. We have good reason to believe that where shipwrecks are concerned a substantial number may be designated at 'control level'. This will make it unlawful dive these wrecks at all without a licence. We are currently unsure if licences will be issued, and what constraints might be applied to groups who are granted licences. The designation of these wrecks can be completed within days by statutory instrument, and diving them will then be illegal. You may fell that you need to consider the impact of any legislation on the tourist industry in your region. In total it is estimated that there are in advance of 180,000 active divers within our shores. The vast majority of divers within the UK dive wrecks - what else is there? If wreck diving were to be banned it is reasonable to suppose a considerable number would take up other adventurous sports rather than dive on sand, mudflats or inland sites. What effect would this have on your economy? You should give very serious consideration to the effects of such a ban on the local business in your area. Business such as: B&B establishments Boat skippers Restaurants and public houses We wonder just how many divers visit your area each year and what their impact is on the local economy? We cannot afford to be complacent. The threat of a ban on wreck diving is real and would affect us all. This government is not averse to removing public liberty. Whatever you may feel about the issues the cases for handguns and fox hunting speak for themselves. The 'Respect our Wrecks' campaign, a joint effort involving BSAC, PADI and SAA is aimed at ensuring that all divers act within the law; and with sensitivity towards war graves. We cannot allow the misinformed views of a few, combined with a ascendant political agenda to curtail our rights to dive these memorials with its implications of a negative affect on the livelihood of thousands. We feel it is important that your attention should be drawn to the current situation so that you may consider an appropriate response to the potential effect on your local economy. A Government consultation document is to be circulated within the next few weeks, and any decision about wreck diving on military remains will be based on the results of that consultation process. Jane Maddocks BSAC, Suzanne Pleydell PADI and Stuart Bryan SAA ============================================================================ ========== Great Yarmouth Sub Aqua Club - 767 Press Release On Friday 19th January the Great Yarmouth Branch of the British Sub Aqua Club hosted an open evening at the Hyperbaric Unit at the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, Norfolk. Over 80 sports divers from various organisations, travelled from as far afield as Norwich, Cambridge, Ipswich, Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend to attend, including Regional Coach Dave Lock and Area Coach Wilf Tanser. Dr Andrew Colvin of the North Sea Medical Centre, well known specialist in diving medicine, gave an excellent and informative talk with some excellent slides, illustrating some of the history of diving, its scientific and medical aspects and developments affecting the sport today. The excellent presentation by Dr Colvin was followed by a question and answer session and a tour of the Hyperbaric Unit by Senior Nurse Rosemary Smally, describing its function and answering questions. It was also an opportunity to get inside the chamber to take a look at the various equipment used. The Hyperbaric Unit is a partnership between the James Paget Hospital and the North Sea Medical Centre. The hyperbaric chamber has a long history of treating divers from the offshore Oil and Gas Industry from the early 70's when it was operated by various commercial contractors for the benefit of all who worked in the North Sea. Changes in the industry and its migration north to Aberdeen have meant that in recent years it is rarely used for this work. However, it is now serving a very useful purpose in saving the lives of recreational divers and category One Intensive Care patients, particularly those suffering from carbon monoxide inhalation, on approximately a fifty-fifty basis. The James Paget Hospital kindly sponsored the event by providing refreshments and a collection at the door raised the sum of £200.00, which the Great Yarmouth Branch presented to the Hyperbaric Unit. ============================================================================ ===== New Branch forms Welcome to O2Dive a new branch in the Ipswich area, there BSAC branch number is 2297. Branch Info 20/01/01 Hi all, A few serious postings this issue mainly concerning the Wreck debate. Can I urge you all to write to your MP, the Prime Minister and other bodies suggested in the text. Distribution: I send this Newsheet to people who have requested it, branch contacts which I get from HQ and contacts who appear on Branch WWW sites. I hope that you all distribute the information to you members, if there is a more relevant contact please let me know so I can add them to my distribution list. Regional Conference: This is in danger of being cancelled if we don't sell more tickets. The cut of date is the end of January so please send off for your tickets now. Trimix: BSAC has recently approved Trimix for Branch dives, I have a local co-ordinator who can come and talk about this issue on request. I suggest we start with Branches that already have Trimix divers or those with members about to undergo training. Rebreathers: Similarly BSAC has enabled rebreathers on Branch dives - this means I can come into the open now! There are 3 initiatives coupled with this approval: Introduction to Rebreather Diving (ITRD) 1-1.5 hour talk on how to integrate Rebreather Diving into a BSAC Branch Rebreather Pool Experience (RPE) A session run by a rebreather diver in his branch so that individuals get 15 minutes on a rebreather and start to appreciate the difficulties a rebreather faces during a dive. Rebreather Awareness Course (RAC) A 1 day course which gives an in-depth look at rebreathers and their integration into branch diving activities. It includes pool sessions on semi-closed and closed circuit rebreathers. I think this will be a popular course but I have limited resources so it will take a little time to get going. We are in the process of training trainers at the moment (more 03:30 starts!!) and will probably start to roll this out at LIDS. Wreck Debate: There are quite a few postings on this which I'll copy below. Please don't sit on this issue, get some action from you branch members immediately or we will loose the right to dive many wrecks around our coast! Lizzie has asked me to pass the following on to you requesting your help. We are looking for some good news on what branches are doing regarding the Respect our Wreck initiative. An idea to collect some information is to contact the Regional Coaches and find out via their teams if they have any branches actively supporting the initiative that could be used as "good press" and demonstrate actions to support words. It would mean publicity for the branch or branches and something we could promote via Dive etc. Please could you all read the following statement from Jane Maddocks. I urgently need the addresses of the tourist boards in your area. I also need the name and contact address of your MP and any diving businesses in your area, eg. the dive shops, suit makers air stations, and RIB sales outlets. I would be very grateful if you would treat this as very high priority indeed. The Western Daily Press are running a witch hunt-we have to respond by letting everyone in the business know how close they are to finding their businesses may be under threat of reduced profits at the very least. Please send the information ASAP to jmaddocks@newnet.co.uk Thank you for a stunning response to my last request. I have another one now. Please could you write an e-mail to me expressing your deep concern over the current wrecks issue and the way in which we are being misrepresented. Please use moderate and thoughtful language, explaining how offended you are at being labelled as graverobbers. If you have a wreck related hobby, eg photography or marine biology, or any other arguments to support our continued wreck diving then briefly mention it. The letter should be a Dear Jane, should not contain this as a header so no reply to author please. I am happy for it to come to either my BSAC mail or home mail. Please get back to me soon. I need to have some real concrete evidence of numbers of fed-up divers, so do feel you can ask responsible friends to do the same. Thanks. Jane Maddocks. There have been two early day motions in Parliament in the last two weeks calling for 100m exclusion zone around all military wrecks sunk within 100 years. This in addition to a full debate in October. There were over 50 MPs who signed these EDMs. Their email addresses are; heathd@parliament.uk; ; naysmithd@parliament.uk ; coxt@parliament.uk ; iddonb@parliament.uk ; tylerp@parliament.uk ; lewisj@parliament.uk ; hancockm@parliament.uk ; georgea@parliament.uk ; russellb@parliament.uk ; fosterd@parliament.uk ; corbynj@parliament.uk ; cunliffel@parliament.uk ; smitha@parliament.uk ; fearner@parliament.uk ; wareingr@parliament.uk ; toddm@parliament.uk ; cummingsj@parliament.uk ; flynnp@parliament.uk ; prenticeg@parliament.uk ; gillc@parliament.uk ; kumara@parliament.uk ; hoylel@parliament.uk ; gibbn@parliament.uk ; thomass@parliament.uk ; barnesh@parliament.uk ; stunella@parliament.uk ; dismorea@parliament.uk ; cryera@parliament.uk ; lepperd@parliament.uk ; campbellm@parliament.uk ; breedc@parliament.uk ; keetchp@parliament.uk ; cablev@parliament.uk ; rowbathana@parliament.uk ; smythm@parliament.uk ; viggersp@parliament.uk ; kempf@parliament.uk ; brazierj@parliament.uk ; robertsonj@parliament.uk ; claphamm@parliament.uk ; berryr@parliament.uk ; ballardj@parliament.uk ; khabrap@parliament.uk ; fallonm@parliament.uk ; mcwilliamj@parliament.uk ; shawj@parliament.uk ; wilkilsonj@parliament.uk ; loughtont@parliament.uk ; marsdeng@parliament.uk ; rapsons@parliament.uk ; bottomleyp@parliament.uk ; cotterb@parliament.uk ; brandp@parliament.uk We should write to all of these MPs as well as the press and our local MPs. > > I attach a copy of the motion which was put forward at House of > Commons today. > > Basically there are groups who are trying to stop divers divng on > wrecks. Respect our Wrecks group which includes PADI, BSAC and SAA are > fighting to keep this right alive but also to encourage divers to do > dive these wrecks appropriately > > We will update you on how everything progresses > In the meantime, put the calls thou to appropriate people > > > Just in case people haven't got the message yet about the urgency of > the > situation it might be worth following up with this... > > > http://edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=192 > > "That this House considers that nothing is more repugnant than the > violation > of the graves of those who died for their country in time of conflict; > and > believes maritime wrecks designated as 'War Graves' should be > protected > against plundering for commercial profit by amateur souvenir hunters > by a > 100 metre exclusion zone around these maritime graves and a 100 year > moratorium on diving or filming of these sites." > > For those of you do not live in Wiltshire or Somerset, you are > probably not aware of the ferocious and vicious campaign that the Western Daily > Press is running about saving war graves. > > Please look at the following web site to read articles that will make you cry. > > http://www.westpress.co.uk (main site, scroll down to click on story) > > http://www.westpress.co.uk/rip/map.jpg (map of which UK wrecks they > are targeting). > > Then please make an effort to write to your MP or local press putting > our responsible side of the story. If we sit on our bums, then most of our > favourite wrecks may become out of bounds. The list may also extend > the wrecks such as: The Elk, The Persier, James Egan Layne. > > Please do something, or it might get crowded on Hands Deep this > summer. > *** URGENT *** > > Calling all wreck divers, > > Your sport is facing a grave threat. A campaign is afoot to ban diving > on many of the nations best and most popular wrecks. To find out what > YOU can do to have your say and for more information on the situation, > visit: > > www.wreckrespect.org.uk > > The wrecks respect website launched on Friday 19th January 2001 at > 20:30. > Bag Mask Resuscitators: You will have seen these if you have attended a Rescue First Aid (RFA) Course. I have a contact who has some for sale at £40 each new and unused. They normally retail at £70+ each, contact me for further details. Branch Info 12/01/01 Hi all, Happy New Year and Safe Diving in 2001. Message for those who would like to dive many of the wrecks around our coastline this summer. For those of you do not live in Wiltshire or Somerset, you are probably not aware of the ferocious and vicious campaign that the Western Daily Press is running about saving war graves. Please look at the following web site to read articles that will make you cry. http://www.westpress.co.uk (main site, scroll down to click on story) http://www.westpress.co.uk/rip/map.jpg (map of which UK wrecks they are targetting). Then please make an effort to write to your MP or local press putting our responsible side of the story. If we sit on our bums, then most of our favourite wrecks may become out of bounds. The list may also extend the wrecks such as: The Elk, The Persier, James Egan Layne. Please do something, or it might get crowded on Hands Deep this summer. Snorkel Courses 2001 Snorkel Instructor Training Course - £40.00 January 27/28 - North February 17/18 - London February 24/25 - West Midlands March 24/25 - East Anglia September 22/23 - North October 20/21 - London October 27/28 - West Midlands November 10/11 - East Anglia Open water Snorkel Instructor Training Course - £45.00 June 30 - Midlands Advanced Snorkel Instructor Training Course - £60.00 July 7/8 - South BOOK NOW...... Contact: Liz Quimby-Fountain on 0151 350 6255 BOC O2 prices Just an update for those of you who are interested and to keep the rest of you informed. Below is the latest 2001 prices from BOC (courtesy of Trevor Davies) for rental costs etc. Cylinder rental £1.74 per month, all sizes up to 'F' rising to £3.10 for a 'J' Oxygen EP £2.84 per 'D' size cylinder, rising to £6.94 for a 'J' Fixed charges per transaction (not sure when these apply as I've never been charged them): 6 or more cylinders £19.88 1 - 5 cylinders £24.36 Private cylinder handling charge £15.00 per cylinder. All above exclusive of VAT and effective from 1/1/01. Updated Drysuit Instructor Notes Available in pdf format from Dave Lock, please E-mail me on my BSAC address if you want them. Decompression Chamber Info from West Norfolk SAC. Hi there, I have just found your Dive Club website from the BSAC list. I am the doctor who writes the Dive medical Q & A pages each month in Sport Diver magazine. Instead of just letting all the copy and info gather dust in old back copies, I have now collated all the questions and answers to a whole range of diving problems and put them up on the Web. In fact they sit on the page that advertises the dive medicals that I do here at The Hospital of St John and Elizabeth in London, where I also run the Decompression Chamber. I would like to offer your club and divers a click through from your site to all this information as it may be useful to anyone with a medical query. Of course this costs nothing at all to you or anyone looking at it, and I dont ask people to register on the site either. However, the dive page is one of many on my www.e-med.co.uk website which is an online medical support service for anyone anywhere in the world, which I started after giving e-mail advice to divers in remote locations. If anyone joins e-med as a consequence of clicking through from your site we offer a 20% commission kickback, which is £4 to your club. And we also sell medical kits which are very useful to divers far from home, especially on liveaboards...these are called "medipacs", and once again we can track a purchase to a site from where they came and offer back £5 for each one sold. So if you want to offer a free clickthrough for useful diver medical tips, and make a bit back for the club then do please set up a link to: www.e-med.co.uk/diving_medicals.html under a bit of text that I suggest says.." medical advice for divers on most problems and on DCS" And we can do all the physical medicals too, with a list of types and costs on the same page. We can also send you a gif of the e-med logo. If you want any more info , please call me on 02073502079, or just go ahead and link up. Yours Dr Jules Eden e-med PS If anyone wants to tour the chamber, or has a query about a possible DCS please contact me and I am happy to help. Training Questionairre from Bedford SAC (useful for other Branches?) I would be very grateful if you could help this years training team by filling in this questionnaire in order to help us provide you with the best service possible. We aim to strategically plan a years worth of activities but want to ensure that the right courses are put on to ensure attendance and a balanced training programme. Please note that practical drills training (for example Sports Diver training drills) that can be seen as drills that are an integral part of a diver training level are not included in this questionnaire. This does not mean that they will not happen - simply that they should be happening automatically. The more responses we get from divers the better the programme that we can put together. Therefore to ensure a good return rate there will be a prize for one lucky returnee pulled out of a hat on January 30. This will be a free place on a training course of your choice. 1. Name: 2. Diver Grade (e.g Club Diver, Advanced Diver) 3. How Keen are you to do each of the courses listed below? 1= Rather watch paint dry: 2= Will do if forced 3= Quite interested 4 = Very Keen 5= Wild horses wouldn't stop you attending! ( please tick the most applicable box by each course) Course Title 1 2 3 4 5 BSAC Basic Nitrox diver BSAC Advanced Nitrox diver BSAC Combined Nitrox BSAC Diver Coxwain BSAC boat handling Chartwork and Position fixing Dive Planning and Marshalling BSAC Oxygen administration BSAC Practical Rescue Management BSAC Search and Recovery BSAC Lifesaver Award BSAC Advanced Diving techniques First Aid / Rescue First Aid Marine Radio usage Please add any other courses you are interested in below · · Please be honest - if you would rather watch paint dry say so! We do not want to put on courses that no one wants to do. · · · · 1. When is most convenient for you to attend training courses? (1 = least convenient, 5 = very convenient) Time and Day 1 2 3 4 5 Saturdays Sundays Whole Weekends Monday Evening Wednesday evening Thursday Evening Friday Evening · · 1. We are looking at organising 2 structured training trips next year where people will get opportunities to train; be trained or simply dive for fun. One is likely to be at the start of the season, One at the end. Please whether you would be interested in coming or not and in what capacity. (Tick one) Trip Not interested Attend as a Trainee Attend as an Instructor Attend for fun and standard diving Saint Abbs for a long weekend (4 days) in Early May - not bank holiday Weymouth for a weekend / 3 days in October Please note that all diving options will be fun - trainees/ers will still enjoy themselves! Thank you for your help in filling out this form. Please return it to: 6. Any other comments? Deco Chamber visit 19/01/01 19:00 I have spoken to the James Paget and they have confirmed that the Hyperbaric evening will be held in the Burrage Centre behind the Hospital. If you are coming on the A12 you need to go through Lowestoft, then follow the A12 for approx 8 miles, there are two roundabouts on this road one at Hopton and the other at the entrance to Gorleston. The hospital is the next turning on the left at the traffic lights after this roundabout. If you enter the hospital at the main entrance off the A12 and turn left you need to follow the road around the left side of the hospital to the back where you will see a car park, this is the Burrage Centre car park. Hope this helps, Maria Many thanks to Maria from Great Yarmouth Brach for arranging this, it looks like we will have nearly 100 people at this event. Please note the directions are for those coming from the South. If you are coming from the North then the entrance is off the A12 on the right hand side.

Regards,

Dave

09/11/2K1