SAA News
Boat Handler Coordinator sought.....
With the retirement of Bill Gray as Region Boat Handling Coordinator I am seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified Region members to take his place. Must be Regional Instructor and Senior Boat Handling Instructor, preferably with Chartwork and Navigation Instructor status.
Interested? Please contact me.
Steve Love 27 November 2008
Changes to AI, CI, Diver Rescue and Chartwork and Navigation courses
At the NDO's workshop on 22 November several proposed changes to courses were announced and discussed.
AI / CI courses
The AI course and CI upgrade assessment are likely to be split and content changed. This is driven by the fact that although we expect Instructors to teach in the pool we do not really train them properly to do so. Consequently it is thought better to have an AI course (2 days) concentrating on instruction technique in the classroom - basically the current AI course without the pool session, and then a CI course concentrating on training and assessing in the pool environment. The entry level for CI is likely to be reduced from Dive Leader to experienced Club Diver. This will result in a higher standard of Instructor, better prepared for the responsibilities put upon them. The AI course, being solely classroom based will be cheaper to put on, and in Y+H region we have the opportunity to hold them in more locations. The CI course will be more difficult logistically to put on as the pool time needed is greater than at present. AI can teach in the classroom, but not in the pool. CI can, naturally, do both.
Diver Rescue
Part 3 of the DR course is going to be changed to include more rescue scenarios than at present. The current format with 6 dives with the emphasis solely on controlled buoyant lifts is changing to 2 dives each day with other aspects being assessed as well. Consequently the new format is -
Day 1
Surface work - 1) Surface rescue - throw line / reach etc. 2)Panicking diver and tired diver tow. 3) Land unconcious diver from deep water
Dive 1 - self recue from depth (ie lost fin). Candidate raises self on own bouyancy, stops at 10m and 3m and surfaces
Dive 2 - Out of Air - candidate deploys alternative air source to buddy. Both rise on own bouyancy, stop at 3m then surface. Buddy then orally inflates their stab. The assessment does not stop at 3m.
Day 2
Surface work - 1) Land incapacitated diver from shallow water (includes "contacting" emergency services / administer O2 / record keeping), 2) Manage accident / incident scenarios
Dive 1 + 2 - Controlled bouyant lift using manikin (candidate deploys manikin - assessor prepares maniking for lift)
The theory session will be amended to reflect these changes. I see no reeason why some aspects of Part 3 cannot be done on part 2 to free up time on the weekend of Part 3 - but we'll see how it develops.
Chartwork and Navigation course
New course book and entry age reduced to 14 years to mesh with requirement for basic boat handling course.
Steve Love 23 November 2008
Training to Open Water Diver level
The possibility of altering the content of OWD is being looked at. The idea is that the content will be reduced and the more advanced physiology and other aspects are put back in at CD or DL level, leaving the training to OWD level focussing on getting new divers trained to an appropriate level for open water quicker than at present. This includes all practical aspects of training as at present but running right through to OWD without the current pause at ED level. This is very new and still being worked on, but the idea is to make the OWD training less theoretical and more practical to better cater for new divers who want to get into open water, whilst still maintaining our training the among the best available for UK diving.
Steve Love 23 November 2008
New Open Water Instructors
On Sunday 16 November the Region held the Autumn OWI Course. Congratulations to Howard Bardsley (Wharf Divers) and Keith Dawick (Driffield and District Divers) on sucessfully completing all assessments and becoming the Region's newest Open Water Instructors. My thanks go to Janice Roach and Dave Allan for assessing, Sean Williams for marshalling and to Ian Dobson, Daniel Metcalf, Pete Goodwin and Lindsey Jackson for playing the part of "trainees".
The next Open Water Instructor course is scheduled for 10 May 2009 - any members wanting a place are advised to get their Course Applications in to me in good time.
18 November 2008
Bill Gray - retired
Bill Gray (Burbage SAC), one of the Region's senior Instructors, has hung up his fins and retired from diving. He has also stood down as the Region's boathandling coordinator. Both personally, and behalf of the Region, I thank him for all the support and effort he has put in over the many years he has been active within the SAA both Nationally and Regionally.
4 November 2008
Date for 2009 Regional Instructor and National Diver assessments
After discussion with Steve Wallis as NDO it has been decided that there will be 2 Regional Instructor assessments in 2009. He is running one in Plymouth (or thereabouts) in April, and I am running the second in Oban in September, probably in conjunction with the National Diver assessment.
I have fixed the date provisionally as 5 + 6 September, and it is my intention to tack a few days diving onto the weekend so SAA members can chill out and dive, post assessment.
If any members are interested in attending either assessment it is important to get Course Application forms in to me as soon as possible so I can confirm the dates, venue, accommodation, boats etc.
23 September
New Regional Instructor in Yorkshire and Humberside
Janice Roach from Archers SAC sucessfully completed her Regional Instructor assessments at the beginning of September. Congratulations to her. Janice is now the Region's Oxygen Administration coordinator.
19 September 2008
DeeP-Stop v "Old Tables"
Steve Wallis as NDO has today sent this information in an e-mail to all Region Reps in an effort to clarify which set(s) of tables are to be used.
"Dear All,
It's been reported to me by Irene that there seems to be some confusion regarding the SAA Decompression tables.
This information has already been sent out before, and should be common knowledge.
The new Deep Stop and the original SAA tables will be available side by side. Clubs can choose whichever set they want to use. It also worthwhile remembering that any set of recognised decompression tables (as used by any of the training agencies) can be used by clubs. Similarly for Technical Diving any set of recognised tables or decompression software may be used.
What should be emphasised is that ascent rates are adhered to, and that our tables are very safe in this respect, we cannot vouch for other agencies tables, clubs will have to ascertain that for themselves. Too many ascent problems ending up in the pot!
Regards,
Steve Wallis"
So bottom line is Clubs can choose whichever set they want. What is still not clear is whether Clubs can again train new divers on the old tables or whether the DeeP-Stop tables are to be used. I have asked the question and await an answer.
Steve has replied and the answer is that Clubs can chose either set and train new divers on either. The NDO has reiterated his support for both sets of tables. He states it is the responsibility of the person in charge of the Club, Course or dive trip etc to chose the tables that in their opinion are the most appropriate, and my advice is to include the choice of tables in the Project Plan and / or Risk Assessment to evidence why particular tables are used. For example deep dives (30m+) it may be considered to be most appropriate to use DeeP-Stop tables, whereas a shallower dive to say 20m, for experienced divers, it may be more appropriate to use the old system. SAA Instructors will be expected to be able to teach both versions.
So once again it falls to DOs to use their judgement and select the tables they want to use, keeping autonomy within Clubs but at the price of having to justify your actions.
21 August 2008
Region Weekend - another success
A total of 20 members from 5 clubs across the Region came to Capernwray last weekend for the annual Yorkshire and Humberside Region Weekend. Several trainees successfully did their elementary diver open water assessments, and other skills were practised. In all, a good couple of days were had. My thanks go to the Region Instructors who attended, as well as to the Clubs and members who made the trip.
New Open Water Instructor
Kevin Mews from WYPSAC is now the Region's newest Open Water Instructor. He came to Capernwray on Friday and showed he had the skill to safely instruct and assess in open water. Thanks go to Tracey Dawick from Driffield and District Divers for playing the part of the "trainee", and to Janice Roach (Archers SAC) for assessing Kevin.
4 June 2008
Master Diver - renamed National Diver
The highest diving qualification within the SAA was Master Diver. This was judged to be too close to other agencies lower level qualifications. Consequently the decision was taken as the recent Exec. Meeting to rename our qualification. Therefore, as of now, the highest SAA qualification is National Diver.
20 May 2008
Use of "Old Tables"
My own personal take on all this is that if a DO sanctions a dive that includes trainees or inexperienced divers (up to and including Open Water Diver level), then the deep stops should be used as safer - certainly from a buoyancy control perspective; they are also the tables the inexperienced divers will be training to use. For qualified and experienced divers - they can chose which ever system they want, and which suits the dive profile / location better. It is about risk assessment; and if DeeP-Stop tables are not used, the reason why (and control measures) should be included in the risk assessment. If that is covered then the organiser should be fine. In the future, of course, with all new SAA divers being trained on the DeeP-Stop system, the number of divers using anything else will dimish.
I broached the litigation issue and potential vulnerability of DOs and DMs if an incident occurred using the "old" tables without deep stops, with Steve Wallis. His view is that either tables are fine and neither should present any additional risk to organisers - with the proviso that DeeP-Stop should be used for trainees / inexperienced divers. All divers up to and including OWD are limited to safety stop dives only (the fist line of the DeeP-Stop tables).
20 May 2008
Spring Diver Rescue course
The Yorkshire and Humberside Spring Diver Rescue course was held at Capernwray this weekend. Four candidates attended and all passed. Congratulations to Keith Dawick (Driffield and District Divers), Simon Robinson (Leeds Freedivers), Roy Bridgewater (Barton SAC) and Geoff Fox (Rothwell and Stanley SAC).
Thanks go to Dave Allan for once again coordinating the Course and the Instructors for their skill and dedication.
The next Diver Rescue Course is scheduled for the Autumn this year starting with Part 1 on 17 August, Part 2 on 27 September and Part 3 over the weekend of 25 + 26 October.
18 May 2008
SAA Buhlmann Deep-Stop tables launched at AGM.
In order to make diving safer new tables and associated guidance have been introduced, and from now are the standard SAA tables, completly replacing the "old" Buhlmann tables in training. The previous tables can still be used to plan dives by those divers already trained on them, and such dives will still be legitimate, insured dives. However the deep stops provide a better safety margin in respect of micro bubbles and address the high proportion of DCI incidents involving poor buoyancy control. The tables have been made easier to use and the book provides a ready reckoner for gas required to aid planning. The SAA lecture programme is being amended to reflect the new tables and the amendments will be sent direct to Clubs.
I have a copy of Bob Cole’s presentation on the DeeP-Stop tables. If any DO wants a copy (PowerPoint) just e-mail me and I’ll send it.
Copies of the Deep-Stop system are available from Head Office priced £10.50
Diver Rescue now a pre-requisite for Open Water Instructor
Diver Rescue qualification has been introduced as a pre-requisite for all new Open Water Instructor candidates. This move had been requested by the National Council and the new National Diving Officer, Steve Wallis, announced in the open forum Q+A session at the AGM that the requirement will be in force “imminently” (within 2 – 3 weeks). It is now in place for all future OWI candidates.
Diver Rescue no longer pre-requisite for Dive Supervisor
Another change is that Diver Rescue is now no longer a pre-requisite for Dive Supervisor. This is because it the requirement was viewed as a block preventing divers achieving the higher SAA qualifications. However is it still strongly recommended that all Dive Leaders and Dive Supervisors hold the SAA Diver Rescue qualification.
Master Diver
I have been appointed as National Master Diver Coordinator by Steve Wallis, the NDO.
The MD assessments have not run for several years, for various reasons. The assessments are being re-written and will run again from 2009. It is highly likely that there will be a variety of dates and venues.
The entry criteria will be:-
SAA member for at least 5 years
20 years old minimum
Current medical / self certification
Dive Supervisor for 2 years, plus an additional 100 dives under varying conditions since obtaining 3* diver
Holds Diver Rescue, Oxygen Admin, First Aid, Basic Boat Handling and VHF/DSC certificates
Successful candidates will be awarded SAA Master Diver and CMAS 4* diver on payment of appropriate fees
If any Dive Supervisor in interested in taking their MD in 2009 they should submit a National Course Application Form to me. Further details will be published on the National website, and our site, periodically.
The term "Master Diver" is accurate and reflects the level of the SAA qualification, but it has connotations of PADI's Master Scuba Diver which is a far lower award. If anyone has a suggestion (preferably clean) for a better title for the SAA's highest diving qualification, please let me know.
Steve Love, SAA Y+H Region Rep. 11 May 2008