(Or Ed's bit) Having relinquished the Chair at the last AGM, I seem to have found a little more time to go diving this summer, albeit to Stoney Cove. Much of the diving has, in fact, been instructing trainee Ocean and Sports Divers and I must say the standard is generally good – a credit to our instructors. There is however one common area where I do have a concern – our old friend buoyancy control. Quite a few people whilst mostly competent, seem to struggle with coming to terms with the practical aspects of Boyle’s Law – the relationship between pressure and volume. A few pointers follow that, if considered, may make you diving even better and definitely SAFER.
| The Problem | The Effects | The Solution |
| Under weighting | Can’t get down to start with. Unable to control ascent. | Buoyancy Check |
| Over weighting | Uncontrolled descent Uncomfortable diving | Buoyancy Check |
| Familiarity with controls (BC & drysuit) | Accidental ascents and descents Lack of control | Know where your BC &/or Drysuit controls are and which does what |
| Allowing time for air to move | Uncontrolled ascent | Allow enough time for air to get to and escape from the vent |
| General awareness of changes in depth | Unable to maintain neutral buoyancy | Be aware of indicators to changes in pressure – ears, light, breathing, depth indicator, etc. |
May your bubbles ever upwards go (but not you so quickly!!)
I hope everyone enjoyed that 'Indian Summer' we were promised. There are some that would say 'I'm not all there'... well… I certainly wasn't here when that happened!! Did we get a summer and if so, where was it ???
Regardless of the weather, we've had quite a successful summer months diving and training. I believe most of us got wet one way or another whether it be at idyllic Stoney Cove or an Exotic far away Paradise.
We've now almost overcome the problem we had earlier in the year with the lack of Open Water Instructors, thanks to the tenacity of a few Club Instructors and Assistant Club Instructor's who have substantially progressed towards OWI. By the end of the year we should have around eight. However, it doesn’t end there, we will always encourage anyone to embark on the Instructor Training Course. If there is one course that BSAC provides that is excellent value it is the ITC. Even if you decide instruction's not for you and you don’t complete the course to OWI, you will become a better diver for it With the help of our new OWI's and assistance from others both inside and outside the club, we were able to get students into open water for either training or experience dives and clear most of the back-log of trainees and accomplish most qualifications. Although there are still a few left to complete their courses. Thanks to our new OWI's there seems to be more enthusiasm within the club and we are well on the way to achieve our goals.
May I remind everyone, the Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Monday 8th November at the Ken Marriott Leisure Centre at 7.30pm
All members are respectfully requested to attend.
A formal agenda will be issued nearer the date. This is also the evening you have the chance to stand for election to the committee. Don't forget that all Committee posts are up for election. If you're not sure what the job involves, but think you might be interested, please either contact the existing post holder, or myself.
Remember… while your down there… enjoy it… be careful… be safe!
Dave Jamieson
As reported in previous editions of WB, Mark Howden has resigned as DO due to work commitments. Dave Murphy has been standing in for a while but has now moved onto a different role (see later). Malin Dixon has been co-opted onto the Committee as Diving Officer until the forthcoming AGM.