Chat
Please keep submitted letters to no more than 200 words
Each month we feature a selection of your letters
We ’ re still looking for a new prize for a Star Letter , so please bear with us for a while longer . It ’ s a difficult time for the diving industry , so sponsorships are a tricky proposition at the moment .
A hole in Jack ’ s world
PHOTO : JEMMA CRAIG
MY NAME IS JACK . I ’ M A 27-YEAR-OLD Open Water Instructor , I teach at Stratford Upon Avon BSAC and Cotswold BSAC , and I have recently been asked to join the South West Regional Coaching Team , under Nick Brooker .
22
However , I have recently discovered that I have a PFO [ Patent Foramen Ovales – a hole in the heart that makes people more susceptible to decompression illness ], which the NHS says it cannot fix until after I ’ ve had a stroke or heart attack . This was a difficult thing to hear , because I am an utterly committed diver .
I first discovered scuba diving with my local BSAC centre , Stratford Upon Avon , introduced by a family friend who was a member . I then went on to progress with my Ocean Diver and stayed at that level for a while .
At the age of 18 , I was told by my parents that I couldn ’ t go to Spain to do a dive guiding internship because , in their words “ there ’ s no career in it ”. However , once I ’ d saved enough money , I decided to buy a one-way flight to Cairns , Australia to train to be a professional , full time dive guide . I did an internship for a month with Cairns Dive Centre , and from there , they gave me a job , which I was overwhelmed with , because of the 20 / 30 trainees they take on , only one or two get a job . I worked there , learned from great instructors , and developed my craft , notching up 900 dives along the way .
I learned how to control groups , to lead by example , and watched my peers teach . I eventually decided it was the right time to become an instructor and went on to teach for a year on day boats and a liveaboard , completely swept into the diving industry and lifestyle .
I became an instructor because I am passionate about this sport . I get great enjoyment seeing people progress and learn – it ’ s my whole life . My primary friendship groups are divers , I have met some amazing people abroad , through diving , and it seems to be the kingpin holding everything together . I just have a passion for it .
Now I am hoping to raise money for an operation to close the PFO and also to continue writing about the experience to raise awareness about the condition . The cost of surgery is £ 19,307 with private healthcare . If any BSAC members are in a position to help me , I would be immensely grateful . You can find my fundraising page at www . gofundme . com / operation-fix-jacks-heart JACK FRANKLIN , Cotswold BSAC