BRANCHES + CENTRES
Centres Forward
Silver Machine
Mark Paisey reports on an RAF officer trainee who used BSAC ’ s Centres initiative to speed up his dive training while on leave
Callum Stirrat recently completed his Ocean Diver training with Kevin Murphy at SevernTec . He had two weeks leave before starting RAF Initial Officer Training , and wanted to gain his Ocean Diver within this timeframe .
He had tried to get on various RAF and Army scuba courses with no success , so decided to contact BSAC direct via the ‘ Learn to Dive ’ enquiry form . Within a week of sending this form , the BSAC Centre Adviser had sent him the e-learning package and he was attending a new diver induction day at SevernTec in Shrewsbury .
Callum says : “ Finding out about all the opportunities and trips available as a scuba diver on induction day was eye opening . There were eight new divers on the induction , six from BSAC and two from another agency . Kevin was clearly very enthusiastic and very knowledgeable . Above all , he was very friendly which settled us all in .
“ SevernTec provide small group training , which was ideal because I prefer actual instructor input rather than e-learning , which I get a lot of in the RAF . Pool training included all the skills and drills and was on a 1:2 ratio , so we got lots of support . Open water was in Ecclestone Delph and Capernwray in a 7mm wetsuit in January . I would recommend waiting for warmer water ! Buoyancy was the biggest challenge as I had to learn to control my breathing in cold water . Overall the course was great , but more challenging than anticipated .”
Callum wanted to learn to dive so he could go scuba diving with friends abroad , but he really enjoyed seeing the aircraft sunk in the quarries . “ It ’ s cool to see aircraft from the past being used for something different , not just being scrapped ,” he says . “ My dad learnt to fly in the RAF on Jet Provosts and seeing one underwater was great . The registration number wasn ’ t in my dad ’ s logbook , but it ’ s the same type .”
Callum wants to progress to Sports Diver when his RAF training permits , and he has made contact with the RAFSAA to continue his new found activity . “ Scuba diving opens up another world ,” he says . “ You look at a quarry and just see water , but when you can dive there is so much to interact with below the surface . Who would have thought that scuba would have connected to flying ? I would recommend learning to anyone .” �
Branch + Centre Partnership Scheme explained
Designed to support branches with their training , the model is that new members join your branch , train at the centre , then return to your branch as qualified divers .
Benefits to branches :
• There ’ s no cost to enter , and you can withdraw at any time
• The scheme enables BSAC clubs to take on more new members , year-round
• It assists with resource challenges , such as lack of instructors , or pool access
• The partnership supports and cements relations with local BSAC dive centres
More information and benefits at bsac . com / PartnershipScheme
PARTNERSHIP CENTRES
ANDARK DIVING AND WATERSPORTS 256 Bridge Road , Lower Swawick , Southampton , Hampshire SO31 7FL 01489 581755 • andy @ andark . co . uk • www . andark . co . uk
DIVECREW Brookers Corner , Crowthorne , Berkshire RG45 6ST 01344 771113 • info @ divecrew . co . uk • www . divecrew . co . uk
DIVEWORLD Sheffield , South Yorkshire S6 4JR 01142 332995 • www . learn2dive . co . uk • info @ learn2dive . co . uk
DM SCUBA TRAINING 07920 556116 • dmscuba @ hotmail . com • www . dm-scuba . co . uk
DV DIVING 138 Mt Stewart Rd , Carrowdore , Newtownards , T22 2ES dvdiving . co . uk
HARLYN DIVE SCHOOL Unit 7 , Pityme Industrial Estate , Rock , Wadebridge PL27 6NS 01208 862556 • info @ harlyndiveschool . co . uk • harlyndiveschool . co . uk
OCEAN DIVING Basingstoke , Hampshire 07854 554809 • bsac @ oceanturtlediving . com
ROBIN HOOD WATERSPORTS 152 Leeds Road , Heckmondwike , West Yorkshire WF16 9BJ 01924 444888 • sales @ roho . co . uk • www . roho . co . uk
SANDFORD & DOWN 24 Pier Street , West Hoe , Plymouth , Devon PL1 3BT 01752 266248 • dive @ sandfordanddown . co . uk • www . divesubsea . co . uk
SCUBA SCHOOL Studley , Warwickshire 01527 852555 • www . scubaschool . org . uk • darren @ scubaschool . org . uk
SCUBA WALES Neath , West Glamorgan 07794 452192 • www . scuba . wales • scubawales @ outlook . com
SCUBATS 19 / M Winchester Avenue , Denny , Falkirk , Stirlingshire , Scotland FK6 6QE 07449669494 • scubat2017 @ gmail . com • www . scubats . co . uk
SEVERNTEC DIVING Leaton Industrial Estate , Shrewsbury Shropshire SY4 3AP 01939 291303 • severntecdiving @ gmail . com
ST ABBS CHARTERS : St Abbs Harbour , St Abbs , Scotland TD14 5PW 07802 864870 • info @ stabbscharters . com • stabbscharters . com
STONEY COVE Sapcote Road , Stoney Stanton , Leicester LE9 4DW 01455 273089 • diving @ stoneycove . com • www . stoneycove . com
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