Supporting BSAC
POST-COVID , AND AFTER THE LONG COVID break , it can take trainees some time to get back into the swing of things , either with pool training skills or open water skills . Don ’ t despair ! This is where the membership of a BSAC branch comes into its own .
I ’ m sure most of us have experienced a block in training . In my branch , we follow the BSAC ethos to the ‘ Nth ’ degree . With patience and enthusiasm , ( a two-way street ), all hurdles can be overcome , at all levels , with help and understanding from both the instructors and other branch members .
In the past , for instance , we had potential members who were unable to swim . It was quite a challenge to overcome , but not completely insurmountable . One went on to become our Equipment Officer and looked after our aging compressor ; it probably helped that he owned and ran a garage !
This is why I will continue to be a supporter and member of BSAC and a BSAC branch member . DAVE PLUMB , Coventry Branch 58
Pouch ponderings
I FEEL I ’ D LIKE TO ADD TO CHRIS Gregory ’ s letter on weight pouches [ SCUBA Chat , November 2021 ], as it ’ s a subject close to my heart . Yes , I ’ ve got a number of other people ’ s weight pouches in my garage too but what bothers me is , I ’ ve lost / dropped a couple in my time as well .
The biggest problems seem to stem from the design chosen . Anything that relies on Velcro to retain the pouch , while it seems like a nice easy solution , will most likely fail at some time or another . This is what happened to me , twice during dives , but fortunately , I was able to recover the pouch myself , so no disaster . I also dropped one while waiting to be picked up at the surface , and I found that one a couple of years later too !
After dropping the second one during a dive I decided it was time to replace the jacket and anyway , I was fancying a wing . This is when the real surprise happened . I tried a simple ‘ firm tug ’ test on a number of jackets and wings , and even in the shop , a surprising number offered little or no resistance to this , even some with plastic clips ( no names , but some were far from cheap ). There are some very good ones out there , but it ’ s a check worth trying .
I also suspect that a few of the pouches Chris has found have been the result of diver recovery fumbles . You know – when you hand your weight to the person in the RIB who then decides they don ’ t want it and just lets it slip away . PHIL THORKILDSEN , HamSAC
Maltaqua generations
I WORKED FOR MALTAQUA FROM 2002 until 2013 , watching the young lady in the middle of the photograph growing up . Now , I have just come back from a diving holiday with Maltaqua and that young lady , Leah Brinch-Iversen , has just passed her rebreather course . Leah was filling cylinders and washing equipment just like the other instructors . Leah is of course the granddaughter of Agnes Upton , co-founder of the centre . It was great to see a third generation of the female family ensuring Maltaqua will continue to be as good and safe as ever . ED CORRIN
SCUBACHAT
Royal Evolution joins Aggressor fleet
AGGRESSOR ADVENTURES , KNOWN FOR ITS THRILLING adventure holidays for guests around the world with 40 unique itineraries in 19 countries , is celebrating its 38th anniversary . While much has changed since 1984 , the brand ’ s commitment to adventure hasn ’ t wavered .
Over the past 12 months , Aggressor added several worldclass adventures and itineraries to its impressive portfolio . The brand recently announced the addition of the Red Sea Royal Evolution Aggressor to its excursion line-up in Egypt . ANNE D Hasson , Aggressor Adventures
Clubs together
THE BSAC WEBSITE STATES THAT CLUB MEMBERSHIP OFFERS ‘ OPPORTUNITY , friendship and fun ’. That ’ s true of course , but even more so when clubs join forces and work together . Over the last few years , Lunesdale Divers have teamed up with several other clubs for joint diving trips and events . The most recent joint dive was arranged by Steve Walker , who is a member of both Flintshire Sub-Aqua Club and Lunesdale Divers . Members of the two clubs met at Capernwray on 20 October to enjoy an afternoon dive , followed by a night dive , resulting in many new friendships being forged . More collaborative working between our two clubs is being planned , to include training , dives , and diving trips . Cath Lee , Lunesdale Divers , BSAC 138
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