SCUBAHUB
Scuba scholarship for cadets
TWO CADETS FROM THE ARMY Combined Cadet Force ( CCF ) have embarked on training to become dive instructors with BSAC .
Cpl Beth Wheeler and LCpl Mikyle Salih from Ash Manor CCF based in Guildford , Surrey , have been selected for the scholarship from Southeast Reserve Forces ’ and Cadets ’ Association ( SERFCA ) and
BSAC Branch + Centre Partner , Divecrew .
The two cadets will now embark on a two / three-year programme to learn to dive , progressing from entry level Ocean Diver to Open Water Instructor . Both will become future instructors with BSAC . Crowthorne-based BSAC Centre Divecrew will provide mentoring in the commercial diving market and an opportunity to work alongside an industry leader . BSAC is providing the courses and Divecrew the practical training and experience .
Beth and Mikyle will work their way through Ocean Diver , Sports Diver and Dive Leader followed by the Instructor Foundation Course , Open Water Instructor Course , and qualification exams . At the end
“ I would love to be able to teach other people ”
of their training both will be qualified Open Water Instructors with extensive experience of the recreational dive industry .
This scholarship has been offered because BSAC and Divecrew wanted to highlight scuba training and the ocean environment to CCF units , as the CCF has limited access to scuba . During their training the two scholars will report on their progress and experience to inspire other CCF cadets .
Cpl Wheeler , a keen conservationist , said she is looking forward to learning to dive .
“ Scuba diving is special as you can see the impact on wildlife . At the end of this I would love to be able to teach other people scuba diving and about the environment .”
Meanwhile , LCpl Salih said he was looking forward to seeing ‘ some extraordinary places ’ many people don ’ t get the chance to visit . “ This experience is important to me because it opens a lot of future job opportunities to me and provides me with a bright future ,” he added .
Martin Weddell of Divecrew said he was pleased to be working with BSAC and the CCF in facilitating these two scholarships . “ It ’ s an amazing opportunity for the two cadets . We are looking forward to working with the student divers and managing their progress .”
■ Any CCF unit interested in providing scuba training , scuba projects or overseas diving expeditions can contact Mark Paisey , BSAC Centre Adviser at markpaisey @ bsac . com
Coast clever – HM Coastguard ’ s new campaign
BSAC IS SUPPORTING A NEW campaign by HM Coastguard to encourage greater awareness of coastal safety .
Featuring footballer Adevayo ‘ The Beast ’ Akinfenwa , the campaign aims to educate the public on how to stay safe near cliffs and to be aware of and check for tides . While the campaign highlights the dangers of the UK coast to everyone , it is particularly focused on young men aged 18 – 30 and dads aged 30-50 , who are more likely to be involved in accidents at the coast .
As a long-standing member of the National Water Safety Forum , BSAC is putting its support behind the initiative . The forum ’ s current objective is to help reduce the number of water-related deaths by 2026 ; BSAC hopes its members can help to promote all the safety messages .
According to HM Coastguard , there were 36,000 coastline incidents in the last year alone . Many of these incidents are often caused by slips , trips , and falls , or where people have been cut off by the tide . The Coast Clever campaign will now encourage coastal visitors to be prepared and know how to stay safe .
For more information on Coast Clever , go to https :// coastguardsafety . campaign . gov . uk
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