SCUBAHUB
Have your say on BSAC !
AS PART OF ITS STRATEGIC WORK , BSAC released a membership survey at the end of November . All members are now being encouraged to complete the survey by the deadline of 1 January 2023 .
The survey was sent to all members via email and gives members the opportunity to help shape the future of BSAC membership .
The survey covers a host of topics focused on membership and the membership experience . It looks at the reasons why people join and how people value the benefits of BSAC membership and is designed to highlight where possible improvements can be made to the membership offering .
AN INQUEST HAS CONFIRMED THAT TWO experienced divers who died on the HMS Scylla in 2021 ran out of air . Andrew Harman , 40 , and Mark Gallant , 49 , died during a dive on the popular wreck in September 2021 , after becoming disorientated .
An inquest at Plymouth Coroner ’ s Court heard how the buddy pair became disorientated and lost while in the engine room of the Scylla , a decommissioned Leander class frigate that was scuttled in Whitsand Bay , Cornwall in 2004 to create an artificial reef .
Mr Gallant , from Hatt near Saltash , Cornwall , was an experienced diver and a wreck specialist , hile Mr Harman , of Plymouth , Devon , was an experienced instructor .
A third diver , Adam Dent , managed to escape the wreck . He told the Plymouth
BSAC Chief Executive Mary Tetley said : “ The last time BSAC did an in-depth membership survey was in 2019 , so all members are encouraged to participate to help shape the future of the club . The more responses we receive the better , so we can understand what our members like and don ’ t like . We can then look to develop a more attractive and relevant membership package for existing and potential new members alike .” Everyone who takes part in the survey will be entered into a free prize draw to win a Suunto Eon Core dive computer worth £ 689 .
How silt-outs kill unprepared divers
inquest that he thought he would not get out alive as his air started to run out . He said : “ I couldn ’ t see the exit and became totally disorientated ; the visibility dropped as it silted up . I lost sight of Mark and Andrew as the silt was really bad , the visibility was zero .”
The inquest was told that the bodies of Mr Gallant and Mr Harman were recovered several weeks later . A pathologist said she could not declare a cause of death but said on the balance of probabilities they had drowned when they ran out of air .
Coroner Ian Arrow recorded that both men died as a result of an accident .
In 2007 , two other divers died on the same wreck also due to disorientation in a silted compartment . The coroner said a diving protocol may be introduced in the future to prevent further deaths .
Benefit of the Month
BSAC Travel Partners
WITH THE LONG , DRAWN-OUT nights and wintery days , a warm water dive trip may be just what you need to get your scuba fix . And your next dive could be sooner than you think !
As a BSAC member you can save at least 5 % on your dive holiday , thanks to the BSAC Travel Partners , who offer exclusive scuba travel offers to members , all year round . From short haul trips to the Red Sea to more farflung destinations , including Indonesia and the Maldives , there ’ s a fantastic choice of warm water dive trips to whet your appetite . Plus , your immediate family members can benefit from the BSAC Travel Partner discounts too !
So , if you are looking for some sunshine to keep you going until you can get back diving in UK waters , here ’ s the lowdown on the current winter offers from the four BSAC Travel Partners :
■ Diverse - 6 % off all worldwide resort and liveaboard diving holidays , including special offers .
■ Regaldive - with 25 iconic diving destinations , BSAC members can save 6 % on Regaldive resorts and liveaboard holidays worldwide ( 10 % during promotional periods ).
■ Scuba Travel - 6 % off all Scuba Travel ’ s Egyptian liveaboard and resort holidays and 5 % off Worldwide holidays .
■ ZuBlu - 5 % off all worldwide travel packages ( resorts and liveaboards ), including those already discounted .
For more information on the latest dive travel savings for members and to claim your discount , go to bsac . com / travelpartners
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