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Making Clint ’ s day
ON 24TH NOVEMBER LAST YEAR , Clint Currie celebrated the 60th anniversary of his BSAC membership . Clint is one of the original members of Exeter Sub Aqua Club ( Branch 62 ). He ’ s undertaken most roles on the Committee at one time or another , and this year logged his 16,000th dive . Clint ( centre ) is pictured with a delicious cake made by his partner , our Training Officer Anne , plus some of his fellow club members . NIK MACVE , Chair , Exeter SAC
I WRITE TO SHARE MY RECENT experiences and concern around the growing use of neoprene drysuit boots and their high failure rate . Looking back through our logbooks my wife , Tina , and I started using drysuits for diving in 1990 . Since then ( over 33 years ) we have had a total of 13 drysuits between us . Generally , we retired our suits after too many patches and when it was felt that a new suit would be a better alternative to replacing zips and seals on well-used equipment .
Our old suits were gratefully received by newer members in our club who didn ’ t mind getting a bit damp . Several of the suits that we retired became ‘ boating ’ suits for when we either coxed the dive boats , or for sailing .
Over these decades between us , for our first 10 suits , we never had a single boot failure or any leaks through the boots at all . My current ‘ boating ’ suit is 15-yearsold and the boots are still fine , as are those on other suits we have passed on . Our experience was also mirrored by our fellow members .
However , our three most recent suits ( 2019 , crushed neoprene . 2021 and 2022 , membrane suits ) have all suffered boot failures . Even the replacement boots fitted to the 2021 suit are now leaking , as are the boots on the 2022 suit , after just 30 dives .
Medical referees – a shortage ?
A GROWING PROBLEM WITH BSAC medicals and the availability of medical referees has recently reared its head .
An experienced diver wanting to join our club was in need of a medical review . This diver had contacted the five doctors from the UKDMC website who were within reasonable traveling distance of Scarborough .
Of the five responded , and their response was to say that they no longer carry out BSAC medicals . Whether this diver will be
Do your drysuit boots leak ?
This has led us to compare the oldfashioned ‘ Wellington ’ -style boots made of rubber material ( our first 10 suits ) and the modern boots largely made of crushed neoprene .
Crushed neoprene becomes porous after it is flexed repeatedly . This is what happens with modern drysuit boots made from crushed neoprene .
See below pictures showing
■ 1 An old ‘ Wellington ’ style rubber boot , still going strong after many years of diving and boating
■ 2 The front of a neoprene boot with the leaking areas highlighted
■ 3 The heel of a neoprene boot with the leaking area highlighted
So , I ask Scuba ’ s readers if they too have problems with the neoprene boots ? I would also appreciate feedback from the equipment suppliers on this subject .
I have tried hard to source all-rubber boots , but am told by many suppliers that they are no longer made . But I think that for the drysuit manufacturers to continue to supply suits with boots of a flawed design that are prone to failure is not a good option for the UK divers . Please give us back our old-style boots that work ! RAY SCOTT , Bournemouth & Poole BSAC 006 .
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SCUBACHAT
willing to travel what may be considered an unreasonable distance for his review is open to debate . We , and BSAC have therefore potentially lost a new member .
Being based in Scarborough , we are not sure if this is a regional or national issue . For our club , it has potentially serious ramifications and , if widespread , potentially serious ramifications for BSAC .
We must remember that for us , diving is a recreational pastime . If a person finds themselves in need of a medical review and getting one becomes too onerous , there can be numerous consequences , such as :
■ Loss of new trainees and crossovers from other agencies . At some point they may well decide that this is only a hobby . Is it really worth the hassle ?
■ Loss of current members who may well develop medical issues . Again , at what point does accessing a medical referee become too onerous ? Sadly , it becomes easier to just hang up the fins .
■ Finally , people not declaring medical issues due to difficulties in accessing a medical referee . They may well look at themselves and come to the conclusion that , in their particular case , the potential issue is not a problem and that they can just carry on .
The first two points impact BSAC and its clubs due to a drop in membership and its associated income . The last has the potential to be a safety issue both to divers and their buddies .
I will now hold up my hand and say that I , in the past , have consciously ticked an ‘ incorrect ’ box on a form . It was , in my mind , a well thought out and sound decision . I am sure that there are a fair number of people who would apply the same thought process when completing the medical declaration . This is if ticking the other box meant an overly onerous process in accessing a medical referee .
BSAC needs to provide the latter . If not , there will be a significant impact on our image as a force for good in championing diving as an inclusive and welcoming activity . The lack of access to medical referees must not become a barrier to people who have minor or readily managed issues . People who once checked and properly advised would be able to enjoy the benefits of club diving with BSAC .
As a club , we strive to be welcoming to all who show an interest in what we do . However , this openness comes to nought if access to medicals becomes a barrier . JAMES GREEN , Scarborough Branch , North Yorkshire
Editor ’ s response : BSAC has informed me they are aware of this issue and are working with the UK Diving Medical Committee to improve matters .
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