As diving tentatively resumes , NDO Dai Atkins says we must all heed the Covid safety rules
OVER A YEAR HAS PASSED , WITH DIVING LOGBOOKS gathering dust on shelves and a great deal of patience exhibited by all our members as we wait for the green light to get back in the water . As the countdown commences , now is not the time to have it all go awry .
Interpreting the government ( and devolved national ) guidelines for when you can resume going to places and get back to doing stuff can feel like navigating the Ocean Zone of The Crystal Maze . Thankfully , detailed guidance painstakingly devised by the NDC Safety Group in the last few weeks can help ease our way back into the briny blue in a calm and collected manner .
Granted , there are still many uncertain obstacles in our path we have limited control over that can push the timeline back , so we need to respect all the services and authorities working hard to try and keep the plan on track . Wherever possible , we should support them by being flexible , but there is certainly an end in sight .
The guidance is written to be of use to groups of divers who know only too well the importance of assessing risk and being measured in their approach to our sport . BSAC is here to support their resumption of activities .
Diving can benefit us in terms of both physical and mental health , to an extent we are only beginning to understand . So , getting back in the water is as much a tonic for many as it is a recreational activity to which we are all no doubt eagerly looking forward .
So , as we continue to patiently wait for the next stage in the grand plan , do continue to look out for each other . That goes for buddies , dive managers , and all those who act as support crews - both home and at sea - everyone will need to do their bit .
The latest advice on the resumption of activities from the NGB can be found at bsac . com / covidnews
And hey ... let ’ s be careful out there .
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