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nowhere , than we were visiting a small community like Dunbar or St Abbs . Surely it was better to go to the empty side of a loch were there was space to socially-distance ? The union agreed and granted us , and other clubs in our situation , permission to follow the government ’ s rules . Some members managed trips in August to Scapa Flow , the Isle of May , and Mull wrecks , when Covid was lowest , supporting the local dive boats , but most diving this year has been local . Hopefully we can dive again before the exams start !
What types of diving do members do ?
Mostly recreational open-circuit diving , but we have a growing technical group , with OC and CC mixed gas divers . We always take the mixed ability and interests of the group into account . We have a few budding underwater photographers and can hire GoPros from the union , so we ’ re hoping to run training to share their skills . Several members have lobbied the university library , growing its collection of Scottish diving and marine life books . Of course , we are surrounded by fantastic wrecks and try to plan lots of trips , whether for new ODs doing their first wreck dive on the Breda , or experienced divers planning long run times in Scapa .
What about skills training ?
Demand this year includes Buoyancy and Trim , Accelerated Decompression Procedures , Twinset , and decompression diving for those from other agencies . We run trip planning , Oxygen Administration , and Practical Rescue Management yearly . By the way , if you are a diver coxswain assessor / trainer , please get in touch : we are struggling to find someone to train our boat-handling instructors .
Does the club have a snorkelling section ?
Yes ! 2020 was decided as the year to ramp it up , then Covid happened , and that gave us even more reason . We have a snorkel membership and officer , plus dedicated trips . It meant we could restart club activity in summer before we had permission to use SCUBA equipment , and it ’ s been a great to get trainees involved , since pool training won ’ t be possible until restrictions allow .
Any diving with a purpose ?
We ’ ve participated in SeaSearch training and hosted a NAS underwater surveying course . We ’ ve been practising these skills , and are hoping to gather data on our expedition to chart some new sites . We have an expert in club member Max Ruffert , BSAC Expeditions Grants Scheme Officer ,
Current and past members ’ ceilidh at the 50th Anniversary , 2019
hopefully he will give us some pointers ! Lots of members tried courses over lockdown , like photogrammetry , and are itching to give it a go .
How would you sum up the club ?
People feel proud to be part of EUSAC : a sentiment reflected by the number who returned for our 50th anniversary Burns Night dinner in 2019 . Sixty of 100 guests were alumni from as far back as the 1960s , including members whose parents had met as early club members . When our current Fundraising , Alumni , Publicity & Sponsorship Officer moved into university halls , she mentioned joining the dive club to her neighbour , who replied that her parents had met in EUSAC too ! Attending that event really reminded us that we ’ re a small part of something that is beloved . We ’ ve created a club where we ’ re a big scuba family , going on adventures in and out of the water , and we ’ d love for you to join us . �
A fine surface interval at St Abbs
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