SCUBAHUB
Sri Lanka first for BSAC
THE FIRST BSAC INSTRUCTOR Training Scheme event has been held in Sri Lanka , paving the way for new divers to learn in the country .
Based in Colombo , the S . Thomas ’ College Sub-Aqua Club ( STCSAC ) became BSAC branch B2613 in 2021 – the first in Sri Lanka . However , with instructor numbers low , STCSAC faced a challenging future .
That ’ s when BSAC stepped in . Having reached the threshold to qualify for a BSAC part-sponsored Instructor Training Scheme ( ITS ) event , and following several Covid-related delays , the week-long training to boost instructor numbers within the branch finally took place in January 2023 .
With diving still in its infancy in Sri Lanka , BSAC ’ s coaching team had to plan
for significant challenges to successfully deliver the training programme .
BSAC National Instructor Adrian Collier started with the Instructor Foundation Course ( IFC ), with candidates Jason Senanayake and Yohan Abeyesekera gaining their Assistant Diving Instructor certifications .
Adrian then set up an Open Water Instructor Course ( OWIC ) for Yohan along with another student , Jehan Pieris . On the last day of the ITS event , the newly qualified OWIs upgraded their new qualifications by becoming Skill
“ It was a pleasure to help Yohan and his team to develop a branch over 5,000 miles away ”
Development Instructors , ready to teach Compressor Operation , Automated External Defibrillator ( AED ) and Oxygen Administration courses within the branch .
Adrian said he was pleased that BSAC had given STCSAC the right tools to see their club thrive .
“ It was a pleasure to help Yohan and his team to develop a branch over 5,000 miles away .
“ Supporting our overseas members is important to BSAC and meets our strategy for growth and diversity . Yohan is doing a brilliant job for diving in Sri Lanka , and the club ’ s future is looking bright !”
UKDMC updates self-dec medical form
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THE UK DIVING MEDICAL COMMITTEE ( UKDMC ) has released the latest version of its diver self-declaration medical form , which can now be downloaded via bsac . com / medicalform Completion of the medical form is required by all members when they join BSAC and then annually on the renewal of their membership to demonstrate fitness to dive . The form should also be re-submitted by members experiencing a new medical condition between membership renewals .
The latest version of the self-declaration medical form has been updated to include some minor edits to provide greater clarity on some of the questions to be answered .
As well as its diver self-declaration medical form , UKDMC has also updated its Diabetes and Neurodiversity guidelines . These can be downloaded directly from www . ukdmc . org / downloads