SCUBAHUB
Here ’ s what members said after the last event
Conference is back !
IT ’ S BEEN NEARLY FIVE YEARS , BUT THE eagerly awaited BSAC Conference is back , and the date is set for Saturday 19 October . Plans are underway to build on the success of the last conference in 2019 which was a sellout with more than 800 members attending . This year ’ s event will feature more of what members love - an impressive speaker line up , breakout sessions and plenty of networking opportunities – all in the toprated ( by previous delegates ) venue , The Vox at the NEC , Birmingham .
A few things you can expect at this year ’ s conference …
■ Meet up with 800 + members , clubs and centres – it ’ s the largest gathering of BSAC members in the calendar
■ World-renowned keynote speakers on diving
■ Hear from your newly elected National Diving Officer
THE WINNERS OF THE HEINKE TROPHY 2022 recently put their diving skills into action to help rescue two missing divers .
Based in Muscat , Ras Al-Hamra SAC found themselves involved in the rescue after two divers from a commercial vessel were
■ Choose from many breakout session options including the popular Diving Officer workshop - with many new sessions to be announced
■ 2023 Incident Report and lessons learned
■ Post-event drinks
■ Much more to be announced !
BSAC CEO Mary Tetley , who is overseeing the event , said : “ We have missed seeing our branches and members face to face at the conference , it is long overdue and we are really looking forward to it . It will be a jampacked day ; members really don ’ t want to miss this !”
As in previous years , the conference is open to all members but is most relevant for Branch Officers and Instructors , and any members aspiring to become more involved in BSAC , whether that be as an instructor or any other type of volunteer .
Ras Al-Hamra to the rescue
reported missing off Fahal Island in the Gulf of Oman .
Club members Neil Abbott , Nathan Marriott , Gareth Simmonds and Justin Meyers were about to enjoy a beach barbeque when they heard about the missing divers .
Members of Ras Al-Hamra celebrating their Heinke Trophy 2022 win
“ Overall a brilliant event , keep up the good work and I look
forward to the next . You kept me and my 15-year-old ( also a diver ) engaged all day .”
“ I thought the whole event was something of a triumph for BSAC generally .”
“ This was our first conference , we found
it informative , inspirational and professional . We loved it . Free parking was a great bonus .”
Conference tickets are due to go on sale in May . Full details to be released soon and we ’ ll keep you posted ! Have a question ? Please email conference @ bsac . com
Calling upon their seamanship and rescue training skills , they quickly prepared two of the club ’ s boats with essential safety equipment , before heading for the divers ’ last known location .
The team decided to split up and search in two different directions . “ The conditions were challenging … we knew time was of the essence ,” said Neil .
After a two-hour search , the boat manned by Gareth and Justin , spotted the two divers close to a looming tanker . With the support of a Royal Oman Police patrol boat , the divers were safely retrieved and taken back to their boat .
“ At Ras Al-Hamra SAC , regular planning of club dives and operating with our own boats always means we are honing our skills ,” Neil added . “ Hopefully this event will encourage others to take training courses to enable them to further their own experience . It ’ s always a bit of an eye opener when things like this happen and I believe we would all do the same .”
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