A classic giant stride
Object of Desire
In the 1990s , you could spot a BSAC diver by their orange AP Buddy BCD ! I remember when I joined the University Club , those BCDs were everywhere – they were workhorses , practically bulletproof and everyone had them . It was the Buddy Commando , and it had to be orange .
It ’ s a more flexible way of learning , of extending your diving skills . It ’ s all easier to organise as well , with all the information available online . There ’ s wealth of shared information about dive sites ; or the best places to go ; or what you ’ re going to see . The digital world has broadened our community in ways we are only starting to appreciate .
What about equipment and tech ?
It ’ s got to be rebreathers , and things you can now do , in terms of depth , without carrying multiple cylinders . On open circuit , you ’ ve got to dive with other people using the gas that you have , because it ’ s the gas you need an emergency . Whereas when you ’ re on a rebreather , you ’ ve got more options ; the safety parameters are just so much bigger .
Are rebreathers for everybody ?
Not necessarily . There ’ s still cost elements ; there ’ s still a sweet spot for it as well , when it becomes cost effective . Plus , of course , you have to look after the units themselves ; a certain amount of maintenance is essential . That said , you don ’ t need the electronics of a rebreather to do all the types of diving you may want to do . There ’ s kit for everyone these days , and costs reduced by the second hand market .
Do you have a regular buddy ?
For holiday diving I tend to go on trips with Paula Cheung . She ’ s got a rebreather as well , but I haven ’ t dived with her much in the UK . I don ’ t have a regular UK buddy at the moment .
How has diving influenced your life ?
It ’ s probably created lot of my friendship groups , as well as having an impact on at least 50 % of my holidays . It ’ s so enjoyable to have something that ’ s totally different to do outside work . It ’ s probably created a closer relationship with my dad as well , because he and his brothers and his own father dived too , which is how I got into it in the first place .
My dad didn ’ t go to university , so he didn ’ t understand the significance of ‘ Reading Week ’ when preparing for an exam . My Christmas present for four years
was to go to the Red Sea in January , on my Reading Week ! For my 21st birthday he took me to Truk Lagoon !
What do you think the future holds for club diving ?
I see a positive future for BSAC . Our diverse , strategic approach has helped to reconcile the commercial and volunteer sides of the club . The use of commercial schools is a smart way of supporting clubs . We must ensure that dive centres remain viable ; the clubs need them for servicing and kit .
You will see a lot more interactivity between the clubs at events like the Menai Boat Run ; these initiatives build our community even further and widen the BSAC experience . I think it ’ s a case of staying on that path .
Leader of the pack .
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