Rebreather passion
What does being a diver mean to you ?
It ’ s all about community and friendship . Look at BSAC ’ s motto : ‘ Dive with Friends ’... my best friends are all divers . To me , BSAC is a really easy way of making new friends and doing the sport you love . I moved down to Plymouth in 2013 briefly , and then back again in 2017 . And the first night I got there , I rocked up at Plymouth Sound BSAC , and now some of my best friends are part of that branch . I spend all my time with them on the weekends and holidays . So for me , it ’ s the friendships you make through BSAC . It ’ s the same with the Instructor Training Scheme – you ’ re going away , training all over the UK and abroad , teaching people to become instructors . Not only do you make friends as a student , but you make friends with the other Instructor Trainers .
What have been the biggest changes in diving since the Noughties ?
There has been a big cultural shift towards conservation . Back when I started it was all about treasure hunting , getting lobsters , portholes and bits off wrecks . Now , people don ’ t go out and rip apart wrecks any more , although you could argue that ’ s partly because everything of interest has been taken . Still , we are all more keenly aware of the need to protect our seas .
What got you into technical diving ?
It was a natural progression from expeditionary diving , of going away for a long period of time , and not being in a position where we could easily get gas fills . That got me interested in the deeper wrecks , and the historical aspect of wreck diving . Matching an unknown wreck site to an actual historical event is hugely satisfying , so doing these dives to explore and identify the wrecks means that families can have some sort of closure on lost relatives from the wars . It all boils down to diving with a purpose . What used to be treasure hunting is now about bringing forgotten stories to life .
You are somewhat unique , in being a high profile hobby diver who is also a commercial diver ...
Yes ! I got into commercial diving because I couldn ’ t settle in any other career . I was supposed to go into teaching , then I had a sudden opportunity to join an HSE Part IV course , where the deposit had already been paid . At the start of my commercial career , I found that it took the edge off my fun diving ... it just became more of a chore . But then there was the allure of my friends having cool projects and me not wanting to miss out .
The big difference between commercial and recreational diving is the safety team . BSAC teaches us how to look after ourselves , whereas commercial divers have a team of five or more dedicated to checking every aspect of their welfare , and loads of additional safety protocols .
What do you think the future holds for UK club diving ?
Some of BSAC ’ s training materials right now are absolutely top notch , the best you can get . Now I think we need to really push the adventure side of diving again . I would love to see a Blue Planet treatment to showcase the biodiversity and the adventures you can have around the UK coast . Then the clubs can come together , share their resources and do something high profile that will capture the public imagination .
Object of Desire
Buddy Commando Trident in black , please . It ’ s still one of my all-time favourite bits of kit , alongside my AP rebreather , naturally . My Buddy Trident is still the only piece of dive kit I ’ ve experienced that actually gives you a hug while diving ! It ’ s just got the most amazing cummerbund , which covers your entire tummy ! It wraps around you and it just gives you a hug . It sounds pathetic , but everyone who ’ s tried them says it ’ s the most amazing thing . I ’ ve still got a Buddy Commando , which I bought over 20 years ago . I ’ ve got a vintage Trident which AP has suggested I write off , but I managed to keep it . And I ’ ve got another one which is brand new and ready to go .
Standard Dress dive with the late Ray Ives
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