SCUBAHUB
2023 :
Plan the year , dive the plan
A Derby Day to remember
EARLIER THIS SUMMER , DERBY BSAC was invited to facilitate a try dive event for High Grange School , an independent school for children and young people diagnosed with high functioning autism . The daylong event saw club volunteers deliver 22 try dives , supported by instructors from BSAC ’ s Diving for All programme . The result , says Derby BSAC ’ s Frazer MacLeod , was a rewarding experience for everyone involved . Frazer reviews the day :
“ In what is believed to be a first for BSAC , High Grange School in Mickleover got in touch with its local club , Derby BSAC , in March 2022 to request a try dive event for its students .
Malcolm Gardner , High Grange ’ s swimming teacher , reached out to the club and liaised with Suzanne McCallum , Club Secretary . Initial reaction was very positive and seen as a way to promote inclusivity and an opportunity for young people to experience scuba diving .
Suzanne approached BSAC ’ s Diving for All ( DfA ) initiative to support the club and to take forward any lessons learned from diving with people with autism .
With a plan , date and eight club volunteers , together with two Diving for All Instructors , the event took place on the morning of Friday 24th June . A total of 22 students took part , split between three dive instructors , Simon King , Graham Rintoul and Paul McCallum . A pre-dive brief was given to each student explaining what was involved , how long they would be in the water for and who their instructor would be . This proved essential in supporting their needs . Poolside support from Ian Charnock , Phil Bointon , Frazer MacLeod and Jenny Cameron enabled the kitting and de-kitting of the students for a quick and smooth turnaround .
Well , what a morning it was ! All 22 students took part , which is an amazing achievement and the responses from both students and staff were fantastic !
It ’ s fair to say everyone learnt something that day . The students had an underwater experience , the instructors and volunteers gained a better understanding of autism in young people . Even the school ’ s staff interest in scuba diving was piqued !”
ALREADY THINKING AHEAD TO YOUR dive plans for next year ? Then now ’ s the time to download BSAC ’ s year-view wall planner so you can map out your diving for 2023 .
BSAC annually produces its wall planner with the spring and neap tides , and it ’ s free to download in a variety of sizes .
With the tides for next year ’ s 12 months , the planner can be used to map out both individual member and club ’ s dives for the new diving year .
The PDF can be printed off in either A4 or A3 , making it ideal for your club ’ s noticeboard . Or the planner can be downloaded in larger sizes – A2 and A1 – which can be sent to your local printers or copy shop if you need a large size .
You can also add the neaps and springs to your digital calendar on either Microsoft Outlook , Google Calendar or Apple Calendar .
All options are now available to download at bsac . com / yearplanner
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