Benefit of the Month
Overseas Referral Training
LOOKING FOR A MORE FLEXIBLE WAY of completing your diver grade ? Then why not combine your club training or eLearning with the chance to finish off your qualification in warmer waters . As a member , you can get the best of both worlds , thanks to BSAC ’ s network of overseas centres . With centres in both short and long-haul destinations , opting for referral training overseas can also benefit your club and can make a great reason to organise a fantastic dive club trip .
The language of inclusion
CLUBS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO get more of their Branch Officers , instructors and members to complete the free BSAC language awareness course and help maintain an inclusive environment across the branch network .
Launched earlier this year , BSAC ’ s Equality , Diversity and Inclusion ( EDI ) Language Awareness eLearning course has been designed to support a welcoming and diverse membership .
Free to all members , the eLearning course covers the use of appropriate language for a supportive event and club environment ; it takes around 30 minutes to complete .
The EDI Language Awareness Course forms part of BSAC ’ s strategic commitment to equality , diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation . Branch Officers and Instructors , in particular , are now being encouraged to complete the eLearning course .
BSAC Council member , Lisa Shafe , who worked on developing the language awareness course , said she hoped clubs and their Branch Officers , Instructors and members would make the most of the course .
“ Equality means making sure everyone has an equal opportunity . Diversity is about celebrating the difference in individuals , and inclusion is about making sure no one feels left out .
As BSAC members and volunteers , we should lead by example and understand the language we should use to refer to people , and how to avoid exclusionary terms . With this new eLearning course , we want to raise language awareness so that we are not inadvertently making someone feel uncomfortable or excluded .”
BSAC North West Regional Coach and First Class Diver Sam Clarke recently completed the online course and is now encouraging others to follow suit .
“ The course was easy to access and very useful , especially in highlighting some of the terminology and behaviours that can make people feel more included .
Everyone , from divers to instructors , should be aware of their actions and how they can affect people . This course gives food for thought about how we should be including everyone as we have a responsibility to welcome all .”
To access the Equality , Diversity and Inclusion ( EDI ) Language Awareness eLearning course go to bsac . com / edicourse . Members will need their login details to complete the course .
For more information on BSAC ’ s Equality , Diversity and Inclusion Policy , go to bsac . com / edi
Making connections
With overseas referral training , you or your club will connect with a BSAC Centre . BSAC has a range of overseas centres that offer diver grade training and Skill Development Courses , as well as technical courses , depending on what you ’ re looking for .
Flexible training
Referral training can also be flexible to suit your exact needs . Through referral training , you can complete the theory or theory and sheltered water part at home with your BSAC club , then complete the remaining practical elements overseas . Or you could choose to complete a diver grade such as Ocean Diver or Sports Diver overseas before coming back to join your BSAC club .
Club benefits
Opting for referral training has many benefits for your club too , as it can help ease the pressure on its training programme and its own instructors . It can also mean a club can ‘ fast-track ’ its newer members , opening up the opportunity of diving in the UK sooner and progressing through the other diver grades .
And , by combining referral training with an overseas club trip , other members can also benefit by getting some blue water diving too !
For more information on overseas BSAC Centres and how you could make the most of warm water training as a member , go to bsac . com / travelandtrain