Diving with Sophie
VOLUNTEERLIFE
Sophie wreck diving in the Indian Ocean that as a better way of achieving what we need to get done .”
Perhaps unusually for a senior BSAC diver , Sophie is not preoccupied with technical diving , though she has many of the qualifications . Her favourite course to teach is Ocean Diver , because of the satisfaction of seeing a candidate progress from having no skills to becoming a qualified diver .
This begs a perennial question – what can we do to encourage more young people into diving ? “ I ’ m hoping that the first step is about to be made with the publication of our new Snorkel Guide ,” Sophie says . “ If we can get more people snorkelling at a younger age , then that ’ s a good start . Also , we are working with our university branches to help them to achieve more of their training needs . These are key elements of BSAC ’ s strategy .”
These days , BSAC members are increasingly concerned with accessibility – can we expect further developments in the Diving for All programme ? Sophie says : “ I ’ m working with Sam Clarke , the ideal person to help put BSAC on the accessibility map . We want to look at our courses and make them inclusive without having to single this group of divers and snorkellers out into separate courses . Watch this space .” [ Sam Clarke is BSAC ’ s first amputee National Instructor ]
Finally , as we try to get more newly qualified divers to stay the course and progress to Sports Diver , what advice does Sophie have for them ? “ Take your time ,” she cautions . “ Don ’ t go haring off to swim with a whale shark on your first dive . You ’ ll peak too early in your aspirations . Build up and get some confidence ; try out a range of dives . Always dive with someone you look up to , and who is as enthusiastic as I hope you will be . BSAC divers have a wealth of experience and , if , like me , you get a good mentor , make them a keeper !”
Become an Instructor !
Sports Divers and up ( for scuba ) and 16 + year olds ( for snorkelling ) can start instructor training .
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Diving with Sophie
As she is one of my regular buddies , I ‘ ve had the pleasure of diving with Sophie on many occasions . In a non-showy way , her diving skills are as good as any I have seen , but what really stands out is how she always goes out of her way to help people . Pretty much every trip we ’ ve been on has seen her helping struggling divers get to grips with confidence issues ; buoyancy adjustments ; kit problems ... injuries . Out of the water , she ’ s the first to approach anyone in need of help ; she is quite simply one of the most empathic people I have ever met . Simon Rogerson �
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