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Scuba Forum / General / March 2007BSAC qualifications
I have not dived for 4-5 years now. I was an experienced BSAC instructor and have dived in Europe, the West Indies and the Indian Ocean. I am now over 60 and technology has moved on somewhat in 5 years. My equipment and bottles are in test and my ABLJ is direct feed, I see that everyone now uses stab jackets. I have never used a dry suit and dive in neophrene in cold water and shorties in warm water. Would you consider that given my age and that I have not dived for a while, that I should go back for a refresher, any advice would be welcomed as I am going to Martinique and Guadaloupe in April and I intend to dive there. With many thanks Judith "judith.lea99@googlemail.com" <judith.lea99@googlemail.com> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in: :I have not dived for 4-5 years now. I was an experienced BSAC :instructor and have dived in Europe, the West Indies and the Indian [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] :going to Martinique and Guadaloupe in April and I intend to dive :there. Modern equipment is easier to use than what you are used to. Isn't BSAC sort of a club based thing? If there is a nearby club, maybe you can borrow some stuff and try it it a pool. Then you'll know whether or not you need to be retrained. Dan Bracuk If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure. > "judith.le...@googlemail.com" <judith.le...@googlemail.com> pounded > away at his keyboard resulting in: [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----http://www.newsfeeds.comThe #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups > ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- Dan, I don't even know if I am in the right newsgroup. I should have said that I am posting from England and the British Sub Aqua Club is the respected qualification known in England. You don't need to be in a club after qualification and I haven't been in one since I was about 30. Thank you for your information, it was kind of you to reply. Judith > I have not dived for 4-5 years now. I was an experienced BSAC > instructor and have dived in Europe, the West Indies and the Indian > Ocean. I am now over 60 and technology has moved on somewhat in 5 > years. Nawh it hasn't... The water is still wet and you still breath some form of oxygen and nitrogen mix (and sometimes a bit of helium thrown in for specialty dives)... Just because some things have changed, it doesn't mean they are better... > My equipment and bottles are in test and my ABLJ is direct feed, I see > that everyone now uses stab jackets. No they don't... Some use backplates and wings... > Would you consider that given my age and that I have not dived for > a while, that I should go back for a refresher Get your gear and go to the nearest lake, quarry, or whatever and get comfortable with it again... No big deal... >> I have not dived for 4-5 years now. I was an experienced BSAC >> instructor and have dived in Europe, the West Indies and the Indian [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >Get your gear and go to the nearest lake, quarry, or whatever and get >comfortable with it again... No big deal... I am heading to Curacao next Friday, I haven't been in the water in over a year. I talked to my dive shop when I annualed my gear and they suggested I come with them to their call that night and get in the pool for a while and see how it feels The owner asked me after 1/2 hour how it felt and I told him I wanted to do a few more drills and then go get a beer He laughed, and told me I had too much weight, and needed to stop bicycle kicking. I told him he was ugly and need a life I got out of the water and cleaned up, gave him a bottle of Patron Reposido for the time an intrusion on his class. On 25 Feb, 22:29, Grumman-581 <grumman...@DIE-SPAMMER-SCUM-gmail.com> wrote: > On 25 Feb 2007 13:57:26 -0800, "judith.le...@googlemail.com" > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > Get your gear and go to the nearest lake, quarry, or whatever and get > comfortable with it again... No big deal... Thank you youy men for all your comments and advice, you are a nice lot. Judith > Thank you youy men for all your comments and advice, you are a nice > lot. "Young"? Obviously, you don't know us that well yet... Most of us are either full fledged dirty-old-men or dirty-old-men-in-training... With regards to "nice", just wait, someone will be around promptly to ask you what color your knickers are... <dirty-old-man-grin> "judith.lea99@googlemail.com" <judith.lea99@googlemail.com> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in: :Thank you youy men for all your comments and advice, you are a nice :lot. Helpfullest group on usenet. Dan Bracuk If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure. On Feb 25, 1:57 pm, "judith.le...@googlemail.com" <judith.le...@googlemail.com> wrote: > I have not dived for 4-5 years now. I was an experienced BSAC > instructor and have dived in Europe, the West Indies and the Indian > Ocean. I am now over 60 and technology has moved on somewhat in 5 > years. I'm curious what technology you think has moved on in 5 years. I know that people used BCs and drysuits 5 years ago, cause I seen it with my own eyes. It all seems the same to me. I'm still waiting for a head- up display in my mask. > On Feb 25, 1:57 pm, "judith.le...@googlemail.com" > <judith.le...@googlemail.com> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > own eyes. It all seems the same to me. I'm still waiting for a head- > up display in my mask. http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/p_computers_iddm.html  SignaturePopeye A skilled, armed man lives on a plane of security and contentment different from that of others. The man who cannot cut it, envies, fears and sometimes hates the man who can. -Cooper www.finalprotectivefire.com > > On Feb 25, 1:57 pm, "judith.le...@googlemail.com" > > <judith.le...@googlemail.com> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/p_computers_iddm.html You beat me to it. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be anywhere near Carrolton tomorrow or I might have tried to stop in and check it out. For those of you in the area, Oceanic will apparently be at Scubatoys on the 28th at 6:00 PM giving demos of a bunch of their new equipment. It might make for an interesting evening. For those who can't make that location, they'll be at the Iberostar Cozumel over the weekend. http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/p_computers_iddm_tour.html > I have not dived for 4-5 years now. I was an experienced BSAC > instructor and have dived in Europe, the West Indies and the Indian [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Judith Hi Judith, You will probably be fine. You can always do a pool-dive or hotel-dive first, to see how you feel, before going on for the usual stuff. However the dive-shop you go to may insist on a current PADI/BSAC/NAUI/CMAS or some other certification card for their insurance purposes. Your old logbook and instructor cards might help too. If I were you I would find your nearest BSAC & get an up-to-date stamp on your c/card just to cover all eventualities & cut out possible hassles at the holiday destination. After all you might be dealing with someone who doesn't have the discretion to ignore an unticked box on your form when you sign in! Also have a copy of your dive insurance certificate handy, just in case they insist on seeing it. Some shops had a nice little scam going where they insisted on you buying insurance unless you could show you are covered by your own policy. I have found most difficulties at CMAS dive operations. I believe Martinique & Guadeloupe are both francophone countries so you will probably run into a CMAS shop. Have fun SignatureChris Notton Replace "nospam" with my surname to reply by email Sostituisca il "nospam" con il mio cognome per rispondere }<////(*> Judith, As a BSAC trained UK diver and SAA club instructor with my club Ifield Divers in Crawley, West Sussex, I would strongly recommend that you locate a local BSAC or SAA club in your area of the UK and have an informal discussion (chat) with the diving officer or training officer of the club. He/she may then recommend that you do some pool time and possibly even a trip to a local inland Scuba training centre such as Stoney Cove, Chepstow, Vobster, Capenwray, Dosthill, or any one of a number of locations and become re-acquainted and familiar with your equipment ad buoyancy control. They may also loan you some current club kit to try. Your only expense will be that you may need to join their club, which has the added benefit of you being covered by the BSAC or SAA third-party liability insurance. The BSAC and SAA training systems are very close, in fact up until about a couple of years ago the SAA used the BSAC training manual for their instruction. In simple qualification terms, Agency BSAC SAA PADI Qualification Ocean Diver Novice AOW Sports Diver Club Diver DM I personally have never taken a PADI course in my life (my qualifications are from BSAC, SAA, TDI and IANTD) I've never had my cards refused anywhere in the world (actually, many places I've been to regard BSAC qualifications higher than PADI). Although its obvious from the other posts that the BSAC is not as well known in the US, although it's the largest and oldest Scuba diving club in the world, as Both the BSAC and SAA are members of CMAS, the world body for Scuba diving, they can issue you with a CMAS qualification card. The American run centres only love to see plastic credit card qualifications (or C-Cards as they call them). You can locate a club at the following web-sites: http://www.saa.org.uk/old_site/index.html http://www.bsac.com/meet/meetbranch.html If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of your equipment then the simplest option whilst abroad would be to hire the equipment at the dive centre. I hope this helps. Tony. There's old divers, and there's bold divers, but there's very few old bold divers! > Agency BSAC SAA PADI > Qualification Ocean Diver Novice AOW > Sports Diver Club Diver DM Interesting that the BSAC Sports Diver and SAA Club Diver equates to a PADI DM. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised since DM is a professional level certification. > I personally have never taken a PADI course in my life (my qualifications > are from BSAC, SAA, TDI and IANTD) I've never had my cards refused > anywhere in the world (actually, many places I've been to regard BSAC > qualifications higher than PADI). Personally, I'd expect BSAC to be regarded higher than PADI pretty much everyplace, but that may be because I have considerable respect for BSAC and not much for PADI. To tell the truth, though, I'm not much impressed with TDI either, even though I hold a Nitrox certification from them. > Although its obvious from the other posts that the BSAC is not as well > known in the US . . . I suppose it depends on what you mean by well known. I'd be quite surprised if there were many dive operators in the US that don't know about BSAC and accept their certifications. If you know of some, feel free to post them so we can avoid promoting their ignorance with our diving dollars. >, although it's the largest and oldest Scuba diving club in the world . . . Unfair comparison. For a long time, they were the only club based scuba instruction entity around. Everybody else was commercial except, perhaps, for the YMCA. What year was BSAC organized? > . . . as Both the BSAC and SAA are members of CMAS, the world body for > Scuba diving, they can issue you with a CMAS qualification card. The > American run centres only love to see plastic credit card qualifications > (or C-Cards as they call them). BSAC and SAA don't issue their own certification cards? How do you communicate your certification to others? Lee > BSAC and SAA don't issue their own certification cards? How do you > communicate your certification to others? Secret handshake followed by drinking the kool-aid? Hi all! > BSAC and SAA don't issue their own certification cards? How do you > communicate your certification to others? YMCA is part of CMAS as well. But cmas.org is currently infected with a bad case of Microsoftitis. brgds SignatureGunter Herrmann Orlando, Florida, USA > Judith, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > of the club. He/she may then recommend that you do some pool time and > possibly even a trip to a local inland Scuba training centre Good advice. Of course, you can also get that same experience at a tropical destination of your choice. The goal is to become comfy again in relaxed conditions. Some might say that a nice, sheltered 10m dive in a tropical location is an easier way back in than Stoney Cove. Your mileage may vary. > In simple qualification terms, > > Agency BSAC SAA PADI > Qualification Ocean Diver Novice AOW > Sports Diver Club Diver DM In simple terms: rubbish. Sports Diver is somewhere between AOW and Rescue. Ocean Diver is an "experienced OW." A lot of BSAC divers tend to be good, but more due to the amount of time they have in the water. Someone with a PADI card and the same amount of water time is probably just as good. This whole "BSAC is better than any other agency" attitude really gets my canker. This is recreational diving. It isnt that hard. Get over yourselves. I've had BSAC Instructor Trainers - or whatever they are called - pull my shotline off a wreck, forcing me to waste over half my precious bottom time swimming along the sand at 60m against a current trying to get to a wreck. Vandit > Of course, you can also get that same experience at a tropical > destination of your choice. The goal is to become comfy again in > relaxed conditions. Some might say that a nice, sheltered 10m dive in > a tropical location is an easier way back in than Stoney Cove. Your > mileage may vary. Spoken by a man that did more than a few dives in sunny, warm, clear water south Florida. You mean to tell us that Stoney Cove isn't the most comfortable place to dive? > A lot of BSAC divers tend to be good, but more due to the amount of > time they have in the water. Someone with a PADI card and the same > amount of water time is probably just as good. That has not been my experience, but more because of the quality of the time in the water than the agency the divers are affiliated with. A lot of US divers spend most of their time at moderate depths in warm, clear water. Many UK divers spend their time in dark, somewhat keep, cold, merky water. The more adverse conditions tend to focus one's attention on technique and safety and tend to force improved skills faster. > This whole "BSAC is better than any other agency" attitude really gets my > canker. Not mine. I've experienced a lot more care in the British club system than I've found in any of the US agencies. While probably not always the case, the kind of caring and sharing that promotes has a postive impact on BSAC club members. YMMV. Lee > That has not been my experience, but more because of the quality of the time > in the water than the agency the divers are affiliated with. A lot of US > divers spend most of their time at moderate depths in warm, clear water. > Many UK divers spend their time in dark, somewhat keep, cold, merky water. > The more adverse conditions tend to focus one's attention on technique and > safety and tend to force improved skills faster. Many UK divers spend all their dive time in the Red Sea, Thailand, or the Caribbean. A lot of U.S. divers spend most of their time in the frigid waters of the northeast, northwest, or even southwest. I hate to break it to you Lee, but Florida certainly ain't the entirety of the U.S., thank god. > I hate to break it to you Lee, but Florida certainly ain't > the entirety of the U.S., thank god. A Jewish boy saying "ain't"... That's rather goy of you... Damn... What would your mother say about that? "A shandeh un a charpeh" >> I hate to break it to you Lee, but Florida certainly ain't >> the entirety of the U.S., thank god. > > A Jewish boy saying "ain't"... That's rather goy of you... Damn... > What would your mother say about that? He was just trying to be sure I understood him. He was trained to belive that anyone that didn't go to a liberal California college ain't all that literate. Lee >> That has not been my experience, but more because of the quality of the >> time [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >> and >> safety and tend to force improved skills faster. > Many UK divers spend all their dive time in the Red Sea, Thailand, or > the Caribbean. A lot of U.S. divers spend most of their time in the > frigid waters of the northeast, northwest, or even southwest. I hate > to break it to you Lee, but Florida certainly ain't the entirety of > the U.S., thank god. I was unaware that the Red Sea, Thailand or the Caribbean were part of the UK. If they're not, they I would be disinclined to call those that dive there, UK divers. Even accepting your definition, I think you might agree that the odds of doing a more complex dive are significantly in their favor, or do you California guys regularly descent to 50 meters? Lee > I was unaware that the Red Sea, Thailand or the Caribbean were part of the > UK. If they're not, they I would be disinclined to call those that dive > there, UK divers. Sorry, I thought a UK diver is someone from the UK, trained in the UK. I consider myself an American diver, even though the vast majority of my dives nowadays occur in foreign countries. > Even accepting your definition, I think you might agree that the odds of > doing a more complex dive are significantly in their favor, or do you > California guys regularly descent to 50 meters? Farnsworth Banks is 140', so that's close. I'd love to regularly dive there, but conditions don't always allow for it. We do have plenty of tech divers here that regularly descend deeper than 50 meters, but unlike the UK, the majority of our dive sites here, including our wrecks, are within "recreational" depths. Still, I'd be curious to find out exactly what percent of UK divers using my definition (UK residents who were trained in the UK) regularly dive to 50 meters. >> Even accepting your definition, I think you might agree that the odds of >> doing a more complex dive are significantly in their favor, or do you >> California guys regularly descent to 50 meters? > Farnsworth Banks is 140', so that's close. Close enough for this discussion. > I'd love to regularly dive there, but conditions don't always allow for > it. Of course, we're talking actual diving conditions, not desired ones. > We do have plenty of tech divers here that regularly descend deeper than > 50 meters, but unlike the UK, the majority of our dive sites here, > including our > wrecks, are within "recreational" depths. Right. We are, after all, talking about the average here. Neither you, nor the other tech divers (you are diving a rebreather these days, right?) are exactly average. > Still, I'd be curious to find out exactly what percent of UK divers > using my definition (UK residents who were trained in the UK) > regularly dive to 50 meters. Me too. Lee >> Still, I'd be curious to find out exactly what percent of UK divers >> using my definition (UK residents who were trained in the UK) >> regularly dive to 50 meters. > > Me too. Me too! My hunch, from the people I speak to and occasionally dive with is that the regular 50m divers are still very much the minority. What is the case though is that there is a lot who do down to 35ish on a regular basis. BSAC's Sport Diver certification has a 35m limit on it and that is the predominant cert held in active clubs (all of that being in my limited experience, of course). The next step up (Dive Leader) has a "worked up to" limit of 50m but people actually diving to that depth regularly aren't the norm. That said, all the UKRS crew (as was) are probably off doing that on a weekly basis but they really are a funny bunch... ;op Actually, I guess it would be interesting to compare the diving "level" of people across the globe... CAS > Actually, I guess it would be interesting to compare the diving "level" of > people across the globe... It would be, but you'd get some odd results if doing it off groups like this. I'm relatively certain that many here are just a bit more involved in scuba than the average. Quite a few here are instructors for one agency or another. A few are very advanced cave, wreck and deep divers. Quite a few more are on the edge between advanced and technical and a few have even been actively diving long enough to have been significantly influenced by Lloyd Bridges and Sea Hunt. Perhaps more significantly, we're all involved enough to keep coming back here, day after day, wading through, or participating in all the off topic stuff, in order to find, or add, the occasional pearl of diving related information. Lee >>Actually, I guess it would be interesting to compare the diving "level" of >>people across the globe... [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Lee Not me, I'm here for the ambiance.... And someone said that there was to be beer served later on. Signature“TAANSTAFL” ____________________________________________________________________________ Something to think about, from a wise man now long dead….: “In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American. “There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. “We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.” --Theodore Roosevelt...1907 ____________________________________________________________________________ "A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." - Proverbs 22:3 ____________________________________________________________________________ > Actually, I guess it would be interesting to compare the diving "level" of > people across the globe... > > CAS That would be like comparing the skiing, or tennis, or boxing, or cribbage "level" of people across the globe. It's just not something that can be compared. esg > That would be like comparing the skiing, or tennis, or boxing, or > cribbage "level" of people across the globe. It's just not something > that can be compared. It can be. For instance, the average chess competence is greater in Russia than in Chuuk. I happen to know that for a fact. > Of course, we're talking actual diving conditions, not desired ones. But we have sites that have far more to offer when conditions at Farnsworth are bad. Unlike the Brits, who have nothing more than a a few deep dark decrepit wrecks to pick over, Californians enjoy all sorts of diving at all levels, from shallow shore dives in kelp, rocky reefs of mid-depth, slightly deeper pinnacles and wrecks, and oil rigs and sea mounts for unlimited depths. Californians that don't want to go deep usually stay off the deeper stuff since it can be more pleasurable, safer, and cheaper to stick with recreational dive sites. I bet a larger proportion of certified Californians dive locally than certified Brits. I bet a much larger proportion of certified Florida and Hawaii divers dive locally than Californians or Brits. Water temperature is a big divider. > Right. We are, after all, talking about the average here. Neither you, nor > the other > tech divers (you are diving a rebreather these days, right?) are exactly > average. So you exclude us, but you include the UK tech divers? That's not playing fair. And no, I'm not diving a rebreather nowadays. It's sitting in my garage. Wanna buy it? My local shop, formerly the biggest Draeger seller in the U.S., then the biggest Inspiration seller on the west coast, is now pushing KISS rebreathers like they're the second coming. Nifty little things, but I don't have the time or money to get involved with a new gimmick. All my time and money is being spent on open-circuit trips this year, and hopefully a camera for my birthday if I'm really doing well. CC rebreathers are for lottery winners, NBA stars, and Gulf sheiks. Yes, I'm ANDI Level 2 SCR certified, and I've sat through the classroom portion of ANDI Advanced Nitrox. I'm signed up to take TDI Advanced Nitrox/Deco Procedures in June and will complete the class barring an early hurricane. Still, I doubt it will change my diving any. I've already done plenty of dives with mandatory deco, most in Truk Lagoon which also involved some pretty hairy penetration, even though I was untrained. Even with some training, I doubt I'll be using it much except in class. It does give me the ability to progress along to trimix and quite possibly I'll end up doing some organized tech diving in warmer water in the future, but applying all that to drysuit diving and rougher conditions is a ways off for me. The Doria can wait. There's plenty of stuff to see along the way. > Spoken by a man that did more than a few dives in sunny, warm, clear water > south Florida. Funnily enough, I am diving in 27C waters now and am more cold than when I used to dive twins/drysuit off Boston. What's wrong with this picture?? > You mean to tell us that Stoney Cove isn't the most comfortable place to > dive? Well, you have to remember never to yell "Nigel." > That has not been my experience, but more because of the quality of the time > in the water than the agency the divers are affiliated with. A lot of US > divers spend most of their time at moderate depths in warm, clear water. > Many UK divers spend their time in dark, somewhat keep, cold, merky water. > The more adverse conditions tend to focus one's attention on technique and > safety and tend to force improved skills faster. And that is a function of local diving conditions, and has nothing to do with PADI or BSAC. A PADI guy diving in cold water will have the same skill sets. About 40% of our divers are British, and a lot of them dive at home. I cannot tell the difference between a PADI diver and a BSAC diver. I can, however, tell the difference between a diver who dives regularly and a diver who dives occasionally. > Not mine. I've experienced a lot more care in the British club system than > I've found in any of the US agencies. While probably not always the case, > the kind of caring and sharing that promotes has a postive impact on BSAC > club members. YMMV. There is a lot of snobbery, hierarchy, etc. as well. I know quite a few people who have left their BSAC chapters because of this. One of my closest friends is/was a BSAC instructor and I got some interesting tidbits from him and from first-hand experience while in the UK. To be fair, a lot of BSAC chapters are not so deeply mired in the dark ages either. There are good points and there are downsides, just as with everything else. But the "I am so much better" attitude is annoying. Especially when they arent. Vandit > Funnily enough, I am diving in 27C waters now and am more cold than > when I used to dive twins/drysuit off Boston. What's wrong with this > picture?? Mostly, what's wrong is that you're there and not here. Unfortunately, these days, it might be hard to get back to here. >> You mean to tell us that Stoney Cove isn't the most comfortable place to >> dive? > Well, you have to remember never to yell "Nigel." <grin> One of these days, I'm going to get to the UK and do at least one dive with Nigel and all the rest of the people I've grown to know over there. I think Stoney Cove is exactly the right place to do it. > About 40% of our divers are British, and a lot of them dive at home. > I cannot tell the difference between a PADI diver and a BSAC diver. I > can, however, tell the difference between a diver who dives regularly > and a diver who dives occasionally. Of course. > But the "I am so much better" attitude is annoying. Especially when > they arent. Perhaps something that is strong in both PADI and BSAC. Lee >>> You mean to tell us that Stoney Cove isn't the most comfortable place to >>> dive? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > dive with Nigel and all the rest of the people I've grown to know over > there. I think Stoney Cove is exactly the right place to do it. Careful!! You'll be organising an Icebreakers bash with loose talk like that... CAS >>> Well, you have to remember never to yell "Nigel." >> [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Careful!! You'll be organising an Icebreakers bash with loose talk like > that... Someday, but probably not soon. I almost made it to the UK a few years ago. Plans were to attend a friend's wedding in Fleet. Unfortunately, some rather inconsiderate criminals picked just that time to be discovered and priorities set in to defeat our plans. I'll be retired soon, maybe then. Lee > Mostly, what's wrong is that you're there and not here. Unfortunately, > these days, it might be hard to get back to here. True dat. Plus, I dont think I can hold down an office job anymore. But holidays are in plan. The Big O calls, and I see a trip to Florida within the next year or two. > <grin> One of these days, I'm going to get to the UK and do at least one > dive with Nigel and all the rest of the people I've grown to know over > there. I think Stoney Cove is exactly the right place to do it. The only place where someone dies on a 6m mockup submarine. But yes, Stoney Cove is British diving. > Perhaps something that is strong in both PADI and BSAC. That is the least annoying thing about PADI. I can name about 20 more. So now we do almost 80% SSI courses - all our DM certs go to PADI with SSI Rescue cards. Must chap their a.ses, as the instructor name is the same on both :) I want to cross over and become a NOB instructor. There is something about that name. Sort of like Klingons around Uranus. No matter how old I get, I'll always snicker. What was this thread about again? Vandit >> Mostly, what's wrong is that you're there and not here. Unfortunately, >> these days, it might be hard to get back to here. [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > What was this thread about again? Who cares, it's morphed. Lee I think the advice about trying a BCD out in a pool is good, if you are planning to use one on you trip. Your local BSAC may be able to help. You could also cover this once you are there. Drysuit training is not really worth it if you are only doing warm water giving. There is a good chance that any dive operator will ask you to conduct a refresher dive anyway if you have not dived in the last six months. This will probably involve some basic drills at 10 metres of so. I'd be a little concerned about any operator who didn't require this. Some other guy posted something on here stating that BSAC Sports Diver is equivalent to PADI DM. This is not correct. BSAC Sports Diver is the equivalent of PADI Rescue. BSAC ocean diver is the equivalent of PADI OW. PADI AOW is not recognised by BSAC (i.e., still Ocean Diver equivalent). |
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