BSAC direct, Instructor qualification & Insurance

[Tom Brookes]

Ive got a couple of questions if any one can help?.

Im leaving my local branch & am going to go Bsac direct, can you tell me:
1) As a OWI does this in any way effect my OWI qualification?.
2)Would I still be able to instruct say at another branch etc under there Diving Officer?.
3) Do you still have the same 3rd Party Insurance as with branch Bsac?.
4) Because I will not be with a branch, will my 3rd party insurance still be valid on trips as long as I comply with BSAC safe practices etc.?
5) does any one know any major diferences between BSAC direct & BSAC branch membership.

Many Thanks

[dave covey]

5) does any one know any major diferences between BSAC direct & BSAC branch membership.

YES! Bsac charge a wopping 40 quid airmail fee (on top of the 53 quid membership fee) for their monthly magazine!

[jens hucke]

Ive got a couple of questions if any one can help?.

Im leaving my local branch & am going to go Bsac direct, can you tell me:
1) As a OWI does this in any way effect my OWI qualification?.
2)Would I still be able to instruct say at another branch etc under there Diving Officer?.
3) Do you still have the same 3rd Party Insurance as with branch Bsac?.
4) Because I will not be with a branch, will my 3rd party insurance still be valid on trips as long as I comply with BSAC safe practices etc.?
5) does any one know any major diferences between BSAC direct & BSAC branch membership.

Many Thanks

Hello there,

The obvious answer is to double check with HQ, but here is my interpretation as OWI who on occasion helps out a number of local branches, with a girlfriend who also is OWI and was for a year a BSAC Direct member before rejoining a branch:

1) You are and will remain an OWI
2) You will be an asset to any branch wise enough to appreciate your offer of help
3)& 4) Your Insurance (3rd party) is still valid.
5) No difference apart that as direct member you don't qualify for some of the discounts in BSAC membership rates an AD or Instructor would get within a branch. On balance it is still usually cheaper as you don't have to pay a Branch subscription in addition to the BSAC membership.

If I recall correctly, in the past some members of NDC including a previous NDO, were members of BSAC Direct. It didn't stop them diving or instructing. BSAC Direct is in fact a Branch in it's own right, with Jim Watson as DO ( I think?), so it is more like changing branch to one that is too far away to offer you any dives or training, than anything else.

Hope this helps, but please do check with HQ.
Good luck
jens