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Ian (JAG)

12-11-2005, 00:39

Hi there,

I'm not currently a BSAC Member but after umming and arring for a while, started to seriously think about it. I was hoping you good people could answer a couple of questions for me please.

1. Are there any clubs in or around the Thurrock area of Essex that I could approach?
2. I'm currently PADI AOW, TDI Adv Nitrox and Deco Procedures. Where would the crossover be?

Many thanks,

Ian

Tristan Green

12-11-2005, 02:00

Hi Ian,

I'm not familiar with the area - but take a look here:

http://www.bsac.org/branches/eastern.htm

The first branch listed in the section for Essex (scroll down the page a bit) is "Thurrock Aqualung" - so there's at least one right on your doorstep.

Cheers,
Tristan

Keith Lawrence

12-11-2005, 10:16

I'm not currently a BSAC Member but after umming and arring for a while, started to seriously think about it. I was hoping you good people could answer a couple of questions for me please.

1. Are there any clubs in or around the Thurrock area of Essex that I could approach?
2. I'm currently PADI AOW, TDI Adv Nitrox and Deco Procedures. Where would the crossover be?

Hi Ian

Tristan has already given you a link to our main branches list, find somebody near you (many branches have their own web site as well), pay them a visit and have a natter about it - chances are you'll find some other PADI divers already in the club who can give you the low down :) On paper you would cross over as an Ocean Diver, which is basically a PADI OW, your technical qualifications don't "count" for basic diver grade cross over. But bear with me on this one, I'll explain...

The reason you wouldn't cross over as a Sports Diver (which you very nearly are!) is the lack of rescue training, all of our Sports Divers are trained in basic diver rescue techniques. You haven't had that training, if you had done the PADI Rescue course then no question about it - we'd call you a Sports Diver.

OK, here's what you do about it. Go and have a chat with some local branches, try a few by all means as they are all different, find one that you like and that suits you. As I've said you are actually a Sports Diver already apart from that tiny bit missing with rescue skills. That can very easily be sorted out by our branch instructors, talk to them and the branch training officer, sort out some branch training that will fill in those missing bits.

So although you would initially cross over as a Ocean Diver you should be able to fill in the missing rescue training and be a Sports Diver in a very short space of time. Carefull with these training officer types though - as soon as you've done that they'll probably want you to join in with the Dive Leader (similar to DiveMaster) training as well :rolleyes:

Hope that helps Ian, feel free to ask anything you like and welcome to our forums.

Cheers

Keith L

MattS

12-11-2005, 10:22

Hi Ian

1. Try the the branch locator link posted earlier. Remember it is worthwhile checking out a few branches to find the one that suits you best. BSAC is like an association. It's not a franchise operation and that can confuse people expecting all branches to be similar.

2. You should check with HQ as the SALT interpretations can be a little dynamic.

As I understand things currently, your AOW status would cross you over to BSAC Ocean Diver for training purposes. The branch Diving Officer is (apparently) allowed to authorise diving to the limits of your TDI Advanced Nitrox and Deco Procedures.

What you should consider is that BSAC training includes rescue skills from day one. The idea is that both divers in a buddy pair will know how to rescue the other should the need arise. It is no surprise then that many BSAC trained divers may decline to dive with a buddy that has not received rescue training. Personally I would not be too happy taking on a 30 to 40m dive with someone that has never performed a Controlled Buoyant Lift for instance.

My own branch takes a fairly pragmatic view. We checkout all new members on a gentle dive. Providing there is no cause for concern, they hold a suitable qualification, they can show recent experience in the range they wish to dive and a buddy is willing to dive with them, we are not going to try and stop it.

Finally if you do decide to join remember that club membership is all about participation. The more you put into a club the more you get out. It's really is that simple.

Ian (JAG)

12-11-2005, 12:57

Thank you very much for your replies guys, really is appreciated.

I see that there are at least four clubs within close distance of where I live, I will compose an email as way of introduction to each of them and take it from there.

Once again, thanks for you help, I'll keep you posted as to how I get on!

Cheers,

Ian

Adrian Kelland

12-11-2005, 13:34

Thank you very much for your replies guys, really is appreciated.

There is a price for this help you know Ian. Salvos come to mind :D

Adrian

Ian (JAG)

12-11-2005, 13:40

There is a price for this help you know Ian. Salvos come to mind :D

Adrian
LOL!! I'm quite willing to let anyone ooh and ahhh over it.. I'll even loan it out for a dive if it helps! (But I'd have to be right next to them!)

Ian (JAG)

12-11-2005, 13:44

Tony Dwyer

12-11-2005, 14:39

Ian

How close are you to Basildon (branch 0356), why not come and say hello on a Friday evening at Gloucester Park pool.

Our website is at http:\\www.basildonsubaqua.com.

We have one recent joiner who is also on a SALT and is entering Sports Diver training.

regards

Tony

John Williams

13-11-2005, 08:34

Ok, looks like I would enter as an Ocean Diver, requiring training to reach Sports Diver. Is there an average amount of time that this would take or is each club different? I'm in the process of drawing up a list of questions that I want to ask the branches in the area, but if I could have a guideline for this particular one that would be very helpful.

Many thanks,

Ian

Each branch is different - and they'll have individual ideas about how long it will take, and how to integrate you into their branch.

These are all good questions ... and willhelp you to decide which one of your local branches to join.

Having said that - there is a branch who has come on here and invited you to visit them...I find that this is always a good sign!

BTW - Welcome to the BSAC!

HTH

John

Ian (JAG)

13-11-2005, 13:06

Cheers for the advice guys.

Tony has kindly given me his mobile number, when I can confirm I can get down on a Friday evening, hopefully this week I will give him a ring to arrange to visit.

Thanks,

Ian

Janos

13-11-2005, 22:39

And you know that we're at Waterloo... I don't know where your trains go into.

It's a bit of an anomaly that someone like you will cross over as an Ocean diver. But I think this is because there isn't a 1-to-1 mapping between the grades, and although you've done plenty of stuff that's above Sports Diver level there's also stuff that's part of Sports Diver that's missing.

That said, if you find a good club then I'm sure you'll skip through the grades quick enough.

Janos

Tony F

14-11-2005, 14:47

Ian (JAG)

14-11-2005, 15:57

Hi Ian

Basildon is posibly the closest to Purfleet but I belong to Havering Scuba Divers (www.hsd1223.co.uk - Sunday evenings at Hornchurch pool) and there are also branches at Brentwood and Harold Hill.

HTH
Hi Tony,

The link doesn't appear to be working? Hornchurch Pool - is that the one just off the crossroads next to the cricket ground?

Cheers,

Ian

Andy Wade

14-11-2005, 17:47

Hi Tony,

The link doesn't appear to be working? Hornchurch Pool - is that the one just off the crossroads next to the cricket ground?

Cheers,

Ian

That's 'cos it's a .org.uk rather than a .co.uk address:eek:

Here's the correct link:
Havering Scuba Divers (http://www.hsd1223.org.uk/):cool:

Ian (JAG)

14-11-2005, 19:07

That's 'cos it's a .org.uk rather than a .co.uk address:eek:

Here's the correct link:
Havering Scuba Divers (http://www.hsd1223.org.uk/):cool:
Ahh, that's better.

I think I might be free on Sunday evening, would it be ok to pop along then for a chat?

Cheers,

Ian

Tony F

15-11-2005, 11:29

Ahh, that's better.

I think I might be free on Sunday evening, would it be ok to pop along then for a chat?

Cheers,

Ian

D'oh - sorry guys I shouldn't have typed that from my failling memory.

Ian - I'm sure that would be fine, I think some of us are doing rescue reviews this Sunday and the DO (Mark Smoothy) and TO (Tim Aherne) should be there, there's somebody around from about 7.30pm although we don't have the pool until 8pm.

And yes it's the pool behind the cricket ground, don't pay to go in though just tell the ladies on the reception desk you're with the scuba club.

Ian (JAG)

16-11-2005, 22:20

D'oh - sorry guys I shouldn't have typed that from my failling memory.

Ian - I'm sure that would be fine, I think some of us are doing rescue reviews this Sunday and the DO (Mark Smoothy) and TO (Tim Aherne) should be there, there's somebody around from about 7.30pm although we don't have the pool until 8pm.

And yes it's the pool behind the cricket ground, don't pay to go in though just tell the ladies on the reception desk you're with the scuba club.
Looks like I should be ok for Sunday Tony. I'll come along at 8pm and introduce myself. Look forward to seeing you then.

All the best,

Ian

mark willoughby

17-11-2005, 09:06

visit a few clubs...not all clubs suit all divers....find one you think you will get along with...

Tony F

17-11-2005, 12:25

Looks like I should be ok for Sunday Tony. I'll come along at 8pm and introduce myself. Look forward to seeing you then.

All the best,

Ian

I'll keep an eye out for you :)

Ian (JAG)

17-11-2005, 13:34

I'll keep an eye out for you :)
Why do I feel nervous?

Tony F

17-11-2005, 14:08

Why do I feel nervous?

Beats me....... you're the ex sailor ;)

Ian (JAG)

17-11-2005, 14:21

Beats me....... you're the ex sailor ;)
LOL! Nice one.

derek Perry

18-11-2005, 12:05

Ian
This might be heresy to some branches but as DO I would suggest another option is to go and do the PADI rescue diver and you then transfer over as a Sports diver. Have a look at all your options and choose the best to suit you

Good luck

Derek

Ok, looks like I would enter as an Ocean Diver, requiring training to reach Sports Diver. Is there an average amount of time that this would take or is each club different? I'm in the process of drawing up a list of questions that I want to ask the branches in the area, but if I could have a guideline for this particular one that would be very helpful.

Many thanks,

Ian

derek Perry

18-11-2005, 12:07