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scott laddiman

21-03-2005, 10:22

Matt Duke

21-03-2005, 11:04

Can anyone tell me if there is an active BSAC branch in Norway?
I have been told that the rules and regulations in Norway do not allow teaching for free. I know the NDF (Noweigian Diving Federation) is the governing body, but the rules seem to be a bit vague.
Can anyone advise?

Scott.

It's not that they "Don't allow" it, more that there is no culture in place for it. EG all instructors have a "Commerical" S class certificate, and work to "Health & Saftey at work rules" (Can't use Nitrox, can't dive past 30M when teaching etc etc) We then have to agree a "Teaching contract" with our clun/school and NDF themselves. The commerical ticket is purly red tape (Show a CMAS *** card and apply) but we do have to take a commercial diving medical every 24 montsh with fitness (Running) test. This medical is actually quite agood idea, but expensive.

So I am sure it would be fine to teach BSAC in Norge, but the system seems alien to instructors who expect to get 80-100 quid per student and take holiday to make sure teh course is done over a short timescale.. Sorry if I didn't explain that right Scott.

Andrew Henning (BSAC wilkinson sword winner 2004) gave a presentation at last years NDF conference where he explained the BSAC system. He lives in Norway too, and perhaps has some idea of the prospect of setting up a BSAC club in norway? I'm not sure if CMAS would mind either. They got a bit upset with BSAC in Korea when some premier schools were setup some years back.

Since leaving BSAC and teaching with NDF I've not thought much more about it, so sorry if I don't have much useful info.

EDIT: Andrew tells me that he regularly runs BSAC courses (SDC's) for non members, so I guess it's fine! Every dive involving Nitrox you will need to inform the Norwegian version of the HSE.

Cheers

Matt Duke
Bergen, Norway
<a href="http://diving-in-norway.com" >http://diving-in-norway.com</a>

scott laddiman

22-03-2005, 07:37

Sorry Matt, my e mail skills are not the best. I knew you were ''allowed'' but after you explanied all the red tape, I was slightly confused..... Not hard after all the wine and whiskey you poured down my neck!

I would think the BSAC system would go down a treat here!
With diving being expensive, I would imagine the idea of Instructors teaching for basically free and courses just covering costs, would be a hit!

'''Every dive involving Nitrox you will need to inform the Norwegian version of the HSE.'''

Would that apply to BSAC Instructors teaching on the Jane R in May????

Matt Duke

22-03-2005, 10:34

'''Every dive involving Nitrox you will need to inform the Norwegian version of the HSE.'''

Would that apply to BSAC Instructors teaching on the Jane R in May????

I would think that visiting divers, teaching visitors would be exempt. I'm not sure if the skipper would want you asking all the authorities on this, and assuming you aren't teaching norwegians, I would probably not mention it.

I really have no clue on this. My experience of Norway is if you want to find red tape, just look. I'm sure we can come up with lots of great reasons for not doing it...

But if your insurance covers you, (Liability when teaching abroad) then I can't see the point telling the locals.

Matt