Snorkel Dive Marshal

[sally mutton]

There have been changes in the position of the SDM course please leave feedback on any concerns you may have regarding these changes.

Thanks

Sally

[nick stevens asi400]

I recently saw the changes sneakily added in the snorkel news under changes.

I dont believe that this is the right thing to do. I believe that the SDM should be there, but that it should either be done as a SDC as I run it in my club, or leave it as it is.

I can understand the point put forward about why the position has changed, but I feel it would be very restricting to the clubs. In my club for example, we do not have the money or the equipment to run a course, what with the boat handling section etc. I know that the parents certainly cant afford the money or the time to send their child away to do it. I feel that this in turn would then slow progression on to the next award, now adavnced.

With regard to the organisation of snorkelling trips, there needs to be only one SDM who should remain at waters edge (ie a non snorkeller). I know that I would rather have the knowledge, experience and skill of an advanced snorkeller in the water with me while I was instructing, than having that person prevented from gaining those skills cos he/she can't get past the dive marshall section.

I think that this needs a lot more discussion before it gets changed. After all, what about the QRBs that are already in print. What loss in money will there be for reprints etc...

Was anyone consulted before these changes came into effect?

What does everyone think?

[Bob Healey]

I fully agree with Nick, whoever suggested these changes have not had the experience of snorkelling with youngsters, I don't fancy having an 8 year old as a Dive Marshall, but I also don't agree with stopping an 8 year old from being an Advanced Ocean Snorkeller if they are up to it. Lets leve it as it is or introduce Assistant Dive Marshall for Assistant Instructors to enable them to gain experience for when they are older.

[nick stevens asi400]

Glad to see I'm not the only one.

Anyone else got similar or different thoughts?

[Graham Griffiths]

Hi

Haven't seen the changes - however from what Nick says it does seem to be a concern - where canwe find details of the proposals?

Graham

[Bob Healey]

Hi Graham,

It is in the recent copy of Snorkelling News, Page 7, under Changes. That certainly crept up on us.

Happy snorkelling

Bob Healey

[Alexa Justice]

i agree SDM should be left where it is because the kids arent up to organising trips so you will restrict them from learning.

[Sandy]

I think that the idea of making SDM come before advanced is ridiculious. This could cause some huge problems with some of the Clubs who have some quite young kids the problem is that in some cases they would reach the appropiate level to start the SDM yet not be ready in terms of age and maturity to be ready to run dives and to plan trips away. I think the current way it is is perfectly fine.

[Bob Healey]

Hi Everyone

Just to give you something to think about, and following on from Nick's comments on the Forum, Do dive marshall's have to be snorkellers. Might it not be a good idea to encourage parents to do this course. All the Instructors and more advanced snorkellers are required in the water. It would also be a safety factor when they take their children on holiday,
they would know what to look out for instead of just lying on the beach and trusting to luck that everything is okay.

Do they have to be members of BSAC, or could it be open?

Just some thoughts, I know some of my parents are used as shore cover and enjoy it, wouldn't this be a natural progression and take some of the work away from the Instructors. If they were to plan any dives they could be ratified and checked by the Diving office like any other branch dive.

Just a thought, at least the Instructors and more experienced divers can be where they are needed and want to be, in the water.

Cheers

Bob Healey
North West Regional Snorkel Advisor.

[Graham Griffiths]

Have I understood this correctly ?- are BSAC saying that someone can organise and run a snorkelling trip as a Snorkel Dive Marshall before they themsleves are an advanced snorkeller?

If so it doesn't make any sense at any age - but as regards kids I'm with Nick on this.

Can someone at BSAC please explain the rationale for this?

Bob - I think the idea of having a qualification for Parents to assist is a good idea - but I'm not sure that it should be the Snorkel Dive Marshall - we use Parents as Beach Marshalls/Shore Cover along with instructors - we have provided them with a degree of training and familarisation- perhaps a "Beach Marshall" qualifaction could be an idea

regards

Graham

[Steve Williams]

I agree with most comments made, either leave it alone or at least change it for the better. The current proposal in my opinion is ridiculas and gives me the impression that the people who decided have no or little experiance in snorkelling with children. The very idea of a child marshalling a dive gives me the chills but why should they be prevented or hampered from becoming advanced snorkeller's if they are capable.

[nick stevens asi400]

So far everyone seems to dislike this idea, but has anyone from BSAC read these and are they going to listen?

I have just received the new upcoming events list and it now clearly shows snorkel dive marshall before advanced. Surely this should not have been done before the matter was settled.

We should have been consulted before the changes.

Once again it is a clear case of Divers trying to run Snorkellers!!!

If we tried to do it for them they'd say we werent qualified, so why should they be able to do it for us!?

Nick Stevens ASI400
Surrey Area Snorkelling Advisor

[Bob Healey]

I have spoken to Alistair and the decisision to place Snorkel Dive Marshall before Advanced Snorkel Diver has been reversed. Details will be published in the next edition of Snorkelling News and we are reverting to the old system.

A successful result for the use of the Forum and for all those actively engaged in instructing kids to snorkel.

[nick stevens asi400]

Hooray!!!!!

Glad to see that we instructors and their opinions are valued.

Its nice to see what we can achieve if we make our feelings known.

Well done to everyone who submitted entries, thanks for the support

Keep up the good work.

Nick ASI 400
Area Snorkelling Advisor Surrey