BSAC

The inspectors observed branch lectures and pool training activities at Merseyside Branch 5 and an Instructor Foundation Course in Liverpool. The auditors then braved icy waters to watch an Open Water Instructor Course and Branch-run Ocean Diver and Dive Leader open water training at Eccleston Delph Dive Centre.

The Lead Auditor said that ‘the audit was very well prepared, extensive in its coverage and provided ample opportunities to see the implementation of the training of divers and instructors’. He added that ‘this is the first audit where there have been no items of concern’.

Alistair Reynolds, BSAC Technical Manager, said ‘The planning was done very quickly and I am pleased that the programme ran so well with such a wonderful outcome. Our thanks must go to the many members involved in making it such a success’.

The members and groups involved were,

• Geoff Carr for writing the self-declaration forms
• Steve Palmer, Chairman, and members of Merseyside Branch No 005,
• Peter Hall, ITS staff and candidates on the Liverpool IFC,
• Dennis Wigg, staff and candidates on the OWIC,
• Andy Bennett, DO, and members of Mid-Lancashire SAC Branch No 2405,
• Andrew Gay, DO, and members of Mansfield Branch No 735 and
• HQ Staff and members of the Diver resources Team.

BSAC Ocean Diver is now validated to the EN 14153-2 – ‘Autonomous Diver standard, the BSAC Dive Leader to EN 14153-3 – ‘Dive Leader’ and the BSAC Open Water Instructor to EN 14413-2 – ‘Instructor Level 2’.

The benefits to our members will be that the above diver and instructor qualifications will be recognised in all EU countries and when the EN becomes an ISO, in a few months time, that the qualifications will be recognised world-wide.