Technical Group
National Diving Committee Technical Group
REMIT
Since the introduction of Nitrox into the World of Sport Diving in the early 1990s, the Sport of Diving has evolved radically and rapidly. The evolution of rebreathers and mixed gas diving has without question altered many divers' perception on the definition of sport diving.
The Technical Team has been given the remit by the NDO of reviewing current and future dive trends and to investigate the practical and safe integration of the more readily available technologies into the BSAC. Part of the role is to educate divers by demystifying 'technical diving' and to ensure the timely evolution of the BSAC Diver Training Program.
In order to address this scope of works, the BSAC is combining together all the technical elements under one mantle to enable a more pragmatic and cost effective approach to the management of 'technical diving' and its associated issues. In addition, to provide more granularity and clarity to the BSAC membership when addressing issues and concerns.
This is achieved through a network of designated representatives listed below under the respective areas of responsibility and additional support from a range of advisors with specialist knowledge.
REMIT
Since the introduction of Nitrox into the World of Sport Diving in the early 1990s, the Sport of Diving has evolved radically and rapidly. The evolution of rebreathers and mixed gas diving has without question altered many divers' perception on the definition of sport diving.
The Technical Team has been given the remit by the NDO of reviewing current and future dive trends and to investigate the practical and safe integration of the more readily available technologies into the BSAC. Part of the role is to educate divers by demystifying 'technical diving' and to ensure the timely evolution of the BSAC Diver Training Program.
In order to address this scope of works, the BSAC is combining together all the technical elements under one mantle to enable a more pragmatic and cost effective approach to the management of 'technical diving' and its associated issues. In addition, to provide more granularity and clarity to the BSAC membership when addressing issues and concerns.
This is achieved through a network of designated representatives listed below under the respective areas of responsibility and additional support from a range of advisors with specialist knowledge.
TECHNICAL GROUP LEADERNICK JEWSON
My overall aim is to demystify technical diving and incorporate the benefits into main stream diving where deemed appropriate. With the support of my team we aim to review the current courses and further the development of technical diving within the BSAC and at the same time contribute to the evolution of the Diver Training Program and related courses.
At DOC 2004 the NDC - Technical Group annouced the introduction of two BSAC rebreather courses:
At DOC 2004 the NDC - Technical Group annouced the introduction of two BSAC rebreather courses:
- The BSAC Drager Dolphin SCR Course
- The APD Inspiration CCR Course
In 2005 the team annouced:
- The enablement of up to 80 metre diving within the BSAC
- New quality control processes for the running and management of courses
In 2006 the team introduced:
- The Evolution and Inspiration Vision Rebreather Course
- The Classic Inspiration Rebreather Course.
At DOC 2006, the NDC - Technical Group annouced the introduction of the new portfolio of BSAC mixed gas diving courses.
The new open circuit courses include:
- The Sport Mixed Gas Diver course
- The Advanced Mixed Gas Diver course
The new rebreather courses include:
- The Sport Mixed Gas Rebreather Diver course
- The Advanced Mixed Gas Rebreather Diver course
The current complement of BSAC Nitrox courses and Extended Range Diver are under revision and planned to be launched in 2008.
Email - techg.leader@bsac.com
Email - techg.leader@bsac.com
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
The Technical Development Officer's key responsibity is Quality Assurance of day-to-day activities associated with the execution and running of BSAC Technical courses.
Prime activies include:
The Technical Development Officer's key responsibity is Quality Assurance of day-to-day activities associated with the execution and running of BSAC Technical courses.
Prime activies include:
- Managing technical course development focusing on student notes and updates
- Formulation of technical course direction and strategy
- Directly responsible for technical course quality assurance. Continually monitor and re-evaluate processes and refine accordingly.
- Developing policy for technical courses
- Recruiting and training of supporting staff
- Develop processes to ensure consistency of technical course performance
- Student status approval
- Planning and scheduling technical courses
- Auditing new and updated materials for consistency and intellectual property in line with technical course delivery
- Respond timely to technical queries and questions raised by technical divers
- Investigating student complaints and/or referrals
- Ensure that Health and Safety Executive implications are implemented in line with specific country legislation.
Additional activities include:
- Input to technical roadmap
- Organising support for dive shows
- Sheduling of BSAC technical equipment maintenance and distribution
- Coordinate BSAC website updates
The Technical Chief Instructor is charged with reviewing the whole of the technical diving quality assurance processes and up-dating accordingly to ensure that the BSAC is delivering technical courses to the highest standards.
PAUL HAYNESA leading rebreather instructor trainer with a vast experience of both military and sport applications.
Presently employed in the capacity as Defence Business Development Manager for Divex Ltd., the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of professional and military diving equipment. Other roles within the company include rebreather development and design, company Diving Officer and rebreather Chief Instructor Trainer. These wide ranging roles take Paul worldwide training naval and special operations forces on the range of diving equipment supplied by Divex.
Paul was a member of the technical diving team who, supported by the UK Royal Navy, in 2002 recovered the Ship's Bell from the battle ship HMS Prince of Wales that was sunk in the S China sea during WWII and is an active member of a NE Scotland technical diving team dedicated to the discovery of new wreck in the region.
LINKS
The Technical Chief Instructor actively links with the Regional Technical Coordinators. Also responsible to ensure the other groups are aware of any implications of the technical group's quality assurance process.
The Technical Chief Instructor actively links with the Regional Technical Coordinators. Also responsible to ensure the other groups are aware of any implications of the technical group's quality assurance process.
The Technical Chief Examiner is required to manage and deliver an annual programme of Instructional development including:
- BSAC Technical Instructor development programme for Branches, Regions and Centres
- Alternative agency crossover assessment programme
Key responsiblites include:
- Managing technical instructor development.
- Formulation of technical instruction direction and strategy.
- Directly responsible for technical instructor quality assurance. To continually monitor and re-evaluate processes and refine accordingly.
- Developing policy for technical instructors.
- Recruiting and training of supporting staff.
- Develop processes to ensure consistency of technical instructor performance.
- Instructor status approval.
- Planning and scheduling technical Instructor training.
- Auditing new and updated materials for consistency and intellectual property in line with technical instructor delivery.
- Respond timely to technical queries and questions raised by technical instructors.
- Investigating examination or assessment complaints and/or referrals.
- Ensure that Health and Safety Executive implications are implemented in line with specific country legislation.
Other activities include:
- Support the organisation and running of pilot courses.
- Answering membership queries and questions.
Sarah Gauci CarltonSarah Gauci Carlton is a BSAC National Instructor and mixed gas diver. She is an active ITS and branch instructor. Presently employed as Director of Diving by Ecoserv Ltd and the Institute for Environmental Studies, she is responsible for all aspects of scientific diving within the company. As a sideline, she also imports and services diving equipment for the technical diving market.
She was a member of the mixed gas teams that dived the wrecks of the Marin Sanudo in 2001 and the HMS Manchester in 2002 and is currently looking for new wrecks around Malta.
LINKS
The Technical Chief Examiner works very closely with the Technical Chief Instructor, Technical Consultants, advisors and Authors to ensure the delivery of quality products and training. The Technical Chief Examiner also monitors and contributes to the BSAC dive forums to constructively answer questions and resolve debates.
The Technical Chief Examiner works very closely with the Technical Chief Instructor, Technical Consultants, advisors and Authors to ensure the delivery of quality products and training. The Technical Chief Examiner also monitors and contributes to the BSAC dive forums to constructively answer questions and resolve debates.
TECHNICAL AUTHOR
Technical Author is responsible to independently review, layout & audit documents for consistency and comprehension in readiness for publication.
Key activities include:
Technical Author is responsible to independently review, layout & audit documents for consistency and comprehension in readiness for publication.
Key activities include:
- Ability to simplify and correct pre-written documents
- Technical authoring - including collation of materials from different sources
- Understanding of how to produce training materials
- Computer literate with packages such as, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Indesign
- Graphics Editing
- Desktop publishing
Other activities include:
- Feedback to authors on identified issues
- Able to use initiative to resolve simple issues
- Liaise with BSAC HQ
- Deliverables - finished materials ready for publication
TREVOR DAVIESTrevor Davies is a BSAC National Instructor and Inspiration Diver. Active ITS and Branch instructor, recently retired BSAC Chief Rescue Skills Examiner and long standing member of NDC. As joint author of the new Diver Training Program, Trevor co-developed the systematic approach for the generation of BSAC course materials.
LINKS
Key link is to Technical Group Leader. Links to all course contributers and manages publication queries.
Key link is to Technical Group Leader. Links to all course contributers and manages publication queries.
TECHNICAL CONSULTANT
Technical Consultants are recognised experts in specific fields to support technical queries, course developments and production of supplementary documents. Key activities include:
Technical Consultants are recognised experts in specific fields to support technical queries, course developments and production of supplementary documents. Key activities include:
- Providing technical expertise
- Provide final recommendations for technical decisions
- Analyse existing and proposed solutions
- Participate in change control
- Analyse legislation for technical impacts
- Monitor development activities
- Openly answer pertinent questions from technical group team members
- Support answers to membership
- Visionary - clear guidance on future trends
- Support road map development
- Technical course auditor
- Contributor to Safe Diving Practices
- Liaise with Agencies & Manufacturers
GAVIN ANTHONYGavin is the UK's leading technical diving consultant. Gavin is Principle Scientist for QinetiQ Ltd, formally called DERRA in Gosport. Gavin has 30 years of working in the field of diving development and has written and produced many scientific papers including co-authoring BS EN 14143.
Email - techcon@bsac.com
Technical Advisers The technical advisers have offered their continued support to promote safe technical diving, input to the development of materials and courses on behalf of the BSAC Technical group and include:
- Ian Hiscocks - Works for the Future Systems Technology Division of QinetiQ.
- Craig Billingham - Area Coach and Project Leader for the ERD Course review.
- Mark Mumford - Project Leader for the Advanced Nitrox Course review. Formerly Integration Officer for the inclusion of Nitrox into the DTP.
Page last modified: 19th Oct 2007 - 08:24:26