Communications Group

National Diving Committee Communications Group

REMIT
The Communications Group of the NDC has responsibility for ensuring a cohesive communication strategy is applied by all the NDC groups and for ensuring all parties with a vested interest have their views represented through:

Promotion and Communication of NDC projects
Monitoring and reporting on all NDC Developments and Communications
Represent the views and opinions of Branches and Centres to NDC
Suggest and comment on Diving, Instructional and Technical matters as they apply to Branches and BSAC Centres.
Working with the Coaching Scheme and Regional Coaches to ensure full consultation and support in these areas.
Maintaining a responsible and supportive role to the other NDC Groups and the NDO, through the roles of Technical Editor and Quality Assurance
Promoting the work of the NDC and the BSAC as a whole
Provide a Coodinating and development role for the BSAC Annual Diving Officer's Conference

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.

COMMUNICATIONS GROUP LEADER

The role of each group leader is twofold:
LEADERSHIP
To provide a direction and co-ordinated support for the Group and to ensure that all are working towards the defined Objectives of the Group, NDC and BSAC Council.
LINK
Serve as the link between the Group and other Groups through being an integral part of the NDC Steering Group.

MAGGIE DRISCOLL

My introduction to diving began in 1986, when I went along to an open evening at my local Leisure Centre - the equivalent of a 'try a dive' evening. Of course these days, by way of fun, we don't try and see how many people we can get on a 'squidgy' in the middle of the pool - I've been diving with the Harrow Sub-Aqua Club ever since, although somewhere along the line we exchanged the 'squidgy' for a RHIB and Hardboats. Joining the branch was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Branch diving at its best - varied and fantastic UK diving - with the odd trip abroad thrown in. Like so many branches, we have dived (with vis and without vis) everything from delights of Swanage pier to the wrecks of Scapa, the joys of Cornwall, the Hebrides, the Farnes, and all along the South Coast and Wales - one of the benefits of not being a Coastal Branch, we have to travel to go under water. I've been lucky enough to dive with some Coastal Branches as well and benefit from their knowledge of the local sites. Lots of fun along the way and making some of the closest friends I have - a second family really.

I have held every Branch committee role (except Equipment Officer) and I became an Advanced Instructor in 1995, achieved First Class in 2001 (long overdue) and a National Instructor in 2005. I teach on the ITS and have worked as a Area Coach in the London and Southern Regions. I dive open circuit, single or twin and with a Drager (but not all at once) - depends what diving we are doing really - and there's always thecamera!

Times of course have changed and diving is much more accessible now. Branch diving however, is still my passion and I firmly believe that it is the best and safest way to go diving, whether in Branch or Inter-Branch…. And as leader of the Communications Group my role with the help of my team, is to promote, communicate and encourage all aspects of BSAC Diving and Training and the activities of the other NDC Groups in its continuing development. 'Going Diving' that is….

Email - commsg.leader@bsac.com

BRANCH MEMBERS REPRESENTATIVE

To represent the views and opinions of BSAC Branches to NDC and to suggest and comment on Diving, Instructional and Technical matters as they apply to Branches.

Act as a contact point for all BSAC Branches throughout the world
Act as focal point for all aspects of BSAC Branches
Represent the views and opinions of BSAC Branches to NDC
Co-ordinate a team of specialist advisors in specific areas
Report and liaise with NDC/HQ on all aspects
Build and maintain links with other agencies dealing with Branch issues
Identify ongoing and future issues and bring to attention of NDC/HQ
Review Guidance notes and publications

ALLEN MURREY

I learnt to dive with the now defunct Diver Training School in Exmouth, Devon in 1993 and on finding there was no way to continue my diving with them as they didn’t have a dive club, I contacted BSAC and was put in touch with Totnes SAC, and I’ve been a member ever since. I am currently Treasurer of Totnes and have also held the post of Chairman, Diving Officer, Secretary, Equipment Officer and Non-executive Officer. I was heavily involved in the preparation of Totnes’ successful Heinke application in 2006 and also addressed the whole issue of risk assessments and branch diving when it came to the fore about 3 years ago, preparing a suite of generic risk assessments for the branch.I am a BSAC Advanced Diver and Open Water Instructor, a TDI Advanced Trimix Diver and also have an HSE Scuba commercial diving qualification, although I've never used this in earnest. I currently manage to fit in about 120 dives a year, both at home and abroad. I am interested in all types of diving and am a member of both the Nautical Archaeological Society and the Marine Conservation Society. I also help organise the annual shipwreck conference in Plymouth and am co-ordinator this year for the annual Kernow Dive Festival to be held in Penzance in July 2007 (in 2006 we had 143 divers from 10 branches diving over the course of the weekend). I also helped to organise the 2007 BSAC AGM in Plymouth. As Branch Members Representative on NDC, I see myself involved in a two-way process, both providing feedback on the impact of BSAC policies and initiatives and raising matters of concern to members to NDC, and also trying to ensure that the branches, and equally importantly those members of BSAC Direct who do not have the traditional branch “umbrella”, are aware of changes, new guidance, etc. However, I will only be able to do this with the help of and input from BSAC members.

Email - branchrep@bsac.com

COACHING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Develop an integrated approach for all coaching teams and to improve and structure ITS support across the regions.

To act as a focal point for BSAC Coaches worldwide.
Represent the views and opinions of BSAC Coaches to NDC
To work towards the continuing development of Regional Coaches and the Coaching Scheme

IAN ELLISON

I suppose my first introduction to the underwater world happened in 1962 when as a three year old, I fell into the boating lake on the sea front in Douglas, Isle of Man. I wasn’t frightened by the experience and became fascinated by what happened underwater. Over the next few years I seemed to fall into every rock pool, pond, lake and river I could find, and in between drying my clothes, my parents sent me to lots of swimming classes!

Scuba diving then was seen as something that only happened in far off exotic locations, a very long way from Wigan, but I was determined that one day I would be a diver.

Many years later I saw an advert for a try-a-dive in the local paper, I went to the pool and was amazed to find that scuba diving not only took place in the UK, but it actually happened in Wigan! My first open water dive was in 1988 in a nearby flooded quarry that was definitely not a far off exotic location!

Learning to dive with the BSAC has given me access to the underwater world that has fascinated me since I was a boy, and I’ve always been eager to share that access with others. In the 20 years since I first joined the BSAC I’ve almost always been involved with branch committees, I’ve been secretary, chairman, diving officer (twice), training officer and from quite early on I’ve been involved in instructing at branch level. I became an Assistant Instructor in 1990, Open Water Instructor in 1996, Advanced Instructor in 1997, First Class Diver in 2000 and will get around to try for National Instructor eventually. I’ve also been an Instructor Trainer and an active member of the Instructor Training Scheme (ITS) since 1998.

I first became involved with the North West Coaching Team in 1996 and became an Area Coach in 1997 and N.W. Regional Coach from 2000 to 2003. The role of the coaching team and the help they can give to the branches has always been very important to me and is something that I am very passionate about. As a member of the N.D.C. I am committed to supporting the coaching teams and to help improve and develop their role and position within the B.S.A.C.

Wreck diving is my great passion and the vast majority of my 1200+ dives have been taken all around the UK. My particular favourite places being; Scapa Flow, the North East, and of course the Isle of Man, even though they have filled that boating lake in now!

Other than diving and being with my family, my interests include horse riding, reading, drinking red wine and extending my house, but not all at the same time!

Email - coachdev@bsac.com

COACHING TEAM REPRESENTATIVE

To represent the views and opinions of BSAC Coaches to NDC and to suggest and comment on Diving, Instructional and Technical matters as they apply to the coaching teams.

To act as a focal point for BSAC Coaches worldwide.
Represent the views and opinions of BSAC Coaches to NDC
To work towards the continuing development of Regional Coaches and the Coaching Scheme

PAUL BEAL

I learnt to dive in 1998 at University of East Anglia (UEA). Diving was the next in a long line of watersports to get involved in at that stage of my life; I was already a sailing and windsurfing instructor, a keen kayaker and swimmer. Somehow, diving captured my imagination more than the others. This was in part due to the BSAC and the club ethos. Already being competent to take a boat to sea I was quickly used within the club to cox the boat for more experienced members of the branch. As my diving abilities grew I was able to take part in dives that a normal club sports diver would rarely be able to do because I was useful. On graduating from UEA in 2000 I moved to Leeds to do my PhD. Here I got involved with Leeds University SAC and was co-opted onto the committee within 5 weeks of arriving. In addition, during this year I did my Dive Leader (so as I could teach the Club/Sports divers the following week) and my Club Instructor.

After a year getting 18-year old students drunk as club social secretary (being a lot more responsible on trips of course) I took over as Diving Officer. From this platform my diving and instructing experience and qualifications burgeoned and despite nearly a year of illness with Glandular Fever I got my OWI in Oct 2001 and then AI in June 2004. Stepping aside as DO I realised my passion within diving was development. This is an interest that still spans both my professional life and my leisure time. With this in mind I invented the role of Development Officer within LUUSAC and for 2 years ran as many SDCs as possible; often spending 3 evenings per week in a classroom with club members.

After completing my AI in June 2004 I was advised by HQ that Yorkshire was short of Instructor Trainers and that my application to do the ITDC had been accepted. On bonfire night 2005 I embarked on my next challenge, becoming an Instructor Trainer. The first task was finding the seedy hotel in Blackpool ready for the course the next day but this gave me valuable experience in finding ITS venues. Predictably, I enjoyed every minute of becoming an IT and was qualified within 12 months (this was before the updated training scheme!). My highlights were managing to work effectively after a night listening to Dennis Wigg snore, nearly having to share a double bed with Eugene and working with some of the best trainers the BSAC has. I enjoy a steep learning curve and this process was certainly that.

In July 2005 I took on the new role of Development Manager on the Yorkshire Regional Coaching Team. During my time in this role I made a huge amount of contacts and implemented a solid strategy for diver and instructor development in Yorkshire. The natural next step for me was regional coach and after a year of deputising for Hilary Child at variety of meetings and events I took the reins over in April 2007. My position as Coaching Team Representative on NDC will complement my Regional Coach role very well as I am now well versed in the issues facing branches and coaches and have many ideas about how coaching should be represented and supported by NDC and council. I want my tenure in this post to achieve full representation of the coaching teams on NDC and to ensure there is a two way flow of information between NDC and the coaches.

Email - coachrep@bsac.com

BSAC CENTRES REPRESENTATIVE

To represent the views and opinions of BSAC Coaches to NDC and suggest and comment on Diving, Instructional and Technical matters as they apply to BSAC Centres

Act as a contact point for all BSAC Centres throughout the world
Act as focal point for all aspects of BSAC Centres
Represent the views and opinions of BSAC Centres to NDC
Co-ordinate a team of specialist advisors in specific areas
Report and liaise with NDC/HQ on all aspects
Build and maintain links with other agencies dealing with Schools issues
Identify ongoing and future issues and bring to attention of NDC/HQ
Review Guidance notes and publications

NIGEL JARVIS

I originally trained in the Sciences, but found that particular world was not one for me. I then moved into the Arts and Entertainment industry and eventually spent 16 years at the Barbican Arts Centre in the City of London. My last position there (for 8 years) was as the Operations and Facilities Manager. I left there in 1990.

In 1984 I discovered my passion for diving, through the Clidive BSAC branch. Whilst with Clidive I became the Equipment Officer and later the DO. I later held similar positions at Newquay branch. I attended a two week Gozo event in 1988 and left there as the proud recipient of an Advanced Instructor certificate. Red Sea to work for a season at a Diving Centre. I stayed until 2003! I built up a diving company, Easy Divers, with two Schools in Hurghada and a franchised outlet in El Gouna. I have now exchanged half my share in Easy Divers, for a share in Oxygene, a Swedish franchise dive business with over fifteen centres and shops (and growing!). I travel to the franchisee centres for about four months of the year, and spend about three months at my own centres. Generally I appear to have some skills in event management and dealing with the public. I certainly enjoy these activities. I am a qualified trainer in Customer Care and Health and Safety. I am very interested in how BSAC can relate to the professional centres and I see it as a huge culture change after all these years of dealing with the branches. I think there is still a long way to go before there is a truly cohesive relationship between the branches, the centres and HQ. I am, in my heart, a true believer in the BSAC’s system of training and I feel that its integrity must be maintained, whilst developing it into appropriate commercial products. I believe that my experience can help to catalyse a more productive branch/centre relationship.

Email - centresrep@bsac.com

JOINT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE

To represent the views and opinions of the Joint Services to NDC and suggest and comment on Diving, Instructional and Technical matters as they apply to military Branches.

Act as a contact point for Military Branches
Represent the views and opinions of Military Branches to NDC
Co-ordinate a team of specialist advisors in specific areas
Report and liaise with NDC/HQ on all aspects
Identify ongoing and future issues and bring to attention of NDC/HQ
Review and advise on Joint Services Diving Regulations and other relevant publications

STEVE COX

A diver since 1979 Steve is a BSAC Advanced Instructor and Advanced Diver and has a range of other teaching qualifications including Dolphin SCCRB. A recent convert to the Inspiration Vision, Steve is trying to find time to get the unit into the water. He runs the Joint Service Sub Aqua Diving Centre at Fort Bovisand, a BSAC Centre of Excellence, and is responsible for the training of some 500 students a year on courses ranging from Ocean Diver to Advanced Instructor. He is also responsible for the training, qualification and supervision of the military Sub Aqua Diving Supervisor (SADS) scheme. His main areas of interest are supporting the large Service diving community and ensuring that developments within the BSAC are fully utilised across that community. Steve does some 200 dives a year of which some are for pleasure!

Email - jointrep@bsac.com

LINKS
Joint Services Website

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

To own, implement and develop the BSAC NDC communication strategy and to act as a contact point for rolling out information to Membership

Document & review existing Communications Methods
The development, delivery and monitoring of a cohesive communication strategy
dentify ongoing and future issues and bring to attention of NDC/HQ
Monitor and manage all NDC communications
Define feedback mechanism for CG representatives to other NDC groups
Liaise with HQ & understand communications issues and update NDC strategy accordingly
Develop a communications plan that will promote each member of the NDC and the work that they do
Undertake other communications projects on behalf of NDC as they arise
Co-ordinate a team of specialist advisors where appropriate

SOPHIE DYHOUSE

I had a warm introduction into scuba diving in 1994 when I did a try dive on holiday.

When I got home I decided to do a dive course and join a club. After a very short stint

in a semi-dry I bought a drysuit and became an enthusiastic diver in the UK . I spent 5 years in Wales diving with a university club taking trips to Anglesey, Pembroke,

Swanage and Cornwall . I also became more involved with the instructing side of diving

and sat on the branch committee for 4 years, which gave me a real insight into the

work involved in running a branch. I moved back to the Midlands and became an Advanced Instructor in 2003. I teach on the ITS, as well as working on the West Midlands Coaching Team as an Area Coach and Advanced Diver Co-ordinator.

I currently work as an Account Manager at an Advertising Agency so have experience in the communications industry. As Communications Officer my role, with the rest of the communications team, will involve reviewing existing methods of communication and improving upon them to ensure that BSAC members, potential BSAC members, NDC, HQ, associated bodies and the general public are aware of the strengths of BSAC and the work done by BSAC in all areas of diving and the water environment.

Email - commsofficer@bsac.com

TECHNICAL EDITOR

To support the NDC in the development cycle of projects through to completion and Desktop Publishing

Collate, Review & Document the development cycle of NDC courses/projects to delivery final DTP material
Simplify & clarify requirements in front end process (e.g. slides, instructor notes, pictures etc)
Identify support team to provide support to NDC Projects
Arrange DTP Training Workshop for support team
Work with and support other Group Technical Editors as required

HOWARD BARNES

I am an active diver, diving all year round and as frequently as possible – normally several times a week. One of the advantages of living on Guernsey is that we have a wide variety of fantastic sites on our doorstep and can usually find shelter from inclement weather. Equally happy underwater, whether it be on a pleasant shallow reef or a deep wreck dive.

I am currently Diving Officer of the Blue Dolphin Sub-Aqua Club and the Channel Islands Area Coach, prior to this I was the Diving Officer for the Isle of Man Sub-Aqua Club and Area Coach for the Isle of Man. My initial training was through the Isle of Man Sub-Aqua Club and York University , having joined BSAC in 1991. I am a National Instructor, First Class Diver, Open Circuit Trimix Diver, Advanced Closed Circuit Trimix Diver and regularly teach or boss courses on the Instructor Training Scheme.

Email - commstecheditor@bsac.com

DOC CO-ORDINATOR

Act as a Co-ordinator for the BSAC Annual Diving Officers' Conference

Support NDO and Steering Group in the organisation of the Annual DOC
Research details of speakers suggested by other NDC members
Identify potential speakers and areas of interest for consideration by other NDC members
Prepare a list of possible topics, contacts and availability
Identify and advise on most appropriate method of invitation (personal from NDO/by letter/email/phone etc)
Draft outline programme
Prepare delegate feedback questionnaire
Collate feedback from questionnaires and advise NDC Steering group on feedback and make suggestions/ recommendations for the future
Develop and maintain a Guidance document for Conference Organisation
Attend some regional and international diving conferences to identify current topics of interest and quality speakers
Keep abreast of diving developments using the diving literature (e.g. DIVE, DIVER) to identify areas of interest and potential speakers
Monitor financial budgeting

MICHELLE HAYWOOD

Qualifications

My first dive was in the Maldives where I saw sharks, rays and turtles all on a 20min bimble on the house reef. I came back to the UK determined to learn to dive, but I’ve never had a dive like it since! I originally trained up to PADI Adv Open Water, but I didn’t believe my instructor’s comment that I was qualified to dive anywhere and decided I needed to learn a bit more first. I joined Ealing SAC in West London in 2000 and by the end of that year I was on the Branch Committee as the Secretary. A frantic period of grant writing, recruitment and fund raising followed, as well as getting me as far as AD and OWI. In 2004 I went to the AI combined event in Tenerife (a life changing experience) and joined the ITS shortly after. I spent some time as an Area Coach and the SDCO for London region before I moved to the Isle of Man in 2006 and joined Castle Rushen Divers.

I now co-own a BSAC Centre of Excellence and Technical Centre on the Isle of Man. I dive as often as I can, from first sea dives for Ocean Divers to my own diving on a rebreather. I am the Area Coach for the Isle of Man and organised the first Isle of Man Diving Conference in February 2007. I teach on the ITS and regularly run SDCs and Diver Training for branches on the Island. I have played a role in developing Clubmark within BSAC and I am a mentor for one of the pilot branches.

Email - doc@bsac.com

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Page last modified: 21st Feb 2008 - 09:50:00