DOC Report 2006
"Looking to the Future"
REPORT
Institute of Education,
University of London
20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL
The BSAC Diving Officers' Conference 2006 was held on Saturday, 2nd December at London University, Institute of Education, Bedford Way, London.
The morning session was chaired by Maggie Cowing, NDC member
Chairman, Marcus Allen, opened the conference and welcomed delegates.
Club NDO, Clare Peddie, gave her Annual Report to the conference, reviewing progress made during the year and giving the opportunity for each of the Group Leaders within NDC to present the work done by their groups and plans for the forthcoming year. Of particular interest was the confirmation by Sean Gribben of the introduction of Basic Nitrox diving into Ocean Diver and Sports Diver training as part of the updated DTP 2007.
The NDO reminded members that she would be stepping down from her post this year at the end of her 3-year period and all prospective candidates for this vital post should consider applying soon.
The first Divemaster Lecture of the conference was given by Dr Gerard Laden, from the Hull Decompression Chamber who condidered the needs of divers who wanted to go "Deeper for Longer, More Often".
He reported on recent research which demonstrated that Asceptic Bone Necrosis, which had previously been considered the result of a long history of exposure to high ambient pressures, could in fact result from a single exposure. He also explained the importance of protection of all parts of the body from exposure to cold water to avoid the potentially harmful results of NFCI (Non-freezing cold injury).
The BSAC Awards for 2006 were then presented.
The Collins & Chambers OWI Award was announced by Phil Clifton, Instructor Training Group Leader, to John Wakeling. It is presented to the most meritorious candidate on an OWIC
The Analox AI Award was announced by Phil Clifton, Instructor Training Group Leader, to Matthew Kwan. It is presented to the most meritorious candidate on an Advanced Instructor Examination (AIE)
The NDO then presented the First Class Diver Awards to:
The morning session was chaired by Maggie Cowing, NDC member
Chairman, Marcus Allen, opened the conference and welcomed delegates.
Club NDO, Clare Peddie, gave her Annual Report to the conference, reviewing progress made during the year and giving the opportunity for each of the Group Leaders within NDC to present the work done by their groups and plans for the forthcoming year. Of particular interest was the confirmation by Sean Gribben of the introduction of Basic Nitrox diving into Ocean Diver and Sports Diver training as part of the updated DTP 2007.The NDO reminded members that she would be stepping down from her post this year at the end of her 3-year period and all prospective candidates for this vital post should consider applying soon.
The first Divemaster Lecture of the conference was given by Dr Gerard Laden, from the Hull Decompression Chamber who condidered the needs of divers who wanted to go "Deeper for Longer, More Often". He reported on recent research which demonstrated that Asceptic Bone Necrosis, which had previously been considered the result of a long history of exposure to high ambient pressures, could in fact result from a single exposure. He also explained the importance of protection of all parts of the body from exposure to cold water to avoid the potentially harmful results of NFCI (Non-freezing cold injury).
The BSAC Awards for 2006 were then presented.
The Collins & Chambers OWI Award was announced by Phil Clifton, Instructor Training Group Leader, to John Wakeling. It is presented to the most meritorious candidate on an OWIC
The Analox AI Award was announced by Phil Clifton, Instructor Training Group Leader, to Matthew Kwan. It is presented to the most meritorious candidate on an Advanced Instructor Examination (AIE)
The NDO then presented the First Class Diver Awards to:
Ginger Ayres (also received the Kowalski Torch Award for best performance), Andy Bennett, Gary Asson, Roxanna Jackson, Richard Trevithick, Gareth Leyshon, Peter Baldwin, Craig Billingham, Dave Sydenham, Mark Callaghan, Peter Noakes, Steve Game.And National Instructor to:
Andrea Dickens, Wynne Evans, Richard Handy, Andy Hunt, Sue Mitchell.
Further BSAC Awards were then presented - Clare Peddie, NDO announced the winner of the Wilkinson Sword Award. This is an engraved sword mounted on a wooden stand, awarded to the candidate who is judged to have had the most meritorious performance in a BSAC nationally assessed examination. This year the award went to Richard Handy for his performance in the National Instructor Exam. The Expedition of the Year Award was presented by Andy Hunt.
The Aqualung Jacques Cousteau Award was presented by Clare Peddie to Jeff Reed.The Going Diving session covered a wide variety of expeditions, including:
- The BEGS Wrecks exedition to the Isle of Man by Steve Cowley and Adrian Corkill
- The Big REDS Bash in Anglesey - Steve Pearson described the organisation behind this expedition which brought together divers and boats from many branches for the biggest ever BSAC expedition.
- The BEGS expedition to Skye - Pete Church reported on his role as mentor to LUEC branch during this expedition.
- The Jurassic Shark expedition to Cocos Island - Andy Reid showed us a jaw-dropping account of his expedition's role in tagging hammerhead sharks for future observation on this distant island site.
BSAC Chairman Marcus Allen took this opportunity to remind members of the tasks being managed by Council and the plan to have a few members retiring each year, allowing for the introduction of new blood on a regular basis. This year there is the opportunity for members to stand for National Diving Officer, Honorary Secretary and up to 4 places as Council Member.
Brian Cumming, BSAC Incident Advisor, presented his analysis of the incidents for the year. The total number of incidents had fallen in 2006. The Report concluded that:
- Reported incidents are down, suggesting a levelling off at about 400 reported incidents per year.
- The number of fatalities is a little below the norm for previous years.
- Continuous skills practice, rigorous buddy checks and diving within one's current ability are the critical keys to safe diving.
- Incidents associated with abnormal ascents continue to rise and attention must be given to training in this area and the continuous practice of ascent skills.
He then presented the BSAC Safety Award to:
Richard BatesThe afternoon session, chaired by John Kermode, continued on the Conference theme of "Looking to the Future".
The results of the BSAC Travel Club Photographic Award were announced by Tony Baskeyfield. The winning photos from the 12 monthly competitions are judged by the panel with the Annual Competition Awards being awarded in 2 categories - Open and Newcomers.
The Open Award was presented to Eric Orchin for his shot of a hammerhead shark taken at West Palm. The Photographer of the Year wins a framed certificate from the British Sub-Aqua Club and a fantastic holiday for two people to the spice islands of Grenada and Carriacou, valued at £2,500. The prize also includes economy airfare between UK and Grenada.The Newcomers Award went to Ralph Warwicker for his shot of a Hiwi Hiwi taken on the Poor Knights in New Zealand. The Newcomer of the Year wins a framed certificate from the British Sub-Aqua Club and a voucher for £300 to spend on photographic equipment of their choice at Cameras Underwater.
Richard Harrington of the Marine Conservation Society presented their "Marine Reserves Now" Campaign, outlining the continuing need to establish new reserves at selected locations around our coastline.This year's winners of the Heinke Trophy are, as previously announced, Totnes Branch
This long-standing award for the branch which does most to further the interests of all branch members and the BSAC was, once again, presented by George Brookes.
Marking the advances made possible by technical diving, Nick Jewson told us of the search for and exploration of RMS Egypt, which lies at a depth of 130m in the treacherous waters of the Bay of Biscay.
The 2nd Dive Master Lecture was by Gavin Anthony and considered "The Future of Recreational Diving". Gavin is one of the UK's leading diving scientists with a long association with the technical development of diving systems and equipment. He reviewed all the areas in which we might expect future development, together with likelihood of any benefits which might result for recreational diving. His main conclusion was that most development is resulting in the increasing complication of the process of going divng while what we really need is simpler and safer diving.Marcus Allen, Chairman, and Clare Peddie, NDO, presented BSAC "Thank You" Awards to:
Anne Clarke, Robin Middleton, Keith Lawrence, Eugene Farrell, Sandra Castro, Jim Donvaband, Richard Trevithick.
The Open Forum, as usual, mainly clarified points introduced by speakers and offered valuable feedback to NDC.
NDO Clare Peddie closed the conference at 17.30.
The contents of the individual speakers' presentations will be made available here as soon as they received.
Page last modified: 22nd Dec 2006 - 10:41:01