Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue BSAC celebrates the graduation of Nate Weiss from his BSAC Diveleader Crossover course converting him from his previous PADI Divemaster level to BSAC Diveleader so he can begin his BSAC Open Water Instructor Course. This course was conducted by BSAC Instructor Trainer James Thornton-Allan.

Elements including Oxygen administration and chart work were completed to bring Nate up to speed.

Nate completed his Extended Range diver course with us 1 1/2 years ago and returns for professional level training. This gave Nate the depth experience previously meaning he didn’t need to complete it during his crossover.

BSAC Diveleaders are certified to 50m and decompression training so many other certification need that level of training to bring them up to speed with the BSAC system of education and experience.

Do you want to crossover?

The following certifications qualify for crossover to BSAC.

NASDS Dive Supervisor
NAUI Dive Master
PADI Dive Master
SAA Dive Leader
SSAC Second Class Diver/ Master Diver
SSI Dive Control Specialist

The Instructor should conduct the following theory lessons and practical skills,
Theory code – DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6 and DT8
Practical code – DO1, DO4, and if required, the “Optional” Depth experience dives, 40, 45 and 50 metres

Outside of training and service duty, a common ritual within the armed forces if the trading of ‘dits’ over a ‘wet’ or two. That’s swapping of anecdotes over drinks to you and I, but with the kind of intrigue and bravado that separates the men from the boys.

Saturday afternoon, The Big Scuba Show, 19-20 February,  will be your chance to meet the Marines at The Big Scuba Show

If you fancy sharing a tale with the Royal Marine Commandos, come on down to the show and call in to stand 440.

DIVE is looking for three brave divers to take on the challenge. DIVE will pay for three diver’s entry fees for the challenge (£300 each) and Monty Halls will act as their personal mentor. The three fundraisers will in turn each need to raise £10,000 for Commando Spirit and The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

DIVE will encourage the diving community to support their fundraising efforts.

Entries for this competition closed on 8th January 2011. We are now in the process in judging the entries and selecting the 3 deemed brave enough to escape the dunker.

The Big Scuba Show has chosen its official charity for the next three years and is supporting the Commando Spirit Appeal on behalf of the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund. The Commando Spirit Series is staging a series of challenges over the next three years with the aim of raising £1million for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund, which helps Royal Marines who are wounded or injured and supports those returning from operations and their families. Sadly but importantly the RMCTF also provides grants to those whose loved ones die in service. Quite simply, the RMCTF will help when others cannot.

The Big Scuba Show intends to work closely with the team behind Commando Spirit and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund to ensure their valuable cause is recognized throughout the diving world.

This year Commando Spirit is offering fundraisers the chance to see if they have what it takes to react like a Royal Marine Commando. During training, Marines face the Dunker – a terrifyingly realistic simulation of a helicopter crash at sea, from which they must escape. Fundraisers will get to experience the Dunker for themselves and test their mettle against this ultimate challenge.

“I vividly recall my first experience in the Dunker – my racing heartbeat and clammy palms as the waters rose around me,” said ex-Marine Monty Halls. “Although 100 per cent safe, it is nonetheless a life-enhancing experience for those who take part. You’ll turn up trembling and swagger out beaming, ready to take on the world.’

“Those taking part will be pushed to their limit but will feel an immense sense of achievement – and they will also get a taste of what our Royal Marines go through on a daily basis, whether in training or on operations.” Maj Gen John Rose CB – Representative Colonel Commandant of the Royal Marines and Patron of the Commando Spirit Appeal

‘Show Your Courage For Those Who Risk Their All’

THE JUDGES

Brigadier Simon P Hill OBE is Chairman of the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund’s fundraising campaign board. Brigadier Hill served in the Royal Marines for 34 years and has therefore completed the Dunker training.  Brigadier Hill was Chief of Staff at Royal Marines Headquarters for two years, before being appointed Colonel Commandant and President of the Royal Marines Association in 2002.  Brigadier Hill is also a Trustee of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. He commanded the Comacchio Group RM at Arbroath for which he was awarded his OBE.

Sally-Anne Hunter:
Founder and director of Commando Spirit, Sally-Anne Hunter is a BSAC diver and a former Trustee of Coral Cay Conservation, holding diving close to her heart. A trained barrister and Fellow of the Institute of Fundraising and the Royal Geographical Society, her passion for all things challenging and charitable is evident throughout her career which has seen her direct events to raise funds for breast cancer charities through the Booby Birds and Breakthrough Women’s Challenge, for Operation Raleigh through The Power Challenge  and now for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund through The Commando Spirit Series, allowing people to test their mettle against some of the more formidable aspects of Royal Marines training.

Monty Halls:
TV presenter and former Royal Marine Monty Halls is a writer, explorer, television presenter and public speaker. A former Royal Marines officer who worked for Nelson Mandela on the peace process in South Africa, he left the services in 1996 to pursue a career in leading expeditions. Having achieved a First Class Honours degree in marine biology, over the next decade he circumnavigated the globe four times on various projects, leading multi-national teams in some of the most demanding environments on earth.

Mark Ormrod:
A former Royal Marine, lost both legs and an arm in an explosion while serving in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, 2007. Since then Mark has fought back from his injuries to launch a fundraising drive to help other soldiers, sailors and airmen whose lives are torn apart on the battlefield; to write a book, Man Down, about his experiences and to marry. Mark exhibits true Commando Spirit.

Graeme Gourlay:
Managing director of The Big Scuba Show. A former news editor of the Sunday Times, Graeme Gourlay developed a passion for scuba diving and set up his own publishing company in 1995. Circle Publishing now has a wide portfolio of titles including among others the UK’s market leading scuba diving magazine DIVE, the Royal Geographical Society’s Geographical magazine and R-Travel for the Responsible Travel awards. Graeme has recently launched The Big Scuba Show at which the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund is the official charity.

For more information on Commando Spirit and The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund please visit www.commandospirit.com or www.rmctf.org.uk
The Big Scuba Show and DIVE Magazine are inviting you to enter and prove you have The Commando Spirit. A specially selected judging panel from Commando Spirit, the Royal Marines, Dive Magazine and The Big Scuba Show will then choose the three lucky participants to be announced live at The Big Scuba Show, 19-20 February.DIVE is looking for three brave divers to take on the challenge. DIVE will pay for three diver’s entry fees for the challenge (£300 each) and Monty Halls will act as their personal mentor.

Big Blue Tech celebrates the graduation of Graeme Scott from his BSAC Technical Advanced Nitrox Course conducted over 5 days on Koh Tao Island off the coast of Thailand by BSAC Technical Instructor Ash Dunn

Graeme visited us last year to start his technical training but found us on the road, as a second choice he completed a introductory technical course with another company. Still eager to complete his BSAC training Graeme has returned for a month of training and diving with us here in the sunny tropics of Koh Tao.

Graeme will return to some diving today to master his backwards fining and practice some more skills while he awaits the start of his Sidemount and Advanced Wreck course in a few days.

Building on the foundation of Nitrox knowledge contained within Ocean Diver and Sports Diver training, the course develops this knowledge and in particular highlights the benefits that can be gained from using high oxygen mixtures to improve the efficiency of off gassing during decompression stops. This course takes your diving to a higher level.

Entry level is BSAC Sports Diver who has completed the 2007 syllabus (with nitrox content) and has been endorsed as a Nitrox Diver, plus 20 additional dives including depth experience to 30 metres.

Alternatively, applicants must hold an acceptable diving and nitrox qualification with another agency which equates to the above standards. All students must hold gold standard buoyancy from the Buoyancy and Trim BSAC workshop.

The Advanced Nitrox course has a mix of classroom-based and practical lessons, teaching you:

• Knowledge of safe diving using Nitrox and accelerated decompression techniques
• Use of gas mixes up to 80% oxygen
• New concepts and skills
• Dive planning

With all the chaos in Cairo  you might be looking for a new place for your club or group to go diving then Big Blue Diving in Koh Tao Thailand is inviting you to come here and join us with our new 7 day, 7 night diving package for certified and experienced divers.

We’re offering unlimited fun diving with all the trimmings in our resort. Big Blue Diving is a BSAC Center of Excellence, SSI Platinum Facility, PADI Dive Center, TDI 5 star IDC Center, SDI Center, BSAC Technical Center and award winning ecological center for green and eco initiatives.

Big Blue Diving have 3 large boats departing 3 times daily along with a lively bar, restaurant and hotel or bungalow accommodation to suite any style.

We’re located directly on the beach, that means there is no distance to walk to the water.

The promotion is as follows.

7 Days, 7 Nights Diving Package

- Unlimited Diving (pinnacles, wrecks, caves, coral)
- Unlimited Boat or Shore Diving
- 10% off all equipment purchases
- Free T-shirt and water bottle cooler
- Night Dives
- Full day Trip to Sail Rock
- All equipment Rental
- Airconditioned Hotel Accommodation, satellite TV, Fridge, Balcony with sea view, Hot Water
- Breakfast Daily
- Wifi
- Taxi service around the island
30,000 Baht
Save 3000 Baht with your own equipment (DIN or INT tanks available)
BSAC Members get free Nitrox!

14 Days, 14 Nights Diving Package

- Unlimited Diving (pinnacles, wrecks, caves, coral)
- Unlimited Boat or Shore Diving
- 10% off all equipment purchases
- Free T-shirt and water bottle cooler
- Night Dives
- Full day Trip to Sail Rock
- All equipment Rental
- Airconditioned Hotel Accommodation, satellite TV, Fridge, Balcony with sea view, Hot Water
- Breakfast Daily
- Wifi
- Taxi service around the island
55,000 Baht

Save 6000 Baht with your own equipment (DIN or INT tanks available)
BSAC Members get free Nitrox!

BSAC is launching a new marine environment initiative, Your Eyes Underwater, which aims to galvanise its 35,000 members to become ‘guardians of the sea’.

Working closely with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), Your Eyes Underwater is BSAC’s pledge to maximise on the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm of its members to help to protect our marine environment.

Through regular diving, BSAC members are in a privileged position to monitor and report changes to their favourite dive sites, coastlines and associated marine life. This information, coupled with the opportunity to get involved in wider campaigns, can enable divers to not only enjoy their sport but to also make a real difference to a sustainable future for our oceans.

2011 will now see a range of Your Eyes Underwater initiatives for BSAC divers to get involved in and to directly support MCS’s key campaigns, including its Marine Reserves and Your Seas, Your Voice initiative and Campaign for Clean Seas. Activity will culminate in a planned BSAC ‘Underwater Litter pick’ in September to coincide with MCS’s annual Beachwatch campaign.

More details on the Underwater Litterpick will be made available in the Spring.

BSAC Chair and marine biologist Clare Peddie welcomed the opportunity to place divers at the forefront of marine protection and conservation.

“Divers represent the eyes underwater for the rest of the world. As divers we have a duty to report what we see, promoting knowledge and appreciation of the marine environment and to explain the fragile nature and the beauty of the oceans to anyone who will listen.

“Your Eyes Underwater will provide our members with the mechanisms to pass on this information and to play a key role in the preservation of our beautiful underwater heritage for future generations.”

Your Eyes Underwater will be officially launched at The Big Scuba Show at Olympia on the 19th & 20th February, where visitors will be able to sign up to support the initiative via a special Pledge Wall.

More information on Your Eyes Underwater 2011, all the latest activities and news and how you and your branch can get involved will be released shortly.

Big Blue BSAC are in the process of releasing a BSAC wide SDC called marine Conservation to work closely with the UK efforts

Check out our new online gallery with pictures from the past years of diving at Big Blue!

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue BSAC has recently completed a BSAC Sports Diver Course for Ke Zhao and Kevan Cameron instructed by BSAC Technical Instructor Ash Dunn and assisted by Ian Jordan (for rescue skills). This course was conducted over 4 days on Koh Tao Island off the coast of Thailand in the Gulf.

The BSAC Sports Diver Course training builds a sound foundation of open water scuba diving skills and experience through structured, practical lessons. Qualified BSAC Sports Divers are ready to take part in dives with other BSAC Sports Divers or higher and the depth of your dives can be built progressively to a maximum of 35m (after qualifying). The BSAC Sports Divers can also embark on the first stage of the route of instruction.

The BSAC Sports Diver Course program is used to develop BSAC Ocean Divers (or equivalent) into BSAC Sports Divers. The BSAC Sport Diver Course consists of the following elements:

• Six classroom lessons – here you will cover a range of subjects including diver rescue, techniques for using shot lines, SMBs and a diving compass, and planning for deeper diving (including decompression diving)
• A theory assessment
• A dry practical lesson
• One Sheltered Water lesson
• One optional Refresher/Orientation dive
• Five Open Water lessons – here you will have experience of a range of 5 different conditions during a minimum in-water time of 150 mins since gaining the BSAC Ocean Diver qualification.

You will also understand, and practice, the role of an Assistant Dive Marshal by maintaining a dive log and understanding the relevance and importance of the information recorded for safe buddy pairing and adequate dive monitoring.

There are some pre-requisites for the BSAC Sports Diver Course:

• You need to be a BSAC Ocean Diver or equivalent with a cross-over
• Able to swim and comfortable in water
• You should also be in good overall general health to dive, particularly your respiratory and circulatory system. You will be asked to self-certify before starting a course or entering the water.

With Big Blue Tech you will have a safe, fun and high quality BSAC Sports Diver course experience. As part of this we apply the following safety practices:

• A Risk and Medical Statement is signed by the participant (in the case of under 18’s by the Parent or Guardian)
• Any participant under 18 years is supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
• You will be supervised by a BSAC Dive Professional that will be with you at all times throughout the days activity. All are in active teaching status, fully paid up members of BSAC and fully insured for your safety and peace of mind with DAN (Diver Alert Network).

The 2011 Thailand Travel and Dive Expo (TDEX) is set to take place between 26 – 29th May 2011 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

BSAC Thailand will be enhibiting on booth number P91-P92 along with BSAC Japan. If you’re interested in finding out more about BSAC Thailand or have any questions for the BSAC Thailand staff please come along and visit us.

Opening hours are from 11:00 am till 21:00 pm.

Special events at the show include a photo content and bouldering activity which should be a lot of fun. Plus there will be the usual opportunity to buy brand named scuba diving equipment at rock bottom prices, thanks to the major dive gear retailers exhibiting at the show.

We look forward to meeting you there!

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue BSAC celebrates the graduation of Colin Tompson from his BSAC Instructor course conducted over a period of 2 weeks on Koh Tao Island off the coast of Thailand by BSAC Advanced Instructor James Thornton-Allan and examined by BSAC National Instructor Les Skelton.

In addition to his training course and instructor exam Colin also had the benefit to assist on a BSAC Ocean Diver and BSAC Sports diver course before taking his TIE (Theory Instructor Examination) and PIE (Practical Instructor Examination) which he passed successfully.

Colin had previously been working for 2 years as a full time divemaster at Big Blue Diving and decided it was time to join the dark side and by becoming a certified scuba diving instructor.

Big Blue Diving is a BSAC School of excellence meaning it offers the top level of training up to the prestigious Advanced Instructor rating.
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Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue BSAC celebrates the graduation of Emma Millet and Jennifer Mathews from their BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) Instructor Course conducted over a week in the tropics of Thailand on Koh Tao Island. In accordance with standards the instructor course was conducted by BSAC National Instructor Les Skelton and Examined by BSAC Instructor Trainer James Thornton-Allan

The girls who are both from England joined the course for different reasons. Emma is a Lifeguard from Plymouth and already achieved her BSAC Assistant Instructor rating and joined the course to complete her open water instructor portion. Jen is the head of Big Blue Conservation and joined BSAC as her first instructor rating so she can start to develop the future of BSAC Ecological programs.

The first step in qualifying as a BSAC Diving Instructor, is to attend the two-day IFC, where the essential elements of instruction are taught. On completion of the course, students are awarded the BSAC Assistant Diving Instructor certificate, which allows them to teach under direct supervision of a BSAC Open Water Instructor. Following completion of the IFC members who are Dive Leaders can further build their teaching experience by attendance at an Open Water Instructor Course (OWIC). Members who have attained Dive Leader grade can complete the Theory Instructor Exam (TIE) at any stage after attendance on the IFC. Following OWIC attendance, and after further practice and experience at Branch level, those who have gained Dive Leader status can apply for the Practical Instructor Exam (PIE). Minimum grade to attend Sports Diver.

This one-day course, which combines both classroom and practical activities, is designed to develop the Assistant Instructor’s skills so they are better prepared to teach trainee Ocean and Sports Divers in open water. Following completion of this course, members will be recognized as an Assistant Open Water Instructor and be eligible to take the Practical Instructor Exam (PIE). Minimum entry requirements Dive Leader + IFC attendance.

The TIE is a half day duration. Performance in the presentation of a 10-minute classroom teaching lesson and theory knowledge (1 hour, 60 question paper) is assessed. Candidates will receive further instructions once their application has been accepted. Following successful completion of the TIE, students will be awarded the BSAC Theory Instructor certificate, which allows them to teach, unsupervised in the classroom.

Candidates will receive further instructions once their application has been accepted. Minimum entry requirements Dive Leader + IFC attendance.

The PIE is of half day duration. Performance in practical teaching in the Open Water is assessed by the presentation of a 45-minute practical lesson in the open water. Following successful completion of the PIE, if the student holds a pass in the Theory Knowledge examination paper, they will be awarded the BSAC Practical Instructor certificate that allows them to teach practical skills unsupervised.

Successful completion of all elements of the TIE & PIE will lead to the award of the BSAC Open Water Instructor grade.

Emma and Jen also received their BSAC Oxygen Provider instructor Rating after completing an additional day of training.

Well done girls, welcome to the club!