After a lot of up's and downs (both on the boat and Chesil Beach) due to the weather, we now have 7 new Advanced Open Water Divers.

so a BIG well done to:

Liz Jupp
Julian Lambert
Danielle Zandondi
Tom Perkins
Andy Mclean
Katy Parker
Max Hawkins

Well done to you all on achieving this, especially on one of the more challenging of UK diving weekend's. Photos to follow in couple of days.

:first::first:

My course report relating to last week's course run at Underwater Explorers by the head of TDI UK, Stephen Phillips, who travelled here for 2 days specifically for this.

I have passed up to TDI Open Circuit Advanced Trimix Instructor Level and SDI Instructor with a dozen or so specialities, that is handy to have in the pocket :-)

Those of you there will know it was not a ride. First and foremost I had justifiable reasons to believe the approach from the instructor trainer's side would be to do anything to fail me and I was not far from wrong. But is there not so much pleasure in passing something (anything) when you know you really deserve it? :-)))

Anyway, its a copy of the report on Yorkshire Divers at:
Instructor Update (TDI Renewal)

Instructor Update (TDI Renewal)




I recently completed an instructor re-evaluation and update programme with TDI UK after a break from technical instructing exceeding the naturally 'renewable' two years.

This course is now cited as a pre-requisite for lapsed instructors (after 2 or more years inactivity) who want to return to 'active' status -- and it appears to be implemented without exceptions, regardless of an instructor's past or present experience, activities or other agency qualifications.

The first part of the update, as is so common these days, was to do an online familiarisation programme encompassing both TDI and SDI issues (from standards to procedures, the whats and whatnots of both agencies). In the lack of any other experience to compare it to, I actually thought it was more sophisticated and professionally presented than that of... say... one I did some months back when renewing my recreational instructor status.

Where the TDI update programme seems to take a positive twist is that it cannot be completed merely through online tests and exams or sending a fee in to receive a renewed ‘active’ certification.

The second... final... and most crucial part of the 'course' appears to be a 2-day face-to-face experience with an agency IT encompassing surface sessions as well as underwater demonstrations and assessments.

Having always had my share of past problems (yes, I do hogarth and I do use standard gases, left slung stages etc) with IT's of different inclinations and formed opinions, seeing TDI UK's Stephen Phillips fly in from Ireland for this specific occasion kind of... errr... worried me at the start ;-)

The first morning of our course was at Portland’s Aqua Hotel which is now under new ownership and focused mainly on skill performances and expectations from students and instructors alike, HSE issues, risk management, what changes had occurred over the past two years and how certain standards were to be implemented both in class and in-water.

With that out of the way, watching Stephen don into a single tank wing, Cinch system and continuous loop harness with brand spanking new regs heinously rigged by Yours Truly in Hogarthian fashion... darn... what a disappointment…. he just slipped into them as though he’d been born to it.

The afternoon of Day 1 was then spent on the inwater part of the class and a dive (thanks to Smudge and Scimitar Diving) where all skills were presented and assessed to demonstration level, where I actually used a RH bungee loop [blush] to stage on either side if need be just to show I could m ore than comfortably do it (as childish as doing valve drills in the past with opposite hands!) and proving one can teach and dive to the level one is being qualified to.

It still feels like I demonstrated the whole of the skills without a mask on :-)))

I’d heard rumours in the grapevine of Steve being ‘tough’ and so on (okay, some did say he was scary too ;-) … but in all honesty… I can say he came across as an Instructor Trainer who was exceptionally thorough, very demanding and expecting a high level of performance - or somewhat unforgiving. He is… errr… definitely the “take no-nonsense” kind of person bent on making sure anyone out there with his agency's hat on will deserve it.

Skills complete, a pint of Guiness and some grub leading to the night’s rest, Day 2 was then based on a full update on all standards inclusive of those of SDI, how to run courses, what skills are permissible and what not, how much flexibility an instructor has in skill circuits, assessment, certification and failure procedures. My opportunity to get back at Torpedo Steve with an aerial bombardment of questions… dozens… or hundreds perhaps… of how best to do things and lots a lots a explanations on why we do what we do on our side.

In all… the two day stretch added to the familiarization and personal training and in-water presentation development over many other dives felt longer than the months I’ve waited for Judgement Day itself but observing the changes in the technical instructing community was refreshing in every way.

It seems there is now a very strong consensus out there in the technical instructing community that with the way the technical and mixed gas diving spree is spreading, all standards and expectations just had to be raised to the level where it all started -- the slogan we all started with -- that certification is earned, not purchased.

In a way I had already realised this from those I'd known at my own cut-off point from instructing some time at the end of 2007. Individuals irrelevant of their agencies (you know who you are both in TDI and IANTD !) were the very hope I needed to give me back a driving force to want to do more with my diving again and be able to give back what I got from others in the past.

I almost feel like I am in a new world now where I don’t seem to have to defend myself to ‘those above’ about my stage mountings and markings, using the deco gases I know that work, choosing standard gases, abiding by respectable PPO2 limits, even the hogarthian looping, and breakable connections etc. etc. etc. while respecting the configuration and diving choice of others.

Special thanks go to Stephen Phillips being himself and not inching back for a second even when I most possibly bordered on his patience (as Izzy does). Would definitely recommend the programme for any instructors who have lapsed for 2 years or more of thinking of getting back in.

Well… that’s my most recent ‘course’ report and feedback… though I am doing more in the future -))

Kind regards
Izzy

Looking for a buddy next weekend anyone intrested in doing these let me know:

M2 + 2nd site Saturday 11th September 12:15

or

Landrail + 2nd site Sunday 12th Septemebr 12:45

Cheers
Alex

Izzy re-qualified as a TDI technical instructor yesterday!
Fantastic news, the training team at UE has got even stronger - Well done Izzy.:cheer2:

Hey guys,

I'm of to Cyprus, where some crazy fool has employed me as a PADI instuctor! I leave on Tuesday (i have to pass a 2 week trial, so i will prob be back in two weeks)!

I have met some fab people in my few years here, and will be sad to leave you all! If anyone is in Cyprus please give me a shout, it will be nice to see some familiar faces (that and i get commission on any dive bookings :) ).

I will be having leaving drinks on sunday evening in the breaky if any one is in town!!

Thanks to everyone for some fab times (and thanks to Ross for putting up with me on all my courses ha ha ha). please keep in touch guys!!

Sheren xxxx

Pick up a copy of Sports diver this month and see your Club on a 2 page article


:D:D:D:D:D:D:tea::tea::tea:

Hello all,

We have started to put together dives and possible diving trips for the winter season and next year, but wanted to run it by other club members to get feedback from you.

We may not be able to do all of them but will look into everyone's ideas.

We are already looking at the possibility of an MD return trip to Lundy for a couple of days of diving. Also a Spring holiday is booked for the Red Sea on Tornado's new Liveaboard diving the Brothers And the best wrecks (March 2011).

As well as starting regular pool practice and fun sessions over the winter, we are looking into organising a couple of day trips to inland diving locations.

So if there is a wreck or location you would like to see the club visit over the winter or next year please let us know either here or during your visit to the centre where you can give your feedback to myself, Nina or Izzy. Kind regards

:D:D

anyone diving next weekend (28-29 aug)? banks, M2 or cannonball run for e.g?

Hi All,

Rich Walker and Chris Grosart are giving a joint presentation on exploration of World War II shipwrecks and the world of caves on 2nd of September at Boscombe Down Recreational Club, Amesbury.

In case you have not seen the leaflets in UE have a look at the attached pdf.

This is guaranteed to be an exciting and stunning evening.

Attached Images

rich.chris.jpg (58.3 KB)

Attached Files

CG-Talk-Flyer.pdf (259.8 KB)

I have up graded my video lights and have 2 x 10w HID light cannons for sale, both in good condition. they have hand grips, as well as rechargeable battery

£290.00 new will take £150.00 each

Pm me

Hi All

due to the weather and a change of boat times we had to cancel the BBQ, so here is a new date and idea for a get together,

On September 18th - 19 th we are running a rescue course and would like to invite all our club members to take part,

if you all ready have a rescue certification, when was the last time u practiced a lift, or gave first aid to an injured diver, could you put together the O2 kit when needed. if not why not come along and refresh them skills.

If you don't have any Rescue experience, why not sign up on the course:

Challenging and rewarding best describes the PADI Rescue Diver course. This course will expand your knowledge and experience level. Rescue Divers learn to look beyond themselves and consider the safety and well being of other divers. Although this course is challenging, it is a rewarding way to build your confidence.

Rescue Diver training will prepare you to prevent problems and, if necessary, manage dive emergencies. Many divers say this is the best course they’ve ever taken. You’ll cover:

* Self-rescue and diver stress
* Emergency management and equipment
* Panicked diver response
* In-water rescue breathing protocols
* Egress (exits)
* Dive accident scenarios

as well as this we will be having shore dives of Chisel beach for those that don't want to take part, and after a day of fun diving and rescuing we will light up the BBQ..

if you are interested in either the rescue course, refresher, or just want to come to the diving or BBQ please let us know ASAP