Aquaventure Scuba Club, Bristol. "sinking to new levels of professionalism"

"BlowingBubbles"

February 2006

(to previous news )

A new dive year slowly awakens so here is the newsletter to start the year.

The club membership remains healthy with nearly 100 people having joined Aquaventure since inception in 1999 however new members are welcome so if you know any divers looking for a friendly club tell them about Aquaventure

One of the founder members Dave Ashbolt has retired as club treasurer to concentrate on other interests, we owe him considerable thanks for his efforts over the years and wish him well for the future.

As I will be temporarily taking on the club finances I will be pushing on with the rationalisation of the membership so everyone joins at the same time. As soon as the accounts arrive I will let you know what is happening. We will also be introducing the family membership package this year to provide better value for money for parents and kids who join together.

We welcome Tony Powell to the committee as membership secretary. Tony will be chasing renewals and dealing with new members as soon as the membership is consolidated.

In terms of trips for the coming year a few members have stepped to the front to arrange some local trips, please support them if you can. Additionally a few members are embarking on their Divemaster training. This is the first step on the professional ladder and as part of it they will be tasked with arranging and managing a number of trips. Check out the club trips section for further details. The yearly trip to Gozo looks like being the best for a long time with many new dives and social events. Neill Philip is taking a group to Sharm in January and the Maldives trip in 2007 is coming together so the year looks like being a good one. Feel free to join in as many events as you wish.

Don't forget that your kit should be serviced each year for regs, BCD and dry suit inflate/deflate mechanism. Now is a good time to send your kit away before the season starts proper.HSE regulations now state that if you dive as part of a dive team 'at work' i.e. with an instructor teaching (or indeed if you are being taught any course) you will need to certify that your kit has been maintained in accordance with manufacturers recommendations. Some manufacturers state that regs should be serviced every 100 dives or 6 months, you need to know what the requirements are for your specific kit. Additionally the HSE have conducted some very salutary tests on alternate air sources. In short this bit of your kit is only needed when it is really needed, don't skimp on a cheap AAS and it should be matched to the first stage for ultimate performance.

On the subject of HSE regulations make sure that if you go boat diving or are under any form of instruction there is oxygen and first aid equipment supplied, it is a requirement now. Oxygen administration is a vital skill to be qualified in as the primary treatment for many serious dive injuries that occur. If you are a member and not yet qualified email your interest through the 'contact us' button and a special members only course will be organised over a single day in the near future at cost price.

We also say goodbye to Andy Allen who, after 30 years service as a police officer, is retiring and moving to....Gozo! Yes he is taking up a position on the Gozo Aqua Sports dive team for 2006. Good luck Andy and see you in June!

Check out the for sale section for lots of second hand kit for sale. In addition there is a pre-dive show section of special deals for club members. If you have any kit that you want to sell email details through and we will advertise them for you.

As always it is your club, if there is anything you would like the club to arrange then let us know.

That's it for now.

Bruce Ballagher, Club Chair.