Details of the 2007 CSAC Christmas dinner have now become available.

The venue is the Thai Emerald in Cheltenham and we need to know who wants to go ASAP to provide final numbers for the table booking.

Also we aim to hold our traditional Christmas raffle, with all proceeds going to club funds. Any donations for prizes will be greatly appreciated.

Some CSAC members took a trip back in time to go diving in some authentic navy "Standard Dress".

Weighing in the region of 80kg for the kitted up diver to wear, the gear was all authentic originals ranging from a manual compressor (c.1910) providing the diver with air via an umbilical hose to a Siebe Gorman 6-bolt helmet (c.1940).

Of course, everyone had a really great time and would recommend it to anyone interesting in trying out something different. Have a look at the gallery for more photos of this unusual experience.

The equipment and instruction were provided by Sal of the Sal Diving Company in Mevagissey, Cornwall and included the services of a safety diver at all times.

Congratulations to Dan who qualified as an SAA Assistant Instructor at a course held locally by the SAA Western Region.

We look forward to Dan being able to put his new skills to good use helping to teach divers in both the classroom and pool training, before going on to be assessed as a full Club Instructor.

The recent flooding to Gloucestershire caused misery and damage for thousands of people and properties.

The Recreation Centre that we use for our pool training was badly flooded and damage caused will take several months to put right.

As a result, Cheltenham Sub Aqua Club pool sessions will be held at Brockworth Pool, Mill Lane, Brockworth each Wednesday from 9:15pm till 10:15pm.

Please turn up and make full use of the facilities, as this temporary measure is more expensive for us to run, but we know club members would not want to be without a pool for all this time.

Keep an eye out in case the arrangements change, but this will be our new location for Wednesday sessions until further notice.

 

We are pleased to welcome the recent arrival of baby James on 2nd May 2007.

Cheltenham Sub Aqua Club wish him well and hope parents Simon and Jo manage to get some sleep every now and then!

James can be seen here sporting a cute little CSAC bath cape kindly presented by the club. A keen diver in the making no doubt.

(CSAC branded clothing or merchandise is available (at a reasonable cost) for just about anything you might want - along with the standard items such as hats, sweatshirts and polo shirts.  Speak to a committee member for details.)

James met up with future dive buddy Gillespie (now 8 months old) at an open water training session down at Cromhall Quarry last weekend.

It seems that organising a shoreside creche might have to be added to a Dive Marshall's duties!

 

 

Last September the first aid protocols were changed for recusitation techniques.

All divers going through training would have been taught by the new protocols, but qualified divers should make sure that their skills are up-to-date.

This can be done at the weekly pool sessions or if you want to go into things in a lot more detail it is possible for CSAC to arrange an First Aid Course for the SAA Western Region (our SAA region) if we get enough interest.

This is a regional 2-day course and goes into resucitation and first aid in more detail with mock incidents as exercises to practice what you learn. Cost would be likely to be in the region of £50, but this depends on numbers, location etc.

Another possibility is for CSAC to arrange for one or two of the SAA regional instructors to come along on a pool night for a week or two to use the classroom session for resucitation and first aid with manikins. (We only have one manakin in the club, but the SAA Western Region has a couple which they can bring along which makes better use of everyone’s time.)

Resucitation and first aid is obviously important so please let any of the club's instructors or commitee know if any of this is of interest and we can make the necessary arrangements.

The supurb diving conditions of the Easter weekend made it a perfect first trip for Blue Hotel, which despite being in storage since November, proved to be reliable as ever.

We need to make the most of the mild spring weather and to get the best use out of the boat. If you're interested in going somewhere, and there is nothing currently in the calendar for that date, then make a suggestion and something will likely happen.

Club trips require an SAA Dive Supervisor to organise, but if you are not qualified to this level then buddy up with someone who is. (This is also the best way to learn about expedition planning too.)

 

The SAA Western Region is currently organising an Assistant Instructor course for the near future. It is likely to be held in Gloucester and cost around £50.

Any CSAC member who is interested (minimum diving qualification Club Diver) should contact Simon or Dave asap.

The club recognises the importance of developing new instructors and so full club members can have half of the course fee paid for by the club in the form of discounts from annual club subs. Ask club treasurer (Mark) for further details of this scheme

Hope you've all had a good Christmas and New Year.

Unfortunately for anyone looking forward to dip in the sea during the holidays, the weather was a bit disappointing so no trips with the club boat were organised.