Many members will be aware that following the resignation of the previous NDO, Steve Wallis, I was co-opted by the Executive Committee to fill the role until nominations were received and any ballot conducted. The closing date for nominations was Friday 20 March 2009.
As no other qualified member submitted a nomination form, I did not either. This is because I believe strongly that the membership should have the opportunity to democratically elect the NDO rather than accept the only candidate who puts themselves forward.
The Exec has again co-opted me, and it is my intention to serve until November when the yearly nominations are sought – this is to give qualified members the opportunity to submit nominations. If, once again, none are received in November then I intend to submit mine. At least this way I am ensuring a further period for all qualified members to consider applying.

Junior Diver Policy

Since becoming NDO I have reviewed part of the Junior Diver Policy and got rid of the requirement for members diving with under 18s to hold the SAA Diver Rescue qualification and to be CRB checked. It is now a recommendation, not a requirement. The amended policy is on the web site.
The changes were made to allow the Clubs, and particularly Diving Officers, to make and record, sensible decisions based on local circumstances and personal knowledge. The change also recognises that SAA Clubs are independent. I see the SAA centrally as providing guidance and minimum training standards rather than making decisions on Club issues.
I shall shortly be looking at the ages and depths aspect of this policy in conjunction with National Instructors, Region Reps and other individuals. If any member has a view, please feel free to e-mail me.

Club Instructor Course

Danny Connolly (ex-NW Region Rep), and others, have been reviewing the Assistant Instructor course and trialling a new version. The old course was outdated and did not reflect current technology and thinking. The new course includes the SAA Toolbox as the standard for presentations, and has far more emphasis on pool teaching. I have discussed the alterations and content with Danny, and others, at great length. The outcome is that we have decided that once the “new” course is adopted nationally, SAA members who successfully complete the course as Dive Leaders will be awarded Club Instructor certificate. Those members who successfully complete the course as Club Divers will be awarded Assistant Instructor, and will be upgraded to Club Instructor, without further assessment, on submission of a National Course Application Form and payment of the required fee, once they achieve Dive Leader.
This course will be called the Club Instructor course.
Existing Assistant Instructors who successfully completed the “old”, un-amended, course will be required to complete the current in Club assessment of lecture and pool skills by an external Regional or Open Water Instructor appointed by the Region Rep.
I am now waiting for the final draft to be completed after the current trails. Once that has been received the course can be signed off by the Exec. and released for use nationally.
I thank Danny Connolly, Phil Seymour, Barry Mulcahy and Teresa Mulcahy for all their work.

Diver Rescue Course

Steve Orange, the National Diver Rescue coordinator, is putting the finishing touches to the new SAA Diver Rescue Course. This new course moves away from total reliance on controlled buoyant lifts to assess rescue skills, and tests a far wider range of more likely scenarios. The course is multi-part, Part 1 is the theory session, and Part 2 is a weekend testing self rescue, rescue of others, and accident management skills.
The course has already been trialled and proved a great success. Once the final tweaking is done the course will be signed off by the Exec., and released for use as the national, standard, SAA Diver Rescue course.
Steve has put a lot of work into this and I thank him, along with all the members who put time and effort into the trials.

Regional Courses

At the Open Forum following the AGM is was evident that there was some confusion concerning the role of Regional Instructors. It was also stated that Open Water Instructors were allegedly running Regional Courses. SAA policy clearly states that only Regional Instructors, or above, shall co-ordinate Regional Courses, and I reiterated the SAA’s adherence to that policy.
I have asked Head Office to double check all course registration forms to ensure that standards are being maintained.
I have also asked all National Coordinators to ensure that Regional courses are correctly registered before taking place. It is necessary to register courses to make sure that the correct Instructors are available and that the SAA standards are maintained at all times. It is one of the roles of the SAA to quality assure national and regional courses, and the requirement for registration is part of that process.
Regional Reps have the responsibility for putting on courses within the regions. However it does happen for various reasons that not all courses are available within each region. If members want specific courses that are not being catered for locally, they can submit course application forms for courses anywhere in the Country. If members consistently have difficulty in sourcing courses that are reasonably convenient and timely they should initially contact the Executive member via Head Office.
All this fits in with my desire for the SAA, centrally and regionally, to concentrate on our core roles of
 Supporting Independent Clubs,
 Providing minimum diver training standards to ensure national and international credibility,
 Providing specialised training for divers, and
 Training Instructors.

Steve Love, SAA NDO, 23 March 2009