Bicester Divers

As the new Snorkelling Instructor for 2010 I would just like to say that I am really looking forward to hopefully taking on a few new members through snorkelling and parents joining as dive or social members.

On the weekend of the 13 and 14 February I carried out a snorkelling instructor course at Radley Sports Centre in Abingdon.

Over the first part of the weekend we learnt to become a Snorkel Diver which involved learning the basic skills through theory and practical work which included fitting equipment, finning techniques, snorkel use, mask clearing, entries and exits into the pool and surface dives.

That evening I had to prepare a practical lecture on surface dives for 10 minutes (thank you to Colin for the loan of the slate!)

Dive Rite, manufactures of technical scuba equipment have issued a voluntary recall on select Over Pressurization Valva springs. The springs may be found on Dive Rite Travel, Venture, Rec, Trek, Classic, Nomad and Super wings manufactured between June 2006 and October 2008. It does not affect EXP or 360-branded wings. It also does not affect lift bags, surface marker tubes or other Dive Rite inflatable devices.

above: The spring on the left is in good condition. The other two need to be replaced

Full details of the recall can be found on the Dive Rite website: http://www.diverite.com/products/service/opvspringrecall/

Further information can be obtained through your vending dealer or Sea & Sea Limited on 01803 663012 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it http://www.sea-sea.com/news/important-recall-dive-rite-over-pressure-valves-opv.php

Continuing our programme of events, March saw the review of hand signals and some embarrassed faces when Lorna pitted some experienced divers against some newer divers in a 'Give Us a Clue' charades style game in which team members had to mime signals and their teams name the message.

The season of activity nights continues on Monday 9th Feb. with a discussion by Tim on the SeaSearch project. As many of you know, Tim is a keen underwater photographer and spends a lot of time studying the wildlife most of us pass by on our dives. The SeaSearch project is a great cause and by participating you may not only assist the organisers and researcher but may also spend more time observing the wonderful underwater world.