Information and Guidelines for New Members
This is a copy of a handout that is available to members.
Introduction
Eastleigh BSAC is a branch of the British Sub Aqua Club, one of the foremost Sub Aqua organisations in the world and the governing body of the sport in the UK. Our primary reason for existence is to go diving and to encourage others to join us in the sport of diving.

The purpose of this document is to provide Eastleigh BSAC specific information including our current guidelines to new club members. We are a BSAC branch and therefore follow BSAC Guidelines and Safe Diving Practices some of which we feel need highlighting.

It should be noted by prospective new members that this is a club of like minded people.  It is not a dive school, and no one gets paid. 

The Committee
Position
Responsibilities
Member
Chairman Spokesperson for the branch. Presides over meetings Paul H
Secretary Club internal and external communication, membership administration and meeting minutes Spencer M
Treasurer Management of club finances Louise F
Diving Officer Club diving activities Karen B
Membership Deals with membership issues. Dave C
Boat Officer Maintenance and issue of club boats Tom W
Equipment Officer Maintenance and issue of club training equipment Nigel W
Training Officer Organising club training Mark B
Social Secretary Organising club social events Derek H
Marketing Promotes the club Dawn T
Website Updates the club website Pete S
Members Without Portfolio Attend Committee Meetings and provide support and advice to the committee

Andy H

Bob D

Organising Club Diving

Any sufficiently experienced and qualified member can organise a club dive. Anyone planning a club dive must get the approval from the Diving Officer. The dive trips Dive Marshal must be approved by the Diving Officer who’s decision will be based on the chosen dive site and the experience of the people taking part as well as the experience and qualifications of the club member.

When planning dive trips it is important to give notice to other club members as early as possible via the notice board and/or announcements on club night.

The dive marshal must attempt to offset cost incurred based on planned number of divers. For example taking deposits prior to a dive trip. It is important that all members pay for a days diving as soon as possible, preferably at the end of the day in order to reimburse those members that have born the days expenses. In some cases this may necessitate making an estimate of the dive fee and making up the difference at a later date.

The Diving Log Sheet

The dive marshal records the details of the days diving on the diving log sheet. It is also used to record the expenses and how they are shared among the divers. The current guidelines on calculating dive fees are on the back of the form. But it is the basic principle of club diving that the costs, both financial and in terms of effort, of towing, fuelling and launching the boats as well as the parking the boats and trailers are to be shared by all participators.

The completed dive log sheet with the club fee portion of the dive money should be handed to the club Treasurer who will record the income and pass a copy of the dive log sheet to the Diving Officer for club records. If the dive trip does not include the use of the club boats and therefore no club income then the dive log sheet should be passed directly to the Diving Officer.

Use of club equipment

There are two equipment officers responsible for club equipment one responsible for the club boats and one responsible for pool and open water training equipment. Use of club equipment can be arranged by contacting the appropriate equipment officer.  Club pool and open water training equipment can sometimes be used by members if not needed by new trainees.

Use of equipment will be granted to appropriately qualified and experienced club members. In particular to be granted use of a club boat a member should have a recognised boat handling qualification or considered by committee members to have appropriate boat handling experience.

At the end of a club boat dive trip a boat equipment maintenance list should be completed and passed to the Boat Equipment Officer with the boat box. Blank boat equipment maintenance lists are stored in the boat box. Its is important to bring to the attention of the appropriate Equipment Officer any fault or maintenance issue as soon as possible, preferably with a suggested solution.

Towing Club Boats

The club own two 5.6m Eagle Osprey RIBs. If planning to tow a club boat please note that each boat weighs appoximately 870kg while empty and excluding trailer, they weigh around 1100 kg with the trailer. The trailers have an axle capacity of 1300kg. A 2.0l family car is sufficient to tow a boat. Trailer hitch locks must be fitted whenever the trailers are left unattended.

Diving with Trainees

Trainee BSAC Club Divers can be escorted by BSAC Dive Leaders and above. Only qualified instructors can conduct training dives. Club divers can dive together as a buddy pair only with the permission of the Diving Officer.