The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) in SoCal

[Archangel]

My two cents. I started SSI, didnt get what I needed, so moved on to PADI, didnt get what I needed, so now I have found a home with DIR, been training with Mentors for about a year, and can hear the 'clown music' diminishing in the water.

Sounds like BSAC.

If I could change PADI, I would make their DM progam their entry level OW class that would stetch out for a year before the student became certified. . . .what a concept!

T

 

[Sam Miller III]

In the late 1960s, well into the 1970s Mr. Tom Ebro was the Senior Aquatics Specialist for LA County, his counter part in the BSAC was Mr.Leo Zanelli. They exchanged correspondence and ideas on a regular basis.

Under the BSAC banner Leo produced a number of training manuals and several books, one very fine one called the "Dictionary of diving."

Tom had the same aspirations; he had the LA County basic manual revised, the Instructor manual was created as a lose leaf document, but most importantly was a project to edit and publish for the diving public copies of all the LA County academic papers. The Instructor thesis, the cove surveys, the boat surveys, the shop surveys were all in the works to be published. However Tom was offered a Job he couldn't refuse and left the county program. Sadly the individuals who followed were less than excited about Toms many efforts.

In the UK Leo also found a better position and departed BSAC. As I recall Reg Valentine became the head of BSAC, and converted it into rather self serving organization for Reg.

Both LA County and BSAC shared a lot in the 1960-70s; they wanted to create great programs and produce world class well trained divers & instuctors, which they did.

La county still has the worlds best Underwater Instructor program. So many apply but so few are qualified in skills and knowledge that only a very are accepted into the program and even less graduate, but those that do are "Underwater Instructors"

sdm

 

[Archangel]

Sam a thoughtful thanks for the above.



That explains a LOT of the over-simplification process and the de-evolution to the 'weekend program' that we see today.

As I progress as a professional, I am going to start looking hard a UICC. We have people's lives in our hands and I think it unconsionable to take the uninitiated, whip 'em up and then warn them to dive no deeper than 60 fsw.

I have been given the gift of mentoring, and it has opened my eyes to less merit badges and more time practicing in the water column. Also, because it was a gift, I am honor bound to pay it forward.


Again, thanks to Sam for explaining the evolution.

For a newly certified diver reading this, I would be happy to mentor you in becoming a safer more confident diver.



If it is to be, it starts with me,


Tevis

 

[Sam Miller III]

Tevis,
La County is not a walk in the park. It is extremly difficult! Extremly difficult to be accepted, dificult to complete the program, but when you graduate from UICC you are like the US Marines one of the few, the proud, the LA county Instructor!

Prepare well for it, go for it, graduate from it, it is three months of hell but worth every second spent in the program.

sdm

 

[Archangel]

Tevis,
La County is not a walk in the park. It is extremly difficult! Extremly difficult to be accepted, dificult to complete the program, but when you graduate from UICC you are like the US Marines one of the few, the proud, the LA county Instructor!

Prepare well for it, go for it, graduate from it, it is three months of hell but worth every second spent in the program.

sdm

Sam I appreciate it, I have two team mates that are UICC grads, one scholarshiped he was so good. Yes the bar is set high, and hoo rah, I am gearing up for it. The pgm is being run now, I am going to be in the class of 2008!

Thanks for the heeded advice,

T