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Expedition Report: BSAC Training for Army Squadron

August 28, 2007 on 2:32 pm | In DJL Expedition Reports |

DJL Diving, Koh Tao have been visited by the British Ministry of Defence’s ‘Typhoon Squadron‘.

As part of the Defense Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS), a group travelled to Koh Tao to complete diver training through to BSAC Sports Diver Level.

Organised by Lft Ian Sutcliffe, training was conducted by Sub Aqua Diving Supervisor (SADS) Pete Stone along with DJL Diving’s BSAC National Instructor Les Skelton.

Image: Feeding time aboard the Sampai Jumpa Sailing Liveaboard; Around the table (clockwise) OCDT Liam Wilson, Lft Ian Sutcliffe, Captain Bruce Scott, RAF Air Cadet Emma Dutton, SADS Pete Stone. Seated in the background; DJL instructor Les Skelton & Captain Darren Evans.

Training started off on Koh Tao, with diving theory and shallow water work, run off both our big boat and rib.

The guys then tranferred to the Sailing Liveaboard Sampai Jumpa for a five day - four night dive liveaboard.

Image : Sailing Liveaboard ‘Sampai Jumpa’

The group spent the first two days enjoying the dive sites around Koh Tao - Southwest Pinnacles, Shark Island . . . The liveaboard then sailed to the Chumphon Marine Park, north west of Koh Tao, where dives included building up depth experience and progressing through Sports Diver training. Stunning scenery, remote islands and great marine life.

Images:

1. A small island in the Chumphon Marine reserve

2. Hannah Adams makes a giant stride off the Sampai Jumpa

3. A jellyfish drifts by in the current.

For the final days diving the group sailed back to Koh Tao and made a dawn dive at the spectacular Chumphon Pinnacles. It was barely light as the divers entered the water, but the early start was worth it - lots of big grey reef sharks up around the pinnacle! The guys made a last dive at Mango Bay where they performed rescue skills to conclude their training as BSAC Sports Divers.

Image: From left to right; Officer Liam Wilson, DJL DMT James Crossley, Cadet Hannah Adams, OCDT Mitch Lawson & Officer Cadet Alex Rafferty.

Image at Sunset: From left; Officer Liam Wilson, DJL Diving DMT James Crossley, Officer Cadet Alex Rafferty, OCDT Mitch Lawson and RAF Air Cadet Simon Langley.

The guys have now taken the ferry across to Koh Phangan for a bit of well deserved R&R! We look forward to pairing up with ‘Typhoon Squadron’ again for future diver training expeditions.