Category Archives: APSTO News

Emergency Action Plan Considerations for Remote Inland Sites

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The closure of NDAC has removed a well-managed inland site with excellent Emergency Action Plan (EAP ) support from UK technical diver training. Inland alternatives offering suitable depth are also often in remote locations. These locations can have additional challenges for evacuating casualties. Good examples of these sites are Dorothea and Wast water, but Scottish sea lochs and Cambrian mines can also provide similar challenging scenarios for casualty management. 

A new document has been added to this website that aims to assist diving instructors with planning dives at these locations. Various points are illustrated with reference to Dorothea.

View EAP advice document

UK Diving Reopening

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The UK government published information on 22nd February 2021 outlining its roadmap out of lockdown.

If this goes according to plan, on 29th March, outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, will be allowed to reopen, and people can take part in formally organised outdoor sports. (Para 102 of the government guidance).

Diving professionals running diver training activities can consider themselves to fall under the category of “formally organised outdoor sports”, and in this sense, they are a business activity. 

Based on previously issued government guidance, adults can take part in outdoor organised sport and licensed physical outdoor activity in groups of more than six, provided it is organised by a national governing body, club, registered instructor/coach, business or charity; and/or involve someone who has received an official license to use equipment relevant to the activity. In all cases, the organiser must conduct a risk assessment and ensure compliance with COVID-19 Secure guidance or risk getting a fine. 

More detailed advice concerning organised diving events has been produced by the National Governing Body.

APSTO member of Sport & Recreation Alliance

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APSTO has now been approved as a member of the Sport & Recreation Alliance. 

The Sport & Recreation Alliance brings together the sport and recreation sector and supports its members to tackle the challenges and take advantage of opportunities. It is the voice of the sector with Government, policymakers and the media. It aims to help get the nation active at the grassroots by providing advice, support and guidance.

APSTO is now listed on the Sport & Recreation Alliance website here.

COVID-19 Restrictions

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APSTO Advisory: Interpretation of the latest government restrictions regarding the national lockdown

The government has recently published information about the national lockdown. 

At present, there are virtually no scenarios whereby a diving instructor can abide by both the HSE Diving at Work 1997 Regulations (DWR) and the current COVID-19 Restrictions.

Therefore, APSTO advise that as a general principle, the training of divers according to HSE DWR cannot take place at this time.

APSTO is reviewing the situation on a constant basis and will provide further advice as the situation evolves.

New Member Organisation for APSTO

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As the BSAC has a significant number of BSAC Centres who operate as businesses in the UK, the BSAC has joined APSTO to represent their interests. We are pleased to have their input as we try to represent the best interests of UK diving industry professionals.