Yes, I know.  Is that four posts already today?  What can I say, the training team are an active bunch these days!

Check out the EFR Training on the Events or Training Page.  This is a great First Aid course, recognised internationally, but with a leaning towards divers too.  For this course only I’m throwing in the opportunity to learn how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)  for FREE!  (St John’s Ambulance don’t teach THAT!)  I have Adult &  child mannequins to teach with and for those who want it, I can also teach EFR for infants and babies.  This is a separate course as there are more considerations and different procedures for children.

We will also look at treating marine injuries, the difference between treating injuries from different aquatic life and if you’re really good, I’ll tell you about the time I really, really rescued in real life a waiter washed out to sea on Ascension Island!   ;-)

Martin Sigston

GLUG Assistant Training Co-Ordinator

Following the success of our introductory weekend earlier this month, I’ve booked another one for next year.  This is one of several trips, designed for divers with limited or little experience of UK diving.  All dives are limited to 18 meters and all beginners will be paired up with an experienced UK diver.  This isn’t a training trip as such, but an opportunity for people to get some experience in UK diving and work toward joining some of  our more advanced trips.  I also urge those experienced UK divers in the group who are willing to nurture  our newer members to sign up to.  The last trip was huge fun and a great success, not least because of the skipper whom we I have already requested be on the boat!  This is RIB diving too and the hotel is directly opposite the harbour!  What more could you ask?

Y E S!!!!!

We finally managed to get it booked!

We’re off to NEMO 33 in Brussels.  Check out the Events Page for more information and booking forms.  This will be a hugely fun weekend.  You can choose to do two or three dives on the first day and then, if you want to get your dive numbers up, you can dive again on the Sunday, or go out and explore the wonderful city of Brussels.  I’ve booked a group on Eurostar so we can all travel together and start the trip as we mean to go on!  I look forward to seeing you all there soon.

All the best

Martin

GLUG Assistant Training Co-ordinator

Dear all,

We’re ready to run Part 2 of the next Open Water course.  Please see the events page for more details.  I’m running the course along side the Advanced Open Water course with Ian, so there should be a few of us down there.  Also, some other members of GLUG are coming down just to have a dip and pootle around Vobster…..it’s a great place to dive.  Once you’re booked on the course I’ll organise B&B  for you all.  I look forward to seeing you down there.  Anyone wanting to come along just for the dives, let me know.

Indo Siren Cabin

The GLUG trip to Raja Ampat, in January 2012 is now 80% full, with just 3 spaces remaining to be filled.  For more information about the trip, see this post.

At present we have 8 divers from the UK and 5 from California, and we have 3 ladies and 10 guys.

Everyone signed up so far has quite a lot of diving experience (at least 200+ dives), but the trip is open to anyone with a PADI Advanced or equivalent qualification, and 50+ dives.  Raja Ampat does have some unpredictable currents, and is a long way from the nearest Chamber, so the trip is not really suitable for novice divers.

There are a few GLUG members who have registered an interest but not yet signed up, so this is just a friendly reminder to them,  and to anyone else who is thinking about the trip, to act soon!  If there are still places available by the end of October, I’ll be re-advertising it to other NCRD (Northern California Rainbow Divers) members, since I really need it filled by the end of this year in order to make it a full boat charter.

If you need more information, send me an email (log in to the website, then click on the envelope at the top of the post)

UPDATE: WWDS have just told me that they’ve changed the cabin layouts for the Indo Siren (which is being built in Sulawesi at present).  This has given me a headache, to say the least, and so at present I think I can only sell one more female place – unless I can persuade two of the people already booked to share a double.  Watch this space for more news!

GLUG EGYPT TRIP: SEPTEMBER

Do you fancy a fantastic weeks diving on a livaboard trip in the Southern Egyptian Red sea? We have managed to book up the same boat as previous years, M.Y. Blue Seas (with the company Oonas Divers). After many years of organizing the trip Charlie has decided to step back this year so Brian and Val are taking the lead (both have been on similar trips a number of times).

When is it?
Wednesday 14 to Wednesday 21 September 2011 Where is it? This Southern Egyptian Red sea trip is called ‘Simply the Best’ for good reason, it includes diving at Elphinstone, Daedalus and the Brothers. What will we see? You will see amazing coral and all sorts of sea life including sharks. In past years we have seen hammerheads and oceanic white tips.

How much experience do I need to do the trip?
You will need to have a minimum of 50 open water dives and be capable of handling strong currents with sufficient dive skills to cope – e.g. deploying SMBs in mid – water etc.

How much does it cost?
The total cost including flights, transfers, 7 nights full board & 6 days liveaboard diving per person will be approx £1295 + £11 entrance visa. This price is based on flight prices received on 8th September 2010 and are subject to fluctuation. If there is any increase this will be due to a flight supplement. However, your holiday cost including flights will be confirmed to you at the point of booking and payment of the deposit.

How can I get more info and/or sign up?
If you are interested email Val Cohn at and Brian Broadbridge at asap. If you want more info or are not sure if you have enough experience also email Val and Brian. You will need to contact Val or Brian to confirm your interest before contacting Oonas Divers to book a place and pay your deposit.

For more info: Link to the GLUG event page at

LGBT History Month Pre-Launch Invitation.pdfGLUG has received some information about LGBT History Month which has a sport theme this year. We have also received information from the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) about volenterring oppertunities for gay and lesbians.

Rather than reproduce verbatum in a huge post, I’ve uploaded the files to the website for those interested in reading the deails:

LGBT History Month Pre-Launch Invitation.pdf

LOCOG.pdf

Mark

Sipidan Live-Aboard with Thailand’s Rainbow-Scuba
4 to 11 September 2011, 7 Days 7 Nights
6,250 MYR per person sharing twin or double cabin (approx. 1,300 GBP)

Sipadan island is regularly featured in the world’s top 10 dive spots. Scuba with swirling tornado-like formations of Barracuda, big-eye trevallies, thousands of silver jacks, giant size parrot fish, turtles and 3,000 more species. With only one live-aboard operating in this area we are fortunate to have secured full charter for our gay customers during the peak season of 2011.

More details on my web site http://rainbow-scuba.com/calendar/51/19-Sipidan-Liveaboard.html
or email

Best Wishes, Adam, Koh Samui, Thailand

As many of you will know, the gallery section of the website has been suffering a few issues of late. I believe that these are mostly resolved now… I may have a lingering headache but hopefully the user experience will not be error free!

For those of you who have been storing up photos, please feel free to upload them now – you should have access rights.

If you experience any issues please drop me a line () with as many details as possible. I need to know where you got to without error, what you were trying to do when the error occurred and what the error was (especially if there’s an error message displayed). The more information you can provide, the easier it will be for me to resolve the issue.

Fingers crossed, it will all work perfectly though!

Mark

(Webmaster & Membership Secretary)

I have a bisexual female diver looking for female cabin mate to share south Andaman live-aboard in Feb 2011.  Trip starts and ends Phuket, Thailand.  Full trip details please see my web site

http://rainbow-scuba.com/calendar/51/15-Southern-Andaman-Liveaboard.html

For other enquiries please email me directly

Thank You

For anyone who’s concerned about the unnecessary capture and/or slaughter of Dolphins, The Cove is essential viewing.  It documents the annual Dolphin Drive at a small town in Japan, and was filmed covertly, using hidden cameras and microphones.

If you haven’t yet seen The Cove,  Amazon currently have it on offer for just £3.93 plus delivery.    Buy it now, or put it on your wish list!

(PS – If you’re viewing this in an email, I doubt the video will display properly.  Go to the GLUG website for the full experience)

Hello,

I will be running an Advanced Open Water course on the weekend of 30th/31st of October for those who want too I will also run a Dry Suit Diver course and an Enriched Air Nitrox course in conjunction with the advanced course.

The course will be run at Vobster Quay in Somerset so will involve an overnight stay but i will arrange the bed and breakfast.

Anyone who wants too can come along and do any part of the weekends program, the rest of the time you can dive independantly.

If you can’t make these dates but are interested in doing any of these courses please get in touch and i’ll sort a date for you.

Please contact me on: 

or

Thanks very much,

Ian

Training Coordinator

www.pathfinderdiving.co.uk

Dear members,

Challenging diving with Hammerheads, Hunting White Tips, Marbled Rays, Silver Tips, and much much more on The fantastic Seahunter.

Please visit the Events page for booking forms and full details.