Simon Campbell
Musings from an eclectic, eccentric, well travelled and generally funny bloke
Writing
Enemy of the diver
Chapters
Over the years I have seen many diving incidents borne out of bad diving practice and lack of practise. This has inspired me to write a book: ‘Enemy of the Diver’.
It takes a humorous journey through the many ‘Enemies’ that are ready to bite you in the ass with every fin stroke. Of course it has a very serious message and hopefully some bloody good advice that someday may save your life. I also give tips on how to turn these ‘Enemies’ into ‘Friends’!!!
Hopefully you will enjoy my rantings and the article will give you a taster. I really want you all to participate and give me some of the ‘Enemies’ you have encountered in your diving career so there is a comments section at the foot of the article. Remember these can be in or out of the water; anything used will be credited to you!
The book ‘Enemy of the Diver’ will be followed by others in the ‘Enemy of…’ series
Buoyancy workshop
Chapters
The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), as governing body of the sport in the UK, maintain annual, diving related incident reports for all recreational diving activity. From these it became clear that poor buoyancy has been the cause of an increasing number of incidents.
Around 12 mouths ago, Sean Gribbon, BSAC National Diving Officer, asked the Diver Training Group of the National Diving Committee to develop a Buoyancy Workshop.
Alan Jeffery (Diver Training Chief), Richard Scarsbrook (Diver Training Technical Editor) and myself as Diver Training Development Leader, took up the challenge to write a course and on August 01, 2008 the workshop was released.
The Buoyancy and trim workshop is available from British Sub Aqua Club Centres and Branches from August 01st 2008
Finding a boat
Chapters
I have always loved the sea and since my passion for Diving took a grip of our lives (this of course includes Angela – yep, by default she is also in the grip) we have considered buying a boat. As things have developed and the boys are now leaving home we think it’s an increasingly good idea.
People say that the two best days of your life are the day you buy and the day you sell. This may be true but what’s the worse thing that can happen?
Of course, in the usual Campbell gung-ho style, we don’t just want to sail on it we are going to live on it! The associated articles are a brief resume of our adventures to date…
Articles currently unpublished…
BSAC Talk
Chapters
BSAC Talk is the monthly newsletter for the British Sub Aqua Club. It is sent by email to all the members who subscribe to the e-bulletin service and to all branch Membership Secretaries in the post.
There is always a section in there called ‘Safety Talk’ where Jim Watson (aka Watto) BSAC’s very own BSAC Safety & Development Manager spreads general safety messages for the benefit of not only BSAC members, but all divers who read the BSAC website.
This is my humble contribution on my favourite subject, buoyancy control.
Article published in the BSAC talk newsletter, January 2008
National Instructor 2007
Chapters
- Introduction - the pig arc incident
- Day one - Sweeney time
- Day two - Buoyancy Blues
- Day three - Fileshell fun
- Day four - Last day lunacy
On the associated pages you will find an overview report of the 2007 NI Exam that took place in the Kyle of Lochalsh between 3rd and 7th August. The notes were made hurriedly and as the event proceeded I did lose the plot somewhat so I apologise if the chronology of events is not spot on. If you take the exam you will understand!
Above you will see the links to the individual sections of my ramblings. I hope you find it amusing, give you an insight into the days as they build to the crescendo on the final evening and hopefully inspire you to have a go yourself. Go on, you know you want to…
Articles published on the website of the British Sub Aqua Club, November 2005
Planning a club trip
Chapters
A major benefit of club diving is getting the chance to leave the crowds of pay-as-you-go divers to head off in small, specially tailored club trips.
Club expeditions cover all sorts of diving, from day trips to inland sites to lengthy underwater adventures searching for new sites in remote parts of the country. However, organising a club trip for the first time can be daunting. According to the experts, a successful dive expedition is all about planning, delegation, enthusiasm of the group and luck with the weather.
Article published in the ‘Skills & Thrills’ section of DIVE magazine, April 2007
