Big Blue Tech has been hosting a BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) instructor and cross-over course for Ash Dunn, Mark Slinn and Andy Cavell who will be working towards their BSAC Open Water Instructor rating.

The course began with an orientation and moved through topics like academic presentations, confined water presentations and open water presentations. BSAC instructor courses are more streamlined focusing on simply the instructors ability to teach diving and doesn’t put emphasis on ability to sell which is a large portion of other instructor courses.

After 2 days Andy Cavell graduated as he is already an experienced instructor (PADI IDC Staff Instructor). After graduating Andy has to wait for the other two lads to finish before more technical training can continue so he picked up some teaching work by conducting a Deep and Nitrox Specialty starting tomorrow.

Ash and Mark continued through the program delivering more presentations and learning the BSAC way of teaching. This course is essential for their upcoming BSAC Instructor course which will be done in February and ther Compressor Operator Instructor course on the 23rd.

The course was conducted by Les Skelton who is BSAC Thailand director and Instructor Trainer.

Congratulations to all those involved and good luck teaching tomorrow Andy!

The Big Blue Tech family became a little bit bigger with the arrival of Andy Holdaway to start his technical dive master internship which will take him from a rescue diver to a member of staff as an instructor in a few months time.

Andy joins us from England where he has spent the past few years as a Royal Marines Commando and served with our director James Thornton-Allan over 4 years ago. Andy has been to Koh Tao before but this time he’s staying.

Being as Andy already has a relationship with the staff means there’s been quite a few late nights and shakey mornings. However the celebration of his arrival is over and now it’s time to get to work. Andy will be enrolling in the following courses.

PADI Divemaster Internship
TDI Technical Divemaster
TDI Advanced Gas Blender
TDI Service Technician
TDI Advanced Nitrox
TDI Decompression Procedures
TDI Extended Range
PADI Open Water Instructor
PADI Specialty Instructor - Deep and Nitrox
BSAC Compressor Operator

Once that’s done Andy will be joining us to take over the responsibility for all our specialty course training and freelancing for recreational diving while he builds up experience to take on the ominous role of TDI technical instructor.

You served your country now we’re here to serve you, unlike other companies we don’t take money from you just for paperwork. The get paid out of the courses you do, the rest is yours to do what you like. However we do not support military funded holidays. If you’re not looking to getting to this type of diving with serious intentions then this won’t be a good place for you to study.

We have many x-forces who have completed training with us from RAF or NAVY who we can put you in contact with for references.

Blue O Two

Working hand in hand with Blue O Two based in the United Kingdom we can provide technical training or technical explorations to members of the british forces wishing to do some hard core diving in cocktail conditions. Packages are available to help you get the most from your grant including accommodation, food bursaries, flights and exam fees.

The Transition

For many members of the British Forces it comes as quite a shock to leave their life, friends and surroundings and be exposed to such a dramatically different life with palm trees, bikinis and cocktails. Where we help is by meeting you at the airport but not just an employee but one of our very own former military crew members who have been where you’re just coming from. Plus it’s handy having someone you can talk to and show you the good bars for you’re first night!

ELCAS

At the moment the only recognized ELCAS course we offer is the Open Water Instructor Course.